Systematic Theology
(Dogmatic/Liturgical)
LPS 300 Faith Dimensions
for Ministry
This course examines the personal, spiritual and ecclesial faith
dimensions of ministry formation. Students will explore, articulate
and reflect upon their faith journey and call to ministerial
studies. (3 credits.)
LPS 302 Christology
The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to Jesus Christ
as seen through the lens of sacred scripture and apostolic tradition. This
course includes a treatment of the historical development of the church's
knowledge of Jesus Christ through the ecumenical councils and patristic
writers. Attention will also be given to issues such as the historicity of
the gospels, Jesus' self-knowledge as God and his mission as universal
redeemer (soteriology). This course will also include a basic introduction
to Mary the mother of God and her significance in relation to her son.
Prerequisites: LPB 302, LPS 300. (3 Credits)
LPS 303 The Church
Ecclesiology rests on the anthropology of revelation: the human experience
of God's personal self-communication--the church is the sacrament of that
revelation in history. A study of the church's nature will involve the
following: its mission and catholicity; the church as structured around
ministry; the divided church and the imperative toward unity; the church
and the wider world (a new sense of responsibility); Mariology as
ecclesiology. Prerequisites: LPB 302, LPS 300. (3 Credits)
LPS 401 Sacramental
Theology
This course will consider the development of general sacramental theology
in light of its historical development and recent developments in the
areas of scripture, ecclesiology, anthropology, psychology, and sociology
regarding the relationship of ritual behavior and spirituality. The goal
of the course is to understand 1) the development of sacramental theology
in the history of the Church; 2) the liturgical reform sought by Vatican
II; 3) the dynamics involved in and the means necessary for good parish
sacramental celebrations. Prerequisites: LPS 302, 303. (3 Credits)
LPS 402 Sacraments of
Initiation
This course will explore the rich history and structure of the process of
Christian Initiation (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). The current
Roman Catholic Liturgies of the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and
Penance (Sacrament of Reconciliation) will be studied against this
historical background with an eye to contemporary pastoral needs. Some
attention will be given to parallel liturgies in other Christian
denominations. (3 Credits)
LPS 403 Moral Theology
An investigation of fundamental themes in moral theology. A discussion of
the meaning of Christian personhood, responsibility and freedom, law,
norms and context in the Christian life will be explored. The goal of this
course is to identify the principles and horizons from which concrete
ethical decisions are determined in the Christian life. (3 Credits)
LPS 414 Catholic Social
Teaching
This course is to acquaint the participant with the basic understandings
of social ethics in ministerial life. We will discuss the underlying
vision of social ethics in the church, including church teaching. We will
address current issues in social ethics today. Finally, the course will
explore the basic tools needed for an analytical approach to social
problems in today's church. Prerequisites: CL 230 or LPS 403 or permission
of instructor. (3 Credits)
LPS 416 Theology of
Ministry
This course will examine the nature of ministry, its place in
contemporary
Christianity, its relationship with Church and with God's reign, changes
in the concepts and practice of ministry. We will examine the requirements
of ministry, the nature of call and the qualities for ministry. We will
attempt to reflect together on the present culture as the place for
ministry, and examine the spirituality requisite to meet its challenges
with authenticity. (3 Credits) S 225 Person in Community:
Meaning and Grace
This course studies the human search for meaning and its relationship
with God's grace from a personal, historical and theological
perspective. It considers the basic ways that people communicate,
namely through the myths they live by and rituals they celebrate.
The Catholic perspective roots the underlying premise that God's Spirit
most fully enlightens this meaning search within the context of
community. Various modes of meaning, as well as the role of
archetype, symbol and story are addressed, as they relate to the
sacramentality of the world and the central role of God's grace in the
human quest for fulfillment. (3 credits)
S 230 Fundamental Dogma
An introduction to theological method: the intellectual and scientific
methodology of contemporary theological reflection (sources, criteria,
presuppositions and the instruments of theological research). Revelation
as divine self-communication experienced in faith. The principles that
guide our systematic understanding of Christian faith. Prerequisites: S
225 or LPS 300, and some introduction to scripture. (3
Credits)
S 233 Ecclesiology
Ecclesiology rests on the anthropology of revelation: the human experience
of God's personal self-communication--the church is the sacrament of that
revelation in history. A study of the church's nature will involve the
following: its mission and catholicity; the church as structured around
ministry; the divided church and the imperative toward unity; the church
and the wider world (a new sense of responsibility); Mariology as
ecclesiology. Prerequisite: S 230 or LPS 300. (3 Credits)
S 234 Sacraments of
Initiation
This course, which begins with an introduction to general sacramental
theology, examines the historical development of the structure and
corresponding Theology of Initiation. Special attention is given to 1) the
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, 2) its theological significance,
3) its pastoral celebration, and 4) the historical/theological
relationship of Eucharist and Reconciliation to Baptism/Confirmation.
Through the practicum the student will be in contact with the development
of various programs relating to the sacraments of initiation with
particular attention to the RCIA. (4 Credits)
S 236 Ecumenism
The aim of this course is to equip participants with the essential skills
necessary to initiate dialogue with Christian churches separated from
Rome. First, the roots of division and the depth of prejudice on both
sides will be explored. Then the origins and development of the ecumenical
spirit will be traced along with a careful examination of the theological
agreements that have been arrived at with some mainline denominations.
Finally, participants will experience dialogue first-hand by meeting with
Protestants and discussing some of the sensitive issues which divide us.
