Module: Spirituality

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Spirituality
Module Code	RET1027 (ITS: TP148)
Faculty	Theology, Philosophy & Music	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	7.5

Description

The purpose of this module is to study Christian Spirituality. This includes examining prayer and spirituality in the Scriptures, in particular in the book of Psalms. An overview of the history of Christian Spirituality is presented. The tight connection between prayer and the mystical theology tradition is explored. A consideration of Trinitarian Spirituality is central to this module. It also investigates spiritualities found in other religious traditions and philosophies, and explores how these relate to Christian spirituality. In this module students develop knowledge and skills in the history and theology of the practices of Christian prayer, meditation, and contemplation. Students will participate in the following learning activities – [a] weekly lectures on the history and theology and practice of spirituality, [b] weekly practice of various methods of meditation, [c] class discussion of these practices and the theory behind them, [d] keeping a weekly personal reflective journal, and [e] completing an essay displaying critical understanding of the key concepts and themes in Christian Spirituality.

Learning Outcomes

1. 1. Engage with the sources, beliefs and practices which have defined Christianity, making guided use of primary and secondary documentation.
2. 2. Critically reflect on and engage with the rich Christian mystical tradition.
3. 3. Initiate and structure a dialogue between contemporary life experience and the Christian traditions of prayer, meditation, and contemplation.
4. 4. Critically appreciate and appraise how Christian traditions of Spirituality are related to those found in other religious and philosophical traditions.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Assignment Completion	30	No Description
Independent Study	133.5	No Description
Total Workload: 187.5

Section Breakdown
CRN	11518	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale		Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category		Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	John Murray	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Reflective journal	Student will keep a weekly journal in which he or she will reflect on the learning and experience and practices arising out of the module as it unfolds.	50%	n/a
Essay	Essay on one of a number of options, as specified by the lecturer in class. Allows student to choose in consultation with lecturer what topic to study and write about. 2000 words maximum length.	50%	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

Spirituality as grounded in philosophy and anthropology

Foundations of Spirituality in Christian Scripture and Faith

Praying with scripture

History of Christian Spirituality

Spirituality and Sacrament/Liturgy/Worship

Vocal and Imaginative/Mental Prayer

Lectio Divina – spiritual reading

Ignatian Spirituality – The Examen

John Main’s ‘Christian Meditation’ – a mantra approach

Mindfulness and other Modern Trends

Christian Spirituality and Spirituality in other Religions

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Carrette, Jeremy R. and Richard King: 2005, Selling Spirituality: The Silent Takeover of Religion, Routledge,
Coakley, Sarah and Paul L. Gavrilyuk (eds.): 2021, The Spiritual Senses: Perceiving God in Western Christianity, Cambridge University Press,
Flanagan, Bernadette and László Zsolnai (eds.): 2019, The Routledge International Handbook of Spirituality in Society and the Professions, Routledge,
Holder, Arthur (ed.): 2005, The Blackwell Companion to Christian Spirituality, Blackwell,
McGrath, Alister: 1999, Christian Spirituality: An Introduction, Blackwell,
McPherson, David (ed.): 2017, Spirituality and the Good Life: Philosophical Approaches, Cambridge University Press,
Sheldrake, Philip: 2013, A Brief History of Spirituality, 2nd, Wiley and Sons,
Torrell, Jean-Pierre: 2013, Christ and Spirituality in St. Thomas Aquinas, Catholic University of America Press,
Turner, Denys and Oliver Davies (eds.): 2002, Silence and the Word: Negative Theology and the Incarnation, Cambridge University Press,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None