Universität Wien

020030 SE Deepening Seminar on Systematic-Theological Research (2024S)

God Beyond Theism: Reimagining God in a Post-Modern World

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 2 - Evangelische Theologie
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 25 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Tuesday 05.03. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 2 Schenkenstraße 8-10 5.OG
  • Tuesday 19.03. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 2 Schenkenstraße 8-10 5.OG
  • Tuesday 09.04. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 2 Schenkenstraße 8-10 5.OG
  • Tuesday 16.04. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 2 Schenkenstraße 8-10 5.OG
  • Tuesday 23.04. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 2 Schenkenstraße 8-10 5.OG
  • Tuesday 30.04. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 2 Schenkenstraße 8-10 5.OG
  • Tuesday 07.05. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 2 Schenkenstraße 8-10 5.OG
  • Tuesday 14.05. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 2 Schenkenstraße 8-10 5.OG
  • Tuesday 21.05. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 2 Schenkenstraße 8-10 5.OG
  • Tuesday 28.05. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 2 Schenkenstraße 8-10 5.OG
  • Tuesday 04.06. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 2 Schenkenstraße 8-10 5.OG
  • Tuesday 11.06. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 2 Schenkenstraße 8-10 5.OG
  • Tuesday 18.06. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 2 Schenkenstraße 8-10 5.OG
  • Tuesday 25.06. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 2 Schenkenstraße 8-10 5.OG

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Contents:
This seminar deals with current debates on the concept of God and its relationship to dogmatics, especially in relation to postmodern philosophy and "The Death of the Death of God". In particular, the diverse developments of post-theistic thought will be examined, taking into account the historical and social contexts of some key texts. Accordingly, the seminar examines various currents of contemporary conceptions of God, including theism and atheism after the Second World War, the radical theology of John D. Caputo as well as feminism, "womanism," and queer theology.

Aims:
In this seminar, various approaches to reflecting on God in postmodernism will be discussed and interpreted. Participants will be enabled to evaluate different interpretations and positions and to analyze their theological, philosophical, and ethical consequences. They will also discuss how the concept of God can be related to other systematic theological topics such as theological anthropology, creation, justification and redemption.

Seminar language:
The seminar will be held mostly in English. The seminar paper at the end of the semester can be written in either English or German.

Assessment and permitted materials

Assessment: attendance, reading and active participation, short seminar paper (10-12 pages). Reading response papers (no longer than 1 page) will be submitted before the start of each class. However, only three of these papers will be graded and the students will choose which three.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Regular attendance (max. 2 missed units)

Weighting of performance (total 100 points):
Partial performance 1 (active participation): 25 points
Partial performance 2 (reflection paper): 25 points
Partial performance 3 (seminar paper): 50 points

In order to successfully complete the course, all three components must be completed successfully.

Grade 1 = 87 - 100 points
Grade 2 = 75 - 87 points
Grade 3 = 63 - 74 points
Grade 4 = 50 - 62 points
Grade 5 = 0 - 49 points

Examination topics

The texts discussed in the seminar including research literature.

Reading list

Previous knowledge of topics and concepts of systematic theology is recommended.

Literature that will be read (partly) in the seminar includes:
- Caputo, J. D. (2006). The Weakness of God: A Theology of the Event. Bloomington/Indianapolis: Indiana University Press.
- Caputo, J. D., Vattimo, G., & Robbins, J. W. (Eds.). (2009). After the Death of God. New York, N.Y.: Columbia University Press.
- Johnson, Elizabeth A. (2010). “Female Symbols for God: The Apophatic Tradition and Social Justice.” In International Journal of Orthodox Theology, 1:2.
- Jonas, H. (1987). Der Gottesbegriff nach Auschwitz: Eine jüdische Stimme. Surkamp Frankfurt.
- Sölle, D. (1968). Atheistisch an Gott glauben: Beiträge zur Theologie. Walter-Verlag Olten und Freiburg i.Br.
- von Sass, H. (2022). Atheistisch glauben: Ein theologischer Essay. Matthes & Seitz Berlin.
- Williams, Delores S. (2001).Sisters in the Wilderness: the Challenge of Womanist God-Talk. 6th print. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: We 31.07.2024 11:25