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Evolution, God and Gaia

Module description

In this option module you will explore how evolutionary theory developed from the early 19th Century, and what challenges the theory has posed and continues to pose for Christian theology. Key points will include the suffering of non-human creatures, and the nature and vocation of human beings. This will lead to an exploration of human relationship to the planet in the current ecological crisis.

The module has no prerequisites, and is eminently suitable for interdisciplinary pathways.

Module aims - intentions of the module

We shall develop an understanding of evolutionary science and use this to explore key challenges faced by the Christian theologian in engaging with this science.

This will draw on research expertise in the department on theodicy, systematic theology, ecotheology, and ethics. We shall go on to look at how the human animal might find its place in a world already hugely shaped by human activity.

In terms of employment, you will learn how to explore finely balanced arguments on extremely difficult problems, respecting contrary views. You will also learn how to present an argument in a seminar, and how to chair a group, valuable transferable skills in a whole range of types of employment.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Demonstrate, with minimal guidance, a general understanding of evolutionary theory, appropriate to discussion of its relation to theological issues
• 2. Demonstrate, with minimal guidance, a knowledge and nuanced understanding of the challenges evolutionary theory has posed for Christian theology
• 3. Demonstrate, with minimal guidance, a knowledge and nuanced understanding of how Christian theological ethics addresses the current ecological crisis

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. Understand in a nuanced and critical way the ways in which Christian theology tends to interact with the sciences
• 5. Demonstrate with minimal guidance a sophisticated understanding of how theology can engage in critical dialogue with other disciplines
• 6. Articulate critically and creatively in written and oral form aspects of this dialogue that are of particular interest to you

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 7. Find and use on-line materials with minimal guidance
• 8. Demonstrate critical and creative thought, supported by research and clearly communicated
• 9. Participate appropriately in a learning group, showing respect for the views of others

Syllabus plan

Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:

• Historical and scientific analysis of evolutionary theory
• Consideration of the challenges posed by evolutionary theory to Christin theology
• Theological and ethical responses to the contemporary ecological crisis.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• N. Messer, Science in Theology (London: Bloomsbury, 2020)
• C. Southgate (ed.), God, Humanity and the Cosmos (London: T&T Clark, 3^rd edn 2011)
• B. Sollereder, God, Evolution and Animal Suffering (London: Routledge, 2019)
• C. Deane-Drummond, A Primer in Eco-theology (Eugene, OR.: Cascade Books, 2017)

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE –https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=11622

Key words search

Evolution, fall, suffering, theological anthropology, stewardship