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Semester 2

Christians and Other Animals (DIVI10105)

Subject

Divinity

College

CAHSS

Credits

20

Normal Year Taken

3

Delivery Session Year

2023/2024

Pre-requisites

Visiting students should have completed at least 3 Divinity/Religious Studies courses at grade B or above. We will only consider University/College level courses.

Course Summary

How do, and how should, Christians think about nonhuman animals? Is Christianity inherently 'anthropocentric'? How are nonhuman animals depicted in the Bible? What are the theological and ethical challenges posed by species extinction, the use of animals for food, or simply the acknowledgement that humans are animals? This course enables you to engage with contemporary debates about animals in Christian theology, ethics, biblical studies and science & religion.

Course Description

Academic description: This course will enable you to understand, engage with and critically evaluate a range of historical and contemporary debates about nonhuman animals, in the fields of Christian theology, biblical studies, theological ethics, and science and religion. Syllabus/Outline Content: In weeks 1-3, you will be given an overview of key scientific, biblical and theological concepts and ideas that are required in order to engage with questions around nonhuman animals. In weeks 4-11, you will be introduced to specific issues and themes, each of which will be addressed through one or more of the different subdisciplinary approaches used on the module. The issues and themes discussed will vary with the availability of teaching staff, but the course will always include at least one week focused on Christian responses to a topic of contemporary public debate. Themes likely to be covered include: creation and creatures; how ideas of sin and redemption apply to nonhuman animals; the human-animal boundary, and what it means to understand humans as animals; animals in the wisdom tradition; extinction and nonhuman animal suffering as theological challenges; and the ethics of eating animals. Student Learning Experience Information: The course will be taught through weekly two-hour classes, for which some preparation will be required. Each class will normally include an overview of the topic, and opportunities for extended discussion of reading and other preparation. Assessment will be through coursework only - a research poster and an essay. The final class will be a 'poster session' in which students will have the opportunity to see and discuss each others' research posters.

Assessment Information

Written Exam 0%, Coursework 100%, Practical Exam 0% - A research poster with accompanying reflective narrative - 40% One page with a maximum of 500 words, accompanied by a reflective narrative of a maximum of 1000 words. Must incorporate at least two disciplinary approaches (e.g. biblical studies and biology, or ethics and systematics) - An essay of 2000 words on a choice of topics - 60%

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