DESCRIPTION: This course will survey the contemporary landscape in theology informed by Continental postmodernity, ranging from deconstructive "a/theologies" to Radical Orthodoxy. Key figures engaged will include Heidegger, Derrida, Levinas, Foucault, J.-L. Marion, Luce Irigaray, Alain Badiou, Slavoj Zizek, and John Milbank. We will address both contemporary postmodern challenges to Christian faith as well as opportunities for confessional theology afforded by a postmodern context--both with a view to ministry in a postmodern context.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge: to increase understanding of contemporary continental postmodern philosophy and theology and discern its relation to culture and ministry; Skills: to foster critical reading skills by engaging challenging texts and to develop skills in academic writing; Attitudes: to promote appreciation for scholars and church members whose views differ from the student's own.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Contemporary culture has undergone significant shifts that are, to some extent, the "trickle down" effect of postmodern philosophy. And the church--particularly the "emergent" conversation--has begun to tackle both the cultural issues and the intellectual sources. This course will equip ministers with the intellectual tools to be able to read "the signs of the times."

COURSE FORMAT: Informal lecture and seminar-type discussion; students will be expected to participate in discussion on the basis of careful completion of assigned readings. The class will meet daily for four-hour sessions for two weeks.

REQUIRED READING:

Caputo, John D., ed. The Religious: Blackwell Readings in Continental Philosophy. Blackwell, 2002.

Vanhoozer, Kevin, ed. The Cambridge Companion to Postmodern Theology. Cambridge University Press, 2003.

Smith, James K. A. Introducing Radical Orthodoxy: Mapping a Post-Secular Theology. Baker Academic, 2004.

___________. Who's Afraid of Postmodernism? Taking Derrida, Lyotard, and Foucault to Church. Baker Academic, 2006.

Clark, Kelly James, Richard Lints, and James K. A. Smith. 101 Key Terms in Philosophy and Their Importance for Theology. Westminster John Knox, 2004.

1. Read Smith, Who's Afraid, prior to the first day of class; opening quiz on this text (10%).

2. Daily reading assignments and 3-paragraph reflection assignments (20%).

3. Final take-home exam due by email August 28 (40%).

4. Final 8-page paper due September 8 (30%).