FOUNDATION COURSES
INTRODUCTION TO BIBLICAL STUDIES
This course introduces students to the theory and application of biblical interpretation methods. Students will come to understand and learn to use historical-critical method: form, redaction, source, feminist, and post-modern criticism, along with other recent approaches. Internet resources for biblical studies and biblical studies software will be introduced and evaluated.
FOUNDATIONS OF CHRISTIAN FAITH
This course offers the fundamental methods that will enable students to engage in the lifelong process of articulating a theology rooted in a developing personal and communal experience that continually dialogues with Scriptures, with diverse historical, religious, philosophical, and theological traditions, and with the physical and social sciences.
RELIGION, PSYCHOLOGY, AND CULTURE
Mindful of the recommendation of Vatican II to “read the signs of the times,” this course examines the place of religious imagination in a world vastly changed by recent scientific, sociopolitical, and economic revolutions. Particular attention is given to the impact of modern psychology. The accompanying global shift in human consciousness and understanding not only affects the secular context of people’s lives, but has far-reaching implications for the theological and pastoral enterprises as well. The course will examine the rise of modernism and the modern self, religious imagination, questions of social justice, and a global ethics.
CHURCH AND MINISTRY
This course will critically examine the identity and praxis of the community called Church. Particular attention will be devoted to the ways in which the church has understood and expressed itself in the past, to the issue of leadership structures and their relation to the ministry of all the baptized, to the initiatives for ecumenical unity, and to the scope of the mission of a “world church” acting as a critical dialogue partner with the pluralist and secular world of our time.
CHRISTOLOGY
Using the contributions of critical biblical scholarship, this course will first reconstruct, from the various Gospel accounts, the traces of what Jesus said and did during his ministry. The way Jesus seems to have faced death will be compared with the way his death and resurrection were interpreted by the early church. Moving through the Christological developments of the second to the eighth centuries, the course will finally consider how contemporary human experience impacts on current theological interpretations of Jesus and his meaning for our times.
RITUAL AND SACRAMENTS
After exploring the social and psychological foundations for human ritual, the course will consider the sacramental character of creation and incarnation. Particular attention will be given to developing an understanding of Jesus as the primordial sacrament, and on Church as the continuing sacrament of Jesus. Consideration of the sacraments as actualizations of the Church will be complemented with a study of the historical development of the sacraments in the different Christian traditions. Students will apply theology to sound liturgical practice in parish, school, and family.
PRINCIPLES OF MORAL THEOLOGY
Participants will explore the foundation of Christian ethics, with a concentration on these and similar questions: On what basis do people decide how to make moral choices? Why do we take the moral stands we do on issues facing the churches and society? Do Christians have different ways of making decisions than people from other religious or secular traditions? The course examines philosophical, sociological, and theological perspectives to these questions.
ADVANCED COURSES - BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL STUDIES
TORAH AND EARLY ISRAEL
The history and faith of Israel are examined from the earliest beginnings through the reign of Solomon. The text is interpreted with regard to the cultural context of the Ancient Near East. The early prophetic tradition is explored in light of Torah and the historical writings of the Hebrew Scriptures. Special attention is given to the theological significance for Christian faith.
THE PROPHETS
This course studies the prophets of Israel and the world in which they lived, from the division of the Israelite kingdom to the Maccabean period, to understand their message as well as the nature of the prophetic tradition and its relevance for the church today.
THE WRITINGS
While giving special emphasis to the book of Psalms, the Five Scrolls, Job and other wisdom materials, this course offers a study of the cultic and wisdom traditions in Israel. Special attention is given to the significance of the Psalms and Wisdom for Christian theology and devotion.
THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS
This course explores the origins, structure, and general character of Matthew, Mark, and Luke with special emphasis on the theological thrusts of each gospel. Select pericopes, chosen to create an awareness of the difficulties and problems of New Testament interpretation, are taken for extensive exegesis.
JOHANNINE WRITINGS
With consideration of the context of the historical situation of the community in which and for which the Johannine texts were written, this course offers an examination of the Gospel and Letters of John. Emphasis is given to the theology (Christology, Ecclesiology, Eschatology, Ethics) of the texts and their significance for contemporary Christian faith.
THE LETTERS AND THEOLOGY OF PAUL
The central topic of this course is an analysis of the authentic Pauline letters, the situation and conflicts that provoked them, and the theology in and behind them. Other letters attributed to Paul (the “deutero-Pauline” literature) will also be considered.
