Theology and Trauma

Module title	Theology and Trauma
Module code	THEM311
Academic year	2023/4
Credits	15
Module staff	Professor Susannah Cornwall (Convenor)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks		11

Number students taking module (anticipated)	6

Module description

In this module you will engage with and critically analyse Christian theologies of trauma. You will be introduced to material on the origins of trauma theology in psychology, chaplaincy and pastoral care. You will reflect on trauma theologies' interactions with and implications for elements of doctrinal Christian theology such as theodicy and atonement. You will engage in close analysis of writings by key scholars in this area. The module will allow you to reflect critically on theological responses to traumatic events. The module is likely to include discussion of traumatic events and may involve engagement with difficult and upsetting material: students who choose this module are advised to have their own support structures in place.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module aims to extend your knowledge and understanding of trauma theologies through sustained focus on selected scholarly texts, with an emphasis on discussion. The module aims to develop your skills in critical reflection via close analysis, and to help you engage where appropriate with a range of theoretical approaches.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

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

1. Analyse the implications of trauma and its theorization for Christian theology
2. Demonstrate critical reflection on Christian theological responses to traumatic events

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

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

3. Deal with complex theological issues systematically and creatively
4. Show critical awareness of current discussions and new insights in the fields of theology and trauma studies

ILO: Personal and key skills

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

5. Demonstrate self-direction and some originality in tackling and solving demanding problems
6. Act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks

Syllabus plan

The module is likely to include topics such as:

The origins of trauma theology in psychology, chaplaincy and pastoral care.

Trauma and the body.

Theodicy, atonement theologies and the myth of redemptive suffering.

Institutions as abusers.

Institutions as sites and vectors of healing.

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

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
15	135	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching	15	Intensive seminar and reading group activity
Guided Independent Study	135	Working independently and with supervision preparing for seminars and assessments

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Oral Presentation	10 minutes	1-6	Oral and Peer Feedback
Book Review Draft	500 words	1-6	Written

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
100	0	0

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Portfolio	100	6000 words. At least two pieces, including at least one of over 2500 words	1-6	Oral and Written

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

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Portfolio (6000 words. At least two pieces, including at least one of over 2500 words)	Portfolio (6000 words. At least two pieces, including at least one of over 2500 words)	1-6	Referral/Deferral period

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 50%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 50%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Stephanie N. Arel and Shelly Rambo (eds.). (2016), Post-Traumatic Public Theology, Dordrecht: Springer

Jennifer Baldwin, 2018, Trauma-Sensitive Theology: Thinking Theologically in the Era of Trauma, Eugene, OR: Cascade

Jennifer Beste, 2007, God and the Victim: Traumatic Intrusions on Grace and Freedom, Oxford: Oxford University Press

Judith Herman, 2015, Trauma and Recovery, New York, NY: Basic Books

Dirk Lange, 2009, Trauma Recalled: Liturgy, Disruption, and Theology, Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress

Karen O'Donnell, 2020, "The Voices of the Marys: Towards a Method in Feminist Trauma Theologies", in Karen O'Donnell and Katie Cross (eds.), Feminist Trauma Theologies, London: SCM Press, 3-20

Karen O'Donnell and Katie Cross (eds.), 2020, Feminist Trauma Theologies, London: SCM Press
Marcus Pound, 2008, Theology, Psychoanalysis and Trauma, London: SCM Press

Shelly Rambo, 2010, Spirit and Trauma: A Theology of Remaining, Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press

Armand Leon Van Ommen, 2019, “Remembering for Healing: Liturgical Communities of Reconciliation Provide Space for Trauma”, in R. Ruard Ganzevoort and Srdjan Sremac (eds.), Trauma and Lived Religion: Transcending the Ordinary, Cham: Palgrave Macmillan, 203-223

Megan Warner, Christopher Southgate, Carla Grosch-Miller and Hilary Ison (eds.), 2020, Tragedies and Christian Congregations: The Practical Theology of Trauma, Abingdon: Routledge

Key words search

Trauma, theodicy, practical, applied, contextual, constructive, abuse, suffering, atonement.

Credit value	15
Module ECTS	7.5
Module pre-requisites	None
Module co-requisites	None
NQF level (module)	7
Available as distance learning?	No
Origin date	01/12/2021
Last revision date	27/04/2023