PATRISTIC PERSPECTIVES ON SCIENCE AND THEOLOGY

 
 
Unit Weighting                       

9 cps

Type of Unit                

Specialised

Prerequisites                

T8581A

Academic Staff            

Very Rev. Dr Doru Costache, BTh (Bucharest 1993) PhD (Bucharest 2000), Senior Lecturer

Curriculum Objectives

Rather than building on a foundation of science, this unit will build on T8581A. This graduate course unit addresses the interface between science and theology from the viewpoint of patristic tradition. It assists students to appreciate the significance of patristic studies for the current debates in the field of science and theology.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this unit students will be able to:

1. Show a detailed knowledge of the contexts in which patristic attitudes toward science emerged
2. Display an awareness of the main writings and themes pertaining to the patristic approaches to science, and of their assessment in contemporary scholarship
3. Critically analyse the main patristic themes and writings relevant to the science-theology interface
4. Evaluate the position of patristic attitudes toward science within the broader tradition of the Church Fathers
5. Assess the relevance of patristic contributions to the contemporary field of science and theology

Content

1. Introducing science and theology
2. The historical and cultural context of early Church Fathers
3. The historical and cultural context of later Church Fathers
4. Patristic views on science: Main representatives and themes
5. The place of science-theology interface within broader patristic tradition
6. The relevance of patristic contributions to the contemporary field of science and theology

Assessment Profile

1. Show the capacity to critically assess the relevant literature (e.g. summaries or reviews)
2. Demonstrate an awareness of the relevant trends and themes in patristic tradition (e.g. essay)
3. Assess the relevance of patristic contributions to the contemporary field of science and theology (e.g. take home exam)