Graduate Level Theology Course Descriptions

Below is a sampling of typically offered courses for Fall 2006.

THEO 60-105 : Intro to Hebrew Bible

Instructor: Eugene Ulrich
CRN: 10800
Time: T H 8:00-9:15
Credit: 3.0
Area: BS
Graded: Letter
Level: Graduate

Description: This course provides an overview and critical study of the Hebrew Bible in its literary, historical, and theological contexts. The focus will be principally on reading and gaining an informed understanding of the biblical text, but this will be done against the background of the history, literature, and religions of the magnificent civilizations in the ancient Near East. Further aspects include analysis and use of the tools of historical-critical scholarship; ancient mythology; the processes by which the Scriptures were composed; Old Testament theology; and contemporary theological issues. The course is designed to prepare students both for doctoral biblical studies and for intelligent effectiveness in the contemporary church.

There will be one class presentation, one exegesis paper, a mid-term, and a final exam.

Readings:

The Catholic Study Bible (NAB).
J. Mays (ed.), HarperCollins Bible Commentary.
D. Harrington, Interpreting the Old Testament.
J. Walsh, The Mighty from Their Thrones.
B. Childs, Introduction to the Old Testament as Scripture.

THEO 60-111 : Synoptic Gospels - Matthew

Instructor: Mary Rose D'Angelo
CRN: 15546
Time: T H 2:00-3:15
Credit: 3.0
Area: BS
Graded: Letter
Level: Graduate

Description: This course will explore the Synoptic gospels in the larger context of gospel literature. Mark will provide the backbone of the class (about 6 weeks), with three weeks each devoted to Matthew and Luke-Acts. Special attention will given to the image of Jesus that each gospel seeks to convey (christology), and to method. In addition to questions of genre, source, form and redaction, narrative techniques, sociological analysis, description of the communities for which the gospels were written, the function of prophecy in the formation of the tradition, and questions of gender and class will all be addressed.

Goals:

1. To learn exegetical techniques for the gospel materials, especially the use of the synopsis and formal descriptions.
2. To create a strong picture of the image of Jesus, the interpretive issues and the theological concerns of each of the synoptic gospels.
3. To get a picture of the growth of the gospel traditions and the way the three synoptic gospels are related to each other and to other early gospel literature.
4. To develop a critical understanding of how questions about Jesus in history are asked and answered.

Requirements:

1. Careful exegetical preparation of the passages from the gospels assigned for each class session in the course plan and study sheets.
2. Thorough reading of context materials (e.g. gnostic and apocryphal gospels, passages from the Hebrew Bible and apocrypha, material from Qumran, etc.)
3. General familiarity with the issues raised by the secondary literature (essays, bibliography).

These will be evaluated through:

Class participation, including short assignments
Written work:
MTS one short and one longer paper
MDiv two short papers and a homily preparation
Integrative final

THEO 60-120 : Women and Christian Origins

Instructor: Mary Rose D'Angleo
CRN: 16576
Time: M W 3:00-4:15
Credit: 3.0
Area: BS
Graded: Letter
Level: Graduate

Description: The course is a survey of the New Testament and other literature from its context from a feminist perspective. It will delineate patterns of gender in the theology and structure of these works, attempt to retrieve the participation of women in the movements behind them, and consider the impact of the texts and their contexts in gender relations, sexual politics and arrangements of race and class in the 21st century.

Goals:

1. To improve reading/exegetical skills for the books of the New Testament
2. To articulate a feminist hermeneutic: new eyes for reading enabling the reader to challenge what is oppressive and to retrieve what is lost.
3. To re-member the beginnings of Christianity in ways that honor the participation of women
4. To encounter the New Testament and the religious literature of its context as sources from which feminist theology can address contemporary issues of gender relations and sexual politics in the 21st century.

