Course Descriptions

Below you will find links to course offerings and their descriptions from previous years with the most recent being listed first. 

 Course listings are also available here: Summer I and II Course Listings and Fall 2013 Course Listings.

Fall 2013 Course Descriptions

Please note that more course descriptions will be added as the become available.

 

COURSE TITLE: Foundations of New Testament Theology

COURSE NUMBER: THST 600, M 4:30-7:00

SECTION TIMES/DAYS: Fall 2013

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Jeffrey S. Siker

COURSE DESCRIPTION/PRINCIPLE TOPICS
The course objective is to acquire a working knowledge of and appreciation for the literary, historical, social, theological, and pastoral dimensions of the New Testament writings and their worlds. The course also encourages students to make connections between the New Testament writings and contemporary theological/pastoral issues.

The content of the course includes reading the New Testament, and reading extensively in secondary literature on the New Testament and its study. Principle topics include: the gospel traditions, the writings of Paul and the Pauline tradition, hermeneutics, exegetical method, the historical Jesus, the history of interpretation, and appropriating the NT for the interpretation of contemporary theological/pastoral concerns.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
1) Students will know both the content of the New Testament writings and various historical, theological, ethical, social, and pastoral issues/approaches associated with the interpretation of the New Testament.
2) Students will be able to engage in detailed exegetical analysis of New Testament passages, both from the Gospels and from the letters of Paul.
3) Students will value critical and constructive approaches to theologizing on the basis of the New Testament writings. Students will also value such critical/constructive uses of the New Testament in contemporary theological discourse.


PREREQUISITES/RECOMMENDED BACKGROUND
none

REQUIRED TEXTS
The New Revised Standard Version of the Bible (or another modern translation)
Aland, Synopsis of the Four Gospels (English Ed)
Brown, An Introduction to the New Testament
Dunn, Unity & Diversity in the New Testament, 2nd ed.
Gorman, Elements of Biblical Exegesis
Schneiders, The Revelatory Text, 2nd ed. (recommended)


COURSE WORK/EXPECTATIONS
Lecture/discussion
readings
Midterm Exam
two 5-7 page exegetical papers
Final Paper (15-20 pages)
class participation

 

TERM: FALL, 2013
COURSE No. & Section: THST 675.01 
COURSE TITLE: SPIRITUAL FORMATION FOR PASTORAL MINISTRY
INSTRUCTOR: DR. WILKIE AU


COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Union with God, personal awareness, and pastoral sensitivity form the heart of effective ministry. This course will focus on cultivating a holistic spirituality capable of balancing self- possession and self-transcendence, contemplation and action, work and leisure, self-care and care of others. A variety of spiritual disciplines will be explored and experienced, with special attention given to developing one's own personal spiritual practice. The course will include both theoretical and experiential learning.


STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will demonstrate an ability to reflect on their life and ministry experience and to articulate an understanding of their experience in light of the topics covered in the readings and class discussions. 
Students will make explicit and evaluate their approach to Christian discernment, with specific notice of the history of grace and the history of temptation in their lives.
Students will formulate a way or rule of life that can foster spiritual vitality in both their personal and ministerial life.

PREREQUISITES/RECOMMENDED BACKGROUND: 
For graduate students and ministers, ordained or lay.

REQUIRED TEXTS/REFERENCES:
Urgings of the Heart: A Spirituality of Integration by Wilkie Au and Noreen Cannon (Mahwah, New Jersey: Paulist Press, 1995). ISBN 0-8091-3604-x
By Way of the Heart: Toward a Holistic Christian Spirituality by Wilkie Au (Mahwah, New Jersey: Paulist Press, 1989). ISBN 0-8091-3118-8
The Discerning Heart: Exploring the Christian Path by Wilkie Au and Noreen Cannon (Mahwah, New Jersey: Paulist Press, 2006). ISBN 978-0-8091-4372-0
Comforting the Fearful: Listening Skills for Caregivers by Leroy Howe (Mahwah, New Jersey: Paulist Press, 2003) ISBN: 0-8091-4107-8
A Course Reader ( to be purchased at the first class)

COURSE EXPECTATIONS:
1) Regular Attendance and Active Participation
2) 1-page Reflection Paper Weekly Based on Readings
3) 5-Page Final Integration Paper and Presentation of Integration Paper
4) Subject Matter Synthesis Paper (10-15 Pages)

Title: Supervised Pastoral Field Education (Contextual Education Seminar)
Course Number: THST 689-01
Section Times/Days: W 4:30-7 pm
Instructor: Dr. Brett C. Hoover

