Master of Theological Studies

Spring 2008 Courses

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Master's Level Course Descriptions - Fall 2008

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THEO 60002 Elementary Hebrew I(BS)
Avi Winitzer
MW 1:30am-2:45pm
This is a two-semester introductory course in biblical Hebrew; under normal circumstances, the student must complete the first in order to enroll in the second. The fall semester will be devoted to learning the grammar of biblical Hebrew. The spring semester will include a completion of and review of the grammar. Also, the spring semester will see the introduction of some modified Biblical texts. The course will focus on developing reading and comprehension skills in biblical Hebrew through the study of biblical texts. It is exclusively a year to learn the grammer of Biblical Hebrew. In addition, students will learn how to use reference grammars, concordances, and apparatus to the Biblica Hebraica. The course encourages students to think about the grammatical forms and their implications for biblical interpretation.

THEO 60006/83001 Intermediate Hebrew (BS)
Eugene Ulrich
MW 3:00pm-4:15pm
The primary focus of this course is on reading the text of the Hebrew Bible, at first prose narratives, then poetic sections and consonantal (unpointed) texts.

There will be a review of the grammar of Biblical Hebrew, as well as development of vocabulary and skills in using lexicons and concordances of the Hebrew Bible. There will be quizzes, a mid-term, and a final exam. Elementary Hebrew is required.

THEO 60007 Aramaic (BS)
Avi Winitzer
MW 11:00am-12:15
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. This will be also be an introduction to Standard Literary Aramaic, using the Aramaic of Targum Onqelos as our dialect and a teaching grammar of that dialect for our textbook. We will strive to complete the grammar in the fall semester. The course is designed to prepare students both for doctoral biblical studies and for intelligent effectiveness in the contemporary church.

THEO 60105 Intro. to Hebrew Bible(BS)
Eugene Ulrich
TH 8:00am-9:15am
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:

1. The Catholic Study Bible (NAB).
2. J. Mays (ed.), HarperCollins Bible Commentary.
3. D. Harrington, Interpreting the Old Testament.
4. J. Walsh, The Mighty from Their Thrones.
5. B. Childs, Introduction to the Old Testament as Scripture.

THEO 60121 Intro. To Early Christianity (HC)
Robin Darling Young
MW 8:00-9:15am
Description: None available at this time.

THEO 60146 Gospel of Matthew (BS)
John Meier
TR 2:00-3:15pm
The purpose of this lecture course is to introduce the Master's level student to historical-critical exegesis of Matthew's Gospel, while at the same time incorporating insights from more recent methods of criticism (narrative, reader-response, etc.). After a brief survey of major introductory questions (sources, time and place of composition, etc.), the major sections of the Gospel will be exegeted in order. In major pericopes, notice will be taken of significant differences found in the parallel passages of Mark and/or Luke. The ultimate goal will be a comprehensive understanding of the redactional theology of Matthew. A major commentary on Matthew will be read in tandem with the class lectures.

THEO 60147 Apocalypse of John (BS)
David Aune
MW 11:45-1:00pm
This course will focus on a close reading of the English translation of the Apocalypse of John (with special arrangements for those who can read Greek), focusing on such issues as the historical, cultural and literary background of the book, the problems involved in a arriving at a satisfactory interpretation of the book, arriving at a theological contribution of the book, the problem of arriving at a satisfactory analysis of the literary structure of the book, the subsequent reception of Apocalypse of John in the Church both East and West as well as the effects of varied interpretations of the Apocalypse on the Church and society from the patristic period through the Middle Ages into the modern period including the influence that the Apocalypse has had on Christian art from the Carolingian period through the modern period.

THEO 60148 Introduction to Rabbinic Literature (BS/HC)
Instructor: Tzvi Novick
MW 3:00-4:15
The literature of Rabbinic Judaism, which emerged roughly at the same time as
Christianity and developed in dialogue with it, is rich and various. We survey the major works in this corpus, with particular attention to the following issues: the role of the Hebrew Bible in rabbinic literature; theologies of rabbinic law; Temple and Torah as competing conceptual foci; border figures (gentiles, women, apostates, etc.); and study and worship in the synagogue. The course is open to undergraduates and M.A. students. Undergraduate course requirements include a midterm, a final, and a short paper. No Hebrew or Aramaic required, but students with facility in these languages will be provided with source material in the original.

THEO 60204/Introduction to Medieval Theology (HC)
Joseph Wawrykow
TR 12:30-1:45pm
The high middle ages witnessed tremendous creativity in theology, and the writings of theologians as diverse as Anselm, Bernard of Clairvaux, Peter Abelard, Thomas Aquinas, and Mechthild of Magdeburg have proven to be of enduring significance. This course examines the high medieval achievement in theology, both scholastic and spiritual, through close study of selections from many of the most important theologians from the 12th through the early 14th centuries. While considerable attention will be given to doctrinal development and intellectual disagreement, cultural as well as literary questions will also receive their due—to what extent did institutional and educational changes stimulate theological progress? Why did theologians employ such a broad range of genres, and are different genres better suited to certain theological tasks? How do earlier writings, both Christian (scriptural, patristic, and early medieval), and, non-Christian (especially, but not exclusively, Aristotelian), figure in the high medieval theological enterprise?

