Course Descriptions

The following courses are taught at Catholic Theological Union throughout the year: Fall Semester, Januaury "J-Term," and Spring Semester. Consult the Course Offerings to find out which classes are being offered in upcoming terms.

Core Curriculum: Foundational Core | Complementary Core | Integrating Core | Area Requirements | Summer Institute

Philosophy | Biblical Languages and Literature |  Intercultural Studies and Ministry |
Historical and Doctrinal Studies (and Ethics) | Spirituality and Pastoral Ministry |
Word and Worship | Interdisciplinary and Integrative Studies | Field Education

Core Curriculum Courses

Foundational Core Courses
FP 4000 Pastoral Practice: The Theology of Ministry
This foundational core course introduces students to critical thinking about ministry as a theological act in order to become more effective in ministry. Study the history of ministry, reflect theologically on ministerial practice, and focus on several issues in that practice, i.e., the contextual nature of ministry, ministry and power, and ministry and embodiment. A theological reflection method for ministry is introduced and practiced.

FA 4000 Art of Doing Theology: Theological Methods
An interdisciplinary course that introduces the student to various methods of theological analysis and is designed to be both experiential and theoretical.

FR 4000 Religion in Context: Diversity in Dialogue
This course provides students with an understanding of spirituality, religious experiences, and religion in cultural context. It helps students become open to various authentic experiences of God and acquire a deeper understanding of the evangelizing/missionary nature of the church.

FT 4000 Tradition: Sources through History
This foundational course introduces the nature, breadth, and diversity of the church’s tradition within the framework of the history of the world Christian movement, from ancient to modern times. Topics include: documents, movements, eras, rituals, artifacts, and persons.

Complementary Core Courses

B 4001 Introduction to the Bible (CC-T)
An introduction to the text and various parts and genres, of the Old and New Testaments, the issues arising from these, and relevant interpretive approaches.

C 4001 Crossing Cultural Boundaries: Ministry at the Margins (CC-R)
Who are we, what are we doing, and why? Everyone has a particular social location, assumptions, and expectations, which they bring to ministry. Examines culture, religion, faith, encounter–and the call to conversion–as constitutive of marginal and boundary-breaking ministry.

C 4002 Abraham’s Children: Jews, Christians, and Muslims (CC-R)
A cross-cultural and comparative introduction to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam using historical, theological, and ethnographic methodologies.

D 4001 Doing Systematic Theology (CC-A)
This course investigates the nature and methods of systematic theology. After defining theology according to Anselm of Canterbury’s classic definition of “faith seeking understanding,” the course draws implications for doing systematic theology in today’s context (Part I), and explores how systematic theology is done as a communal, ecclesial enterprise, in conversation with Christian tradition and the church’s teaching office (Part II). It then investigates the various sources of positive theology, surveys the methods of speculative theological reflection, and examines various theological texts (e.g., of patristic, scholastic, neo-orthodox, or liberation theology) in terms of the methods employed.

DC 4311 Introduction to Asian Theologies (CC-R)
As Christianity becomes post-western, the church in Asia has an increasingly significant role in the church of the future. This course is an introduction to the theology emerging from the Asian church. It begins by looking at the context of Asia and then explores how theology addresses the realities of the many poor, many religions, and many cultures of Asia.

E 4001 Living the Moral Life (CC-A)
Introduction to the basic themes of the Christian moral life including its personal, social, and cosmic dimensions. Using classical texts and contemporary case studies, the course focuses on the particular sources, authorities, and methods of the Roman Catholic ethical tradition. Particular attention given to the relationship between methods of systematic theology and ethical methods.

S 4001 Spiritual Companioning for Ministry (CC-P)
This course provides foundational understanding and experience of being with others within a spiritual companioning context. It focuses on the art and ministry of spiritual companioning and the practical applications in diverse ministerial settings. Issues such as listening skills, reverence of individual differences, and discernment are explored. The course design includes input, discussion, and practicum.

W 4001 Communication Skills for Ministry (CC-P)
Examines the nature and dynamics of the human communication process as it applies to 1) oral interpretation of written texts; 2) rhetorical design and public discourse; 3) the use of mass media; 4) interpersonal communication; and 5) non-verbal and ritual expressions. Attention is given to the cross-cultural and ministerial dimensions of these forms of communication.

W 4110 Holy Week: Liturgy, Preaching and Presiding (CC-P)
This course examines in an integrated fashion the liturgical celebrations of Holy Week, specifically Passion Sunday and the Triduum. It includes historical and theological study of Holy Week; celebration of and mystagogical reflection on the current rites; issues in preparing, preaching, and presiding during Holy Week and Triduum; the interplay of liturgical celebration and popular religiosity; and reflection on liturgical spirituality fostered through and from the rites.

Integrating Core Courses

C 4100 Inculturation and Dialogue: Ministry Across Boundaries
Building upon and integrating previous studies and experiences, this course enables students to attend more closely to the contexts, in which they minister, particularly when the cultural/social contexts and the ideological or faith convictions they encounter are not their own.

