| CODE | FDT5611 | ||||||
| TITLE | Theological Anthropology, Gender and Sexuality | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Fundamental and Dogmatic Theology, including Ecumenism | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The study-unit will reflect upon the human person in the light of Christian faith. It will focus on: - The dignity of human beings who, created in the image of God and called to be stewards of God's creation, stand in relationship with God and with one another; - Their identity as male and female; - Sexuality as God's gift to creation; - The institution of marriage as envisioned by God. The study of each doctrine begins with a brief survey of biblical and classical understandings/controversies, followed by consideration of the critiques and correctives offered by post-liberal, political, liberation and feminist theologians. The impact of recent developments in social constructivist understandings of gender, sexuality and selfhood are explored. Study-Unit Aims: The study-unit is aimed at: - Presenting the process of development, the main theoretical premises and the basic problems of feminism-inspired anthropological studies of gender and sexuality; - Provide understanding of the socially constructed and power-laden roots of sex, gender, and sexuality as they intersect with ideologies of class, ethnicity, nation, and race; - Showing the evolution of theoretical approaches toward gender and sexuality in view of their relationships with wider anthropological theory and theological discourse; - Providing the Catholic teachings on the dignity of the human person, sexuality and marriage, highlighting how these beliefs contrast with other positions regarding human nature, mainly with the gender theory; - Teaching how to critically assess media and other popular representations of gender roles and stereotypes in the light of a theology of the body. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Identify the essential elements in a Christian theological perspective on the human person, with a focus on human identity, sexuality, embodiment and self-transcendence; - Compare and contrast these elements/beliefs with other theories and teachings regarding human nature; - Address issues relevant to female and male differences in power, dominance, communication, equality and expectations; - Appreciate the importance of human reciprocity and the culture of gift. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Construct a reflection upon self, nature, society and God more appropriately, and formulate one’s theological reflections insightfully and creatively both orally and in writing; - Examine and criticize the difference gender provokes in human experience and how this is affected by race, class, and culture. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - MASCIA-LEES, F. - JOHNSON BLACK, N., "Gender and Anthropology". Prospect Heights, IL.: Waveland Press 2000. - CIALLE, A., "Il terzo paradigma. Antropologia filosofica del dono". Torino: Bollati Boringhieri 1998. - BROWNING, D.S. - COOPER, T.D., "Religious Thought and Modern Psychologies. A Critical Conversation in the Theology of Culture". Philadelphia: Fortess Press 2004. - GONZALEZ, M.A., "Created in God's Image. An Introduction to Feminist Theological Anthropology". Maryknoll, NY: Orbis 2007. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Tutorial | ||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Pauline Dimech |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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