THE DOCUMENTS AND THEOLOGY OF VATICAN II
Students will review the historical context that gave rise to the Council as well as the most important documents produced by Vatican II. After a thorough consideration of the theologies present in conciliar texts, students will explore the implementation and development of the Council’s teachings in the contemporary Church.
THEOLOGIES OF LIBERATION
While offering an in-depth consideration of the Liberation theology developed in Central and South America, the course will also provide an overview of feminist and Black theologies. Some attention will be given to the foundation of liberation theologies in the political theology of Western Europe and the general struggle for human freedom as an essential component of Gospel faith.
WOMEN AND RELIGION
Students will explore questions of method and concepts of gender, patriarchy, feminism, and liberation as they appear in studies of women and religion. Emphasis will be given to the perspectives that feminist theologians contribute to the theological enterprise based on a critical analysis of established feminist authors. Consideration will be given to the ways in which feminist thought provide renewed understandings of male and female identity.
SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION
This course investigates the sacramental dimensions of Christian Initiation in the Early Church and the historical factors that contributed to the dissolution of the rite in the West. The biblical foundations and theology of Baptism, particularly as developed in the letters of Paul, will be complemented with a study of the development of Confirmation. A consideration of the New Testament theology of the Eucharist and an exploration of the implications of restoring the process of the rites in the contemporary Church will complete the course.
THE EUCHARIST
This course has two aims. The first is to offer a solid historical and theological understanding of Eucharist as a sacrament of the Christian community. The second aim is to apply the insights offered by a historical perspective and the work of contemporary theologians to the work of celebrating the Eucharist in today’s parish. Consideration will also be given to topics such as Eucharistic devotion and the Sunday gathering of the Catholic community in the absence of a priest.
SACRAMENTS OF RECONCILIATION AND VOCATION
Attentive to the historical development of the sacraments of Reconciliation, Marriage, Holy Orders, and the Anointing of the Sick, the course will also highlight the particular theology operative in the contemporary practice of the rites. The themes of relationship, commitment, forgiveness, service, and leadership will be explored as dimensions of Christian living in faith and hope.
HUMAN SEXUALITY AND CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE
Drawing on the contributions of contemporary natural and social sciences, the course will provide a critical investigation of the historical and ideological understandings of human sexuality. Building upon the notion of human sexuality and love as dimensions of human holiness, attention will be given to considering Christian marriage as a sacramental event in contemporary theological reflection as well as in historical expression.
MORAL ISSUES IN TODAY'S HEALTH CARE
Although health care began as a ministry of the Church, it is now secularized and commercialized, especially in the United States. Ethical questions arise as a result of this shift and the course will examine them. Topics, among others, include patient autonomy, the right to life, euthanasia, reproductive technologies, abortion, genetic engineering, research ethics, and the cost of health care. Secular as well as religious approaches will be studied.
PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS ETHICS
Catholic social teaching in general and the U.S. bishops’ pastoral letter on the economy, in particular, provide a perspective for the practice of corporate business in the present culture of the United States. This course intends to explore the ethical implications of social teaching that upholds the rights of labor, insists on the dignity of the worker, and advocates a responsible distribution and use of the world’s goods. While the major emphasis is on responsibility in corporate enterprise the course also gives perspective to other professionals who provide service through profit and not-for-profit structures.
THE TRADITION OF THE MYSTICS
This course includes both a study of the nature of mysticism in the Judeo-Christian tradition and the study of selected writings from representatives of that tradition. Consideration will be given to the physical, psychological, and social dimensions of mystical experience as well as a theological understanding of the mystic’s encounter with the Holy.
THE SPIRITUAL CLASSICS
The human search for God takes a variety of forms in the Christian tradition. This course explores the path of holiness given in the writings of significant men and women from the early and Medieval periods of Christianity through the Reformation.
CONTEMPORARY SPIRITUALITY
This course focuses on the dynamics and authors on the spiritual life in post-Reformation Christianity. Consideration will be given to European spiritualities of the 17th through 20th centuries and to American movements. Beyond what is generally deemed traditional Christian spirituality, the course will propose some examination of Creation and New Age spiritualities, modern Evangelical Christianity, and feminist and liberation spiritualities.
SPECIAL TOPICS: BIBLICAL STUDIES
SPECIAL TOPICS: THEOLOGICAL STUDIES
ADVANCED COURSES - PASTORAL STUDIES
SERVING AND ADMINISTERING FAITH COMMUNITIES
This inter-disciplinary course provides insights from the secular disciplines on administration and management of groups of people as well as pastoral principles on the nature and function of leadership in Christian communities. It will address the various types and goals of communities of faith, the diversity of interactive and relational dynamics, the multiplicity of human needs and services, and, correspondingly, the various ways in which the ministry of leadership can be implemented.
