THEO 500 Foundations of Scripture
3 credit hours
An introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament with attention to the cultural contexts in which the texts were formed, canon formation, their transmission and translation, the nature of biblical authority, and methods of interpretation. The close study of a variety of selected texts will also notice their use by individuals and faith communities.
THEO 501 Franciscan Intellectual and Spiritual Tradition
3 credit hours
An exploration of the Franciscan charism in its 13th century roots. Using primary sources, it will attend to what is spiritually distinctive in the lives of Francis and Clare, the context in which their spirituality emerges, and their impact on early Franciscan movements. The course will trace the charism through later spiritual movements and note how individuals fruitfully integrate this spirituality into their intellectual endeavors. The mutual influence of charism and intellect will be examined in the contributions of Alexander of Hales, Bonaventure, Jon Duns Scotus, Roger Bacon, William of Ockham, Teilhard de Chardin, John XXIII, and others.
THEO 510 Systematic Theology
3 credit hours
Theology is seen as faith seeking understanding. This course will attend to basic beliefs, the development of doctrine, and models of articulation in the historical and contemporary life of the applicant’s faith community. The course will examine the role of religious reflection and interpretation in major doctrinal movements.
THEO 515 Christology
3 credit hours
A historical and systematic study of the person and work of Jesus Christ as revealed in Scared Scripture and Church Tradition. Special emphasis will be placed upon the ecumenical councils of the early Church as well as contemporary Christological issues.
THEO 520 Moral Theology
3 credit hours
An examination of how faith defines and seeks the good life. The course will study how, through reflection and spiritual practices, the individual and the faith tradition articulate values, undergo conversion and reform, and struggle to express their mission in the contexts they find themselves.
THEO 522 Liturgy
3 credit hours
An examination of the theological foundations of the Roman Catholic Liturgy. The course will explore the nature of worship, the historical roots and development of the Liturgy and contemporary issues relating to the celebration of the Liturgy.
THEO 525 Church History
3 credit hours
A survey of the history of the Catholic Church from its foundations in the Gospels to the late 20th century. Special emphasis will be placed on the Church as an institution as well as the development of various spiritual and theological movements in the Church.
THEO 526 Ecclesiology
3 credit hours
A historical and systematic study of the nature and essence of the Church from a Catholic perspective. Emphasis will be upon the Church as founded by Jesus Christ, revealed in Scripture and Tradition, and reflected upon by Catholic thinkers throughout history, the spirituality of the sacraments, spiritual preparation for their reception, as well as the modern ecumenical movement and dialogue between the different Christian traditions.
THEO 527 Sacraments
3 credit hours
A historical and systematic study of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. Emphasis will be upon the sacraments as instituted by Jesus Christ and their development in Church Tradition, as well as their being reflected upon by Catholic thinkers throughout history.
THEO 528 Contemporary Moral Issues
3 credit hours
Selected issues in personal and social morality will be addressed within the framework of Catholic moral teaching. Areas include human sexuality, human life issues (abortion, euthanasia, stem cell research), war and peace issues, and economics.
THEO 530 Pastoral Theological Method
3 credit hours
This course introduces students to various theological methods that are useful in the integrative discipline of pastoral counseling. Students will explore the historical and theological foundations for the ministry of pastoral counseling, its grounding in congregational and specialized ministry, and its critical relationship to behavioral and other sciences. The course will frame the approach to methodological issues historically, allowing students to locate various methods in relating to the long history of this discipline including contemporary national and intercultural contexts. Methods for critical reflection and decision-making will be presented and implemented through case studies and examination of problems and procedures in counseling.
THEO 531 Readings in Medieval Theology
3 credit hours
Selected readings of key thinkers and texts in the medieval Church (400 A.D. – 1400 A.D.)
THEO 532 Readings in Early Church Theology
3 credit hour
Selected readings of key thinkers and texts in the Early Church (90 A.D. – 400 A.D.).
THEO 533 Readings in Reformation and Post Reformation Theology
3 credit hours
Selected readings of key thinkers and texts in the Reformation and Post Reformation Church (1500 A.D. – 2000 A.D.).
THEO 534 Scriptural Topics
3 credit hours
Selected study of a particular genre of biblical literature (wisdom literature, historical literature, gospels, epistles, apocalyptic, etc).
THEO 535 Women’s Spirituality
3 credit hours
Study of themes pertaining to women’s spirituality. Potential topics include women in Scripture, models of female holiness, incarnation, embodiment, and women’s bodies, women mystics, and contemporary women’s spirituality.
THEO 536 Theology of the New Testament
3 credit hours
Study of theological themes as they emerge in the New Testament writings. Also covers the various forms of textual criticism.
THEO 540 History of Pastoral Care and Counseling
3 credit hours
This course prepares pastoral counselors to understand his/her contemporary ministry cast within the rich tradition of religious care of the whole person. Content of the course will include:
THEO 550 Pastoral Diagnosis
3 credit hours
This course will interface contemporary practices in diagnosing and treating emotional disorders with theological resources for assessment in religious contexts. The course will relate current psychiatric and systemic diagnostic categories and their differential treatment strategies to religious understandings of the human person, functional theological norms, and pastoral roles and tasks. Case studies and other practical diagnostic exercises will frame the content of the course.
THEO 555 Catechetical Methods
3 credit hours
An examination of the nature and history of catechesis. The course focuses on Creed, Code, and Cult within the Catholic tradition and discusses their role in faith formation. The course also explores the fundamental elements of catechetical work and critically examines various curricula used in catechesis.
THEO 560 Basic Pastoral Care
3 credit hours
This course surveys basic pastoral responses to care of the human person through the life course and situational crises in human life. The course will provide a beginning understanding of human emotional and physiological processes in grief, trauma, crises, and developmental transition, and draw both from contemporary and historic models of care to develop a basic frame for pastoral responses in these crises and transitions.
THEO 570 Spirituality and Spiritual Formation
3 credit hours
The objectives of this introductory course will help students (re)discover the sources of their own spirituality. It will acquaint them with a variety of spiritual resources from other religious traditions-mainly the traditions of Buddhist mindfulness practice and Christian contemplative prayer. The course will help them experience the relational and communal nature of spirituality. The course will help individuals acquire an appreciation for the vital connection between spirituality and pastoral counseling.
THEO 595-596 Master’s Thesis/Field Work
3 credit hours
An examination of the nature and history of catechesis. In his or her final semester the student will do one of the following: Complete six hours of independent scholarly research culminating in a Master’s thesis (approx. 75 pages) under the direction of a faculty member in the Department of Philosophy and Theology.
