Graduate Level Theology Course Descriptions

Below is a sampling of typically offered courses for Fall 2005.

THEO 60-105 : Introduction to Hebrew Bible

Instructor: Eugene Ulrich
CRN: 10045
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: John Meier
CRN: 16288
Time: T H 2:00-3:15
Credit: 3.0
Area: BS
Graded: Letter
Level: Graduate

Description: This Master's level course will (1) give a brief introduction to the Synoptic Gospels (Mark, Matthew, and Luke) and the Synoptic problem, (2) provide an introduction to the Gospel of Matthew in particular, and (3) exegete key passages in Matthew's Gospel, making comparisons with Mark and Luke along the way. The major methods used will be source, form, and redaction criticism.

THEO 60-121 : Early Christianity: An Introduction

Instructor: John Cavadini
CRN: 13475
Time: M W 8:00-9:15
Credit: 3.0
Area: HC
Graded: Letter
Level: Graduate

Description: This course provides an introduction to the history and thought of the first 500 years of the Christian church. The approach taken will be largely that of social history: we will try to discover not only the background and context of the major theological debates but also the shape and preoccupations of "ordinary" Christian life in late antiquity. Topics to be studied will therefore include canon formation, martyrdom, asceticism, Donatism, Arianism, and Pelagianism. The class will stress the close reading of primary texts. Requirements include class participation, a final examination, the memorization of a few important dates and places, and two papers, one of which will be an exercise in the close reading of an additional primary source and the other and exploration of early Christian exegesis.

 

THEO 60-236 : Christian Theology from the Reformation through the Enlightenment

Instructor: Randall Zachman
CRN: 16241
Time: T H 3:30-4:45
Credit: 3.0
Area: HC
Graded: Letter
Level: Graduate

Description: This course will examine the development of Christian theology from the time of the Reformation through the Enlightenment, with particular emphasis on the understanding of the person and work of Jesus Christ throughout this period.

We will begin by examining the undrestandings of Christ developed in the

Reformation by Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli, John Calvin, and Menno Simons, and will then move to a consideration of the revised understandings of Christ based on critical reason, including Benedict de Spinoza, John Locke, Samuel Reimarus, and Immanuel Kant. We will conclude with an examination of Christ from the perspective of the affections of the heart, including Blaise Pascal, Nicholas Ludwig, Count von Zinzendorf, and Jonathan Edwards. The course will be a mixture of lecture and seminar discussion of the readings. Evaluation will be based on class participation and five comparative papers analysing the readings assigned for the course.

THEO 60-609 : Christian Ethics & Pastoral Practice

Instructor: Paulinus Odozor
CRN: 12399
Time: M W 1:30-2:45
Credit: 3.0
Area: MT
Graded: Letter
Level: Graduate

Description: Faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and savior has practical implications for the way believers construe the world and organize their lives. What these implications are for Christian life in some specific areas of life and the tensions, which arise from the attempt of the Christian community to remain faithful to the teachings of the Lord Jesus while trying to live a fully human life – this is at the core of our course.

Therefore, in this course, we will (a) study the ethical stance of the Christian (Catholic) community on a number of issues and the pastoral issues arising from the position of this community on these issues; (b) explore the ways the pastoral worker can help to effectively translate Church teaching and moral theology in these areas; (c) Look at the moral demands that arise form the exercise of any pastoral ministry in the Church today.

Our course is divided into three main sections. The first section will look at questions pertaining to human sexuality and Christian marriage. Section two focuses on ethical issues of life and death while section three will look at the ethics of ministry and pastoral care.

THEO 60-211 : Topics in Medieval Theology: Sacraments

Instructor: Thomas Prugl
CRN: 16254
Time: M W 11:45-1:00
Credit: 3.0
Area: HC
Graded: Letter
Level: Graduate

Description: Pastoral necessity as well as heresies and uncertainties about the nature of the sacraments made it unavoidable for the medieval church to reflect upon its most distinctive liturgical rites. Within the context of the formation and growth of scholasticism, the sacraments provided an excellent training ground to test the strength of western theological thought. Due to the influence of Peter Lombard's collection of patristic "Sententiae" the sacraments finally became a major field within the institutionalized theology at the universities. Our course will focus on those events and texts of the earlier Middle Ages which challenged theologians like Paschasius Radbertus, Berengar of Tour and Lanfranc of Bec to specify their views about the Eucharist. It will consider the formation of a systematic treatise on the sacraments in the French schools of the 12th century, and finally present the synthesis of high scholastic sacramental theology in Thomas Aquinas and Bonaventure. Besides the generic questions on the nature of the sacraments as such, special attention shall also be paid to baptism, the Eucharist, confirmation and penitence.