MULTICULTURAL PERSPECTIVES ON MINISTRY
Major cultural, ethnic, racial, and religious traditions co-existing in contemporary American communities are challenging Church and ministry. The purpose of this course is to appreciate their potential reciprocal contribution to the development of a global, interdependent Christian community. Emerging leadership insights as to how to create and empower a multicultural Christian community around issues and interests will be explored.
CHURCH ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE
This course reviews some fundamental principles of accounting and finance with a particular emphasis on not-for-profit regulations. In addition, the course helps the manager of church finances to understand his or her contribution to church ministry. Attention will be given to dealing effectively with voluntary and compensated church ministers, church structures, and canon law.
CANON LAW FOR PARISH MINISTRY
After reviewing the basic principles of the Revised Code of Canon Law, students will examine the sections of the Code that pertain most directly to parish ministry. These sections include regulations concerning the celebration of the sacraments, parish administration, pre-marriage requirements, and procedures for nullity.
RELIGIOUS IMAGINATION AND MODELS OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Dynamic images, metaphors, and visions guide the theory and practice of church life. This course seeks to explore the development of appropriate models of religious education relative to the distinct visions of the Church in contemporary culture. Various models will be explored in terms of their conceptual framework, operating principles, strengths, and limitations.
LEADERSHIP AND THE MINISTRY OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
The communication, decision-making, and evaluative skills needed by educational leadership to meet the challenges of personal and community conversion are the central themes of this course. Participants will examine contemporary spirituality and leadership skills that promote community advancement. Strands of spirituality and systems of reflective group process will be examined for their underlying energizing principles that nurture shared responsibility, curricular interdependence, creative problem-solving, and the empowerment of people. Participants will articulate a personal and community vision reflecting transforming spirituality and enlightened leadership.
THE TEACHING AND HEALING MINISTRY OF JESUS
This course is designed to offer a theological examination of the most recent developments in contemporary Christology. Emphasis will be given to his most characteristic title “Teacher” and to the most attractive feature of his ministry, his power to heal spiritual and physical ills. Throughout the course there will be a constant reference to the implications of a lived, prayerful relationship with Jesus the Christ for personal commitment and for one’s ministry in parish, classroom, and home.
SACRAMENTAL CATECHESIS
The course examines the process called “catechesis,” its functions and dynamics, and applies the conclusions to sacramental preparation and formation programs for all ages throughout a lifetime. Its primary purpose is to help students develop programs by which the sacramental preparation of Christians of all ages is made more effective personally, and more conducive to the emergence of community.
PARISH YOUTH MINISTRY
Parish youth ministry is moving beyond youth group and religious education models. The ministry requires a comprehensive approach. This course will provide a renewed vision for youth ministry and practical programmatic approaches and strategies for proclaiming the Gospel, connecting young people to the faith community, and calling youth to discipleship.
PASTORAL CARE OF THE ADOLESCENT
An exploration of the developmental stage called Youth from a psychological, behavioral, social, emotional, and moral perspective serves as the foundation for this course to explore the faith and views of young people. Attention will be given to skills needed for youth to develop healthy personal, social, and professional relationships. Practical interventions and guidelines are stressed throughout the course.
INTRODUCTION TO PASTORAL COUNSELING
This course will address the issues that make Pastoral Counseling a unique orientation to counseling psychology. The totality of human experience is addressed, the spiritual as well as the psychological, as the basis for therapeutic intervention. The basic dynamics and approaches are reviewed along with a brief history of the model. It challenges students to identify their resources of faith, meaning, and value.
COUNSELING THE ADOLESCENT
After identifying the particular developmental tasks for adolescence and young adulthood, this course introduces various counseling approaches to help young people achieve their desired goals. Attention will be given to individual and systems approaches for the troubled adolescent as well as developing a supportive relationship to assist in the more general patterns of growth.
MINISTRY TO FAMILIES IN THE FACE OF LOSS
The course will address issues of loss and mourning experienced by families as a result of physical and mental disability, job loss, aging, illness, and death. It will present an understanding of the psychological and relational impact of loss with particular reference to those who minister to families in the face of loss.
