Theology

What principles can enrich the encounters between Catholic theology and the natural and applied sciences?

Studies the Christian vision of the man under the light of divine revelation: his creation in God's image and likeness, his ultimate end, and his spiritual and material faculties. Readings focus on the development of Christian anthropology in its historical context, both ancient and modern, as well as the anthropological foundations of moral action, ascetical praxis, and sacramental discipline. Primary source readings will typically be chosen from scripture, the fathers, and recent Magisterium, including documents of the Second Vatican Council, with an eye to comparison and contrast between Christian anthropology and modern and post-modern views of the human person. Key topics may include deification, personhood, freedom, the mind, passions, relationality, or sexuality. Prerequisites: THEO 1301/3301 and 2301/3311

This course examines the ways in which the Catholic faith is presented and illuminated through the literary arts. Prerequisites: THEO 1301/3301 and 2301/3311. Co-requisite: THEO 3349.

A practical experience with a community organization dealing with social justice issues. Both a faculty member (Political and Social Science Department) and a field supervisor will coordinate and evaluate the internship. Periodically, throughout the semester, interns in this program will meet to discuss how their internships are related to Catholic Social Teaching.

Student research on the Catholic Tradition in regard to an elective offered by a particular discipline, pursued under the guidance and evaluation of a faculty member within that discipline and approved by the Director of Catholic Studies.

Student research on the Catholic Tradition in regard to an elective offered by a particular discipline, pursued under the guidance and evaluation of a faculty member within that discipline and approved by the Director of Catholic Studies.

A practical experience with a Catholic organization dealing with social justice issues. Both a faculty member (Political Science Department) and a field supervisor will coordinate and evaluate the internship. Periodically, throughout the semester, interns in this program will meet to discuss how their internships are related to Catholic Social Teaching.

Student research on the Catholic Tradition in regard to an elective offered by a particular discipline, pursued under the guidance and evaluation of a faculty member within that discipline and approved by the Director of Catholic Studies.

Upper division treatment of inter-disciplinary or cultural expressions of theological doctrines within the Catholic Intellectual Tradition.

Student research on the Catholic Tradition in regard to an elective offered by a particular discipline, pursued under the guidance and evaluation of a faculty member within that discipline and approved by the Director of Catholic Studies.

Explores the Catholic understanding of the human person with a view towards implications for pedagogy. This course examines many aspects of human nature: the unity of soul and body, sensation, emotion, thought, free choice, and habits.

This course focuses on what a Catholic school is, what makes it distinctive, what rule it plays in the Church and the lives of families, and how all of that affects the way teachers approach their various subjects.

The courses engages the thought of Bishop Robert Barron to examine major themes in systematic theology and their relevance to evangelizing the culture. The course includes introductions to Eucharistic theology, dogmatic theology, and ecclesiology.

The courses engages the thought of Bishop Robert Barron to examine major themes in systematic theology and their relevance to evangelizing the culture. The course includes introductions to Eucharistic theology, dogmatic theology, and ecclesiology.

The course teaches how to understand and appreciate the Catholic literary tradition and its power to evangelize the culture.

The course teaches how to understand and appreciate the Catholic literary tradition and its power to evangelize the culture.

The course provides an introduction to the Church's understanding of the second person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ, God made flesh, with special emphasis on Christ's identity as both eternal logos and historical redeemer.

The course provides an introduction to the Church's understanding of the second person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ, God made flesh, with special emphasis on Christ's identity as both eternal logos and historical redeemer.

The course provides an introduction to Catholic apologetics with the goal of equipping students to respond to the most common secular objections to Catholicism. Topics include arguments for the existence of God, the historicity of the Resurrection, the problem of evil, and the relationship between faith and science.

The course provides an introduction to Catholic apologetics with the goal of equipping students to respond to the most common secular objections to Catholicism. Topics include arguments for the existence of God, the historicity of the Resurrection, the problem of evil, and the relationship between faith and science.

