Program Overview

Introduction to THL518 Studies in Liturgy and Worship

This subject provides students with the opportunity to engage with contemporary scholarship on the interrelationship of worship and theology, developed through an appreciation of worship as 'primary theology'. Necessarily, this involves an in-depth understanding of the range of liturgical sources including prayers, lectionaries, rites, rubrics, music, and performance, art and architecture, along with the development of skills in analysing their content, influence, and contribution to theology.

Availability

The subject is available in the following sessions:

• Session 1 (30) On Campus at Ming Hua Theological College
• Session 2 (60) On Campus at United Theological College
• Session 2 (60) Online at United Theological College
• Term 1 (75) On Campus at Ming Hua Theological College

Subject Information

Grading System

The grading system for this subject is HD/FL.

Duration

The duration of this subject is one session.

School

This subject is part of the School of Theology.

Enrolment Restrictions

Enrolment in this subject is restricted to Master of Theology and Bachelor of Theology (Honours) students only.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

• Evaluate critically current scholarship in liturgical theology
• Demonstrate an appreciation of the place of culture in worship
• Demonstrate an in-depth theological understanding of the interrelationship between liturgy and doctrine
• Identify and critically evaluate a range of liturgical texts, e.g., prayers, lectionaries, rites, rubrics, music, liturgical space, art, and performance
• Develop appropriate tools and methods for the critical analysis of liturgical texts and performance

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:

• Key contemporary writers in liturgical theology
• Liturgy and culture
• The origin, intent, and multiple applications of the phrase 'lex orandi lex credendi' (i.e., as we worship, so we live!)
• Hermeneutical approaches to liturgical texts: prayers, lectionaries, rites, rubrics, music, and performance, art, and architecture
• The history of liturgical texts and current critical editions
• Analyzing liturgical performance