Theology & Religious Studies

This module is to introduce students to the phenomenon of religion, and to the belief systems and foundational texts of the major world religions, and to engage students in a critical dialogue with the major world religions from within the perspective of the Christian tradition. The phenomenon of religion seen as a possible answer and challenge to the human search for meaning. The nature of religion, and the critiques levelled at it by authors such as Feuerbach, Marx, Nietzsche, and Freud. Introduction to some of the major world religions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Chinese traditions, Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. The world-views and ideas of each religion, and their foundational texts. Specific practices, and political and sociological implications of different religions. Inter-faith dialogue between Christianity and the major world religions.

To provide students with an overview of Christian theology and some of its major themes. To engage students in a critical reflection on the nature of the theological disciplines. Introduction to Christian theology: its nature and history, and its various disciplines. The meaning of Divine Revelation. Faith and belief. The Scriptural basis of theology, including the origin and authority of the Bible. The Christian understanding of God as Trinity.

To introduce students to the foundations of Christian ethics, and to engage students in a critical reflection on the nature of moral theology. The nature of morality. The relationship between religion and ethics. The history and development of moral theology as a discipline. The sources and methods of moral theology, and its contemporary context. The role of the Bible in Christian ethics. The debate about whether or not there is a specific Christian morality. Human freedom, knowledge, moral responsibility, and the relationship between them. The concept of conscience. The natural law in tradition and today. The notion of sin in Scripture, tradition, and modern theological reflection.

To introduce students to theological reflection on Jesus of Nazareth.The distinctive character of the teaching of Jesus in its cultural and historical context. The various starting points for Christological study. The miracles and the parables and their role in Jesus’ proclamation of the Reign of God. The significance of the ministry, death and resurrection of Christ. The humanity and divinity of Christ: the development of Christological doctrine and the debate from the Council of Nicea to the present. Different approaches to Christology today. Christ in inter-religious dialogue: the challenge of other religions and ideologies.

To enable students to gain an in-depth knowledge of one or two contemporary important theological problems. The focus varies from year to year. In recent times the lecturer has chosen to focus on christian faith in contemporary culture. The first part of the module clarifies students' understanding of christian faith, especially, what is meant by faith in general, the act and content of christian faith, the universal character of faith and its relationship to beliefs, and the situation of faith today. The second part of the module reflects on contemporary culture and the challenges and opportunities which consumerism, technology, secularisation and secularism present to christian faith. The third part of the module consists of some guest inputs on themes such as ecology, prayer in contemporary culture, God and violence, and martyrdom in contemporary religion.

To enable students to gain an appreciation of the New Testament in its historical and social context.To introduce students to the main themes of the Second Testament books and to develop methodological skills.The historical, geographical, and social background of the New Testament books. The origins, formation and transmission of the Second Testament. New Testament writings as rooted in the Old Testament and the Jewish tradition. The canon of the New Testament. The form and content of the First Testament books: the Synoptic Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, the Johannine Literature, and the Pauline Letters. Biblical methodology, and exegesis of key New Testament texts for their theological significance.

To examine the major themes involving the God-question from a Christian perspective thereby providing students with a solid grounding in some of the key issues in systematic theology. The Christian understanding of God. The origins, development, and the relevance of the doctrine of the Trinity. The problem of evil and theodicy. The atheist critique of faith and belief. The Christian understanding of eschatology. Writings of key thinkers from the patristic, medieval and modern eras as illustrating the manifold nature of the Christian understanding of God throughout the tradition.

Note: The following example is Church and State, morality and civil law. Other topics are possible, such as Bioethics, Just War Theory, Justice and Human Rights, Sexual Ethics and Virtue.

The New Testament and how the early Christians understood their relationship to civil society and the political authorities. The relationship between Christianity and the world, and the “autonomy” of secular matters. The nature and function of teaching authority in the Church, and its practical exercise in political and social matters. Conscience, religious freedom, the common good, and Church-State relations. Morality and civil law: Aquinas, the Hart Devlin debate, and recent theological reflection. The Christian as a public official and as a voter.

To enable students to gain an appreciation of the role of ritual and worship in Christianity.To provide students with a basic theological and historical knowledge of the Christian sacraments.The concepts of ritual and symbol. Liturgy and worship. The concept of sacramentality. Christ as the primordial sacrament of God, and the Church as a basic sacrament. Outline of the historical development and theology of the sacraments, with special emphasis on Baptism and Eucharist. Ecumenical and contemporary pastoral considerations concerning liturgy and the sacraments. Particular issues (e.g. the liturgical year, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, etc).

To introduce students to the ecclesial dimension of Christianity. The Biblical roots of ecclesial consciousness and the origins of the Christian Church. Survey of the main events in the history and life of the Church: pre-Constantinian Christianity; from Constantine to the East-West schism; the Reformation and the Council of Trent; Vatican I to Vatican II; the ecumenical movement; current and possible future developments. The nature of the Church and its marks. Models as a means of understanding ecclesiology. Salvation outside the Church. Ministries. Issues concerning ecclesial authority and structures. Special questions in ecclesiology.

The purpose of this module is to introduce students to major world religions and to equip students with the requisite knowledge to teach world religions in a post-primary school. The module introduces students to the phenomenon of religion and to the central belief systems, sacred practices and foundational texts of major world religions. It engages students in a critical dialogue with major world religions (such as Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism) from within the perspective of the Christian tradition. The module investigates the phenomenon of religion as a possible answer and challenge to the human search for meaning and also explores some of the critiques levelled at it. It explores the importance of inter-religious dialogue between Christianity and major world religions. A knowledge of major world religions is a core component of the discipline of Theology & Religious Studies and enables students to fulfil relevant requirements (such as The Teaching Council Curricular Specifications for Religious Education) for teaching RE at post-primary level.

