CHTH424 Theology, Money and Markets (Advanced)

Overview

This paper explores what the Christian theological tradition offers to economic questions and reflects on its relevance for the future evolution of global capitalism.

About this paper

Restriction

CHTH 338

Notes

May not be credited together with CHTH 225/335 taken in 2021 or 2023

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

Dr Andrew Shepherd

andrew.shepherd@otago.ac.nz

More information link

For more information, visit the Theology Programme's website: https://www.otago.ac.nz/theology/index.html

Teaching staff

Dr Andrew Shepherd

Paper Structure

Module 1 – Monotheism and Mammon: Historical Texts and Traditions

1. Christian Theology and Economics – An Introduction
2. Torah and the Prophets: Slavery, Poverty & Debt
3. The New Testament: Idolatry & Generosity
4. Empire and Economy: The Church Fathers on Wealth and Charity
5. All Things in Common: Reactionaries, Radicals and Revolutionaries

Module 2 – Christianity and the Origins of Capitalism

6. The Rise of Capitalism and the Acquisitive Society
7. ‘The Total Economy’ and ‘The End of History’: The Victory of Neoliberalism & Capitalism as Religion

Module 3 – The Contemporary Context: Challenges, Contradictions & Crisis.

8. Algorithms & Abstractions, Money & Debt: An Economy of Financialisation
9. Distribution & Charity, Growth & Scarcity: Inequality and Ecological Limits
10. Commodified and Unemployed: Surveillance and Technological Economies

Module 4 – The Church and the Future of Capitalism

11. Ministry by Marketing, Management & Metrics: The Commodification of the Church?
12. Theology, Policy, and Grounded Oikonomia: Macro/Global and Micro/Local Reformations & Responses

Teaching Arrangements

Campus: One two-hour lecture each week + optional tutorials during course.

Distance: The Distance Learning offering of this paper is taught remotely with one two-hour lecture per week. Distance students participate in the campus classes via Zoom. Students who are unable to join classes can watch recordings at a later time.

Textbooks

There are no compulsory textbooks for this paper.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Communication, Critical thinking, Ethics, Environmental literacy, Research.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

Students completing CHTH 424 should be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of how key biblical motifs can relate to contemporary economic discourse.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the contribution made to economic ethical concerns by selected Christian writers.
3. Outline a theological ethical framework for engaging with economic concerns.
4. Offer a critical and creative theological analysis of a contemporary economic concern/issue.
5. Demonstrate analytical, interpretative and critical skills by engagement with scholarly texts.
6. Demonstrate research skills.
7. Demonstrate advanced written and oral communication skills.

Assessment details

• Online discussions: 20% total
• Creative biblical-theological reflection: 30%
• Research essay: 50%

Overview

This paper explores what the Christian theological tradition offers to economic questions and reflects on its relevance for the future evolution of global capitalism.

About this paper

Restriction

CHTH 338

Notes

May not be credited together with CHTH 225/335 taken in 2021 or 2023

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

Dr Andrew Shepherd

More information link

For more information, visit the Theology Programme's website.

Teaching staff

Dr Andrew Shepherd

Paper Structure

Module 1 - Monotheism and Mammon: Historical Texts and Traditions

1. Christian Theology and Economics - An Introduction
2. Torah and the Prophets: Slavery, Poverty and Debt
3. The New Testament: Idolatry and Generosity
4. Empire and Economy: The Church Fathers on Wealth and Charity
5. All Things in Common: Reactionaries, Radicals and Revolutionaries

Module 2 - Christianity and the Origins of Capitalism

1. The Rise of Capitalism and the Acquisitive Society
2. "The Total Economy" and "The End of History:" The Victory of Neoliberalism and Capitalism as Religion

Module 3 - The Contemporary Context: Challenges, Contradictions and Crisis.

1. Algorithms and Abstractions, Money and Debt: An Economy of Financialisation
2. Distribution and Charity, Growth and Scarcity: Inequality and Ecological Limits
3. Commodified and Unemployed: Surveillance and Technological Economies

Module 4 - The Church and the Future of Capitalism

1. Ministry by Marketing, Management and Metrics: The Commodification of the Church?
2. Theology, Policy and Grounded Oikonomia: Macro/Global and Micro/Local Reformations & Responses

Teaching Arrangements

Campus: one 2-hour lecture each week + optional tutorials during course.

Distance: the distance learning offering of this paper is taught remotely with one 2-hour lecture per week. Distance students participate in the campus classes via Zoom. Students who are unable to join classes can watch recordings at a later time.

Textbooks

There are no compulsory textbooks for this paper.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Communication, Critical thinking, Ethics, Environmental literacy, Research.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

Students completing CHTH 424 should be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of how key biblical motifs can relate to contemporary economic discourse.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the contribution made to economic ethical concerns by selected Christian writers.
• Outline a theological ethical framework for engaging with economic concerns.
• Offer a critical and creative theological analysis of a contemporary economic concern/issue.
• Demonstrate analytical, interpretative and critical skills by engagement with scholarly texts.
• Demonstrate research skills.
• Demonstrate advanced written and oral communication skills.

Assessment details

• Online discussions = 20% total
• Creative biblical-theological reflection = 30%
• Research essay = 50%