Anchored in the thought of Fr. Servais Pinckaers, this course provides an introduction to Catholic moral theology with the goal of teaching students how the Catholic conception of the meaning and purpose of human action leads to authentic happiness. Potential topics include natural law, justice, the common good, virtue, conscience, character, politics, Catholic social teaching, and sanctification.

Anchored in the thought of Fr. Servais Pinckaers, this course provides an introduction to Catholic moral theology with the goal of teaching students how the Catholic conception of the meaning and purpose of human action leads to authentic happiness. Potential topics include natural law, justice, the common good, virtue, conscience, character, politics, Catholic social teaching, and sanctification.

The course provides an introduction to the distinctively Catholic conception of beauty and how beauty can serve as an effective tool for evangelization. Topics include sacramentality, transcendence, and the relationship between 'high art' and 'popular art.'

The course provides an introduction to the distinctively Catholic conception of beauty and how beauty can serve as an effective tool for evangelization. Topics include sacramentality, transcendence, and the relationship between 'high art' and 'popular art.'

The course offers and introduction to Old and New Testament theology using a 'hermeneutics of evangelization' that sees revelation in five acts: creation, the fall, the formation of Israel, Jesus Christ, and the Church. Student will also learn how to evangelize using Word of Fire's distinctive bible.

The course offers and introduction to Old and New Testament theology using a 'hermeneutics of evangelization' that sees revelation in five acts: creation, the fall, the formation of Israel, Jesus Christ, and the Church. Student will also learn how to evangelize using Word of Fire's distinctive bible.

Summer Residency provides students the opportunity to study a special topic at the University of St. Thomas campus. Topics include evangelization and new media, politics and evangelization, evangelization and persecution, Church history for evangelists, and cross-cultural evangelization.

Summer Residency provides students the opportunity to study a special topic at the University of St. Thomas campus. Topics include evangelization and new media, politics and evangelization, evangelization and persecution, Church history for evangelists, and cross-cultural evangelization.

Summer Residency provides students the opportunity to study a special topic at the University of St. Thomas campus. Topics include evangelization and new media, politics and evangelization, evangelization and persecution, Church history for evangelists, and cross-cultural evangelization.

Summer Residency provides students the opportunity to study a special topic at the University of St. Thomas campus. Topics include evangelization and new media, politics and evangelization, evangelization and persecution, Church history for evangelists, and cross-cultural evangelization.

The course examines one of history's best poets and provides a perennially compelling and relevant vision of the Catholic philosophical, theological, moral, and artistic life.

The course examines one of history's best poets and provides a perennially compelling and relevant vision of the Catholic philosophical, theological, moral, and artistic life.

The course addresses common misconceptions about the purpose and content of Vatican II with the goal of teaching how Vatican II principles remain essential for effective evangelization.

The course addresses common misconceptions about the purpose and content of Vatican II with the goal of teaching how Vatican II principles remain essential for effective evangelization.

The course explores how the thought and practice of the great spiritual masters and saints of the Church can serve as potent tool for inviting people into a relationship with Jesus Christ.

The course explores how the thought and practice of the great spiritual masters and saints of the Church can serve as potent tool for inviting people into a relationship with Jesus Christ.

The course provides an introduction to patristics with the goal of showing how the Church Fathers can effectively address both Protestant and secular criticism of the Church.

The course provides an introduction to patristics with the goal of showing how the Church Fathers can effectively address both Protestant and secular criticism of the Church.

The course explores the anthropological dimensions - biological, psychological, sociological, and spiritual - of being the subject and object of evangelization.

The course explores the anthropological dimensions - biological, psychological, sociological, and spiritual - of being the subject and object of evangelization.

This course focuses on the concrete 'how to's' of effective evangelization in contemporary contexts. Topics include how to use social media to evangelize, how to create and nurture digital and physical evangelical communities, how to build a culture of life, how to respond to indifference, and how to response to opposition and hostility.