DB 4100 Witness and Proclamation: The God of Jesus Christ
This course has as its content reflection on the God whom Christians proclaim and to whom Christians witness in mission and ministry. This God--Holy Mystery--is first manifest in human experience through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, and made visible in the ministry and cross of Jesus of Nazareth. The doctrine of God as Trinity is addressed in terms of pastoral practice (P), method (A), particular contexts of cultures and religions (R), and the Christian tradition (T).

EMP 4100 Justice, Peace, the Integrity of Creation and Reconciliation: Living the Values of the Reign of God
Students are introduced to Catholic social teaching and equipped for committed Christian ministry with peoples struggling for justice and yearning for reconciliation in an ecologically threatened and violent world. The particular disciplines emphasized are those of social ethics and pastoral ministry.

WS 4100 Liturgy, Prayer, and Contemplation: Ecclesial Spirituality
This course helps students integrate and communicate an understanding of individual and communal prayer as formation for and the result of apostolic action. Reading, discussion, lecture, and practical exercises.

Area Requirements


Intercultural Studies and Ministry
Any 4000 level “C” course

Doctrine
D 4200 Christology
This course provides a systematic treatment of the foundations of Christology in a post-critical context. It is concerned with the possibility of constructing and evaluating Christology after one has subjected the Bible to the analysis of historical-critical studies, and after one has become thoroughly aware of the profound historicity of the Christian faith-community and its doctrines.

DC 4200 Christology and Culture
An investigation of the meaning of the person and work of Jesus Christ for Christian faith today. Special emphasis given to emerging christologies in the World Church, constructing christologies today, and the final consummation of all things in Christ.

D 4201 Ecclesiology
This course consists of an historical and systematic study of the understanding of the church in the Christian tradition and in contemporary thought. Special attention is given to ecclesiological themes and issues which are critical for life in the church today.

History
Any 4000 level “H” course

H 4300 Byzantine Influences through Church History
Take an intellectual journey through the lands of eastern Christianity. Examines church history through the Byzantine influences that shaped the church from the sixth through fifteenth centuries. Topics include key cities and holy sites such as Edessa, Constantinople, Ravenna, Mount Athos, and Hagia Sofia.

Ethics
Any 4000 level “E” course

Pastoral Ministry
The Pastoral Ministry area requirement is fulfilled by any of the following:
MP4307 Pastoral Ministry: Care, Counseling and Presence
MP4306 Pastoral Ministry: Developing Skills and Competencies for Cooperative Leadership
MP4020 Introduction to Pastoral Counseling
or any CTU Latino/a course with an MP designation

Spirituality
The Spirituality area requirement is fulfilled by S4000 or S5000 courses taught by the Spirituality Professors of the Spirituality and Pastoral Ministry Department. These courses will marked as fulfilling the are requirement in the Registrar's course listing for each semester.

Word and Worship
W 4200 Sacraments I: Initiation & Reconciliation
Theological, historical, and pastoral reflection on the experience and sacraments of initiation and reconciliation. Particular attention given to: the RCIA as norm for initiatory practice; the relation of sacramental reconciliation to the church's life; and foundations of practical skills for celebration.

W 4201 Sacraments II: Eucharist and Sacramental Theology
This course serves as a general introduction to sacramental theology, and a particular introduction to the Eucharist, its history, theology, structure, and practice.

W 4202 Presiding Practicum
A practicum designed for priesthood candidates to develop competency in leadership of sacramental rites, including initiation, weddings, anointing, wakes, and funerals. Special emphasis given to Eucharist and Reconciliation. Prerequisite: Sacraments I and II

W 4203 Liturgical Preaching
This practicum examines the homily as a liturgical action within the Christian assembly. Participants consider liturgical, pastoral, cultural, and practical dynamics of preaching.

W 4205 Lay Leadership of Prayer and Preaching
A practicum to develop competency in the leadership of the community’s prayer, including Hours, catechumenal rites, the funeral Vigil, penitential liturgies, liturgies of Word and Communion, and ministry to the sick and dying.
In conjunction with these settings, it also considers the liturgical, canonical, and pastoral dynamics and practical skills of lay preaching in catechesis and worship. Prerequisite: Sacraments I or II

Philosophy Courses

P 2100 History of Ancient Philosophy
Probes the question of what philosophers do and why. With some treatment of the pre-Socratic tradition and the influence of the ancient Asian tradition, the major focus is on the epistemology of Plato and the metaphysics and ethics of Aristotle.

P 2101 History of Medieval Philosophy
Focuses on the interaction between philosophy and theology in the construction of major styles of logic and theology from the twelfth to fourteenth centuries. Questions are viewed from the Jewish, Islamic, and Christian perspectives with a study of key representatives of these traditions. Vital for students considering further studies in patristics.

P 2102 History of Modern Philosophy
Major figures discussed include Descartes, the English and Continental rationalists, the empiricists, Kant, Hegel and Marx, Feurebach, and Nietzsche. Particular emphasis is given to the impact of these philosophical positions on the doing of theology.