Prerequisites: H 302, S 233 or LPS 303, S 234 or LPS 402, S 238 or LPS
302. (3 Credits)
S 237
Theology and Spirituality of Holy Orders
Drawing on the insights of Vatican II, this course will present an
ecclesial vision of priestly identity. It will explore the Church's
tradition, practice and expectations of ordained ministry, offering a
scriptural, systematic and spiritual analysis leading to a contemporary
theology and spirituality of presbyteral identity, founded in being and
expressed in ministry. Prerequisites: S 230, S 233, S 238. (3 Credits)
S 238 The Mystery of God:
Trinity and Christology
This course will address two central questions: How do the three persons
in one God interact with themselves and humanity in salvation history? and
How does the person of Jesus Christ reveal to us through his life death
and resurrection this fullness of the trinitarian life. This course will
address the patristic, conciliar and biblical foundations for the
doctrines concerning the trinity and Jesus Christ. Prerequisites: Some
introduction to Scripture, S 233 or LPS 303. (4 Credits)
S 239 Mariology and
Eschatology
This purpose of this course is two-fold. All Christian hope finds its
source and completion in the person of Jesus Christ. Using sacred
scripture as a starting point, Christian eschatology will introduce the
student to the principles of the "last things" as well as a
theology of Christian death and resurrection. Flowing from the
eschatological principle of the "fulfillment of all things in
Christ," Mary, the mother of God and eschatological icon of the
church, will be examined in light of conciliar teachings, ecumenism and
inter-religiouis dialogue, and the church's liturgical life. (3
Credits)
S 240
Theology of the Trinity
The Holy Trinity is the central mystery of the Christian faith. In
this course the student will examine the patristic and scriptural
background to the mystery up to 381 AD. The student will then
examine the question of God and the immanent and economic approaches to
the trinitarian mystery. Finally, there will be a treatment of
trinitarian spirituality and how it shapes the lives of individual
Christian believers. (3 Credits)
S 241
Christology
This course will examine the person of Jesus Christ from two
perspectives. The first will be a scriptural and patristic
background focusing on the conciliar period 431-787 AD. It will
describe the saving activity of Jesus Christ (soteriology). The
course will also address the nature of the hypostatic union of Jesus
Christ, addressing his knowledge and consciousness of himself as the Son
of God. There will also be an introduction to Christological
spirituality. Prerequisite: S 240. (3 Credits)
S 303 The Modern Liturgical
Movement: Towards Full, Conscious and Active Participation
This course will examine the development of liturgical history and
practice from the Council of Trent to the present day, through the study
of Church documents, legislation, and the theology of the persons
influencing change throughout these centuries. (3 Credits)
S 343 John Henry Cardinal Newman: Prophetic Figure of Modern
Catholicism
Newman's influence on Vatican II was greater than that of any other
theologian. This course will examine his impact on ecumenism, the laity,
conscience, scripture scholarship, the development of doctrine, the act of
faith. Newman's life and experience will be key in this study. (3
Credits)
S 347 Theology of the Holy
Spirit
The purpose of this course is to provide the student with a basic
introduction to the person of the Holy Spirit. The student will discover
that the study of the Holy Spirit leads to a deeper understanding of Jesus
Christ and his church. The student will also discover that the seven gifts
of the Holy Spirit provide a helpful means to understanding the role of
the Holy Spirit in the lives of individual believers. This is an intensive
reading class. Papers will be required. (3 Credits)
S 405
World Religions and Christianity
This first aim of this course is to offer the absolutely necessary
knowledge about Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism prerequisite for
dialogue. The secondary aim is to initiate a dialogue intent upon
discovering the unique "otherness" of these religions and to
discern to what extent this "otherness" finds some resonance or
complementarity with our own Christianity. (3 Credits)
S 409 The Liturgy and Time
I: The Liturgical Year
This course will examine the Christian observance of time in the context
of the liturgical year. It will examine the historical development of
feasts and seasons, their significance for the Church today, as well as
pastoral considerations in their celebration. (3 Credits)
S 413
Mary in the Patristic Age
The person of Mary of Nazareth will be examined in light of the
Church's earliest teachings. In this study her connections to Jesus
Christ and to the mystery of the Church will be stressed. Also,
ancient liturgical hymns such as the "Akathist" and the homilies
of the later Fathers (8th century) will highlight the foreshadowing of the
dogmas of the Assumption and the Immaculate Conception. (3
Credits)
S 416 The Liturgy and Time
II: The Liturgy of the Hours
This course will examine the development of the theology and practice of
the Divine Office through the centuries as a response to the command to
pray always. The course will also study the significance of the various
scriptural and non-scriptural elements in the structure of the Hours and
their significance in the life of prayer. (3 Credits)
S 445
Primacy and Episcopacy
This course will explore the history of the doctrine of the Primacy of
the Roman Pontiff, and the relationship of this history and doctrine to
the theology of the office of the individual bishops and the role of the
college of bishops. (3 Credits)
S 449
Missiology
This course seeks to assist the student in faithful, respectful and
effective Christian outreach locally and globally. Focus will be
given to current and developing elements and issues of missiology and
cultural diversity/pluralism today: dialogue, evangelization,
"frontier situations," and missionary strategies for home and
abroad. Particular attention will be given to the individual and
social sin of racism and how to dismantle it. (3 Credits)
S 451 "To Jesus
through Mary:" The Relationship between Mariology and
Christology
In this course, we will examine the relationship between Jesus and Mary
from three perspectives. The first will be to examine the relationship
between Jesus and Mary while he was still in her womb, based on John
Saward"s Redeemer in the Womb. The second perspective will be that of
St. Louis Grignon de Montfort and the French school of spirituality. The
third will be a more contemporary treatment seen in the theology of Hans
Urs von Balthasar. This is an intensive reading class. Papers will be
required. Prerequisites: LPS 302 or S 238. (3 Credits)
|
