Module: Christian Foundations

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Christian Foundations
Module Code	EDU1050 (ITS: CCE102)
Faculty	Human Development	School	DCU Institute of Education
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

Christian Foundations is an introduction to theology and the Christian religious tradition. It comprises an ordered reflection on the foundational religious experience of the Christian faith, namely the revelation of God’s true self in the history and life of Jesus of Nazareth, as told in the Gospels and interpreted through human experience.

Learning Outcomes

1. Develop an understanding of the fundamentals of the Christian story and vision.
2. Reflect critically upon the revelation of God’s true self in the history and life of Jesus of Nazareth, as told in the Gospels and interpreted through human experience.
3. Interpret the relevance of the Christian vision for his/her personal religious/spiritual quest and search for meaning.
4. Become familiar with some critical techniques when studying a biblical text.

Total Workload: 0

Section Breakdown
CRN	10462	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Cora O'Farrell	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	n/a	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

In the Beginning

Introduction to Christology
This component of the module comprises an ordered reflection on the foundational religious experience of the Christian faith, namely the revelation of God’s true self in the history and life of Jesus of Nazareth, as told in the Gospels and interpreted through human experience.

The World of the New Testament

The Historical Jesus: teacher, preacher, healer

The Ministry & Mission of Jesus, Passion Death and Resurrection
It aims to introduce students to the fundamentals of Christianity. The Christian faith embodies a vision of the world and humanity that is founded upon the relationship between God and God's creation as revealed in the person and ministry of Jesus Christ.

A New Community
In the light of questions raised by the hopes, fears and longings of the present age, the student is invited to interpret the relevance of the Christian vision for his/her personal religious/spiritual quest and search for meaning.

Conflict with the Religious Authorities

Passion and Death of Jesus

The Resurrection

Development of Doctrine

Contemporary Christology

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Johnson, E.: 1990, Consider Jesus, 1,4,5,6,7,8,9., Crossroad, New York,
Mc Verry, P.: 2008, Jesus: Social Revolutionary?, Veritas, Dublin,
O’Collins, Gerald.: 1983, Interpreting Jesus, 1,4., Chapman, London,
Hession, A. and Kieran, P. eds: 2007, Exploring Theology: Making Sense of the Catholic Tradition, 7, Veritas, Dublin,
Pagola, José A.: 2012, Jesus: An Historical Approximation, 3,5,6, 9,10,13,14, Convivium Press, Florida,
Kasper, Walter.: 1989, Jesus the Christ., Crossroad, New York,
McBride, Dennis: 2006, Jesus & The Gospels, Redemptorist Publications, Chawton, Hamps.,
Richardson, Alan.: 1979, Creeds in the Making., SCM, London,
Senior, Donald.: 1975, Jesus: a Gospel Portrait., Pflaum Press, Ohio,
Lane, Dermot: 1983, The Reality of Jesus, Veritas, Dublin,
Meier, J. P.: 1990, ‘Jesus,’ in the New Jerome Biblical Commentary, Prentice-Hall, New Jersey,
McBride, Dennis.: 2006, Where does the Jesus Story Begin?, Redemptorist Publications, Chawton, Hamps,
Rausch, Thomas P.: 2003, Who is Jesus?, Collegeville, Minnesota,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

Video: Zefferelli, Franco, 'Jesus of Nazareth', Franco Zefferelli, 'Jesus of Nazareth', https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50IiF1rTTGQ