Objectives: this course aims to: examine the ways in which early Christian thinkers addressed issues of justice, authority, and communal life, and were then articulated in the wider Christian tradition; explore how these insights can inform contemporary ecumenical discourse and engagement in the public sphere; contribute to the development of an ecumenical public theology that is both historically grounded and responsive to contemporary challenges.

Learning Outcomes: by the end of the seminar, students will be able to: articulate key tensions and opportunities within ecumenical public theology; engage critically with contemporary public issues through theological reflection rooted in the early Church; propose constructive approaches to ecumenical engagement that integrate theological unity and prophetic justice.

Content: this seminar offers a critical and constructive perspective on ecumenical public theology, addressing the long-standing tension between the search for Christian unity and the pursuit of justice in society, exploring how this tension may be approached as a creative and constructive dynamic when grounded in a deeper theological vision.

Methodology: students will engage with the two professors and their presentations through reflection and discussion on assigned readings and related topics.

Criteria of evaluation : at the conclusion of the seminar, students will be required to submit a paper on an agreed subject related to one of the subjects treated in the seminar.