Syllabus for Tucson
Theology 64809-01: Thérèse of Lisieux: Doctor of the Church Syllabus
CRN 29141; 3 Credits. Off-site course at Tucson, Arizona: December 27, 2012-January 4, 2013.
Course Description:
Thérèse of Lisieux was declared a doctor of the church in 1997 by Pope John Paul II. Thérèse was only the third woman so designated, the fourth being Hildegard of Bingen. The requirements for this doctorate are that one has demonstrated outstanding holiness and eminent doctrine for the universal church. This course will explore the eminent teaching of this young woman from Lisieux who died at age twenty four having composed a religious classic, The Story of a Soul, a text that has had an extraordinary readership in countless languages. The aim of this course will be to explore from theological perspectives the doctrine of Thérèse as contained in her life and texts: Story of a Soul, Her Last Conversations, her Poetry, her Plays, her Prayers and some of her selected letters. We shall investigate how this young woman anticipated several key themes of the Second Vatican Council, and we shall also explore the sources, biblical and otherwise, of her famous “Little Way,” which has often been misread. This course will be studied in the context of the theme of the New Evangelization as featured in the XIII Ordinary Episcopal Synod on “The New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith,” October 7-28, 2012, and in eh context of the Year of Faith, October 11, 2012—November 24, 2013. As long ago as 1927 Thérèse was declared a Principal Patroness of the Missions along with the Jesuit Saint Francis Xavier, hence the issue of the theme of the New Evangelization.
Required Texts: (All by Thérèse of Lisieux and all published by The Institute of Carmelite Studies, Washington, DC, which offers substantial discount with orders of multiple copies: 1- 800-832-8489 and the ICS web site.)—
1. Story of a Soul. 3rd edition. Trans. by John Clarke, OCD, 1996. Or the Study edition prepared by Marc Foley, OCD, 2005.
2. St. Thérèse of Lisieux: Her Last Conversations. Trans. by JOHN Clarke, OCD, 1977.
3. The Poetry of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. Trans. by Donald Kinney, OCD, 1996.
4. The Plays of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, ‘Pious Recreations,’ Trans. by Susan Conroy and David J. Dwyer, 2008.
5. The Prayers of Saint Thérèse. General Introduction by Guy Gaucher, OCD. Trans. by Aletheia Kane, OCD.
Some optional resources:
1. Keith J. Egan, “Thérèse of Lisieux: Wisdom’s Daughter,” 12 Lectures on 5 CDs or 12 lectures on 4 DVDs. Now you Know Media (see Website).
Identify yourself as a student in this class if you decide to order these items.
2. Saint Therese of Lisieux: A Gateway---See web site of this very helpful program which contains many helpful downloads on Theresian matters.
Schedule of Class—The 37.5 hours of class interaction below meet the accrediting requirements and at the same time save participants from additional days in Tucson.)
Arrival: December 26, 2012---Departure: January 4, 2013.
Wednesday, December 26: Arrive at Picture Rocks, Arizona
Thursday, December 27: 4.5 hours (2.5 mornings, 2 hours in the afternoons)
Friday, December 28: 4.5 hours
Saturday, December 29: 3.0 hours (morning)
Sunday, December 30: 2.5 hours (evening—Theresian Photos)
Monday, December 31: 4.5
Tuesday, January 1: 4.0 New Year’s Day
Wednesday, January 2: 4.5 (Plus 1 hr roundtable evening discussion of topics and group preparation for papers)
Thursday, January 3: 4.5)
Friday, January 4: 4.5
Saturday, January 5: Breakfast and depart Picture Rocks
Paper Assignments:
Paper One due February 28--7 double-spaced pages:
Paper Two due March …29--8 double-spaced pages:
Decisions on titles for papers will be discussed at the January 2 meeting. General areas for the papers: The Little Way, The Wisdom of Thérèse as Doctor of the Church, Journey from Anxiety and Fear to Confidence and Love, Thérèse’s Use of Scripture, On Thérèse and the New Evangelization, Thérèse a Mystic?, Suffering in the Life and Writings of Thérèse, etc. These possible titles will help guide the reading done in preparation for the class meetings.
Professor:
Keith J. Egan: 574-273-6064; 574-276-1769 (cell) or egan.1@nd.edu
All are welcome to attend this course as degree seeking or non-degree seeking students. For further information please contact Betsy Karnes at 574-631-4256 or by email at ekarnes@nd.edu.