Monday, May 14, 2007
(3:30 PM) | Adam Kotsko:
20th Century Theology Exam
I just now completed it. My questions were as follows:- Compare at least four theologians' approach to the human sciences, then tell what we can learn from them and what you think is the best way to go in this regard.
- Compare Derrida and Agamben's reappropriation of messianism with the position of 20th century theologians who tried to reintroduce apocalyptic or eschatology into theology. Assess the relative value, say what areas of further work in this area might be good to do.
I will take another exam in methodology in the fall, then some time next spring take the remaining four exams in rapid succession. Based only on this experience, however, it seems to me that qualifying exams are a kind of "vanishing mediator" of the PhD -- they're necessary as a transition between coursework and dissertation (and I really do think that they're necessary in some form), but once you succeed at completing them, they leave behind no tangible trace.
UPDATE: I have been informed that I received a "high pass" on the exam. Huzzah! It's really genuinely over!
