Christian Spirituality MA modules
View MA course dates through the 2010-2011 academic year.
Most modules begin on Monday afternoon and then run from 9.30 am until 5.15 pm on each full day over the next three days. Students may be residential or non-residential. On the first afternoon there is an important induction session and the first class takes place on the Monday evening. On each of the following days there will be two classes in the morning and two in the afternoon, each lasting 1½ hours. Each intensive course will thus involve 18 classroom hours.
To learn more about attending any of these module as an auditor (i.e. not for credit), please phone Anne on 01722 424827.
Core Modules
Core Module 1 – Foundations and Forms of Christian Spirituality
An introduction to the study of Christian Spirituality through the medium of different spiritual traditions. The module investigates how Christian Spirituality may be studied as an academic discipline and considers the relevance of tradition for understanding Christian Spirituality. Students are also introduced to the general principles of interpretation applied to reading or using historical texts.
Core Module 2 – The Contemporary Study of Christian Spirituality
An introduction to a variety of disciplinary approaches to the contemporary study of Christian Spirituality including theological, philosophical, political and aesthetic approaches. The module considers, in particular, the question of how contemporary Christian Spirituality is shaped by and responds to the post-modern condition.
Optional Modules
Embodying Wisdom: Psychological and Philosophical Roots of Christian Spirituality
An introduction to some key concepts within the psychological and philosophical debates of the past 100 years that have moulded and influenced our contemporary understanding of Christian spirituality. It also explores in more depth the work of Jung, Wittgenstein and Derrida and their influence on the contemporary understanding of spirituality.
Pastoral Ministry and Christian Spiritual Direction
(It is important to note that this module is not a training course either in spiritual direction or in counselling.)
An exploration of the nature of Christian ministry, broadly defined. This module addresses some central issues in pastoral ministry such as: faith development, aging, and death and dying and students are introduced to a variety of forms and traditions of spiritual guidance in the Christian tradition.
Sexuality and Spirituality
An examination of the interface between sexuality and spirituality. This module explores how sexuality has been viewed in the Christian tradition; the challenges presented by developments in contemporary philosophy and psychology; and the contribution Christian discourse can make to contemporary debates on sex, sexuality and gender.
Western Christian Mysticism
An exploration of the spirituality of 16th century Spain with particular reference to the texts and lives of St Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross. The module evaluates their contribution to the Western mystical tradition with particular reference to the contemporary study of mysticism. Present interest in their work is assessed, especially from a feminist, psychological and interfaith perspective.
Medieval Spirituality
An examination of the politics and cultural movements that affected the development of Christian spirituality during the Medieval period. The module considers the role of medieval women and assesses the impact of the Crusades on the development of relationships with Islam.
Contemporary Spirituality
An analysis of recent developments in Contemporary Spirituality, particularly in the light of various writing on the ‘spirituality revolution’ across a range of disciplines. Authors and texts will be studied from both Christian and non-Christian traditions in order to gain a broader perspective on the spiritual quest in the contemporary context.
Celtic Spirituality
An exploration of some basic themes in Celtic spirituality and the historical background against which they were set. The module investigates how the Celtic peoples viewed the world around them and assesses what that vision can mean for us today.
Literature and Spirituality
Tracing the interconnections between literature and spirituality in a selection of novels and poetry from C17 to the present day, this module pays particular attention to the use of classical myth and the biblical theme of pilgrimage in modern English literature. Students are encouraged to give their own critical readings and to develop their own understanding of the relationship between the literary imagination and the spiritual quest.
Green Faith
An exploration of Christian spirituality in the context of the current environmental crisis. This module offers a critique of mainstream Christianity but also seeks to recover positive resources for today from within the Christian tradition. The module includes a visit to two Christian communities seeking to live out the connections between spirituality and sustainability.
Art, Belief and Spirituality
An exploration of the relationship between Christian art, experience, belief and practice. Case studies drawn from several different periods of art history are examined and their relevance for today’s clergy and laity, theologians and artists evaluated.
Guided Reading Module
This module may count as one of the Optional Modules for the MA in Christian Spirituality. The module aims to provide students with the opportunity to pursue supervised study on a topic of their choice in any aspect of the field of Christian Spirituality which has been approved by the Programme Committee. It enables them to extend further the critical skills needed to interpret primary sources and/or to assess the judgements and interpretations of secondary sources. A reading schedule and essay question will be agreed with an assigned tutor and private study will be supported by tutorials.