Requirements:

1. Careful exegetical preparation of the passages from the gospel and the context literature assigned for each class session, using the study sheet for each session.
2. General knowledge of the questions raised in the secondary literature.
3. Class participation (25%); see 1. above; this requirement includes contributing to class discussions, consultation about your papers and any short assignment or quiz that happen to arise. For 8000 level credit, at least 2 separate meetings will be required.
4 Written work may be individually arranged according to your level and interests; it will constitute 75% of the grade and should be the equivalent:

For Theology and Gender studies majors:

3 short papers and take-home final
MDiv 2 short papers, a homily and take-home final
MTS 2 short and one longer paper, take-home final

THEO 60-121 : Early Christianity

Instructor: Blake Leyerle
CRN: 13727
Time: T H 3:30-4:45
Credit: 3.0
Area: HC
Graded: Letter
Level: Graduate

Description: This course will explore the history and thought of the first five hundred years of the Christian church. Our approach will combine social history with theological investigation, as we delve into our texts to discover not only the background and context of the major doctrinal debates but also the shape and preoccupations of "ordinary" Christian life in late antiquity: the pastoral situations and issues that called theological debates into being. We will look at canon formation, martyrdom, asceticism, pilgrimage, and Jewish-Christian relations, as well as Gnosticism, Manichaeism, Donatism, Arianism, and Pelagianism. The bulk of our reading will consist of a selection of primary texts taken from the writings of our early authors.

THEO 60-132 : Bible and the Church

Instructor: David Aune
CRN: 17724
Time: M W 4:30-5:45
Credit: 3.0
Area: BS/HC
Graded: Letter
Level: Graduate

Description: This course will focus on the liturgical and theological functions of the Bible in the church from the 2nd to the 21st centuries, with emphasis on the period following the Reformation. The ideological role of the Bible will be compared and contrast with its actual role in church documents of varying authority and in the systematic theologies of select Christian traditions. The role of Scripture in the major liturgical traditions will be particularly emphasized (i.e., Catholicism, Orthodoxy, Anglicanism or Episcopalianism and Lutheranism). Further, the liturgical role of Tanak in Judaism will provide a context for early development of the Christian use of the Bible. The following topics and issues will be treated: (1) the history of the various Christian Biblical canons, (2) the history and theology of the lectionary, (3) the theological role of the Bible in creeds and church documents of varying authority as a (or the) source of religious authority, (4) theories of Biblical inspiration and authority (including the meanings of such terms as inerrancy and infallibility), (5) the limitations of the historical-critical method for the theological use of Scripture, (6) the evolving relationship between the Bible, Tradition (or tradition) and the Magisterial (or ecclesiastical authority), and (7) an overview of the history of biblical interpretation and preaching in the Christian church. There will be several visits to a variety of Christian services, and speakers representing various Christian traditions will occasionally contribute to the course.

THEO 60-204 : Introduction to Medieval Theology

Instructor: Thomas Prugl
CRN: 16578
Time: M W 1:30-2:45
Credit: 3.0
Area: HC
Graded: Letter
Level: Graduate

Description: The Middle Ages brought about a broad spectrum of theological thought and literature. Both traditional and innovative medieval theologians eventually made theology a “science”. Although faith and the documents of revelation were exposed to various forms of philological and intellectual inquiry medieval theology remained a thoroughly biblical endeavor nevertheless. Besides "Scholastic" theology, the Middle Ages also produced a great number of classics of Christian spirituality. The course will focus on individual theologians as well as on important controversies and theological ideas. Particular emphasis will be given to the leading figures of the 12th and the 13th century, such as Anselm of Canterbury, Peter Abelard, Bernhard of Clairvaux, Hugh of Saint Victor, Albert the Great, Bonaventure, Thomas Aquinas and John Duns Scotus.

THEO 60-214 : Jew and Christian through History

Instructor: Michael Signer
CRN: 13860
Time: T H 3:30-4:45
Credit: 3.0
Area: HC
Graded: Letter
Level: Graduate

Description: In the closing days of the II Vatican Council Nostra Aetate (Declaration on non-Christian Religions) reversed the negative attitude of the Catholic Church toward Judaism and the Jewish people. This remarkable change promoted "dialogue" with Jews, and suggested positive changes in the way Judaism was presented in Liturgy and Catechesis. Reactions from the Jewish communities were diverse: from rejection to welcoming.

