Module: Ressourcement: Renewal Movement in 20th Century Catholic Thought

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Ressourcement: Renewal Movement in 20th Century Catholic Thought
Module Code	RET1066 (ITS: TP501)
Faculty	Theology, Philosophy & Music	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

Description

In the context of the history of Christianity in the twentieth century, this module examines the contribution of the renowned generation of French ressourcement theologians whose influence pervaded French theology and society in the period 1930 to 1960. The module considers the historical development of ressourcement, its contribution to the renaissance in twentieth-century Catholic theology, and to module will consider the contribution of the central figures of ressourcement and nouvelle théologie. Further, the module assesses the threefold programme of renewal at the heart of ressourcement and its engagement with the modern world.

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand the nature and historical evolution of ressourcement and nouvelle théologie;
2. Assess the contribution of the principal ressourcement thinkers to Catholic thought;
3. Understand the contribution of the ressourcement enterprise to contemporary society;
4. Construct a vision for church reform and renewal in view of developments in ecumenism and inter-religious dialogue;
5. Document and assess the contribution of ressourcement to ecumenism, inter-religious dialogue, human dignity and religious liberty.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	18	No Description
Independent Study	107	No Description
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	21195	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator		Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Essay	3500 word essay on a topic agreed with module co-ordinator	90%	n/a
Presentation	Class Presentation on a topic chosen relevant to the module	10%	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

The ressourcement Movement: historical context;

Key ressourcement thinkers;

Ressourcement as method and instrument of theological and ecclesial renewal;

Ressourcement and ‘the Church in the Modern World’;

Ressourcement as opposition to anti-Semitism;

Ressourcement in practice: by reading and analysis of select texts of the central figures of the Ressourcement.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Gabriel Flynn and Paul D. Murray (eds.): 2013, Ressourcement: A Movement for Renewal in Twentieth-Century Catholic Theology, 2nd edn, Oxford University Press, Oxford,
Aubert, R.: 1954, La Théologie Catholique au milieu du XXe siècle, Casterman, Tournai,
Blondel, M.: 1984, Action (1893): Essay on a Critique of Life and a Science of Practice, trans. Olivia Blanchette, University of Notre Dame Press, Notre Dame IN,
Congar, Y.: 1969, This Church That I Love, trans. Lucien Delafuente, Dimension Books, Denville, NJ,
Congar, Y.: 2012, My Journal of the Council, trans. Mary John Ronayne and Mary Cecily Boulding, Liturgical Press, Collegeville, MN:,
De Lubac, H.: 1956, The Splendour of the Church, trans. Michael Mason, Sheed & Ward, London,
De Lubac, H.: 2007, Carnets du Concile, Loïc Figoureux, (ed.), 2 vols, Cerf, Paris,

Articles:

Gilson, E.: 1951, 'Historical Research and the Future of Scholasticism', Modern Schoolman, 29, 1-10, 20406
1990: 'Theology and Culture at Mid-Century: The Example of Henri de Lubac', Theological Studies, 51, 579-602, 20407, 2
False Trends In Modern Teaching: Encyclical Letter (Humani Generis), trans. Ronald A. Knox rev. edn.: London: Catholic Truth Society,

Other Resources

None