The Ethics of Dietrich Bonhoeffer (THE2204)

StaffDr Esther Reed - Lecturer
Credit Value30
ECTS Value15
NQF Level5
Pre-requisitesNone
Co-requisitesNone
Duration of Module Term 1: 11 weeks;

Module aims

This module aims to:

  • Offer an introduction to the life and thinking of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, an important twentieth century martyr whose active opposition to National Socialism resulted in his execution in 1945
  • Examine some of Bonhoeffer’s early writings before close attention to three of his most influential and important works: The Cost of Discipleship (1939), the Ethics (1940-1943) and Letters and Papers from Prison alongside reference to other writings by him
  • Consider how Bonhoeffer’s rich legacy continues to influence Christian ethics and moral reasoning today, and might be revisited for fresh insight today

ILO: Module-specific skills

  • 1. Give an historically-informed account of the life and work, wisdom and witness of Dietrich Bonhoeffer
  • 2. Engage theologically with his ethical writings in particular
  • 3. Analyse and evaluate his continuing influence in Christian ethics and moral reasoning
  • 4. Venture constructive applications of Bonhoeffer's ethics to the present day

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

  • 5. Attend to, reproduce accurately, and reflect on the ideas and arguments of a major theologian with fairness and integrity, and to express, as appropriate, their own views about his continuing influence in Christian ethics today denigration of the views of others
  • 6. Show critical self-awareness about one's own beliefs, commitments and prejudices

ILO: Personal and key skills

  • 7. Communicate effectively with peers and members of the teaching staff in oral form. Particular opportunity for developing communication skills will be provided in the 'presentation' and 'seminar' sessions
  • 8. Communicate effectively in written form
  • 9. Exercise substantial autonomy in the management of their own learning
  • 10. Exercise judgement based on awareness of key issues in the area
  • 11. Work effectively with others as reflective practitioners in peer relationships

Syllabus plan

This syllabus plan is indicative not definitive. It is determined broadly by The Bonhoeffer Reader (Fortress, 2013).

  • Student Writings: Berlin, Barcelona, New York
  • University Lectures
  • Ecumenical and Pastoral Writings
  • Theology and the Third Reich
  • Christian Life and Community
  • Christian Ethics and Public Life
  • Theology from Prison: Worldly, Religionless Christianity

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

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
352650

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled learning and teaching 22Lectures: Lectures / class readings of texts, 11 x 2hr sessions that will comprise both input from lecturer and workshop-style readings of texts
Scheduled learning and teaching 11Seminars: Weekend conference, we are fortunate to be joining with at least two other student groups and the UK Project Bonhoeffer annual event
Scheduled learning and teaching 2Tutorials: 1-2-1 or small group tutorials (as students prefer), Essay ‘feed-forward’ sessions, i.e., to help you prepare the best essays of which you are capable
Guided independent study265Directed reading and private study

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Seminar presentation15 minutes7, 9-10Informal peer assessment and oral comments from module co-ordinator

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
50500

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Essay505000 words1-6, 8-10‘Feedforward’ from module co-ordinator in tutorial and written comments on essay plan
Examination502 hours1-6, 8-10Written feedback

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

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
EssayEssay1-6, 8-10Referral/Deferral period
ExaminationExamination1-6, 8-10Referral/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 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

Required reading:

  • Clifford J. Green, Michael P. DeJonge, The Bonhoeffer Reader (Fortress Press, 2013)

Wider reading:

  • Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Fortress Press, 2000 - )

Older versions of primary texts are available in the library and may still be used if necessary, e.g.:

  • Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Sanctorum communio: a theological study of the sociology of the church, transl. Joachim von Soosten (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, c1998)
  • Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and papers from prison ed. Eberhard Bethge, transl. Reginald Fuller (London: SCM, 1967)

Secondary reading:

  • Stephen Plant, Taking Stock of Bonhoeffer Studies in Biblical Interpretation and Ethics (Farnham: Ashgate, 2014)
  • Charles Marsh, Strange Glory: A Life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer (SPCK, 2014)
  • Mark Nation, Bonhoeffer the assassin? : challenging the myth, recovering his call to peacemaking (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2013)
  • Stanley Hauerwas, Performing the faith: Bonhoeffer and the practice of nonviolence (London: SPCK, 2004)
  • John W. de Gruchy, ed., The Cambridge companion to Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999)
  • Clifford Green, Bonhoeffer: a theology of sociality (Grand Rapids, Mich; Cambridge: W.B. Eerdmans Pub, 1999)
  • William J. Peck, ed., New studies in Bonhoeffer’s ethics (Lewiston, N.Y: E. Mellen Press, c.1987)

Module has an active ELE page?

Yes

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

08/02/2017

Last revision date

18/04/2019

Key words search

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Christian Ethics, Sociality, Religionless Christianity