UNDERSTANDING THE HUMAN ENCOUNTER WITH DEATH
This experientially oriented course will explore contemporary psychological approaches to death, dying, and bereavement from a spiritual perspective. Through a variety of learning modalities, including lectures, discussion, guest speakers, videos, personal sharing, journal writing, meditation, and other self-awareness exercises, we will focus on four interrelated areas: 1) personal grief journey; 2) the psychology of death and bereavement; 3) specific skills in ministering to the dying and bereaved, and; 4) human mortality, life after death, and questions of “ultimate concern.”
PSYCHE, SPIRIT, AND THE QUEST FOR WHOLENESS
The course explores the meeting of psychology and religion in the works of C.G. Jung, Abraham Maslow, and other contemporary transpersonal psychologists. The course investigates specific methods for actualizing one’s spiritual potential. Through lectures, readings, class discussions, and journal writing, students will examine the process of coming to wholeness in their lives, in their ministry, and with the culture as a whole.
LITURGICAL STUDIES
PERSONAL, COMMUNAL, AND LITURGICAL PRAYER
This course will investigate the theological foundations of prayer, while studying the biblical roots of prayer, the prayer of Jesus, and the major traditions of personal, communal, and liturgical prayer in the historical Christian communities. It will confront the distinct problems faced by contemporary men and women in their lives of prayer. It will offer guidance to ministers intent on helping people develop personal and communal models of prayer and involving them specifically in the liturgical prayer of the Church.
CELEBRATING THE RITES OF THE CATECHUMENATE
The rites of the process of Christian initiation of adults will be studied from historical, theological, liturgical, and pastoral perspectives. Beginning with the text of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, students will reflect on the order and integrity of each of the rites. Working from this foundation, they will explore appropriate ritual adaptation and will receive guidance for the adapting and enrichment of the rites.
AMERICAN WORSHIP
Students will investigate American worship patterns. The course will be based on regular visiting of Sunday and midweek liturgies. Students will analyze diverse Christian worship patterns in order better to understand the strengths and weakness of their own patterns. Particular attention will be given to worship services in Christian denominations that are usually considered non-liturgical.
EUCHARIST AND THE JAPANESE TEA CEREMONY
Students will learn to perform the Japanese Tea Ceremony both for its own sake and for comparison with the Christian Eucharist. The philosophy of the tea ceremony will also be studied and compared with a Christian liturgical life.
MULTICULTURAL TRADITIONS ON LITURGY
With the increasing cultural diversity of traditional Christian churches, this course attempts to help the student explore ways to integrate various cultural traditions in the community’s worship. Appreciating the directive for inculturation of the liturgical rites in the Roman Church, students will apply the fundamental dynamic to other churches as well. The topic of incorporating different cultural traditions and offering separate worship opportunities will be explored.
LITURGICAL ART AND ENVIRONMENT
Focusing on both church design as well as church art, liturgical objects, and vesture, this course will examine the theology and spirituality suggested by the environment and art of different historical periods. The question will be raised, “What is appropriate art and architecture for 21st-century America?” Issues regarding contemporary church design, the reordering of space, and art appropriate to a particular community will be explored. Visits to local churches and liturgies will afford considerations of historic design and liturgical adaptation.
LITURGICAL MUSIC
This course offers a study of both the history of liturgical music and the practical considerations for the use of music in contemporary worshipping communities. Students will have the opportunity to apply general theory to a variety of liturgical settings.
SPECIAL TOPICS: MINISTRY
SPECIAL TOPICS: LITURGY
INDEPENDENT STUDY
In consultation with the program director, a student can contract to study independently a topic not offered in the regular curriculum. The student will propose a topic, develop a tentative bibliography, and identify a faculty member from the University willing to direct the course of study. The course may be for three or six credits.
MINISTRY PRACTICUM
With the approval of the Program Director, a student can contract for a supervised ministry practicum. The ministry may be the student’s regular employment or a temporary position. The student will outline goals for the experience, develop a reading list, and propose a final project. A regular member of the faculty will serve as the practicum supervisor and evaluate the final project. The course may be taken for three or six credits.
INTEGRATIVE PROJECT AND SEMINAR
Students complete a major project exploring a topic related to their concentration in theology, pastoral ministry, or liturgical studies. The project may take the form of a major research paper, a methodological reflection on supervised experience, or a creative presentation. Students work independently with a faculty mentor and are required to meet with other participating students and mentors for periodic seminars. An initial plan for the project must be approved by the director of the program prior to establishing an agreement with a faculty member for the independent study. Students will have one year from the time of registration to complete the project. The course is for three credits.
