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Overview

The challenges posed by social reconciliation in different countries in recent times, and their relevance to Christian Ethics and Public Theology.

This paper seeks to develop a fuller understanding of theoretical and practical approaches to reconciliation in the aftermath of division and violence. It explores the ethical challenges in transforming personal, social and structural relationships that have been damaged by conflict in different contexts. It highlights both the pitfalls and the positive potential that Christian theology might offer towards the search for a better future.

About this paper

Paper title Reconciliation, Christian Ethics and Public Theology (Advanced)
Subject Christian Thought and History
EFTS 0.1667
Points 20 points
Teaching period(s) Semester 2 (Distance learning)
Semester 2 (On campus)
Delivery mode The Distance Learning offering of this paper is taught and assessed remotely
Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $1,393.95
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Restriction
CHTH 319
Limited to
BA(Hons), PGDipArts, PGCertChap, PGDipChap, MChap, PGDipFBLM, MFBLM, BTheol(Hons), PGDipTheol, MTheol, PGDipMin, MMin
Eligibility
Any student can study Theology, whether they are of the Christian faith, another faith or of no religious faith at all. Theology is an examination of the scriptures, history, content and relevance of the Christian faith, but it presupposes or requires no Christian commitment from students. All it requires is an inquiring mind and an interest in those skills that can be gained through the study of any subject in the Humanities.
Contact
Professor David Tombs: david.tombs@otago.ac.nz
Teaching staff
Professor David Tombs
Paper Structure

The paper is structured in five modules:

  • Reconciliation and Public Theology
  • The Aotearoa/New Zealand Context
  • The South African Context
  • The Northern Ireland Context
  • Forgiveness
Teaching Arrangements

Fully Distance (with optional Teaching Day).

Campus: One two-hour lecture each week.

Distance: One-hour introductory videoconference, a teaching day, and four two-hour videoconferences on Zoom during the semester. Recordings will be available on Blackboard for students who cannot attend the teaching day live.

Textbooks

Bloomfield, David, et al., eds., Reconciliation After Violent Conflict: A Handbook (Stockholm: IDEA, 2003).
This is available to download free of charge as a PDF from the publishers: https://www.idea.int/publications/catalogue/reconciliation-after-violent-conflict-handbook

David Tombs and Joseph Liechty, eds., Explorations in Reconciliation: New Directions for Theology (Aldershot: Ashgate, 2006).
Available open access: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315581590

Course outline

View the latest course outline here

Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Global perspective, Lifelong learning, Critical thinking, Ethics.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the paper will be able to:

  • Clarify a sound understanding of the challenges posed by reconciliation as a personal and political process and its relevance to Christian ethics and public theology
  • Analyse the ethical and theological complexity of truth, justice, forgiveness, remorse and apology in the social transformation of division and conflict
  • Critically evaluate the resources that Christian ethics and public theology can draw upon to contribute constructively towards personal and political reconciliation
  • Present persuasive written work with analytic arguments based on evidence, reading and reason
  • Develop the capacity to identify a research topic and pursue a research plan to satisfactory completion
Assessment details

Assessment comprises two 1,250 word essays and one 4,000-word essay.

Overview

The challenges posed by social reconciliation in different countries in recent times, and their relevance to Christian Ethics and Public Theology.

This paper seeks to develop a fuller understanding of theoretical and practical approaches to reconciliation in the aftermath of division and violence. It explores the ethical challenges in transforming personal, social and structural relationships that have been damaged by conflict in different contexts. It highlights both the pitfalls and the positive potential that Christian theology might offer towards the search for a better future.

About this paper

Paper title Reconciliation, Christian Ethics and Public Theology (Advanced)
Subject Christian Thought and History
EFTS 0.1667
Points 20 points
Teaching period Not offered in 2027 (Distance learning)
Domestic Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Restriction
CHTH 319
Limited to
BA(Hons), PGDipArts, PGCertChap, PGDipChap, MChap, PGDipFBLM, MFBLM, BTheol(Hons), PGDipTheol, MTheol, PGDipMin, MMin
Eligibility

Any student can study Theology, whether they are of the Christian faith, another faith or of no religious faith at all. Theology is an examination of the scriptures, history, content and relevance of the Christian faith, but it presupposes or requires no Christian commitment from students. All it requires is an enquiring mind and an interest in those skills that can be gained through the study of any subject in the Humanities.

Contact

Professor David Tombs

Teaching staff
Professor David Tombs
Paper Structure

The paper is structured in five modules:

  1. Reconciliation and Public Theology
  2. The Aotearoa/New Zealand Context
  3. The South African Context
  4. The Northern Ireland Context
  5. Forgiveness
Teaching Arrangements

Fully distance (with optional Teaching Day).

Campus: one 2-hour lecture each week.

Distance: one-hour introductory videoconference, a teaching day and four 2-hour videoconferences on Zoom during the semester. Recordings will be available on Aoroa for students who cannot attend the teaching day live.

Textbooks

Bloomfield, D., Barnes, T., and Huyse, L. (Eds.). (2003). Reconciliation After Violent Conflict: A Handbook. IDEA.
This is available to download free of charge as a PDF from the publishers.

Tombs, D. and Liechty, J. (Eds.). (2006). Explorations in Reconciliation: New Directions for Theology. Routledge.
Available open access.

Course outline

View the latest course outline here.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Global perspective, Lifelong learning, Critical thinking, Ethics.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the paper will be able to:

  • Clarify a sound understanding of the challenges posed by reconciliation as a personal and political process and its relevance to Christian ethics and public theology.
  • Analyse the ethical and theological complexity of truth, justice, forgiveness, remorse and apology in the social transformation of division and conflict.
  • Critically evaluate the resources that Christian ethics and public theology can draw upon to contribute constructively towards personal and political reconciliation.
  • Present persuasive written work with analytic arguments based on evidence, reading and reason.
  • Develop the capacity to identify a research topic and pursue a research plan to satisfactory completion.
Assessment details

Assessment comprises two 1,250 word essays and one 4,000-word essay.

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