There will be a judicious mixture of lecturing and class discussion. Heavy emphasis will be placed on the analysis, both oral and written, of primary texts. To provide thematic continuity, in Fall 2008 the readings will deal with medieval discussions of 'theology' as science and as wisdom; the understanding of Scripture; providence and predestination; and, Christology. To facilitate future research, students will also be introduced to the principal scholarly resources for the study of medieval theological history.

THEO 60402 Liturgical History (LS/HC)
Max Johnson
TR 11:00-12:15pm
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.

THEO 60404 Eucharist (LS)
Michael Driscoll
MW 11:45-1:00pm
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.

THEO 60407 Liturgical Theology (LS)
David Fagerberg
TR 3:30-4:45pm
Liturgy is not a branch of esthetics, it is the root of theology. We will explore the proposition that lex orandi establishes lex credendi in three ways. First, we will examine the purpose and method of liturgical theology as expressed by various authors, but especially Schmemann, Kavanagh, and Taft. Second, we will examine the difference this approach makes when treating traditional theological subjects (e.g. worship, ecclesiology, eschatology, sacrifice, the relationship between church and world, etc.). Third, we will especially consider how liturgical theology bears on sacramentology. This course will thus be useful to M.A. and M.T.S. students as an introduction to the discipline, and to M.Div. students for a coherent understanding of sacraments expressing the life of the Church.

THEO 60426 Priesthood (LS)
Michael Heintz
MW 3:00-4:15pm
An examination of the historical, theological, and pastoral dimensions of priesthood in the Catholic tradition. Emphasis will be placed on a close reading and discussion of theological, conciliar, and liturgical texts which shed light on the priesthood as understood and lived in the Catholic tradition.

THEO 60601 Foundations of Moral Theology (MT)
Paulinus Odozor
TR 3:30-4:45pm
The aim of this course is to introduce the student to the study of the basic elements of Christian moral experience and understanding as well as to the criteria of Christian moral judgment and action. The texts, which have been chosen for this course, cover areas related to nature and history of moral theology, the sources of Christian moral knowledge, moral agency, and the resources and methods for moral decision-making. The course concludes with a study of the moral teaching of Pope John Paul II in Veritatis Splendor.

THEO 60622 Christian Political Theology and Ethics (MT)
Gerald McKenny
MW 1:30-2:45pm
Christians of all types are currently locked in intense debates over the extent to which moral convictions held by Christians may or must be enforced by political authority and over the question of whether contemporary liberal democracies are consonant with what Christian faith requires of the political order. This course examines the fundamental question behind these questions, namely, what are the theological and ethical criteria for a morally legitimate social and political order? For over a century Christian thinkers have attempted to derive those criteria from natural law, the teachings of Jesus, and the lordship of Christ. We will examine these efforts in writings by Catholic thinkers including Pope Leo XIII, Jacques Maritain, John Courtney Murray, Gustavo Gutierrez, David Hollenbach, and John Paul II; Protestant writers including Karl Barth, Reinhold Niebuhr, Martin Luther King, Jr., Stanley Hauerwas, John Howard Yoder, Oliver O'Donovan, and John Milbank; and secular writers such as Max Weber, Carl Schmitt, Hannah Arendt, and John Rawls.

THEO 60801 Fundamentals of Systematic Theology (ST)
Catherine Hilkert
MW 1:30-2:45pm
This course is a graduate level introduction to the nature, tasks, and methods of systematic theology. The primary focus of the course will be an analysis of the contributions of diverse 20th and 21st century theologians and theological movements to an understanding of the theological enterprise. Among the fundamental issues to be considered in the first half of the course are the following: the possibility and form of revelation; an understanding of faith and the relationship between faith and reason; the sources of theology and the interrelationship of scripture, tradition and experience/praxis; the development and interpretation of doctrine; and the roles of the hierarchical magisterium, theologians, and the community of the baptized in preserving and handing on the authentic Christian tradition. The second half of the course explores a broad survey of contemporary methods of doing systematic theology.

THEO 60820 Hindu and Christian Interaction (ST)
Brad Malkovsky
MW 1:30-2:45pm
Description: Not available at this time.

