Module: Twentieth Century Theologians

Module Specifications

Academic Year 2026 - 2027

Module Title	Twentieth Century Theologians
Module Code	RET1089
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	Theology, Philosophy & Music
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	7.5

Description

This purpose of this course is to introduce students to a variety of 20th Century Theologians who have shaped current philosophical and theological trends. As important as theological discourse, doctrine, historical context and scripture is for many of these thinkers, the course will explore the many philosophical roots of their work, detailing those post-Kantian themes that have contributed to modern theology: consciousness, existence, subjectivity, transcendental knowledge, hermeneutics, language, narrative and the Marxist heritage. We shall devote time to classical figures of this epoch, such as Karl Barth, Henri de Lubac, Karl Rahner, Stanley Hauerwas as well as investigate “movements” that consist of several thinkers who share a distinctive theological sensibility. The latter shall include critical examinations of Feminist theology, Transcendental Thomism, Post-Liberal Theology, Liberation Theology. The course is therefore designed to deepen the student’s understanding of key figures within late-modern theology, as well as to provide students opportunities for engaging key and frequently overlapping motifs as they evolved in their 20th century context.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify and reflect upon the key themes that have shaped the thinkers under consideration by the class.
2. Summarize, classify, and distill critical theological and philosophical tools and vocabularies present in the text and the text’s legacy. Terms and themes, such as existentialism, being and consciousness and transcendental preapprehension, and they will be appraised as they advance in a particular thinker or debate.
3. Become familiar with classic texts and thematic categories in the discipline of modern theology in the twentieth-century theology, which continue to provide touchstones for contemporary understandings of the humanities.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Lectures and discussion, as well as group work, all in the classroom.
Independent Study	126	Independent study such as reading, writing notes, and review of material throughout the semester.
Total Workload: 150

Section Breakdown
CRN	21456	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	Joseph Rivera	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Essay	An essay of 2,500 words is required as the continuous assessment. The topic will be selected in consultation with the module coordinator.	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

Modern Theology

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Karl Barth: 1936, Church Dogmatics, Vol 1, Part I, T&T Clark, London,
Henri de Lubac: 1998, The Mystery of the Supernatural, Crossroads, New York,
David Ford and Rachel Meurs: 2024, The Modern Theologians, 4th, Blackwell, London,
Karl Rahner: 1978, Foundations of the Christian Faith, Crossroads, London,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None