School of Public Theology

Term1:

Spirit and Society (23^rd, 30^thSept; 7^th, 14^th, 21^st Oct 2025)

This module introduces students to five key concepts from sociology and critical theory that illumine what it means to exist in a society. It connects these concepts to spiritual life, bridging the sociological and the theological, enabling students not only to understand society, but their spiritual life within it, and the spiritual significance of society itself.

Catholic Social Teaching (4^th, 11^th,18^th, 25^th Nov; 2^nd Dec 2025)

This module introduces students to key concepts and principles within the Catholic Social Teaching tradition. Students will see how CST emerged within its historical context to engage with the realities of the world, and will reflect critically on the challenges of doing so.

Term2:

Key Issues in Liberation Theology (13^th, 20^th,27^th Jan; 3^rd, 10^th Feb 2026)

This module introduces students to Liberation Theology: a diverse tradition of thought that explores what it means for Christ to bring liberation from sin as manifest in the injustices of the world. Students will reflect on how liberation theologians have responded to a range of key issues facing our society, and ask where and how Christ is present in the liberation struggles of today.  

The Theology of Creation (24^th Feb; 3^rd,10^th, 17^th, 24^th March 2026)

An exploration of the history of the theology of creation. Mapping a trajectory from the Biblical roots of the theology of creation; through the environmental writings of Wulfstan and Aelfric up the ecotheology of the present day, we will examine various ways in which Christians have sought to describe the relationship between God, humanity and Creation.

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Term 3:

A Prophet for Her Time: Hildegard von Bingen as Proto-Public Theologian (28^thApril; 5^th, 12^th, 19^th, 26^th May2026)

This course explores the way that theology and rhetoric interface in Hildegard von Bingen’s life and work. We will look at how Hildegard used of prophetic language, mysticism, moral theology, art and music to engage with the pressing issues of her time, and ask what we can learn from her about how to engage theologically with contemporary public life.

The Life and Work of GK Chesterton (9^th, 16^th, 23^rd,30^th June; 7^th, July 2026)

Examining the theological, political and fictional works of one of the great Catholic novelists, humourists, polemicists, apologists and theorists of the early twentieth century. We will look at The Man who was Thursday, The Everlasting Man, The Napoleon of Notting Hill and Orthodoxy.

Written work

During each holiday, students will be invited to write a short essay (2000 words) on any topic from either of the two modules they will have studied during term-time. They will be able to use the Heythrop Library as a resource when doing so.

Each student will also have the opportunity to send a draft of their essay to a tutor on the course for in-depth feedback, which can be delivered either via email or in a one-to-one tutorial format.

Study Days

Each term, students will participate in study days aimed at developing research skills and sharing their work with others in their cohort.

Study days will run 10.00-16.00 at the LJC

1. Introduction to the course (20th Sept 2025)

In this study day, students will be introduced to the course as a whole, including public theology as a discipline. They will also be taught key skills for identifying a research question and structuring an argument that answers it.

2.  How to use an academic library (17^th Jan 2026)

In this study day, students will learn how to use an academic library to find specific information relevant to a research question.

Students will also share their research from the previous term in a symposium format.

3. Writing for different audiences(2^nd May 2026)

In this study day, students will learn to present information for different audiences: academic, semi-academic, and popular.

Students will also share their research from the previous term in a symposium format.

4. Celebration of the course (8^th Aug 2026)

In this final study day, students will gather to celebrate their achievements in the course, including a final symposium of the last term’s work.

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