P 2103 History of Contemporary Philosophy
Highlights the issue of language in linguistic analysis, particularly the work of Russell, Ayer, Wittgenstein, Husserl, Heidegger, Derrida, and Levinas. Studies the emergence of existential phenomenology in Sartre, the process philosophy of V. Whitehead, and emerging contributions of contemporary Asian, African, and Latin American philosophical movements.

P 2180 Philosophy for Future Theologians
Traces the history of the relationship between theology (faith) and philosophy (reason or the intellect). Studies the impact of key philosophical thinkers on the methods and history of theology. Introduces students to the growing convergence between philosophers and theologians in the face of contemporary issues. Special attention given to the role of scientific methodologies and their consequences for the future study of systematic, biblical, and pastoral theology.

P 2220 Critical Thinking and Applied Logic
Introductory course focuses on the problem of human knowledge and cognitive claims as responses to skepticism. Covers the structure of argument, fallacy detection, and truth analysis. Considers the role of logic in shaping worldviews, text books, media coverage, and intercultural epistemology.

P 2221 Philosophy of the Human Person
Beginning with Socrates up to Simone De Beauvoir and the cyber-post moderns, explores historically the various dimensions of what it means to be human and to know humanity. Considers topics such as the will, body-mind dualism, conscience, the ego, sexuality, individual as person, action, and the structure of community.

P 2222 American Philosophy and the History of Social Institutions
Explores the relationship between American theorists (Peirce, James, Royce, and Dewey) and the shaping and maintenance of American cultural and social institutions. Considers the relationship between immigrant narratives, their art, and religion in the “American Institution.”

P 2223 Philosophy of Art
Examines the key role of various aesthetical theories and their roles in answering “what is art?” Attention is given to the role of criticism, taste, multimedia art, icons, also the non-plastic arts such as music, dance, and drama in shaping the expressive dimension of the human person and his or her multifaceted, transnational culture. Interaction with various art institutions and artists in Chicago is expected.

P 2300 Philosophical Ethics
Traditional Catholic ethics has based itself on the history and development of the natural law theory. This course traces the development of the human person as ethical subject. Various contemporary positions of ethics are also present. Special attention to the thought of Bernard Lonergan and his influence on ethical decision making.

P 2301 Perspectives in the Philosophy of Death
Starting with the death of Socrates, Jesus, the Buddha, and Mohammed, philosophers have considered the question of death and afterlife to be a core metaphysical question. Using Heidegger’s phenomenological method, explores various cultural, religious, and philosophical perspectives concerning death and “the beyond.” Explores the “denial of death” in a post holocaust world. Asks whether an appropriate philosophy of death necessarily shapes one’s philosophy of life.

P 2302 Issues in Philosophical Hermeneutics
Surveys the history of hermeneutics and addresses such concepts as the canon in conflicting meanings, the role of interpretation, feminist and contextual hermeneutics, the hermeneutics of suspicion and generosity, and participatory hermeneutics. Presents the repercussions of the history of hermeneutics of contemporary theology.

P 2303 Philosophy of Science
Examines the basic structure of scientific method and the major theories of modern physics within that context.
This is treated with a view to the historical, philosophical and social implications of the practice of science in its contemporary form. Special attention is given to the several key contemporary scientific theorists, especially Thomas Kuhn.

P 2304 Philosophy of God
Examines the problem of God, the proofs for God’s existence, and the naming of the transcendent deity in eastern and western cultures. Using the phenomenological method, explores the philosophical structure of thought which underpins the study of theos and logos.

P 2305 The Phenomenology of Religion
An introduction to the method of phenomenology as applied to the manifestation of religion. Topics such as myth, taboo, the holy, the sacred, the ritual, and sacred texts are presented. The positions of Otto, Eliade, van der Leeuw, Malinowski, Smart and Smith, and Durkheim are considered. Opportunity to interact with the various religious organizations in Chicago.

P 2400 Philosophical Texts: Thomas Aquinas
A detailed study of the key concepts and texts of this important philosopher and theologian. The movements of original Thomism and neo-thomism are presented.

P 2401 Philosophical Texts
Aims at a close reading of the work and life of a major philosophical figure pertinent either to classical or contemporary philosophical thought.

P 2402 Philosophical Texts: International Readings in Political Philosophy
Analyzes key texts and thinkers that continue to shape the political and socioeconomic thinking of western and non-western countries. Considers the relationship between philosophy and democracy, culture, methods of social liberation, development, international conflict and peace, minority and majority rights.

Department of Biblical Languages and Literature

Note: An “I” after the course number indicates the course is taught in Jerusalem as part of the Fall Biblical Study and Travel Program.

BC40201 Jesus: A Dialogue between Christians and Jews
This course, offered in Israel, examines Jewish and Christian perspectives on the teaching and person of Jesus. To this end students will visit major historical, archaeological and religious sites in Israel with time spent in both the Galilee and the Negev.

