Content

This unit aims to equip students with the resources to understand a variety of economic models and to formulate a theological critique of these. The unit will embody a dialogue between the approaches of an economist and a theologian. The relationship between society and the economy will be considered and theological resources such as economic language in the Scriptures, economic models in Scripture and early Christianity and contemporary Christian social teaching will be explored. In particular, theological critique will be directed to current neo-liberal economic models, bearing in mind issues of distributive justice and economic policy.

Unit code: CT9082W

Unit status: Archived (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.

Analyse underlying assumptions of selected economic models

2.

Describe economic dimensions of biblical language and ethics

3.

Discuss the role of Scripture in formulating critiques of economic policy and in exploring alternative economic models

4.

Articulate a theological critique of selected contemporary Christian teaching on economic justice

5.

Present an in-depth critical analysis of at least one major contemporary economic model in conversation with Christian theology

Unit sequence

30 points in CT

Indicative Bibliography

  • Atherton, John, Transfiguring Capitalism: An Enquiry into Religion and Global Change. London: SCM Press, 2008.
  • Bell, Daniel, The Economy of Desire: Christianity and Capitalism in a Post-Modern World. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2012. (recommended for purchase)
  • Davis, Ellen, Scripture, Culture and Agriculture: An Agrian Reading of the Bible. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2009.
  • Horsley, Richard A., Covenant Economics: A Biblical Vision of Justice for All. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2009.
  • Pabst, Adrian (ed.), The Crisis of Global Capitalism: Pope Benedict XVI's Social Encyclical and the Future of Political Economy. Eugene, OR: Cascade, 2011.
  • Schumacher, E. F., Small is Beautiful: Economics as if People Mattered. Point Roberts, WA: Hartley & Marks, 1999.
  • Stackhouse, Max L., (ed.), God and Globalization: Volume 4: Globalization and Grace. Harrisburg, PA: Trinity Press International, 2007.
  • Stiglitz, Joseph, Making Globalization Work: The Next Steps to Global Justice. Camberwell: Penguin, 2006.
  • Tanner, Kathryn. Economy of Grace. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress, 2005.
  • Tawney, R. H., Religion and the Rise of Capitalism. London: Verso, 1926 (2015). (recommended for purchase)

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay

Essay (4,500 words)

4500 70.0
Seminar or Tutorial

Seminar paper (1,500 words)

1500 30.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 19 Oct, 2017

Unit record last updated: 2020-10-09 16:36:59 +1100