THEO 60-226 : Christian Spirituality and Social Justice

Instructor: Dan Groody
CRN: 16290
Time: M W 3:00-4:15
Credit: 3.0
Area: MT
Graded: Letter
Level: Graduate

Description: This course will explore explore the challenge of Christian discipleship in the context of our globalized world. Rooting our reflection on the reality of poverty in our national and international context, we will do a faith reality of that reality through a thorough inquiry into pertinent biblical, patristic, liturgical, systematic and spiritual tradition. We will also look at how this spirit has been embodied in recent decades, as well as how it has emerged both within Catholic Social teaching and non-Christian religions.

THEO 60-235 : Christianity in Africa

Instructor: Paul Kollman
CRN: 16262
Time: T H 5:00-6:15
Credit: 3.0
Area: HC
Graded: Letter
Level: Graduate

Description: Christianity is growing faster in Africa than anywhere else in the world. This course will explore the history of Christianity in Africa, beginning with the early church but with heightened attention to the more recent growth of Christianity on the continent. Particular topics to be addressed in the class include: the dynamics of missionary activity before, during, and after the colonial period; the rise of African Independent Churches; the interaction between Christianity and Islam in the past and present; Christianity in the African diaspora; and contemporary issues surrounding Christianity and the African nation-state. We will also investigate theological questions surrounding the relationship between Christianity and culture. In addition to a final exam, students will write three 5-page papers.

THEO 60-845 : Comparative Spiritualities

Instructor: Bradley Malkovsky
CRN: 16265
Time: M W 1:30-2:45
Credit: 3.0
Area: ST
Graded: Letter
Level: Graduate

Description: This course provides a first introduction to some of the more influential spiritualities practiced by Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims and Eastern Orthodox Christians down through the ages and seeks to determine their significance for contemporary Roman Catholic spiritual praxis and theology. In order to properly understand the practices of Hindu yoga and bhakti, of Buddhist vipassana and Zen, of Muslim salat/namaz and Sufism, of the Eastern Orthodox Jesus Prayer/Hesychasm and the accompanying place of human effort in asceticism and morality, it will be necessary to examine underlying convictions about the nature of the human person and the supreme Reality, of Divine presence and grace, as well as the declared ultimate goal of spiritual endeavor, whether it be expressed more in terms of a communion of love or of enlightened higher consciousness. During the semester we will not only study important spiritual texts of other religions, but we will also practice meditation, visit a local mosque for Friday prayers and sermon, and be instructed by expert guest speakers who represent religious traditions other than our own. Students will be required to give at least one presentation on a class reading and write two five-page reflection papers and one ten to twelve-page research paper.

THEO 60-214 : Jews and Christians Throughout History

Instructor: Michael Signer
CRN: 13657
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 60-801 : Fundamentals of Systematic Theology

Instructor: Mary Doak
CRN: 12461
Time: M W 1:30-2:45
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. In addition to refining our understanding of the Christian doctrine of Revelation, this study should result in a clearer grasp of such basic theological topics as: the relation of faith and reason, the use of Scripture and Tradition as theological sources, the significance of contemporary experiences, and the theological importance of praxis.

THEO 60-846 : Christology

Instructor: Robert Krieg
CRN: 16287
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 60-811 : Theologians of Grace

Instructor: Cathy Hilkert
CRN: 14034
Time: M W 3:00-4:15
Credit: 3.0
Area: ST
Graded: Letter
Level: Graduate

Description: The multiple theologies of grace that have developed in the history of the Christian tradition reflect diverse understandings of anthropology, soteriology, and the mystery of God. Beginning with the biblical roots of the tradition, this course will explore classic theological and doctrinal ways of speaking about the mystery of grace as the divine-human relationship (Part One), and contemporary efforts to appropriate and reformulate that tradition in the context of a secularized and suffering world (Part Two).

THEO 60-401 : Sacramental Theology

Instructor: Gerard Austin
CRN:
Time: M W 8:00-9:15
Credit: 3.0
Area: LS/ST
Graded: Letter
Level: Graduate

Description:

This course will serve as a general introduction to Roman Catholic theology of the sacraments. Special attention will be placed on the role of Jesus as primordial sacrament, and the Church as basic sacrament with implications for the ecclesial character of all sacramental action. Certain contemporary issues will be discussed.