DB 4100 Witness and Proclamation: The God of Jesus Christ
This course has as its content reflection on the God whom Christians proclaim and to whom Christians witness in mission and ministry. This God--Holy Mystery--is first manifest in human experience through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, and made visible in the ministry and cross of Jesus of Nazareth. The doctrine of God as Trinity is addressed in terms of pastoral practice (P), method (A), particular contexts of cultures and religions (R), and the Christian tradition (T).

B 4300 Hebrew
An intensive introduction to the grammar, syntax, and vocabulary of biblical Hebrew prepares students to translate passages of the Old Testament.

B 4301 Old Testament Narrative Literature
An examination of the major narrative sections of the Old Testament. Attention is given to the formation of the material, its historical value, its theological importance to ancient Israel, and the role it might play in contemporary life and ministry.

B4303 Introduction to Old Testament
This course provides an introduction to the literature of the Old Testament and its historical, cultural, religious, geographical and social context. Various methodological tools for investigating the content and genre of the texts will be studied. Throughout the course, students will investigate the different theologies presented by the Old Testament writers.

B4305 Introduction to New Testament
This course provides an introduction to the literature of the New Testament and its historical, cultural, religious, geographical and social context. Various methodological tools for investigating the content and genre of the texts will be studied. Throughout the course, students will investigate the different theologies presented by the New Testament writers in order to see how their theologies shape various images of Jesus of Nazareth.

B 4310 Old Testament Prophets
The course is a study of selected texts from the latter prophets. It focuses on the development of the Isaianic tradition and the value of the book of Isaiah for Christian theology and preaching.

B 4311 The Former Prophets
A study of selected texts from Joshua to 2 Kings, focusing on the contrast between historical Israel and biblical Israel in order to appreciate the theological dimension of ancient Israel’s story.

B 4312 Second Temple Judaism and Early Rabbinic Judaism
The first part of the course focuses on an examination of the variety of expressions of Judaism in the Second Temple period. The second part focuses on the emergence of Rabbinic Judaism in the wake of the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 C.E.

B 4313 Old Testament Poetry
An investigation of selections from the psalms and the wisdom tradition of the Old Testament, this course concentrates on careful reading of the text, the various theological concerns found there, and the importance of this material for ministerial practice.

B 4316i Biblical History and Archaeology: Old Testament
A study of nonliterary sources for reconstructing ancient Israel’s history, this study of the principles of archaeology is complemented with visits to archaeological sites and museums in Israel, Greece, Turkey, Jordan, and Egypt

B4317i Paul and the Gentile Mission
Students will acquire a familiarity with the contents of the seven undisputed Pauline letters, and explore the historical, cultural, and social background of the Pauline mission. They will visit significant sites in Greece and Turkey (Asia Minor) where Paul traveled and preached in order to appreciate the challenges and struggles of the early Christian Mission. They will deepen in their comprehension and appreciation of Pauline themes and theology. They will also gain further insight into the interpretation of Paul for believers today.

B 4400 Biblical Greek
This intensive introduction to the grammar, syntax, and vocabulary of biblical Greek prepares the student to translate passages of the New Testament and early Christian literature.

B 4402 The Gospel According to Mark
A study of the Gospel of Mark with attention to its historical, literary, cultural, and theological world. The course helps students integrate critical exegetical study of the text with theology, spirituality, and pastoral practice for a multicultural church.

BC 4403 Mark in Cross-Cultural Perspective
A study of the narrative of Mark from a cultural and theological perspective. Focus is on Markan style and theology in dialogue with the Jewish background and with the contexts and questions of today.

B 4404 History and Archaeology of Israel
The course is a study of the principles of archaeology and an inquiry into some of the nonliterary sources for understanding the ancient societies of the Levant.

B 4405 Gospel According to Matthew
A study of the Gospel of Matthew with attention to its historical, literary, cultural, and theological world. The course helps students integrate critical exegetical study of the text with theology, spirituality, and pastoral practice for a multicultural church.

B 4406 The Gospel According to Luke
A study of the Gospel of Luke with attention to its historical, literary, cultural, and theological world. The course helps students integrate critical exegetical study of the text with theology, spirituality, and pastoral practice for a multicultural church.

B 4407 Gospel According to John
A study of the Gospel of John with attention to its historical, literary, cultural, and theological world. The course helps students integrate critical exegetical study of the text with theology, spirituality, and pastoral practice for a multicultural church.

B 4408 Acts of the Apostles
A study of the missionary expansion of early Christianity as depicted in Acts of the Apostles. The course helps students integrate critical exegetical study of the text with theology, spirituality, and pastoral practice for a multicultural church.

B 4409 Revelation and Letters of John
Thematic and exegetical study of the book of Revelation (Apocalypse) and the letters of John from the perspectives of history, culture, understanding of church, apocalyptic and epistolary genres, and contemporary interpretation.

B 4410 Christian Origins and the Pauline Mission
The missionary activity of Paul and his apostolic team is explored through his letters, Greco-Roman and Jewish literature, and archaeology tracing the development of the Christian religion as it encountered new cultures and adapted to its social environment.