This course focuses on the concrete 'how to's' of effective evangelization in contemporary contexts. Topics include how to use social media to evangelize, how to create and nurture digital and physical evangelical communities, how to build a culture of life, how to respond to indifference, and how to response to opposition and hostility.

Students will complete their capstone project, most often comprehensive examinations. Students may also apply to write a thesis or produce a practical project.

Students will complete their capstone project, most often comprehensive examinations. Students may also apply to write a thesis or produce a practical project.

The course of Biblical Hebrew will present an introduction to the basis of the Classical Hebrew used in the Masoretic text. This course is essential to learn the basic semantic notions of the Biblical vocabulary that has marked the spirituality and theology of the Old Testament. By the end of this course the students will be able to write and read Hebrew words and translate Biblical phrases.

The course of Biblical Greek will present an introduction to the basis of the Koiné Greek used in the New testament and some texts of the Septuagint. This course is essential to learn the basic semantic notions of the Biblical vocabulary that has marked the spirituality and theology of the New Testament and the Magisterial vocabulary used to define diverse dogmatic formulations in the catholic Church. By the end of this course the students will be able to write and read Greek words and translate Biblical phrases.

The course of exegetical methods will present an introduction and praxis of the most important exegetical techniques and approaches developed throughout the history of the Biblical Criticism. The knowledge and praxis of diverse exegetical methods will offer to the students’ multiple Biblical viewpoints to approach the canonical texts in order to discover its manifold levels of meanings.

The course of Hispanic hermeneutics is a very unique application of hermeneutics. The hermeneutical process surges as a result of the exegetical study of the texts that needs to be interpreted through the specific viewpoint of the “Hispanic reality in the United States.” This sociological situation illuminates the interpretation of the academic study of the Biblical texts and its message becomes relevant to the modern reality of the Latino/a immigrant or Hispanic minorities in the United States.

The course of Pentateuch will study the most important theological themes of the canonical books: i.e., Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, numbers, and Deuteronomy: their literary problems, their authorship, their literary genres, their history of the redaction that explains the formation of the books, and the exegesis of the most important periscopes that marked the theology and spirituality of the Judeo-Christian traditions.

The course of the Historical Books will study the most important theological themes of the canonical books: i.e., Joshua, Judges, 1-2Samuel, and 1-2 Kings: their literary problems, their authorship, their literary genres, their history of the redaction that explains the formation of the books, and the exegesis of the most important periscopes that marked the theology and spirituality of the Judeo-Christian traditions.

The course of the Prophets of Israel will study the most important theological themes of the canonical books: i.e., Major and Minor Prophets: their literary problems, their authorship, their literary genres, their history of the redaction that explains the formation of the books, and the exegesis of the most important periscopes that marked the theology and spirituality of the Judeo-Christian traditions.

The course entitled Poetic and Wisdom Writings will study the most important theological themes of the canonical books, their literary problems, their authorship, their literary genres, their history of the redaction that explains the formation of the books, and the exegesis of the most important periscopes that marked the theology and spirituality of the Judeo-Christian traditions.

The Synoptic Gospels will be studied in this course and Acts of the Apostles with the different methods used by the Catholic Church for an understanding in the light of faith. This course explains the historical background, the narrative structures, the authorship of the canonical books, main theological contents and themes that marked the theology and spirituality of the Judeo-Christian traditions.

The Pauline letters will be studied in this course in terms of their life settings, historical contexts and their Christian message through exegesis and pastoral hermeneutics pertinent to the current Latino/a reality. This course explains the historical background, the narrative structures, and the authorship of the canonical books, main theological contents and themes that marked the theology and spirituality of the Judeo-Christian traditions.

The course of the Catholic Epistles will study the most important theological themes of the canonical letters: i.e., James, Jude, and 1-2 Peter: their literary problems, their authorship, their literary genres, their history of the redaction, and the exegesis of the most important periscopes that marked the theology and spirituality of the Judeo-Christian traditions.

