The Good Life: Theology, Philosophy and Human Flourishing

The course is offered as a free-standing course: yes

The course can be taken as part of the following program: Masters in theology (H2RTM)

Degree of Bachelor or completed courses of at least 180 credits at first cycle level, of which at least 90 credits with progression in some main field of study where it is included a bachelor's thesis of at least 15 credits. Qualified are also those that have equivalent foreign education or that have equivalent prior knowledge according to earlier study regulation. Furthermore, knowledge corresponding to English A/English 5 is required.

This course examines the relationship between Christian theology and philosophy by focussing on the question of the good life. What is the good life, for humans as well as other creatures? How does Christian belief and practice impact an understanding of the good life? The course will consider the idea of the good life from historical and contemporary perspectives, with emphasis on the intersection of faith and reason. In particular, it will train students to navigate interdisciplinary questions as the course moves between general themes – happiness, the good, flourishing – and texts addressing specific traditions of formation rooted in religious ways of life.

On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

-account for different theories about the good life and human flourishing from distinct theological perspectives;

-understand how these questions relate to wider theological and philosophical debates.

Competence and skills

-analyze the relationship between philosophical and theological conceptions of the good life;

-communicate in a rigorous and linguistically correct way in relation to the questions addressed by the course, both orally and through written work.

Judgement and approach

-evaluate different approaches to the good life as they pertain to the development of theology;

-reflect critically on the concept of human flourishing from a theological point of view.

The teaching is conducted in the form of lectures and/or seminars. Attendance is mandatory for particular course sessions, which are specified in the course information that students receive at least two weeks before the course begins. In the case of absence from an obligatory session, students should complete a supplementary assignment in accordance with the teacher's instructions.

The language of instruction is normally English, but if all students understand Swedish the teacher may use the Swedish instead. Student essays should normally be written in English, but if the teacher understands Swedish it may be used instead.

The course is examined through participation in seminar discussions and individual written assignments.

Students are responsible for keeping a copy of written work until it is graded and returned.

Students who submit home assignments after the stipulated deadline do not have the right to have their work assessed, and must instead take part in the regular re-examination or a new examination given at another time.

Students who fail the exam are given the opportunity to retake the exam on a maximum of four occasions.

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local rules regarding RIU students at the University of Gothenburg.

Students taking part in the course receive one of the following grades: Pass with distinction (VG), Pass (G) or Fail (U).

In order to receive the grade 'Pass with distinction', students are required to demonstrate knowledge and skills in accordance with the learning outcomes of the course in a highly productive, critical and reflective manner.

The grade 'Pass' cannot be changed to 'Fail' at the student's request.

Students who have passed the exam may not participate in a new examination in order to receive a higher grade.

Students also do not have the right to withdraw a submitted exam to avoid grading.

The examiner has the option of requesting supplementary work in order to make it possible for a student to receive the grade 'Pass'. In such cases, instructions regarding the supplementary assignment must be given to the student in writing, and the assignment must be submitted within the time specified by the teacher.

The department is responsible for ensuring that course evaluations are carried out systematically and regularly, and are compiled in accordance with the guide document for course evaluation at the Department of Literature, History of Ideas and Religion.

The results of the course evaluation and any changes to the course structure must be communicated both to the students who carried out the evaluation and to the students who start the subsequent version of the course.