B 4411 Paul: The Corinthian Correspondence
A study of 1-2 Corinthians with attention to the historical, literary, cultural, and theological world of that time. An examination of the relevance of Paul’s pastoral approaches for a contemporary multicultural church.

B 4412 Paul: Galatians and Romans
A study of Paul’s life and world, with attention to the letters to the Galatians and Romans in their historical, literary, cultural, and theological context. The relevance of Paul’s theological and pastoral approaches to the contemporary multicultural church is addressed.

B 4415I Jesus in Historical Context
A study of selected texts from the Gospels related to biblical sites visited in the Holy Land. Emphasis given to understanding Jesus within the context of first century Palestinian Judaism and the social context of first century Galilee and Jerusalem.

B 4416I Biblical History and Archaeology: New Testament
An introduction to methods of biblical archaeology for interpreting material remains of early Christianity. Classroom study is complemented with visits to archaeological sites.

B 4417I The Holy City (Israel)
This course examines the city of Jerusalem in the literature of ancient Israel and early Judaism.

BW 4440 The Gospel of Luke Exegeted and Preached
A study of the Gospel of Luke with attention to its historical, literary, cultural, and theological world in conjunction with study of the principles and theology of liturgical preaching. The course aims to help students integrate critical exegetical study of the text with theology, spirituality, and pastoral practice for preaching from the biblical text in a multicultural church.

BW 4500 Biblical Hermeneutics for Preaching
An interdisciplinary course that introduces students to a process of integrating contemplation, biblical and theological study, and pastoral praxis for a ministry of preaching. Strongly recommended for all M.Div. students.

B 4501 Gospel Parables
Study of the dynamics of the parables in the Synoptic Gospels as stories that challenge the hearer to conversion. Attention is given to historical, literary, cultural, and theological perspectives and to insights for preaching and teaching parabolically.

BC 4502 Reading the Bible Differently: African-American Biblical Perspectives
Different contexts and perspectives lead to different approaches to, and interpretation of, the Bible. This course studies the interplay between the African-American contexts and the resulting appropriation and interpretation of the Bible. Participants are inducted into the wider issue of social location in biblical hermeneutics.

BC 4503 Perspectives in African Biblical Interpretation
After an introduction into the African culture and context, the approaches, themes, and texts in current African biblical interpretation are studied. Participants are introduced to the question of text and context in interpretation.

B 4504 Jesus Through Jewish Eyes
This course examines the different ways that Jews have related to the figure of Jesus during his life (to the extent that can be determined) and throughout the history of Christianity. Also demonstrated is the manner in which, at any given time, these attitudes are related to the state of Jewish-Christian relations.

BS 4520 Biblical Foundations of Spirituality
The faith of ancient Israel and of the early Christian communities is explored in order to draw from them the grounding for a contemporary biblical spirituality. Attention is given to biblical images for God, the various modes of prayer and worship, and the ethical demands for justice and peace in the biblical world and in our own

B 4521 Integrating Seminar: Biblical Spirituality Program
This seminar integrates experience in the biblical study and travel programs and courses at CTU, ministerial background and personal ideals, and contemporary questions for a holistic biblical spirituality. Restricted to participants from the CTU study and travel program.

BC 5001 The Servant of the Lord and Interpretation
An extensive introduction to the text and themes of Deutero-Isaiah is followed by the study of the sayings about the Servant of the Lord, in relation to their meaning for the vocation of Israel and for that of people called to be God’s servant. Reapplications of the servant theme in the New Testament are considered to the extent possible.

BC 5002 Women in the Scriptures
An advanced seminar in feminist approaches to the scriptures, examining texts from the canonical as well as some non-canonical literature.

B 5005 Messianic Expectation in Early Judaism
This course is a seminar on messianism as it developed in ancient Israel and early Judaism in light of the Christian confession of Jesus as the Messiah.

BC 5010 Bible, Mission, and Culture
An examination of the grounds for, and models of, mission in the Bible, and of some issues in mission and culture. In even years the course is limited to the Old Testament; in odd years the entire Bible is considered.

BC 5012 Latina Perspectives on Biblical Interpretation
A seminar on the work of women theologians in the U.S.A. and in Latin America, with attention to Latina feminist/mujerista methods for interpreting scripture and insights for preaching and teaching from the scriptures in a multicultural church.

B 5120 Seminar: Church in the New Testament
Explores the different perceptions and images of the church in the New Testament canon. Structures of communal organization, worship, and ministry, as well as the diversity in both theology and praxis are investigated.

B 5201 Gospel of John from the Greek
This course is a careful exegesis of the Greek text of the gospel that stresses John’s unique language, literary style, and theology. Students also explore the social-historical context of the Johannine community.

B 5305 Passion Narratives
Study of the four Gospel Passion and Resurrection accounts, using a variety of approaches to biblical interpretation. Attention is given to how the various interpretations of the violent death of Jesus can help stop cycles of violence in contemporary contexts.

B 5400 Intertestamental Literature
A seminar focusing on non-canonical Jewish literature produced from 200 B.C. to A.D. 200. Emphasis on the impact of these writings on the theology of early Christianity and rabbinic Judaism.

