- Overview
- Module description
The Ethics of Dietrich Bonhoeffer (THE2204)
Staff | Dr Esther Reed - Lecturer |
---|---|
Credit Value | 30 |
ECTS Value | 15 |
NQF Level | 5 |
Pre-requisites | None |
Co-requisites | None |
Duration of Module | Term 1: 11 weeks; |
Module aims
This module aims to:
- Offer an introduction to the life and thinking of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, an important twentieth century martyr whose active opposition to National Socialism resulted in his execution in 1945
- Examine some of Bonhoeffer’s early writings before close attention to three of his most influential and important works: The Cost of Discipleship (1939), the Ethics (1940-1943) and Letters and Papers from Prison alongside reference to other writings by him
- Consider how Bonhoeffer’s rich legacy continues to influence Christian ethics and moral reasoning today, and might be revisited for fresh insight today
ILO: Module-specific skills
- 1. Give an historically-informed account of the life and work, wisdom and witness of Dietrich Bonhoeffer
- 2. Engage theologically with his ethical writings in particular
- 3. Analyse and evaluate his continuing influence in Christian ethics and moral reasoning
- 4. Venture constructive applications of Bonhoeffer's ethics to the present day
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
- 5. Attend to, reproduce accurately, and reflect on the ideas and arguments of a major theologian with fairness and integrity, and to express, as appropriate, their own views about his continuing influence in Christian ethics today denigration of the views of others
- 6. Show critical self-awareness about one's own beliefs, commitments and prejudices
ILO: Personal and key skills
- 7. Communicate effectively with peers and members of the teaching staff in oral form. Particular opportunity for developing communication skills will be provided in the 'presentation' and 'seminar' sessions
- 8. Communicate effectively in written form
- 9. Exercise substantial autonomy in the management of their own learning
- 10. Exercise judgement based on awareness of key issues in the area
- 11. Work effectively with others as reflective practitioners in peer relationships
Syllabus plan
This syllabus plan is indicative not definitive. It is determined broadly by The Bonhoeffer Reader (Fortress, 2013).
- Student Writings: Berlin, Barcelona, New York
- University Lectures
- Ecumenical and Pastoral Writings
- Theology and the Third Reich
- Christian Life and Community
- Christian Ethics and Public Life
- Theology from Prison: Worldly, Religionless Christianity
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
---|---|---|
35 | 265 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
Category | Hours of study time | Description |
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Scheduled learning and teaching | 22 | Lectures: Lectures / class readings of texts, 11 x 2hr sessions that will comprise both input from lecturer and workshop-style readings of texts |
Scheduled learning and teaching | 11 | Seminars: Weekend conference, we are fortunate to be joining with at least two other student groups and the UK Project Bonhoeffer annual event |
Scheduled learning and teaching | 2 | Tutorials: 1-2-1 or small group tutorials (as students prefer), Essay feed-forward sessions, i.e., to help you prepare the best essays of which you are capable |
Guided independent study | 265 | Directed reading and private study |
Formative assessment
Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
---|---|---|---|
Seminar presentation | 15 minutes | 7, 9-10 | Informal peer assessment and oral comments from module co-ordinator |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
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50 | 50 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
---|---|---|---|---|
Essay | 50 | 5000 words | 1-6, 8-10 | Feedforward from module co-ordinator in tutorial and written comments on essay plan |
Examination | 50 | 2 hours | 1-6, 8-10 | Written feedback |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
---|---|---|---|
Essay | Essay | 1-6, 8-10 | Referral/Deferral period |
Examination | Examination | 1-6, 8-10 | Referral/Deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Required reading:
- Clifford J. Green, Michael P. DeJonge, The Bonhoeffer Reader (Fortress Press, 2013)
Wider reading:
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Fortress Press, 2000 - )
Older versions of primary texts are available in the library and may still be used if necessary, e.g.:
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Sanctorum communio: a theological study of the sociology of the church, transl. Joachim von Soosten (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, c1998)
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and papers from prison ed. Eberhard Bethge, transl. Reginald Fuller (London: SCM, 1967)
Secondary reading:
- Stephen Plant, Taking Stock of Bonhoeffer Studies in Biblical Interpretation and Ethics (Farnham: Ashgate, 2014)
- Charles Marsh, Strange Glory: A Life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer (SPCK, 2014)
- Mark Nation, Bonhoeffer the assassin? : challenging the myth, recovering his call to peacemaking (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2013)
- Stanley Hauerwas, Performing the faith: Bonhoeffer and the practice of nonviolence (London: SPCK, 2004)
- John W. de Gruchy, ed., The Cambridge companion to Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999)
- Clifford Green, Bonhoeffer: a theology of sociality (Grand Rapids, Mich; Cambridge: W.B. Eerdmans Pub, 1999)
- William J. Peck, ed., New studies in Bonhoeffer’s ethics (Lewiston, N.Y: E. Mellen Press, c.1987)
Module has an active ELE page?
Yes
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
- The Bonhoeffer Centre is a website that collects articles and information for The International Bonhoeffer Society http://thebonhoeffercenter.org/news
- The Bonhoeffer Studies at Aberdeen website has a small number of highly relevant articles and video clips http://www.abdn.ac.uk/sdhp/divinity-religious-studies/bonhoeffer-studies-at-aberdeen-320.php
Available as distance learning?
No
Origin date
08/02/2017
Last revision date
18/04/2019
Key words search
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Christian Ethics, Sociality, Religionless Christianity