This course will explore a number of issues, which emerge, from the history of Christian thought and theology: How did a negative image of Judaism develop within Christianity? In what ways were these unfavorable teachings contribute toward violence against the Jews? What is the relationship between Christian anti-Jewish teachings and Anti-Semitism? Is there any correspondence to Christian hostility

within Judaism? In what ways have Jewish authors reacted to Christian tradition?

We shall also analyze recent theological writings by Jews and Christians about the changed nature of their relationship. How can Jews and Christians develop religious responses to modernity? In what senses can a study of Judaism by Christians, or Christianity by Jews, help either community to understand itself better? How can Christians and Jews develop a theology of "the other" which is not triumphalist but

empathic?

Students will be asked to keep a journal; write a term paper

THEO 60-402 : Liturgical History

Instructor: Max Johnson
CRN: 16579
Time: M W 11:45-1:00
Credit: 3.0
Area: HC/LS
Graded: Letter
Level: Graduate

Description: Survey of liturgical history and sources with regard to both Eastern and Western rites. Fundamental liturgical sources including basic homiletic and catechetical documents of the patristic period. Basic introduction to the methodology of liturgical study.

THEO 60-404 : Eucharist

Instructor: Michael Driscoll
CRN: 11417
Time: T H 2:00-3:15
Credit: 3.0
Area: LS
Graded: Letter
Level: Graduate

Description: The Church makes the Eucharist and the Eucharist makes the Church. A biblical, historical, systematic and liturgical treatment of the Eucharistic liturgy with a special emphasis on pastoral considerations.

THEO 60-408 : Ritual Studies

Instructor: John Melloh
CRN: 11947
Time: M W 3:00-4:15
Credit: 3.0
Area: LS
Graded: Letter
Level: Graduate

Description: The pastoral liturgist is one who fosters critical praxis in the liturgical life of a local church. This course is designed to introduce students to ritual studies through a treatment of ritual, symbol, language, myth and story, time and space, music and art. Students will discuss and employ a method for analysis of worship events.

THEO 60-622 : Christian Political Theology and Ethics

Instructor: Gerald McKenny
CRN:
Time: T H 3:30-4:45
Credit: 3.0
Area:
Graded: Letter
Level: Graduate

Description: Christians of all types are currently locked in intense debates over the extent to which moral convictions held by Christians may or must be enforced by political authority and over the question of whether contemporary liberal democracies are consonant with what Christian faith requires of the political order. This course examines the fundamental question behind these questions, namely, what are the theological and ethical criteria for a morally legitimate social and political order? For over a century Christian thinkers have attempted to derive those criteria from natural law, the teachings of Jesus, and the lordship of Christ. We will examine these efforts in writings by Catholic thinkers including Pope Leo XIII, Jacques Maritain, John Courtney Murray, Gustavo Gutierrez, David Hollenbach, and John Paul II; Protestant writers including Karl Barth, Reinhold Niebuhr, Martin Luther King, Jr., Stanley Hauerwas, John Howard Yoder, Oliver O'Donovan, and John Milbank; and secular writers such as Max Weber, Carl Schmitt, Hannah Arendt, and John Rawls.

THEO 60-623 : Ethics of Sexuality: Marriage and the Family

Instructor: Maura Ryan
CRN: 17572
Time: M W 1:30-2:45
Credit: 3.0
Area: MT
Graded: Letter
Level: Graduate

Description: This course explores contemporary issues in sexuality, marriage and family life from the perspective of the Christian moral tradition. In addition to mining classical and contemporary sources for sexual ethics, we will examine a range of challenges such as the status of same sex relations, divorce and remarriage, domestic violence, and assisted reproduction and the future of the family.