THEO 60-402 : Liturgical History

Instructor:
CRN: 13127
Time: M W 10:15-11:30
Credit: 3.0
Area: 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. Requirements include seminar-style presentations on select sources and two take-home examinations.

THEO 60-404 : Eucharistic: Theology and Celebration

Instructor: Michael Driscoll
CRN: 10799
Time: M W 1:30-2:45
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. The goal of this course is a comprehensive understanding of the nature and development of the Christian Eucharist. In order to accomplish this end an examination of both the structure and the content of the eucharistic liturgy will be undertaken. A positive theological method will be employed whereby the Eucharist will be studied from an historical perspective, after which a systematic theological reflection upon various aspects will be undertaken with a commentary on contemporary theory and practice.

THEO 60-408 : Ritual Studies

Instructor: John Melloh
CRN: 11398
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 60-114 : Pauline Writings

Instructor: Jerome Neyrey
CRN: 16296
Time: T H 3:30-4:45
Credit: 3.0
Area: BS
Graded: Letter
Level: Graduate

Description: This course examines in exegetical detail all of the letters of Paul, especially the authentic one. While himself not truly a systematic theologian, Paul was constantly engaged with important and persistent questions about the significance of Jesus' death, the character of the Christian God, the nature of our association as disciples of Jesus, the correct interpretation of the Scriptures, etc. These questions have continued to be asked over the centuries in different ways, but Paul's initial response has remains influential. Since this course is offered to professionals, both those seeking to do ministry and those seeking further theological education, it will have a strong exegetical component to assist students for preaching, teaching and research. Hence, the focus rests on the documents themselves and critical modes of analysis and reading (esp. rhetoric and culture).

THEO 60-227: Latino Films: Culture, God, Redemption

Instructor: Virgil Elizondo
CRN: 16256
Time: T 6:00-9:00pm
Credit: 3.0
Area: ST
Graded: Letter
Level: Graduate

Description: This course will deepen and expand themes on Latin American and U.S. Latino Spirituality through the medium of main-line Hollywood type popular films. It will explore films that have both expressed the culture of the people while at the same time forming the culture. The participants will discern the culture expressed in the film, the presence/ absence of God and the redemptive element in the film. Since some of the films will not have sub-titles, a working knowledge of Spanish will be helpful.

THEO 60-952 : Fundamentals of Pastoral Care

Instructor: Dominic Vachon
CRN: 12865
Time:
Credit: 1.0
Area: MDIV
Graded: SU
Level: Graduate

Description: Self-assessment of skills for ministry.

THEO 60-945 : Pastoral Administration

Instructor: Peter Jarret
CRN: 13240
Time:
Credit: 1.0
Area: MDIV
Graded: SU
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 60-942 : Ministry to Families

Instructor: Michael Connors
CRN: 14984
Time:
Credit: 1.0
Area: MDIV
Graded: SU
Level: Graduate

Description:

THEO 60-835 : Canon Law

Instructor: Patricia Smith
CRN: 12868
Time: M W 11:45-1:00
Credit: 3.0
Area: MT
Graded: Letter
Level: Graduate

Description: The purpose of this course is to provide students studying for ministry with an introduction to the law of the Roman Catholic Church. General principles for the interpretation of canon law as well as its history, and its relationship to theology and pastoral praxis are discussed. Although attention is given the laws and canonical jurisprudence concerning marriage, other selected canonical topics of value to those in ministry are considered as well. – Mdiv students only

THEO 60-946 : Liturgical Celebration/Ministry I

Instructor: John Melloh
CRN: 11435
Time: W 9:00-11:30
Credit: 2.0
Area: MDIV
Graded: Letter
Level: Graduate

Description: A study of the structure of the Eucharistic Rite and the Liturgy of the Hours with emphasis on ministerial roles.

THEO 60-948 : Preaching I

Instructor: Craig Satterlee
CRN: 10912
Time:
Credit: 2.0
Area: MDIV
Graded: Letter
Level: Graduate

Description: This course is an introduction to homiletics.

THEO 60-949 : Preaching II

Instructor: John Melloh
CRN: 12459
Time: T 9:30-12:00
Credit: 2.0
Area: MDIV
Graded: Letter
Level: Graduate

Description:

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