Course Descriptions & Archive

COURSE TITLE: The Bible and the Blues
COURSE NUMBER/SECTION:   THST 6998
TIMES/DAYS: TWO WEEK INTENSIVE: June 10-18
INSTRUCTOR: Daniel Smith-Christopher
CORE AREA: Grad Course, Takes Place in Los Angeles and Chicago (Chicago, Fri. June 13 – Tuesday, June 17)
 
COURSE DESCRIPTION/PRINCIPAL TOPICS
The Book of Lamentations comes from the fall of Jerusalem in 587 BCE, and became a book that was understood to express sadness not only for that event, but helped people to express sadness for many events in their lives – mainly in the Jewish tradition – although more recently Christian scholars have become more deeply interested in Lamentations and also the “Lament” Psalms (there are lots of them!).  What has this to do with “The Blues”?  Lamentations is arguably, “Hebrew Blues”.  To understand more about the Lament and Mourning traditions of the Hebrew Bible, we will compare this genre to one of the most powerful musical gifts of the African-American experience to the world – the tradition of “The Blues”, and specifically, “The Delta Blues” (Blues from the Mississippi Delta region as the river heads to New Orleans and the Gulf of Mexico).  Just as it is impossible to understand the book of Lamentations without understanding something of the suffering and events of the Babylonian Conquest and Exile (don’t worry – you are going to learn all about this!), so it is also impossible to fully appreciate the Blues without understanding its’ roots in the African-American experience (and you will learn about THIS, too!).
 
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:  Students will:
(1)          Develop an informed appreciation of “The Blues” as a musical form
(2)          Understand important aspects of the foundations of “The Blues” in the African-American experience.
(3)          Develop an understanding of the Biblical form known as a “Lament”
(4)          Have a basic understanding of modern study of the “Book of Lamentations” and its’ roots in the Exile experience of Ancient Israel
 
PREREQUISITE/RECOMMENDED BACKGROUND – None
 
COURSE WORK/EXPECTATIONS
 
Students will participate fully in the two-week intensive – lectures and discussion – and students will be responsible for a 13-17 page Research Paper one month after the return from CHICAGO, IL.
 
REQUIRED TEXTS (ALL AVAILABLE DIGITALLY!!!)

Cone, James, The Spirituals and the Blues: An Interpretation; Orbis, 1992. 
O’Connor, Kathleen M., Lamentations and the Tears of the World, Orbis, 2002.  
Elijah Wald, The Blues, A Very Short Introduction (Oxford, 2012) 
Spencer, Jon Michael, Blues And Evil. Univ Tennessee Press (1993) 
(NOT REQUIRED, BUT I LIKE IT)

COURSE TITLE: Comparative Theology

COURSE NUMBER/SECTION:   THST 6080-01, CRN 10110

TIMES/DAYS: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:00 -07:00 PM, University Hall 2002 / Online on Zoom

INSTRUCTOR: Prof. Amir Hussain

DEGREE REQUIREMENT: Fulfills Theology / Pastoral Theology elective requirement; required for concentration in comparative theology. 

COURSE DESCRIPTION/PRINCIPAL TOPICS:

This course provides a review of the historical roots of the current situation of religious pluralism. It examines and evaluates relevant methodological proposals for comparative theology and clarifies the relationship of comparative theology to interreligious dialogue, the history of religions and the Christian theology of religions. It also offers an opportunity to engage in the practice of comparative theology through the interpretation of texts.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:

At the end of this course students will: 1) demonstrate knowledge of the principles and practice of comparative theology, particularly as applied to the religions of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism; 2) demonstrate that they have the ability to interpret texts and other cultural phenomena (such as music, rituals, myths, architecture) that have religious presuppositions or implications; 3) demonstrate that they will think both empathetically and critically about conflicting religious claims; and 4) through class participation and written assignments have improved their verbal and written skills.

