Module: Philosophy & God: Selected Readings

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Philosophy & God: Selected Readings
Module Code	RET1058 (ITS: TP524)
Faculty	Theology, Philosophy & Music	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

Description

This module provides the opportunity for students to read and discuss in detail Spinoza’s 'Theological-Political Treatise' – a text now regarded as being formative for the emergence of modernity as a whole. The module situates the book in its historical context, and also in the context of Spinoza’s wider metaphysical and epistemological commitments, before exploring its different aspects in fine detail. Concentrated attention is given to the critique of revelation, the critical-historical method Spinoza employs, and to the directly political conclusions that the text draws. Students are expected to engage with the text and to contribute to lectures, and they will develop knowledge of key philosophical concepts and skills of deep critical engagement with a philosopher’s work.

Learning Outcomes

1. engage in close analysis and interpretation of an important philosophical text;
2. comprehend central issues and themes in the history of Western philosophy;
3. situate and assess these issues and themes in their wider historical and cultural context;
4. construct their own arguments in discussion, and present arguments and ideas in written form;
5. synthesize a relevant range of key philosophical concepts and interpretations to form a coherent overview.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	22	No Description
Independent Study	228	No Description
Total Workload: 250

Section Breakdown
CRN	11539	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	Ian Leask	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Essay	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

Context: Descartes; Spinoza’s Jewish heritage; politics in 17th century Holland

Spinoza’s monism & his differentiation of reason and imagination

Desacralizing the Bible: Prophecy, Miracles, Ceremonies

Spinoza’s critical-historical method: Scripture as material artefact

Civil right and free thought

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Baruch Spinoza: 2007, Theological-Political Treatise (ed.J.Israel), Cambridge UP,
Etienne Balibar: 1997, Spinoza and Politics, Verso,
Moira Gatens & Genevieve Lloyd: 1999, Collective Imaginings. Spinoza, Pasts & Present, Routledge,
Stuart Hampshire: 1987, Spinoza, Penguin,
Jonathan Israel: 2001, Radical Enlightenment: Philosophy & the Making of Modernity, Oxford UP,
Susan James: 2012, Spinoza on Philosophy, Religion & Politics, Oxford UP,
Steven Nadler: 2012, A Book Forged in Hell: Spinoza’s Scandalous Treatise and the Birth of the Secular Age, Princeton UP,
Richard Popkin: 2004, Spinoza, Oneworld,
M. Rosenthal & Y. Melamed (eds.): 2013, Spinoza’s “Theological-Political Treatise”: A Critical Guide,, Cambridge UP,
Hasana Sharp: 2011, Spinoza and the Politics of Renaturalization, Chicago UP,
Leo Strauss: 1997, Spinoza’s Critique of Religion, Chicago UP,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

website: Stanford Encylopaedia of Philosophy,