The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the academic discipline of theology by acquainting them with theological reasoning as applied to a select number of key theological questions. In particular, students are exposed to philosophical and scriptural reasoning in the context of questions regarding God’s existence, science, and human identity. The course includes dialectical engagement with secular (non-theological) sources and positions, and incorporates philosophy of religion throughout.

The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the Old Testament and to equip students with the requisite knowledge to teach the Old Testament in a post-primary school. The module introduces students to the canon of the Old Testament and its main theological themes (e.g., God, covenant, faith, exodus, law, kingship, temple, exile, and prophecy). It will explore key texts and characters of the Old Testament (such as the stories of Abraham, Moses, and David) and situate them in their literary, historical, and cultural contexts. In so doing, it will introduce critical methods, skills, and tools required to read biblical narratives in a competent way. The module will also investigate the importance of the covenants of the Old Testament and the books of prophecy for the New Testament. A key question underlying the module is how the Old Testament is the foundation for the New Testament. The module will also explore how the Old Testament has been received in culture throughout history (e.g., in art, literature, music, film, tv). A knowledge of the Old Testament is a core component of the discipline of Theology & Religious Studies and enables students to fulfil relevant requirements (such as The Teaching Council Curricular Specifications for Religious Education) for teaching RE at post-primary level.

The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the New Testament and to equip students with the requisite knowledge to teach the New Testament in a post-primary school. The module introduces students to the canon of the New Testament (especially the Gospels and the Epistles of Paul) and its main theological themes. It will explore key texts and characters of the New Testament and situate them in their literary, historical, and cultural contexts. In so doing, it will introduce critical methods, skills, and tools required to read biblical narratives in a competent way. The module will also investigate how the New Testament relates to the Old Testament, particularly regarding the expectation of a Jewish Messiah and the significance of Jewish law. A key question underlying the module is how Christianity emerges from Judaism. The module will also explore how the New Testament has been received in culture throughout history (e.g., in art, literature, music, film, tv). A knowledge of the New Testament is a core component of the discipline of Theology & Religious Studies and enables students to fulfil relevant requirements (such as The Teaching Council Curricular Specifications for Religious Education) for teaching RE at post-primary level. 

The purpose of this module will be to deepen participants’ knowledge and understanding of the person and work of Jesus Christ and introduce them to the main questions relating to the development of Christology. A knowledge of the New Testament and its Christology is foundational for students’ engagement with other theological topics. RE teachers need to know the fundamental elements of what the New Testament says about Jesus Christ and have the skills to apply this to their teaching. This module aims to develop participants’ critical knowledge and understanding of the person and ministry of Jesus Christ. It will also introduce them to the main questions for investigating the significance of Jesus Christ for today.

The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the academic discipline of Christian ethics/moral theology by (a) acquainting them with core moral-theological categories, and (b) developing their capacity for theological reasoning as regards a selection of moral issues. The course includes dialectical engagement with secular (non-theological) sources and positions, and incorporates moral philosophy throughout.

The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the question of God and to equip students with the requisite knowledge to teach about God in a post-primary school. The module introduces students to the question of God and, in particular, it will engage students in how Christianity approaches the question of God. By drawing upon the Bible and key thinkers it will outline the origins, development, relevance and critiques of the doctrine of the Trinity. The module will also investigate important philosophical questions relating to both the existence and nature of God (e.g., Problem of Evil, Morality and God, Arguments for the existence of God such as the Cosmological Argument, Argument from Design, and Ontological Arguments). It will also explore how the question of God is approached and experienced in culture (e.g., in art, literature, music, film, tv). The aim is to enable students to gain an appreciation of how the question of God is approached and critiqued in contemporary society. A knowledge of God is a core component of the discipline of Theology & Religious Studies and enables students to fulfil relevant requirements (such as The Teaching Council Curricular Specifications for Religious Education) for teaching RE at post-primary level.

The purpose of this module is to equip students with both a basic knowledge and philosophical understanding of the nature and purpose of religious education, the distinction between denominational and secular approaches to religious education, and contemporary issues concerning the intersection of ethos and religious education. 

The purpose of this module is to provide an introduction to the origins, nature, and tasks of the Catholic Christian Church (founded on Peter and in which all Christian Churches participate to varying degrees) and to give insight into important theological and historical aspects of the Church, including its contributions, controversies, and challenges. 

The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the significance of symbol and ritual in religious traditions, having human life in general and in religious traditions in particular. It will engage students in an analysis of how symbols facilitate human communication, shape identity, and foster a sense of belonging. The module will focus on patterns of ritual and symbolism in religious traditions, having regard to the sacramental praxis common to many Christian traditions, particularly as expressed in the Roman Catholic tradition. Students will explore the meaning contained in religious rituals of initiation and reconciliation – rites commonly celebrated in primary and secondary schools. The aim of the module is to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to meet curricular requirements for teaching Religious Education at post-primary level and to respond to the evolving cultural and educational context in which Religious Education is carried out today.

The purpose of this module is to develop students’ understanding of Christian ethics/moral theology through study of both key concepts/ideas and various ethical issues. Moral theological reasoning, inclusive of philosophical reasoning, is demonstrated and encouraged throughout the module through dialectical engagement with both Christian and secular (non-theological) sources and positions.