B 5423 Jewish-Christian Relations
The course covers the history and current state of Christian/Jewish Relations and focuses on recent documents issued by both religious bodies.

BD 5510 Feminist Hermeneutics in Bible and Theology
A team-taught seminar that investigates biblical texts and doctrinal themes such as God, Christ, Trinity, creation, theological anthropology, sin and evil, Mary, church, and ministry from a feminist perspective.

B 5511 Fundamentalist Biblical Interpretation
A seminar focusing on the origins of fundamentalism and its approach to biblical interpretation with an attempt to formulate a pastoral response to the theological stance and proselytizing efforts of fundamentalists.

B 5512 Biblical Methods
This seminar investigates several methods currently used to interpret biblical texts. These methods, with their underlying presuppositions and interpretive possibilities, are employed in the examination of various texts and evaluated for their effectiveness in opening up the meaning of the scriptures.

BC 5515 Forms and Meanings in Bible and Culture
The course examines themes that recur in cultures and in the First Testament in order to see how anthropology and biblical studies can enlighten each other as well as the missionary/theological enterprise.

Department of Intercultural Studies and Ministry (ISM)

C 4001 Crossing Cultural Boundaries: Ministry at the Margins (CC-R)
Who are we, what are we doing, and why? Everyone has a particular social location, assumptions, and expectations, which they bring to ministry. Examines culture, religion, faith, encounter–and the call to conversion–as constitutive of marginal and boundary-breaking ministry.

C 4002 Abraham’s Children: Jews, Christians, and Muslims (CC-R)
A cross-cultural and comparative introduction to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam using historical, theological, and ethnographic methodologies.

C 4100 Inculturation and Dialogue: Ministry Across Boundaries
Building upon and integrating previous studies and experiences, this course enables students to attend more closely to the contexts, in which they minister, particularly when the cultural/social contexts and the ideological or faith convictions they encounter are not their own.

DC 4200 Christology and Culture
An investigation of the meaning of the person and work of Jesus Christ for Christian faith today. Special emphasis given to emerging christologies in the World Church, constructing christologies today, and the final consummation of all things in Christ.

MPC 4300 Pastoral Challenges of Cultural Diversity
Cultural diversity is a growing phenomenon in the new global context. By engaging participants in an intercultural learning process, this course prepares pastoral leaders to deal with challenges of cultural diversity in their communities.

CH 4301 Constants in Context: A Mission Theology for Today
Weaving together a systematic theology with mission at its core and a global history of the world Christian movement, this course traces the patterns by which theological constants are shaped in changing contexts in developing relevant mission theologies.

CH 4302 Earliest Christian Traditions in Asia
An investigation of earliest Christian contacts with Asian cultures and traditions along the "silk" routes (land and sea), beginning with the apostle Thomas to 1500 C.E.. It distinguishes facts, legends, and hypotheses as a framework for assessing such contacts.

MPC 4308 Pastoral Care in an African-American Context
This course explores the psychological and cultural elements that contributed to the formation of an African-American identity. The goal is a better understanding of the African-American experience and a greater sensitivity to the strength and needs of this cultural tradition. Students develop a better understanding/ability to minister in the African-American community.

C 4310 Mission Integration
Integrating seminar for those returning from cross-cultural and/or overseas training placements (OTP) of mission/ministry. This course provides a process for deeper understanding of the experience through theological reflection and integration of the past, present, and future.

CH 4310 History of the World Christian Movement in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries
The end of the French Revolution marked the beginning of a period during which Christianity eventually developed into a vibrant world movement. This course examines historical-theological models of mission and related contemporary issues within varied social-political, religious, and ecclesial contexts.

DC 4311 Introduction to Asian Theologies (CC-R)
As Christianity becomes post-western, the church in Asia will have an increasingly significant role in the church of the future. This course is an introduction to the theology emerging from the Asian church. It begins by looking at the context of Asia and then explores how theology addresses the realities of the many poor, many religions, and many cultures of Asia.

C 4320 Islam
This introduction to the faith tradition of nearly one-fifth of humanity includes: the life of Muhammad (s.); Qur’an and hadith; the five “pillars” of Muslim praxis; Islamic law and theology; Sunni/Shi`ite sectarianism; mysticism; and contemporary Muslim renewal and reform movements.

C 4321 The Qur’an
This course explores the role that the Qur’an plays in Muslim consciousness by focusing on such topics as: the function of the text in Muslim piety; biblical-Quranic intertextuality; Quranic commentary and exegesis; and the Qur’an as oral/aural scripture.

C 4325 Introduction to Judaism
Designed to introduce the most important aspects of Jewish practice and belief, particularly stresses questions and problems relevant to contemporary Jews, while setting them within a historical context. Considers issues in the relationship between Judaism and Christianity, including the dialogue that has developed in recent decades.

C 4326 Developments in Mission Theology
Mission theologies are formal accounts of different missionary strategies and tactics over time and space, which are varied and changing. Survey selected approaches (classically and in the contemporary world), identifying strengths, weaknesses, assumptions, implications, and applications to your own ministry.