THEO 60-624 : Comparative Religious Ethics

Instructor: David Clairmont
CRN: 17573
Time: T H 2:00-3:15
Credit: 3.0
Area: MT
Graded: Letter
Level: Graduate

Description: Is religion necessary to live a moral life? If so, are all religions basically the same when it comes to the moral norms contained in them? If not, how do we account for the differences among religious values, norms and principles? How do religions justify their distinctive moral claims in the face of alternative proposals? Can we study the ethical thought of a religious tradition that is different from our own in a responsible manner and, if so, how should we proceed? This course will take up these and other related questions through an examination of classic and contemporary Christian and Buddhist texts in dialogue with recent theoretical options for the comparative study of religious ethics. We will begin with an assessment of the importance and distinctive quality of religious voices in moral debate and then look at some of the ways that contemporary scholars have approached the investigation and assessment of similarities and differences in moral world views. The middle portion of the course will focus on a careful reading of selected Christian and Buddhist texts that offer visions of the moral life. The course will end with a comparative consideration of certain Buddhist and Christian positions in ecological ethics.

THEO 60-801 : Fundamentals of Systematic Theology

Instructor: Mary Doak
CRN: 12890
Time: T H 9:30-10:45
Credit: 3.0
Area: ST
Graded: Letter
Level: Graduate

Description: This course is a graduate level introduction to the nature, tasks, and methods of Systematic Theology. It will proceed through a focus on 20th century theological contributions to the doctrine of Revelation, with special attention being given to the sources and methods used by major theologians and theological movements. In addition to refining our understanding of the Christian doctrine of Revelation, this study should result in a clearer grasp of contemporary theological debates on the following topics: the relation of faith and reason, the use of Scripture and Tradition as theological sources, the significance of contemporary experience, and the theological importance of praxis.

THEO 60-835 : Canon Law

Instructor: Gary Chamberland
CRN: 13262
Time: M W 11:45-1:00
Credit: 3.0
Area: MT
Graded: Letter
Level: Graduate

Description:

THEO 60-846 : Christology

Instructor: Robert Krieg
CRN: 15545
Time: T H 11:00-12:15
Credit: 3.0
Area: ST
Graded: Letter
Level: Graduate

Description: Christology, undertakes a critical reflection on the confession that Jesus is the Christ (Mark 8:29). Working with the book Christology (1995) by Gerald O'Collins, S.J., the course consists of four parts: biblical and historical views of Jesus, the "person" of Jesus Christ, the "work" of Jesus Christ, and current issues in Christology. Theo 532 has three specific goals: [1] knowledge of the sources, history, issues, and methods of Christology, [2] mental versatility to reflect on Jesus Christ by means of diverse images, models and methods, and [3] balanced judgment concerning the merits and limits of various views of Jesus Christ. The final grade for Theo 532 is determined on the basis of three short essays (60%), an oral examination (20%), and class participation (20%), which includes an oral presentation of approximately six pages in Christology.

THEO 60-945 : Pastoral Administration

Instructor: Peter Jarret
CRN: 13567
Time:
Credit: 1.0
Area: MDIV
Graded:
Level: Graduate

Description: A basic introduction to the administrative dimensions of pastoral ministry, including staff development, planning, programming, and finances. This is a required skills course for second-year M.Div. students

THEO 60-946 : Liturgical Celebration/Ministry I

Instructor: John Melloh
CRN: 11979
Time: M 9:00-11:30
Credit: 2.0
Area: MDIV
Graded:
Level: Graduate

Description: A study of the structure of the Eucharistic Rite and the Liturgy of the Hours with emphasis on ministerial roles. A non-credit lab session is required. The lab session (approximately 45 minutes-one hour weekly until the entire rite is practiced) will provide the opportunity for instruction in how to lead liturgical prayer, e.g. The Liturgy of the Hours, the Eucharistic Rite, Sunday Services of the Word, Communion Services.