THEO 60835 Canon Law (MT)
Gary Chamberland
TR 2:00-3:15pm
Intended for students preparing for ministry, the course providesan introduction to law and its place in the Church.General principles for the interpretation of canon law as well as its history, and its relationship to theology and pastoral praxis are discussed.The course is principally concerned with the1983 Code of Canon Law, although other parts of the Church's law (i.e., liturgical law and theCode of Canons of the Eastern Churches)are explained and referenced. By a comprehensive overview of the seven books of Code together with a more focused discussion of specific canons, the class addressesselected canonical topics of value to those in ministry.The laws and canonical jurisprudence concerning marriage are addressed briefly as is appropriate for a general introduction.
- M.Div students only

THEO 60846 Christology (ST)
Robert Krieg
MW 3:00-4:15pm
This course undertakes a critical reflection on the confession that Jesus is the Christ (Mk 8:29; Acts 2:36-38; John 20:31). It consists of four units: biblical and historical origins of belief in Jesus Christ, the Church's doctrine concerning the "person" of Jesus Christ, the Church's views on the "work" of Jesus Christ, and current issues in Christology. The course has three specific goals: [1] knowledge of the sources, history, issues, and methods of contemporary Catholic 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 required readings for Theo 60846 are selected texts from the Bible, Christology (1995) by Gerald O'Collins, and texts on electronic reserve in the Hesburgh Library. The final grade for Theo 60846 is based on three essays (3 x 20%), a final reflection paper and oral examination (20%), and class participation (20%).

THEO 60859/GSC 63500-01 Thinking about Gender/Gendered Thinking (ST)
Cristina L.H. Traina
M 3:00p-5:30p
This course explores the intersection between theology and anthropology in three stages. In the first, we will read pivotal earlier theoretical work on gender and theory in anthropology, and then contemporary ethnographic work that problematizes sex and gender and illustrates contemporary methodological approaches. In the second, we'll explore similar questions in western feminist theology, beginning with important early work and moving to recent work in theological ethics. In the third segment of the course, we'll put the two disciplines together, reading works that creatively combine ethnographic research with theological reflection. Assignments will include seminar discussion papers and a final project/paper.

THEO 60945 Pastoral Administration
Peter Jarret
TBA
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 60946 Liturgical Celebration/Ministry I
Michael Driscoll
MW 9-11:30
This laboratory course aims at the following goals: An understanding of the Roman Eucharistic rite, non-Eucharistic Sunday worship, and daily prayer through a careful reading of pertinent documents. An understanding of principles for liturgical celebration through an analysis of the structures of the Eucharistic Rite, the Sunday communion rite, and the communal hours of morning and evening prayer. Pastoral and theological understanding of the rites, through an examination of various ministerial roles in the act of worship, especially that of the leader of corporate prayer. Study and practice skills for specific ministries in corporate prayer. (These skills will be developed and practiced in the weekly “lab” sessions. Students will be guided through the Sacramentary, Sunday communion rite and daily prayer.)

THEO 60948 Preaching I
Craig Saterlee
F 8:00am-12:00p
This course is an introduction to homiletics.

THEO 60949 Preaching II
Craig Saterlee
F 1:00-3:30pm
A continuation of Preaching I, this course treats exegesis for preaching, methods of homily preparation and delivery.

THEO 60952 Fundamentals of Pastoral Care
Dominic Vachon
M 3:00pm-4:15pm
Self-assessment of skills for ministry.

THEO 60994 Leadership and Authority
Jan Poorman
R 10:00am -11:30am
During their third year of field education, Master of Divinity students explore issues of leadership, power, and authority in the role of the public minister.

The goal is to complement the growth in pastoral skills already attained in the first two years with the acquisition of proficiency in skills for collaborative leadership in the contemporary Church. The goal is approached through a threefold constellation of learning contexts: field work, supervision, and the field education seminar. The primary learning dynamic for the seminar is dialogical and includes conversation about assigned texts, shared reflection on field experiences, and faith-sharing.

THEO 65931 Images & Models of Ministry I
Michael Connors
W 1:55pm-3:50pm
Field Education is an integral component of education for pastoral ministry. Through field education, students pursue the integration of theological competence with pastoral skill in a developing identity as a public minister. For first year students, the specific goals are to provide initial approaches, of both theoretical and practical kinds, to two sets of foundational questions:

What is theological reflection? How is it done? What are some resources upon which to draw for theological reflection in ministry?

What does it mean to be a minister? How does one go about constructing one's self-understanding as a lay or ordained minister today in the Catholic Church? Where is one's place within the larger mission of the Church? What resources might inform, shape, and sustain one's identity in ministry?

The goal is approached through a threefold constellation of learning contexts: field work in a ministry placement, supervision of that work, and the field education seminar. The primary learning dynamic for the seminar is dialogical and includes conversation about assigned texts, as well as shared reflection on field experiences.

65933 Articulating Faith I
Jan Poorman
W 10:00am-11:30am

The goal of the second year of field education is facility in articulating the Christian faith, particularly as understood in Roman Catholic tradition, and in fostering the development of faith with others. In the Field Education seminars, students explore the role of catechesis in ministry and continue to integrate theory and praxis toward collaborative ministry and community building in fostering the reign of God. The goal is approached through a threefold constellation of learning contexts: field work in a ministry placement, supervision of that work, and the field education seminar. The primary learning dynamic for the seminar is dialogical and includes conversation about assigned texts, shared reflection on field experiences, and faith-sharing.

THEO 67801 Faith and Traditions
TBA
Required for non-degree seeking seminarians only.

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