The course of Johannine Literature will study the most important theological themes of the canonical letters: i.e., Gospel according to John, 1,2,3 John, and Revelation: their literary problems, their authorship, their literary genres, their history of the redaction, and the exegesis of the most important periscopes that marked the theology and spirituality of the Judeo-Christian traditions.

This class will cover a systematic study of the ethical principles of Catholic moral doctrine and its daily application in the modern world in such a way that the person can live according to the will of God.

This course will study of the Fathers of the Church. Doctrine and Christian beliefs will be studied as well as their apologetic defense against the attacks of the pagan religions.

In this subject a study of the history of the church from Its birth to the present time will be made, separating the moments and important changes throughout 1he centuries with Its main characters and events. Special attention will be given to the history of Hispanic Catholicism In the United States.

This course will cover the Pentateuch, the historical, sap1entlal, an Cl prophetic books. The different methods of study, literary styles, origin and 1heologlcal thought predominating in each of these books wlll be presented and elucidated according to the main theological needs of the Hispanic communities.

This course will study the central dogma of the Trinitarian nature of God and its main exponents. The mystery of Incarnation will be Intrinsically inter-related with Christology and the life of Jesus of Nazareth from his human and divine nature.

This course will present the basic foundations of the Catholic faith contained in the Catechism of the Catholic Church as teachings, beliefs, practices, and prayers. Basic truth& and identifications of the Catholic faith will be studied within the framework of the Hispanic pastoral reality.

The Pauline letters will be studied in this course in terms of their life settings, historical contexts and their Christian message through an exegesis and a pastoral hermeneutics pertinent to the current Latino/a reality.

This course will cover missiology as the constant task of the Church to announce the gospel and an analysis of its philosophy, its theology, Its biblical bases, its historical guidelines, and its practices within the Hispanic Catholic community.

The study of the life of the Virgin Mary, its basis in Scripture, its dogmas and doctrines; Marian piety as an expression of faith of the different cultures, particularly of the Spanish-speaking community In the United States.

Study of the sacramental principle: relationship of the sacraments to Christ and the Church; and biblical, historical and doctrinal introduction to the seven sacraments, with special emphasis on their role in Christian life

ln this course we will study sacramental theology In.Its pastoral application and liturgical celebration in the context of the parish Hispanic community in the different periods of the Church. Its biblical foundations and the Catholic tradition will be included. The student will complete a service project within a parish In which knowledge gained in this course will be applied.

Selected topic of mutual interest to the faculty member and students.

Selected topic of mutual interest to the faculty member and students.

Introduction to contemporary biblical studies, including: 1) the Catholic approach to scripture in light of Dei Verbum (e.g., inspiration, revelation, canon, hermeneutical principles and methods of critical analysis, relationships of Old and New Testaments); 2) a survey of the Old Testament in its historical setting, with emphasis on major themes (e.g., covenant, exile, Davidic dynasty, wisdom literature, and messianic prophecies); and 3) a survey of the New Testament in its historical setting (e.g., Christianity’s Jewish and Hellenistic roots, gospel formation, the gospels, Acts, letters, Revelation). NOTE: Students who transfer with 60 or more credit hours and who have successfully completed THEO 1300 or 3300 may enroll in THEO 3310, completing junior–level requirements and receiving upper–division credit. Fall, Spring.

Transfer Credit: lower division core.

Introduction to the fundamentals of Catholic dogmatic theology, the science of sacred doctrine, as revealed in Scripture and Tradition and defined by the Magisterium of the Church. Prerequisite: THEO 1301

An introduction to theology as a science, including its principles, sources, and methods, and an exploration of the parts of theology and how they cohere. Topics will include the skills and virtues necessary to the practice of theology; revelation and its witnesses in Sacred Scripture and Tradition; faith and its preambles; dogma and doctrine; development of doctrine; Magisterium; faith and reason; and the motives of credibility.

