TTSF3: Spirituality, Authenticity & Method
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Spirituality, Authenticity & Method
Spirituality, Authenticity & Method
TTSF3
NFQ Level:
9
ECTS Credits:
15
(October 2009) November 2012
Dr Michael O’Sullivan
Module Aims
1.To detail chronologically the emergence and development of the
discipline of spirituality and its interfaces with diverse other disciplines
2. To identify a variety of approaches to the academic study of spirituality
with particular reference the hermeneutical, phenomenological and
narrative
3. To appraise critically a selection of contemporary authors with
particular reference to the praxis of authenticity
4. To evaluate the usefulness of diverse approaches to the study of
spirituality for the purposes of personal and social transformation
5. To investigate disciplinary frameworks for the study of spirituality with
particular reference to education, health and leadership
6. To explore the contributions of Bernard Lonergan, Sandra Schneiders,
and Philip Sheldrake to the study of Spirituality
7. To explore the study of spirituality in diverse continents
Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to
TTSF3-MO1: Comprehend leading approaches to the study of Christian spirituality in the
academy
PO1
TTSF3-MO2: Distinguish between the methodological approaches of leading scholars
PO3
TTSF3-MO3: Situate their personal approach to spirituality with reference to a
community of scholars
PO4
TTSF3: Spirituality, Authenticity & Method
TTSF3-MO4: Recognise the necessity of methodological approaches in Applied Christian
Spirituality investigations
PO5
TTSF3-MO5: Integrate theoretical understanding into their research project
PO6
TTSF3-MO6: Interpret the relationship between authentic subjectivity and objectivity
PO4
TTSF3-MO7: Apply the praxis of authenticity to contemporary social issues
PO3
Pre-requisite Learning
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not
enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section
None
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not
enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section
None
Indicative Context
1. Historical emergence of the discipline of spirituality
2. Historical influences on the focus on subjectivity in the discipline
3. Authentic subjectivity
4. Relationship between authentic subjectivity and objectivity
5. Writings of Bernard Lonergan
6. Writings of Mary Frohlich
7. Writings of Sandra Schneiders
8. Writings of Kees Waaijman
9. Writings of Karl Rahner
10. Writings of Janet Ruffing
11. Writings of Philip Endean
12. Writings of Philip Sheldrake
13. Writing of Stephanie Paulsell
14. Writings of Parker Palmer
15. Writings of Margaret Benefiel
16. Writings of Ken Pargament
TTSF3: Spirituality, Authenticity & Method
Assessment Breakdown
%
8,000-9,000 words (cumulative) relating the literature of the history of spirituality to
areas of contemporary social concern
1. Apply Hermeneutics of Authenticity to a Biography 2,000-3,000 words
40%
2. Analysis of Spirituality Framework of One Theorist: 4,000-6,000 words
60%
Re-sit Category 1
Linked to Module Outcome(s) TTSF3-MO1 / TTSF3-MO2 / TTSF3-MO6 / TTSF3MO7
Coursework Breakdown
Type
Description
Workload
Type
Lecture
Independent Learning
Library
Assignment
One-to-Mentor
Seminar Group
Book Club
Online / Moodle Learning
Outcome
addressed
% of
Total
Assessment Date
Full-Time Hours per semester
Description
Lecturing input
Self-directed reading and revision
Self and tutor-directed reading of course material
Researching, structuring information, writing up
Hours
24
275
Total Workload
4
12
12
48
125
Resources
Essential Book Resources
Dreyer, E.A. and M.S. Burrows, eds. Minding the Spirit: The Study of Christian Spirituality. Baltimore:
Johns Hopkins University Press, 2005.
Holder, A., ed. The Blackwell Companion to Christian Spirituality. Malden, MA: Blackwell, 2005.
Perrin, D., Studying Christian Spirituality. London: Routledge, 2007.
Villegan, D. The Christian Path in a Pluralistic World and the Study of Spirituality. Lanham: Lexington
Books, 2012.
Waaijman, K., Spirituality: Form, Foundations, Methods. Leuven: Peeters, 2002.
TTSF3: Spirituality, Authenticity & Method
Essential Article/Paper Resources
Other Resources
Agnew, U., B. Flanagan, and G. Heylin, eds. With Wisdom Seeking God. Leuven: Peeters, 2008.
Collins, K., ed. Exploring Christian Spirituality: An Ecumenical Reader. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker
Books, 2000.
Downey, M. Understanding Christian Spirituality. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist, 1997.
Frohlich, M. “Therese of Lisieux and Jeanne d’Arc: History, Memory and Interiority in the Experience of
Vocation.” Spiritus: A Journal of Christian Spirituality 6 (2006): 173-94.
________. “Critical Interiority.” Spiritus: A Journal of Christian Spirituality 7 (2007): 77-81.
Gutiérrez, G. A Theology of Liberation. Maryknoll, N. Y. : Orbis Books, 1973; rev. ed. 1988, 116-20
Imbens, A. and I. Jonker. Christianity and Incest. Translated by Patricia McVay. Kent: Burns and Oates,
1992.
Lescher, B.H. and E. Liebert, eds. Exploring Christian Spirituality: Essays in Honor of Sandra M.
Schneiders. Mahwah, N.J.: Paulist Press, 2006.
Lonergan, B. Method in Theology. Toronto: University of Toronto, 1990.
Marmion, D. A Spirituality of Everyday Faith: A Theological Investigation of the Notion of Spirituality in
Karl Rahner. Louvain Theological & Pastoral Monographs 23, Louvain, Peeters Press/Eerdmans,
1998.
McGinn, B. “Mystical Consciousness, A Modest Proposal.” Spiritus 8 (2008): 44-63.
Ruffing, J.K, ed. Mysticism and Social Transformation. New York: Syracuse University Press, 2001.
Sheldrake, P., ed. The New Westminster Dictionary of Christian Spirituality. Louisville, KY: Westminster,
John Knox Press, 2005.
________. Spirituality and Theology: Christian Living and theDoctrine of God. London: Darton,
Longman and Todd, 1998.
Sobrino, J. “El Espiritu de la Liberación.” In Mysterium Liberationis, ed. J. Sobrino and I. Ellacuría, 44776. San Salvador: UCA Editores, 1991.
Waaijman, K. “SPIRIN Encyclopedia of Spirituality.” Studies in Spirituality 16: 287-326.
Web Resources
British Association for the Study of Spirituality http://www.basspirituality.org.uk
European Conference on Religion, Spirituality and Health http://www.ecrsh.eu/
International Association for Children’s Spirituality http://www.childrenspirituality.org/
Scientific and Medical Network in Collaboration with Royal College of Psychiatrists Spirituality and
Psychiatry Group http://www.scimednet.org
TTSF3: Spirituality, Authenticity & Method
Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality http://sscs.press.jhu.edu/
Titus Brandsma Institute for the Study of Spirituality http://www.titusbrandsmainstituut.nl
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