CHTH 70970/80970/90970 Special Topics in Christian
Thought: Rene Girard and Theology (syllabus)
3 semester hours, Brite Divinity School, Fort Worth, Texas
Tues./Thurs., 2-4pm;
July 5-29, 2011; Room 14
Instructor: Charles Bellinger c.bellinger@tcu.edu 817-257-7668
Prerequisites: any course in theology or ethics; pre-course reading of The Girard Reader
Description of Content: This course addresses the key themes in the writings of Rene Girard, with a view to the impact his thought has had on theological reflection. Particular attention will be paid to the topics of biblical revelation, christology, trinity, atonement, anthropology, ethics, and preaching.
Course Objectives:
1. Students will gain a grounding in the basic elements of Rene Girard's thought.
2. Students will survey the theological themes in Girard's writings, and consider how
theological scholars have responded to, critiqued, and adapted his ideas.
3. Students will articulate their own critical and constructive response to Girard's
thought.
Class Procedures:
In-class meetings will employ a seminar format. There will also be a supplementary
Internet threaded discussion throughout the course.
Requirements and Grading Procedures:
1. Attendance and class participation. (20% of grade)
2. Participation in Internet discussion. (20% of grade)
3. Final paper, 20-25 pp. (60% of grade) [possible foci: biblical
interpretation from a Girardian point of view; Christology; Trinity; atonement;
theological anthropology; history of Christianity; imitation of saints; ethics; preaching; eucharist; apologetics and other
religions; other topics?] {final paper due by noon on Aug. 6}
Texts:
Alison, James. Faith Beyond Resentment: Fragments Catholic and Gay. New
York: Crossroad Herder, 2001. ISBN: 0824519221, $27
Girard, Rene. The Girard Reader. New York: Crossroad Herder, 1996. ISBN: 0824516346, $35
Heim, Mark. Saved from Sacrifice: A Theology of the Cross. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2006. ISBN: 0802832156, $20
Kirwan, Michael. Girard and Theology. New York: T & T Clark, 2009. ISBN: 567032272, $26
There will be additional readings assigned by the instructor and chosen by the student.
| Schedule: (reading assignments should be
completed by the date next to which they are listed) This syllabus represents current plans that are subject to change. Such changes, communicated by the instructor, are not unusual and should be expected. |
||
| reading assignments | supplementary | |
| Important: before the course begins, students need to have read The Girard Reader | ||
| Week One | The Girard Reader; Kirwan, 1-32 | Bellinger GV ch. on RG; VS reviewed by N. Smart; TS reviewed by Yoder |
| Week Two | Kirwan, 33-105, 132-145 | von Balthasar; Milbank; Hart; Hunsinger; Schwager; Taylor; Rowan Wms.; |
| Bailie; Boersma | ||
| Week Three | Heim, ix-329 | Placher; Bellinger last ch. of GV |
| Week Four | Alison, ix-208 | |
| Yoder; McBride; Ward; Nuechterlein on nonviolence | ||
Statement on Disability Services: Texas Christian University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 regarding students with disabilities. Eligible students seeking accommodations should contact the Coordinator for Students with Disabilities in the Center for Academic Services located in Sadler Hall, 11. Accommodations are not retroactive, therefore, students should contact the Coordinator as soon as possible in the term for which they are seeking accommodations. Further information can be obtained from the Center for Academic Services, TCU Box 297710, Fort Worth, TX 76129, or at (817) 257-7486.
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