Module: Mystical Theology in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam

Module Specifications

Academic Year 2026 - 2027

Module Title	Mystical Theology in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam
Module Code	RET1086
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	Theology, Philosophy & Music
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

Description

This module will examine the interconnected traditions of mystical theology in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It will focus on the medieval period, but will consider both the earlier influences on mystical theologies and their modern and contemporary influences where relevant. It will consider the philosophical underpinnings of mystical theology, the interrelationships between the three traditions, and the relationship between mystical theologies and their social, political, and cultural contexts, engaging with a mixture of classic and cutting edge scholarship on these traditions.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of key themes and concepts of mystical theology in Jewish, Christian, and/or Islamic tradition
2. Utilise independently a range of academic materials to critically discuss key mystical texts and thinkers
3. Critically evaluate the relationship between mystical texts and their philosophical, historical, and/or social contexts
4. Analyse the use of language, imagery, and philosophical concepts in mystical theological texts

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Assignment Completion	100	No Description
Independent Study	100	No Description
Directed learning	26	No Description
Total Workload: 250

Section Breakdown
CRN	21409	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Marika Rose	Module Teacher	Brad Anderson

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Essay	Extended research essay on assigned topic	80%	n/a
Presentation	Presentation on weekly readings in class sessions	20%	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

Content
- Introduction to mystical theology - Mystical ascent - Positive and negative ways to God - Union with God - Gendering mysticism - Mystical desire - Contemplation and action - Mysticism and politics - Mysticism and heresy

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Attar, Farid al-Din: 2009, Farid Ad-Din ʻAttār’s Memorial of God’s Friends: Lives and Sayings of Sufis, Paulist Press,
Bataille, Georges: 2014, Inner Experience, Suny Press,
Biale, David: 1982, Gershom Scholem: Kabbalah and Counter-History, Harvard University Press,
Dan, Joseph, and Ronald C Kiener: 1986, The Early Kabbalah, Paulist Press,
Eckhart, Meister: 1981, Meister Eckhart, the Essential Sermons, Commentaries, Treatises, and Defense, Paulist Press,
Hollywood, Amy: 2016, Acute Melancholia and Other Essays: Mysticism, History, and the Study of Religion, Columbia University Press,
Jantzen, Grace: 1995, Power, Gender and Christian Mysticism., Cambridge University Press,
McGinn, Bernard: 2006, The Essential Writings of Christian Mysticism, Modern Library,
Sells, Michael Anthony: 1996, Early Islamic Mysticism: Sufi, Qurʼan, Miraj, Poetic and Theological Writings, Paulist Press,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None