C 4330 Interreligious Dialogue
Participants investigate forms of dialogue with other religions developed in Catholic Christianity since Vatican II. Attention is given to the dialogue of religious experience and a comparative theology arising from the practice of dialogue. Field trips and various media formats are employed.

CE 4400 Mission and Peacemaking
Systemic violence (social, cultural, economic, political, and ecological) is globally widespread. Drawing on Catholic social teaching, theology of peace, and some contextual pastoral experiences, this course helps students develop a theological and pastoral vision for the praxis of social peacemaking.

BC 4403 Mark in Cross-Cultural Perspective
A study of the narrative of Mark from a cultural and theological perspective. Focus is on Markan style and theology in dialogue with the Jewish background and with the contexts and questions of today.

CD 4430 Doing Theology in the Context of Migrations
This course is dedicated to the elaboration of a theology that deals with the reality of migrations particularly in the U.S.A. Participants are exposed to the complexity of this phenomenon through the analysis of theories that explore the reasons why people migrate and the historical, political, legal, cultural, and social dynamics of international migration in the U.S.A. Issues of ethnicity, race, and gender are emphasized. Particular attention given to the human and religious experience of the migrants. Students are required to critically relate the reality of migration with the Christian revelation and traditions. Examines the experience of migration as depicted by the Bible, church documents, and theologies that deal with the contemporary and diverse experience of migrants within the U.S.A.

BC 4502 Reading the Bible Differently: African-American Biblical Perspectives
Different contexts and perspectives lead to different approaches to, and interpretation of, the Bible. This course studies the interplay between the African-American contexts and the resulting appropriation and interpretation of the Bible. Participants are inducted into the wider issue of social location in biblical hermeneutics.

BC 4503 Perspectives in African Biblical Interpretation
After an introduction into the African culture and context, the approaches, themes, and texts in current African biblical interpretation are studied. Participants are introduced to the question of text and context in interpretation.

C 4700 Praxis for Cross-Cultural Transformation
A J-term Intensive course (inspired by Paulo Freire’s methodology) prepares students for ecumenical, cross-cultural mission/ministry, and consists of preparation, field experience, and integration. Field experience: January (Chiapas or Chicago), May/June (Lakota Reservations). Additional costs involved depending on location.

BC 5001 The Servant of the Lord and Interpretation
An extensive introduction to the text and themes of Deutero-Isaiah is followed by the study of the sayings about the Servant of the Lord, in relation to their meaning for the vocation of Israel and for that of people called to be God’s servant. Reapplications of the servant theme in the New Testament are considered to the extent possible

DC 5001 Catholicism, U.S. Culture, and the Mission of the Church
An investigation of the history of Catholicism in the United States, how it has interfaced with U.S. culture, and what implications this has for the missionary nature of the church in the U.S. context.

BC 5002 Women in the Scriptures
An advanced seminar in feminist approaches to the scriptures, examining texts from the canonical as well as some non-canonical literature.

CS 5010 Spirituality, Ministry, and Survivors of Human Rights Abuse .
The prevalence of torture, human rights abuses, and violence in our world challenges the missionary/minister to understand the personal and societal effects of trauma and to develop a spirituality of accompaniment with survivors in their healing and reconciliation. Not open to audit.

BC 5010 Bible, Mission, and Culture
An examination of the grounds for, and models of, mission in the Bible, and of some issues in mission and culture. In even years the course is limited to the Old Testament; in odd years the entire Bible is considered.

BC 5012 Latina Perspectives on Biblical Interpretation
A seminar on the work of women theologians in the U.S.A. and in Latin America, with attention to Latina feminist/mujerista methods for interpreting scripture and insights for preaching and teaching from the scriptures in a multicultural church.

CS 5020 Spirituality, Discipleship, and Mission Today
This course explores discipleship in the New Testament, seeking its applications amid changing lives and in a changing world. First, we are called, then sent; the initiative and the agenda are not our own. Ponder the implications and applications.

SC 5020 Hispanic Spirituality: History and Religiosity
Provides a general introduction to the foundations, beliefs, and challenges of Hispanic/Latino spirituality. The course covers topics like: Mesoamerican and medieval Spanish religiosity; what Latinos believe about God, Mary, humanity, evil, etc.; and finally, the challenge of evangelizing popular religiosity and of enhancing Latino interest in the Word of God, justice, and liberation.

CS 5030 The Spirituality of Lakota-Christian Dialogue
In dialogue with Lakota Native Americans who practice traditional spirituality and/or Christian faith, this course examines a spirituality of justice and interfaith mission/ministry. Includes a week-long field trip on Rosebud and Pine Ridge Lakota Reservations in South Dakota.

SC 5040 Islamic Mysticism and Spirituality
An exploration of the Muslim traditions of piety, devotion, and spiritual purification known as “Sufism.” Topics include: early Muslim asceticism; love mysticism; sobriety and ecstasy; the stages and states of the spiritual journey; Sufi prayer and praxis; and classical Sufi poetry.