Introduction to contemporary biblical studies, including: 1) the Catholic approach to scripture in light of Dei Verbum (e.g., inspiration, revelation, canon, hermeneutical principles and methods of critical analysis, relationships of Old and New Testaments); 2) a survey of the Old Testament in its historical setting, with emphasis on major themes (e.g., covenant, exile, Davidic dynasty, wisdom literature, and messianic prophecies); and 3) a survey of the New Testament in its historical setting (e.g., Christianity’s Jewish and Hellenistic roots, gospel formation, the gospels, Acts, letters, Revelation). NOTE: Students who transfer with 60 or more credit hours and who have successfully completed THEO 1300 or 3300 may enroll in THEO 3310, completing junior–level requirements and receiving upper–division credit. Fall, Spring.

Introduction to the fundamentals of Catholic dogmatic theology, the science of sacred doctrine, as revealed in Scripture and Tradition and defined by the Magisterium of the Church. Prerequisite: THEO 3301

Study of the nature of creation and the unique place of the human person in creation according to the Catholic Intellectual Tradition (in contrast to notions of “creationism” that thrive in certain branches of theology). Sources read may include Sacred Scripture, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Bonaventure, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Benedict of Nursia, Pope John Paul II, and Pope Benedict XVI. Special attention will be paid to how Catholic teachings can inform environmental issues and enlighten the aims and practices of environmental stewardship.

What principles can enrich the encounters between Catholic theology and the natural and applied sciences?

Reflection in light of scripture and Vatican II on the Catholic Church as one, holy, catholic and apostolic; discussion of authority and the papacy; ecumenism; the laity; the role of the Church in the modern world.

Study of the sacramental principle: relationship of the sacraments to Christ and the Church; and biblical, historical and doctrinal introduction to the seven sacraments, with special emphasis on their role in Christian life.

Worship, ritual and the human condition; Christian worship and the history of salvation; spiritual worship and liturgical action: objective and subjective aspects; play and festivity; sacred actions, times, and places; liturgy and holiness.

Systematic study of the concepts and practices of the Christian spiritual life, illustrated by reading selected texts from the great spiritual masters and writers of the Church.

Basic themes concerned with the person and work of Jesus Christ as they emerge in scripture and tradition; emphasis on Jesus’ public ministry, the paschal mystery, and the Christology of both the early and contemporary Church; modern problems regarding the meaning of salvation.

Introduction to the theological method and major contributions of St. Thomas. Each semester will concentrate on one of the following topics: God–Trinity, creation, the Holy Spirit, grace, the moral life, etc.

All Christians called to holiness; common principles and various paths by which this vocation is realized; lay men and women; ordained ministry; consecrated life.

A study of fundamental Catholic teachings on the moral life, founded upon the truth that the power to live the moral life flows from Christ and the divinizing power of his grace, particularly in the sacraments. Course content includes the beatitudes, freedom, the morality of human acts and passions, moral conscience, the theological virtues, sin, social justice, and the Ten Commandments.

Prophecy in the Old Testament in its historical and religious contexts; critical methods of studying the prophets; current interpretations of the prophetic books.

The Pauline letters in their historical and religious contexts; critical methods of studying the letters; current interpretations of Pauline theology.

The Torah in its historical and religious contexts; the development of pentateuchal criticism; critical methods of studying the Pentateuch; theologies of the different traditions and their relations to biblical theology as a whole.

The synoptic gospels in their historical and religious contexts; critical methods of studying these gospels and their relations to biblical theology as a whole.

Contemporary exegetical approaches to Psalms, including the genre of “psalm” with a comparison to similar literature from the ancient Near East; types of psalms; relation of the Psalter to temple and synagogue worship; interpretations of individual psalms.

