Objectives: This interdisciplinary course intersects missiology and cultural/religious studies with recent approaches in dogmatics advanced af‧ter the so-called cultural turn and intercultural hermeneutics in theology. It explores the development of “intercultural dogmatic theologies” within diverse cultural and religious contexts in order to examine and critically en‧gage the cultural expressions and rationalities around doctrines of Christian faith as they emerge in those settings. Through this process, the conver‧gences and divergences between the doctrinal tradition of Christian faith and its new articulations in various cultural-religious frameworks will be analysed. Such comparative engagement is intended to foster a reciprocal and informed appreciation of one’s own faith tradition’s cultural fabric as well as that of others. By applying such cultural and missiological inquiries to specific areas of dogmatic theology, tensions with “traditionary dogmat‧ics” and their theories of doctrinal development and change will be elabo‧rated vis-à-vis the prospects and limits of an “intercultural dogmatics”.

Learning outcomes: Upon completion of the course, students will be equipped with the theoretical foundations and methodological tools neces‧sary to engage in intercultural theology, applied to dogmatics, with critical awareness and scholarly rigor.

Contents: The course will examine significant attempts at intercul‧tural dogmatics by theologians from both historical and contemporary con‧texts of Catholicism in the global variety of its cultures. Particular attention will be given to their cultural backgrounds, historical circumstances, theo‧logical hermeneutics, underlying worldviews, methodological approaches, and creative theological expressions. An important dimension of the course will involve exploring Christian faith as interpreted through the perspec‧tives of diverse cultures and other religious traditions.

Methodology: Instruction will primarily be delivered through lectures, enriched by students’ research presentations, and supplemented as appro‧priate by visual and multimedia resources such as slides, images, and videos. Emphasis will also be placed on active student engagement, with meaningful student–professor interaction and participation encouraged as integral components of the learning process. The course will be carried out in two blocs: 26-30 October at the Gregoriana and 11-13 December at the University of Muenster.

Means of evaluation: Oral exam on the basis of a 15 pages research paper and topics presented in class.