War, Trauma and Peace-making (CT9051W)

Postgraduate, 24.0 points

Content

This unit comprises of two elements: a study tour of Nagasaki in Japan, and an assessment which presupposes and builds upon the experience of the study tour and engages with the missional, historical, and theological contexts of this region, with an emphasis on trauma studies, the theology of death, and the passion of Christ. Of particular concern will be reading and interpreting theology and church history in places associated with minority Christianity, persecution in history, and the impact of war (the atomic bombing). Attention will be given to an Asian context of Christian thought and protest against atomic weapons/violence in dialogue with the insights available at specific sites and data from museums.

Unit code: CT9051W

Unit status: Approved (New unit)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Systematic Theology

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Whitley College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Exhibit an understanding of the history of Christianity in Japan.
2.

Analyse the geographical, cultural, religious and historical context of one site on the itinerary of the tour
3.

Interpret human-inflicted violence and traumatic experience in critical dialogue with various interpretations of significance and meaning of Jesus Christ.
4.

Evaluate themes of peace and reconciliation in light of the visit to the relevant sites, demonstrating critical interaction between theological reflection, social disciplines and human experience.
5.

Demonstrate competence in formulating research criteria and methods for engaging in questions germane to developing a theology of persecution or of peace.

Unit sequence

48 points of CT

Pedagogy

The study tour will take place between 8–16 April. It will include pre-reading, lectures, and visits to museums and significant Christian sites.

Indicative Bibliography

  • Clements, Kevin P. (ed.). Identity, Trust, and Reconciliation in East Asia: Dealing with Painful History to Create a Peaceful Present. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan, 2017.
  • Furuya, Yasuo (ed.). A History of Japanese Theology. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2001.
  • Hunsinger, Deborah van Deusen. Bearing the Unbearable: Trauma, Gospel and Pastoral Care. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2015.
  • Keane, John J. Cultural and Theological Reflections on the Japanese Quest for Divinity. Leiden: Brill, 2017.
  • Keshgegian, Flora A. Redeeming Memories: A Theology of Healing and Transformation. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2000.
  • Kurtz, L. R. (ed.). The Warrior and the Pacifist: Competing Motifs in Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. New York: Routledge, 2018.
  • Mase-Hasegawa, Emi. Christ in Japanese Culture: Theological Themes in Shusaku Endo's Literary Works. Leiden: Brill, 2008.
  • McClelland, Gwyn. Dangerous Memory in Nagasaki: Prayers, Protests and Catholic Survivor Narratives. London: Routledge, 2019.
  • Pui-lan, Kwok. Postcolonial Imagination and Feminist Theology. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2005.
  • Volf, Miroslav. The End of Memory: Remembering Rightly in a Violent World. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2006.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay

Option 1: Book review 2000 words 30% One week before tour 1, 3

Essay 6000 words 70% One month after tour 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

OR Option 2

 8000 100.0
Essay

Option 2: Essay 8000 words

OR Option 1

 8000 100.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 27 Sep, 2019

Unit record last updated: 2019-11-11 12:15:32 +1100