Studies the Christian vision of man under the light of divine revelation; his creation in God's image and likeness, his ultimate end, and his spiritual and material faculties. Reading focus on the development of Christian anthropology in its historical context, both ancient and modern, as well as the anthropological foundations of moral action, ascetical praxis, and sacramental discipline. Primary source readings will typically be chosen from scripture, the fathers, and recent Magisterium, including documents of the Second Vatican Council, with an eye to comparison and contrast between Christian anthropology and modern and post-modern views of the human person. Key topics may include deification, personhood, freedom, the mind, passions, relationality, or sexuality.

This course examines the ways in which the Catholic faith is presented and illuminated through the literary arts.

Introduction to the tradition of Catholic reflection on liberal education. The course considers the nature of the liberal arts, the relationship between theology and the other disciplines from a theological point of view, the question of the unity of knowledge, and the spirituality proper to the life of learning.

Church history and Christian thought from apostolic times to the end of the 13th century.

Church history and Christian thought from the end of the 13th century to the present.

The fourth gospel and the epistles of John; critical methods of Johannine study; current status of Johannine scholarship; theological messages of the gospel and epistles.

Transfer credit: upper division core.

Student research on a selected problem in the field, pursued under the guidance of a faculty member. Requires permission of the department chair.

Upper–division treatment of a selected topic of mutual interest to the faculty member and students.

Student research on a selected problem in the field, pursued under the guidance of a faculty member. Requires permission of the department chair.

Upper–division treatment of a selected topic of mutual interest to the faculty member and students.

A clinically-oriented course on moral issues that arise in modern health care. Topics may vary each semester.

This course is designed to explore the historical and religious contexts of the Christian communities at the end of the first century as reflected Hebrews and in the Catholic Epistles: James, 1-2 Peter, Jude, and the three Johannine letters. Topics include: narrative characteristic of the Greek text, the problem of the authorship, internal and external problems of the Proto-Christian communities, literary analysis of selected periscopes and theological developments manifested in the texts.

A theological examination of ethical issues relating to the making and application of the law: e.g., the concept of justice; legal positivism and the relation of civil and criminal law to ethics and the legitimacy of the adversary system; obligations relating to confidentiality, equal access to legal services, punishment and sentencing, contracts; the practice of law as a Christian calling.

Theology of beauty and theology of art. Concept of sacred art. The use of works of visual art and music in Christian worship and devotion.

Catholic teaching on social, political and economic issues: freedom; law; conscience; marriage and family; political authority; just war and nuclear arms; human dignity and rights; work; private property and social justice.

Survey from the Native Americans through the present in the shaping of American Catholicism; theological and ecumenical dimensions; contributions of the Catholic Church to the American scene emphasized.

Christian understanding of the human condition and God’s transforming grace; human nature as fallen and elevated; justification and new life in Christ.

Systematic study of the concepts and practices of the Christian spiritual life, with a special emphasis placed upon an understanding of Celtic Spirituality and the influences of Anglo-Saxon spirituality on it. This study will be undertaken by a reading and study of selected texts by the great spiritual masters and writers of the Church from the Celtic and Anglo-Saxon tradition.

Systematic study of the concepts and practices of the Christian spiritual life, with a special emphasis placed upon an understanding of Celtic Spirituality and the influences of Anglo-Saxon spirituality on it. This study will be undertaken by a reading and study of selected texts by the great spiritual masters and writers of the Church from the Celtic and Anglo-Saxon tradition.

Lives and thoughts of the great saints and scholars of the first millennium who shaped the Church’s teaching and life. Reading their works is essential to the course. Among those to be discussed are the Desert Fathers, Origen, Basil, Ambrose and Augustine.

Introduction to the writings of John Paul II on the sacramental nature of creation, and in particular, the human body, male and female. Marriage as sacrament of the Communion of Persons in the Trinity. The ethics of human sexuality as integral to the responsible relationship between persons and the theology of the total, reciprocal gift of persons.