Description:

Drawing upon an interdisciplinary framework, this field education seminar addresses ministerial leadership aimed at the whole person in the service of faith communities for the sake of God’s Reign. It offers foundational concepts and skills required for effectiveness in ministry that is contextual, collaborative, and intercultural. In a dialogical classroom context that models collaborative ministry, THST 689 seeks to engage students in theological reflection and ministry skill development. It helps students reflect on required supervised field education experiences either at their full-time ministry or in some other approved ministry environment. It aims to enable students to weave together theological, ministerial, and educational insights and understandings. As present and future leaders in the church, students learn so that they may also be able to teach and train others in what they learn.

Student Learning Outcomes:

As a result of this course, students will be able to make use of practical theological method in theological reflection; to articulate with appropriate terminology the connections between their experiences of ministry and the theology they are learning; to articulate key contextual factors—environmental, cultural, psychological, spiritual and ecclesial—that impact particular ministry sites; to facilitate work and learning groups in the context of ministry; to identify and demonstrate improvement in the interpersonal and leadership skills necessary for effective ministry today.

Pre-requisites:

THST 600 and THST 670.

Required Texts:
Jeffrey H. Mahan, Barbara B. Troxell, and Carol J. Allen in Shared Wisdom: A Guide to Case Study Reflection in Ministry (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1993).
Marti R. Jewell and David A. Ramey, The Changing Face of Church: Emerging Models of Parish Leadership (Chicago: Loyola, 2010).
Paul F. Peri, Catholic Parish Administration: A Handbook (New York: Paulist, 2012).

Course Work:
Expectations for this class include some form of ministry, regular meetings with a ministry supervisor, keeping a theological journal, a few one-page reflection papers, a visit to Catholic worship in a cultural milieu different from your own, and a final project—paper or oral presentation to the professor.


COURSE TITLE: U.S. Latino/a Theology

COURSE NUMBER: THST 698

SECTION TIMES/DAYS: SECTION #01 M 7:15 PM-9:45 PM

PROFESSOR: Cecilia González-Andrieu, Ph.D.


COURSE DESCRIPTION/PRINCIPAL TOPICS
This course examines the diverse origins and theological expressions of Latino/a/Hispanic Christian communities in the U.S. with a special emphasis on the Catholic Tradition. The course provides an overview of some of the unique contributions to Christian Theology arising out of Latino/a communities of faith such as Teología en Conjunto, Cotidianidad, Mestizaje, accompaniment and aesthetics. The course also critically engages some of the challenges and opportunities presented to the church by the many communities grouped under the term “Latino/Hispanic” by examining demographic studies, pastoral letters, the work of special commissions on Hispanic Ministry and other “pulse-taking” strategies.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
The student will analyze and interpret primary historical texts to carefully contextualize the origins and endurance of U.S. Latino/a communities.
The student will critically examine a range of theological concepts arising out of Latino/a religious practices and experiences and assess their contribution to Christian Theology.
The student will analyze and judge pertinent contemporary studies and data dealing with the community’s demographics and the Church’s response.
The student will formulate and articulate strategies to meet the challenge posed to the church by the needs and gifts of the community through their own particular area of interest (pastoral ministry, ecumenism, ethics, liturgical practices, religious education, etc.)

PREREQUISITES/RECOMMENDED BACKGROUND
This course is for Theology and Pastoral Theology Majors in the Theological Studies Graduate Program.

REQUIRED TEXTS
González, Justo L. Mañana: Christian Theology from a Hispanic Perspective. Nashville : Abingdon Press, 1990. ISBN-13: 978-0687230679.
Matovina, Timothy, Latino Catholicism: Transformation in America’s Largest Church. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-0691139791.
Boyle, Gregory, Tatoos on the Heart, Free Press, 2011 ISBN: 978-1439153154
Elizondo, Virgil, The Future is Mestizo: Life Where Cultures Meet, University Press of Colorado, 2000. ISBN: 978-087-815768.
- Selected articles, current demographic studies, and other materials will be supplied in electronic Course Reader on MYLMU Connect.

COURSE WORK/EXPECTATIONS
Engagement with all course readings evidenced in active participation in class discussions. 
Regular class attendance. 
“Faith meets culture in the city” project.
Outside research with a Latino/a community of faith or non-profit agency. 
Two critical response papers and Final Research Paper.

 

More course descriptions will be added as the become available.