THEO 60-948 : Preaching I

Instructor:
CRN: 11510
Time: F 8:00-12:00
Credit: 2.0
Area: MDIV
Graded:
Level: Graduate

Description: This course is an introduction to homiletics.

THEO 60-949: Preaching II

Instructor: John Melloh
CRN: 12889
Time: W 9:00-11:30
Credit: 2.0
Area: MDIV
Graded:
Level: Graduate

Description: A continuation of Preaching I, this course treats exegesis for preaching, methods of homily preparation and delivery.

THEO 60-952 : Fundamentals of Pastoral Care

Instructor: Dominic Vachon
CRN: 13260
Time:
Credit: 1.0
Area: MDIV
Graded:
Level: Graduate

Description: Self-assessment of skills for ministry.

THEO 60-994 : Leadership and Authority

Instructor: Janice Poorman
CRN: 14329
Time: H 10:00-11:30
Credit: 2.0
Area: MDIV
Graded:
Level: Graduate

Description: During their third year of field education, Master of Divinity students explore issues of leadership, power, and authority in the role of the public minister.

The goal is to complement the growth in pastoral skills already attained in the first two years with the acquisition of proficiency in skills for collaborative leadership in the contemporary Church. The goal is approached through a threefold constellation of learning contexts: field work, supervision, and the field education seminar. The primary learning dynamic for the seminar is dialogical and includes conversation about assigned texts, shared reflection on field experiences, and faith-sharing.

THEO 65-931 : Field Education I: Images & Models of Ministry I

Instructor: Michael Connors
CRN: 14328
Time: W 1:55-3:50
Credit: 2.0
Area: MDIV
Graded:
Level: Graduate

Description: Field Education is an integral component of education for pastoral ministry. Through field education, students pursue the integration of theological competence with pastoral skill in a developing identity as a public minister. For first year students, the specific goals are to provide initial approaches, of both theoretical and practical kinds, to two sets of foundational questions:

What is theological reflection? How is it done? What are some resources upon which to draw for theological reflection in ministry?

What does it mean to be a minister? How does one go about constructing one's self-understanding as a lay or ordained minister today in the Catholic Church? Where is one's place within the larger mission of the Church? What resources might inform, shape, and sustain one's identity in ministry?

The goal is approached through a threefold constellation of learning contexts: field work in a ministry placement, supervision of that work, and the field education seminar. The primary learning dynamic for the seminar is dialogical and includes conversation about assigned texts, as well as shared reflection on field experiences.

THEO 65-933 : Field Education II: Articulating Faith I

Instructor: Janice Poorman
CRN: 13261
Time: W 10-11:30
Credit: 2.0
Area: MDIV
Graded:
Level: Graduate

Description: The goal of the second year of field education is facility in articulating the Christian faith, particularly as understood in Roman Catholic tradition, and in fostering the development of faith with others. In the Field Education seminars, students explore the role of catechesis in ministry and continue to integrate theory and praxis toward collaborative ministry and community building in fostering the reign of

God. The goal is approached through a threefold constellation of learning contexts: field work in a ministry placement, supervision of that work, and the field education seminar. The primary learning dynamic for the seminar is dialogical and includes conversation about assigned texts, shared reflection on field experiences, and faith-sharing.

THEO 65-935 : Professional Ethics in Ministry

Instructor: Richard Gula
CRN: 18025
Time: F Sept 22 3-5pm, 7-9pm & S Sept 23 9am-12pm
Credit: 1.0
Area: MDIV
Graded: S/U
Level: Graduate

Description: This course will assess the moral responsibilities of the minster as a professional. Topics include the dynamics of power, critical boundary issues, and the development of a personal code of ethics in ministry. The course consists of a weekend workshop to be held September 22-23, 2006, conducted by Fr. Rich Gula, S.S. (Professor of Moral Theology, Franciscan School of Theology at Berkeley), plus two followup discussion sessions facilitated by Fr. Mark Poorman, C.S.C., to be held on Sunday evenings, October 1 and October 8.