Introduction to the wisdom literature of the Old Testament: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Qoheleth, Song of Songs, Wisdom and Sirach.

A study of the thought and influence of John Henry Newman through a selection of his writings, including The Idea of a University.

Mary’s role in the salvation of humanity. Mary in scripture and in the tradition of the Church. The teaching of the contemporary magisterium: Pius XII, Vatican II, Paul VI, John Paul II. Mary in contemporary theology.

Origin and development of apocalyptic literature in the Old Testament and the intertestamental period; formation, structure and style of the Book of Revelation; redactional and literary analysis of the text to define its theology and the situation which produced it.

Theology engages the mind and heart as a work of "faith seeking understanding." This course examines the Christian doctrine on God as one and trinitarian. It will explore the biblical/theological foundations, historical development, and contemporary approaches to the doctrine of the Trinity, with attention to the development of doctrine and how Trinitarian faith impacts the life, prayer and liturgy of Catholic Christians.

Student research on a selected problem in the field, pursued under the guidance of a faculty member. Requires permission of the department chair.

Upper–division treatment of a selected topic of mutual interest to the faculty member and students.

Student research on a selected problem in the field, pursued under the guidance of a faculty member. Requires permission of the department chair.

Reflection in light of scripture and Vatican II on the Catholic Church as one, holy, catholic and apostolic; discussion of authority and the papacy; ecumenism; the laity; the role of the Church in the modern world

Study of the sacramental principle: relationship of the sacraments to Christ and the Church; and biblical, historical and doctrinal introduction to the seven sacraments, with special emphasis on their role in Christian life.

Basic themes concerned with the person and work of Jesus Christ as they emerge in scripture and tradition; emphasis on Jesus' public ministry, the paschal mystery, and the Christology of both the early and contemporary Church; modern problems regarding the meaning of salvation.

A study of fundamental Catholic teachings on the moral life, founded upon the truth that the power to live the moral life flows from Christ and the divinizing power of his grace, particularly in the sacraments. Course content includes the beatitudes, freedom, the morality of human acts and passions, moral conscience, the theological virtues, sin, social justice, and the Ten Commandments.

Prophecy in the Old Testament in its historical and religious contexts; critical methods of studying the prophets; current interpretations of the prophetic books.

The Pauline letters in their historical and religious contexts; critical methods of studying the letters; current interpretations of Pauline theology.

The Torah in its historical and religious contexts; the development of pentateuchal criticism; critical methods of studying the Pentateuch; theologies of the different traditions and their relations to biblical theology as a whole.

The synoptic gospels in their historical and religious contexts; critical methods of studying these gospels and their relations to biblical theology as a whole.

Contemporary exegetical approaches to Psalms, including the genre of “psalm” with a comparison to similar literature from the ancient Near East; types of psalms; relation of the Psalter to temple and synagogue worship; interpretations of individual psalms.

This class studies the interpretation of the Sacred Scriptures, including the contribution from the Patristic and Medieval period as well as from modern Biblical scholarship. Special attention will be paid to the tensions between modern Biblical scholarship and the Patristic and medieval tradition of interpreting the Bible, as well as to the areas in which the two traditions might enrich each other. The course attends to the philosophic and theological questions inextricable from Biblical exegesis.

This course undertakes to examine the theological, historical, and dogmatic aspects of the doctrine of Grade in the Catholic tradition, and emphasis will be placed on central thinkers such as Augustine and Thomas Aquinas as well as certain important modern controversies.

The fourth gospel and the epistles of John; critical methods of Johannine study; current status of Johannine scholarship; theological messages of the gospel and epistles.

Masters students will work with a thesis director to select a topic and write a thesis proving mastery of the subject matter.

Focused study directed toward the comprehensive examination supervised by the Director of Graduate Programs.

Church History and Christian thought from Apostolic times to the end of the 13th Century.

