Required in stage
Optional in stage
First term
Both terms
Not organised
Next year
Alternating years
External
Prerequisites
Identical coursesContextual Theologies: Challenges and Methods (B-KUL-A06B0B)
Cannot be taken as part of an examination contract
Gruber Judith | Ott Taylor (substitute) 
This course is taught this academic year, but not next year.Aims
Students acquire knowledge of the various meanings of the word “context” (geographically, thematically) in a theological perspective and understand how contextual theologies acquire universal significance.
Students acquire knowledge of the methods of contextual theological research, both in particular contexts and of the mutual interchanges between various particular contextual theologies.
Students are able to critically analyze and evaluate their respective societal contexts using the methods of contextual theological research.
Students are able to analyze broad planet-wide contexts in a theological perspective.
Students are able to evaluate critically and constructively the work of contextual theologians.
Students are able to clarify theological ideas and concepts from various contextual perspectives heuristically.
Previous knowledge
Students have taken basic core courses in fundamental systematic theology and are familiar with the most important theological concepts and ideas in the Christian traditions.
Is included in these courses of study
Activities
6 ects. Contextual Theologies: Challenges and Methods (B-KUL-A06B0a)
EnglishFormat: Lecture
26 
Second termGruber Judith | Ott Taylor (substitute) Content
This course provides an orientation to some of the theological and methodological issues that arise from understanding theology in context. We will analyze the historical and theological constellations that led to the emergence of Contextual Theologies in the 1970s, and we will study the theological developments since. Our focus in classroom discussions will be on methodological and epistemological debates that surround the projects of contextual theologies, World Christianity and Intercultural Theology. Students will also have the opportunity to observe and participate in two workshops that will engage in the construction of contemporary European and African contextual theologies.
Course material
Reading material will be made available on Toledo.
Format: more information
There will be weekly reading assignments. Students are required to submit summaries of the assigned texts on Toledo (200 words per text + three pertinent questions). In class, we will analyze and interpret these texts. Active participation in these class discussions will be a crucial element of the final grade.
Students will also work on an independent research term paper: They will develop their own question related to the course material, and answer it in a research paper (2000 words).
Students will attend the Conference "Identitary Temptations. Identity Negotiations between Emancipation and Hegemony" (Centre for Liberation Theoloies, KU Leuven, Oct 25-28) and the Seminar "History Matters for the Study of Africa’s Present: Exchanging Methodologies and Sources" (Centre for Liberation Theologies, KU Leuven Dec 13-15)
https://theo.kuleuven.be/en/research/centres/centr_lib/identitary-temptations-identity-negotiations-between-emancipation-and-hegemony-call-for-papers
Evaluation
Evaluation: Contextual Theologies: Challenges and Methods (B-KUL-A26B0b)
Explanation
Weekly Reading Assignments + Active Class Participation (35%)
Research Paper (65%)
Information about retaking exams
Weekly Reading Assignments + Active Class Participation (35%)
Research Paper (65%)