C 5041 Contemporary Islamic Renewal and Reform Movements
A thoughtful perspective on what is popularly called Islamic “fundamentalism.” This course examines the phenomenon as a response to the effects of western modernity and modernism. It also explores the spectrum of such movements ranging from progressive to extremist.

WC 5200 Advanced Preaching
This practicum addresses specific pastoral and cultural contexts for preaching, e.g. preaching specific sacramental rites (weddings and funerals), preaching various aspects of the church year (a cycle of the lectionary or particular feasts and seasons), or preaching in distinctive cultural contexts (Hispanic or Asian). Prerequisite: Liturgical Preaching, W4204

WC 5202 Liturgical Inculturation
This seminar explores the inculturation of the church's worship in both historical and contemporary perspective with emphasis on current methodological and theological issues raised by the engagement of the church with contemporary cultures promoted by Vatican II.

WC 5205 Liturgy in a Multicultural Community
This seminar explores the complex situation of liturgical celebration in communities comprising people of diverse languages and cultural backgrounds. It takes up the dynamics of intercultural engagement, assumptions and principles relating to multiculturalism, liturgy, and popular religiosity, conceptual and practical groundwork, and models for liturgy that embrace the plurality of cultures in a respectful, inclusive way.

WC 5208 Eucharist in Cross-Cultural Context
An anthropological-liturgical study of the Eucharist to uncover possible universals for relating western eucharistic tradition to symbolism and life-experience of other cultures and to sketch issues and principles for shaping Eucharist cross-culturally. Prerequisite: Sacraments II, W4201.

DC 5310 Interreligious Dialogue in Asia
Explores the theory and praxis of interreligious dialogue, including the influence of personal, social, and extra-religious factors. Taking into account the contextual realities, the texts of Christian scriptures and teachings are investigated to discern the church's theology of religions.

DC 5311 Readings in Asian Theology
This is a reading course on the writings of key Christian theologians-- especially on how they address the issues arising from the context and realities of Asia. Among the major themes examined from an Asian perspective are post-colonialism, contextualization, hermeneutics, theological methods, inculturation, integral liberation, and interreligious dialogue.

CH 5322 The History of Muslim-Christian Relations
An investigation of Christian-Muslim relations from the early seventh century Common Era to the present. Specific topics include: the early Muslim conquests, the Crusades, the fall of Constantinople, the Bosnian genocide, twentieth-century Algeria, and contemporary Nigeria, Indonesia, and the U.S.

BC 5515 Forms and Meanings in Bible and Culture
The course examines themes that recur in cultures and in the First Testament in order to see how anthropology and biblical studies can enlighten each other as well as the missionary/theological enterprise.

DC 6000 Theological Anthropology in Intercultural Perspective
A doctoral seminar in emerging issues in theological anthropology in the World Church today, as well as new challenges to the Christian understanding of the human being. Emphasis is placed on the different contexts in which these issues and challenges are encountered.

C 6001 Inculturation
Much misunderstood, inculturation will be carefully explicated, theoretically and practically. Study methods by which Christianity and a culture may actually encounter each other. The outcome (with the Spirit and local people) is a new reality: the People of God Transformed.

Department of Historical and Doctrinal Studies (HDS)

Historical Studies
H 4001 Patristics
A study of the theological perspectives of major writers of the church.

H 4002 The Middle Ages and the Reformation
Study Gregory the Great (600) to the Council of Trent (1545-1563), focusing on the development of the medieval church, relations between east and west, history of theology, breakdown of the medieval synthesis, and the significance of major reformers.

H 4003 From Trent to Vatican II
Explore key issues in Catholicism of the last four centuries: the mentality following the Reformation, Jansenism, Newman and the Oxford movement, forces influencing Vatican I, Modernism and its reaction, pertinent problems of the twentieth century

H 4004 Catholicism in the U.S.: Historical and Theological Perspectives
Catholic life and thought in the U.S. has enjoyed a unique development due to the separation of church and state, the massive immigrations to America and the traditions which immigrants brought/bring with them.

H 4300 Byzantine Influences through Church History
Take an intellectual journey through the lands of eastern Christianity. Examines church history through the Byzantine influences that shaped the church from the sixth through fifteenth centuries. Topics include key cities and holy sites such as Edessa, Constantinople, Ravenna, Mount Athos, and Hagia Sofia.

CH 4301 Constants in Context: A Mission Theology for Today
Weaving together a systematic theology with mission at its core and a global history of the world Christian movement, this course traces the patterns by which theological constants are shaped in changing contexts in developing relevant mission theologies.

CH 4302 Earliest Christian Traditions in Asia
An investigation of earliest Christian contacts with Asian cultures and traditions along the "silk"

Ethics
E5106 A Free Market Economy, Ethics and Globalization
The world has largely accepted a free market economy as the way to increase general prosperity, reduce poverty, and promote the general welfare. This course will explore the real strengths of a market economy, why ethics is foundational to its successful functioning and what are its limitations. In this light, globalization as an economic phenomenon will also be explored.