Church History and Christian thought from the end of the 13th Century to the present.

This course offers close readings of influential works from some of the most important Eastern Church Fathers for the development of the Catholic Theological and dogmatic traditions. The course is usually taught with a unified theological theme in mind.

This course undertakes an examination of the life and thought of St. Augustine and includes a close reading of some of his most influential works.

This course undertakes a reading of important theological selections from the Early Scholastic period, ranging from Anselm, Abelard, the Victorines and Bonaventure.

This course undertakes a reading of selections from Thomas Aquinas (and other Dominicans such as Albert the Great and Catherine of Siena) for the development of the Catholic theological and dogmatic traditions.

Theology engages the mind and heart as a work of "faith seeking understanding." This course examines the Christian doctrine on God as one and trinitarian. It will explore the biblical/theological foundations, historical development, and contemporary approaches to the doctrine of the Trinity, with attention to the development of doctrine and how Trinitarian faith impacts the life, prayer and liturgy of Catholic Christians.

This course examines the history and theology of the Catholic Church from 1860-1960, including Vatican I, Aeterni Patris and the Thomistic revival, the Modernist Crisis, and the nouvelle théologie.

A theological exploration of the documents of Vatican II and related documents of the magisterium, their theological and historical context, and the grounding in Scripture and Tradition. Special attention is given to ressourcement and aggiornamento and to the "hermeneutics of reform" and "hermeneutics of continuity" as contrasted with a "hermeneutic of rapture."

This course is designed to explore the historical and religious contexts of the Christian communities at the end of the first century as reflected Hebrews and in the Catholic Epistles: James, 1-2 Peter, Jude, and the three Johannine letters. Topics include: narrative characteristic of the Greek text, the problem of the authorship, internal and external problems of the Proto-Christian communities, literary analysis of selected periscopes and theological developments manifested in the texts.

A theological examination of ethical issues relating to the making and application of the law: e.g., the concept of justice; legal positivism and the relation of civil and criminal law to ethics and the legitimacy of the adversary system; obligations relating to confidentiality, equal access to legal services, punishment and sentencing, contracts; the practice of law as a Christian calling.

An examination of the stages, processes and methods of Christian moral development. Topics include: how ethical norms are known; relation of faith to ethics; the concept of habit and the development of theological and moral virtues; the effect of culture on morals; the role of myth, symbol and identification in moral development; academic subjects and moral development.

Possibility of knowing God; nature and kinds of knowledge of God; transcendence in the world; God’s self-revelation to humanity.

Catholic teaching on social, political and economic issues: freedom; law; conscience; marriage and family; political authority; just war and nuclear arms; human dignity and rights; work; private property and social justice.

Systematic study of the concepts and practices of the Christian spiritual life, with a special emphasis placed upon an understanding of Celtic Spirituality and the influences of Anglo-Saxon spirituality on it. This study will be undertaken by a reading and study of selected texts by the great spiritual masters and writers of the Church from the Celtic and Anglo-Saxon tradition.

Introduction to the wisdom literature of the Old Testament: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Qoheleth, Song of Songs, Wisdom and Sirach.

A study of the thought and influence of John Henry Newman through a selection of his writings, including The Idea of a University.

Mary’s role in the salvation of humanity. Mary in scripture and in the tradition of the Church. The teaching of the contemporary magisterium: Pius XII, Vatican II, Paul VI, John Paul II. Mary in contemporary theology.

Origin and development of apocalyptic literature in the Old Testament and the intertestamental period; formation, structure and style of the Book of Revelation; redactional and literary analysis of the text to define its theology and the situation which produced it.

The impact of the 19th and early 20th century scientific, economic, philosophical and psychological critiques of Christianity; emphasis on method for analyzing theological responses to these and other contemporary challenges.

Student research on a selected problem in the field, pursued under the guidance of a faculty member. Requires permission of the department chair.

Selected topic of mutual interest to the faculty member and students.