PREREQUISITES/RECOMMENDED BACKGROUND:

None

REQUIRED TEXTS:

Wilfred Cantwell Smith, Patterns of Faith Around the World, Oneworld, ISBN 978-1851681648

James Baldwin, The Fire Next Time, Vintage, ISBN 978-0679744726

Jack Miles, God in the Qur’an, Knopf, ISBN 978-0307269577

Jack Miles, Religion As We Know It: An Origin Story, W. W. Norton, ISBN 978-1324002789

Selected songs from Leonard Cohen, from Live in London and You Want It Darker

Lecture outlines and other readings supplied by the professor and available on Brightspace

COURSE WORK/EXPECTATIONS:

15%    A review of not more than 5 pages on the Smith book.
65%     A research paper of not more than 15 pages.
            5% Outline.
            50% Research paper.
            10% Presentation about research paper
10%     Two theological reflections (about 2 or 3 pages each, worth 5% each) one about music, and the other about the course.
10%     Participation (which is more than simply attendance).

SEMESTER: Summer 2025 Session I

COURSE TITLE: Theory and Practice of Pastoral Leadership

COURSE NUMBER/SECTION:   THST 6073 01

TIMES/DAYS: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00-7:00pm

INSTRUCTIONAL METHOD: Hybrid course

INSTRUCTOR: Professor Sergio Lopez

CORE AREA: Not applicable

FLAGGED: Not applicable

COURSE DESCRIPTION/PRINCIPAL TOPICS

Drawing from the Judeo-Christian tradition, the discipline of leadership studies, and the lived experience of grass roots community organizing, this course invites students into an embodied exploration of theories and core practices that will enhance pastoral leaders’ capacities to exercise socially responsible and effective leadership in culturally diverse pastoral settings and communities of faith. The course is an elective open to all students but is required for the Concentration in Pastoral Leadership in the M.A. in Pastoral Theology.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Students will articulate the philosophical and theological roots underpinning a liberating, compassionate, and inclusive approach to pastoral leadership.
• Students will be able to explain the core characteristics of Servant-Leadership and will enhance their capacity to lead with listening.
• Students will be able construct a personal leadership narrative that articulates the core values of their philosophy of leadership, and they will be able to apply models of human development to gain insights for maturing in their psycho-spiritual growth.
• Students will be able to analyze the hidden dynamics of conflict and will gain theoretical frameworks and practices for navigating resistance to change in culturally diverse pastoral settings.
• Students will be able to integrate their learnings as they gain experience with the core leadership practices of community organizing such as communicating a story of self, conducting relational meetings, and mapping community/organizational power dynamics.

PREREQUISITES/RECOMMENDED BACKGROUND

THST 6070 Foundations of Pastoral Theology (Recommended)

REQUIRED TEXTS
Freire, P. (2000). Pedagogy of the oppressed. New York, NY: Harvest. ISBN 0-8264-1276-9
Greenleaf, R. K. (2012). The Servant as Leader. Indiana: The Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership.
Horsman, J. H. (2018). Servant-Leaders in Training: Foundations of the Philosophy of Servant-Leadership. Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave MacMillan. ISBN 978-3-319-92960-6
Law, E. H. F. (1993). The Wolf Shall Dwell with the Lamb: A Spirituality for Leadership in a Multicultural Community. St. Louis, MO: Chalice Press. ISBN-13: 978-0-827242-31-9
Stone, B. P. (1996). Compassionate Ministry: Theological Ministry. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books. ISBN 1-57075-069-6
Articles and other additional materials as assigned

COURSE WORK/EXPECTATIONS
Attendance and participation in all class sessions.
This is a hybrid course which will be held once a week online and will have a minimum of 3 in person classes.
Engagement in all course readings and materials evidenced by four online postings per week.
Completion of three written assignments which will culminate in a 10-12 page Final Synthesis Paper.

COURSE TITLE: Bible and Comedy

COURSE NUMBER/SECTION:   THST 6998-01

TIMES/DAYS: Tuesday/Thursday 4:00-7:00pm (Hybrid)

INSTRUCTOR: Sarah Emanuel

DEGREE REQUIREMENT: Elective

COURSE DESCRIPTION/PRINCIPAL TOPICS
What does the Bible have to do with comedy? Is it inappropriate to laugh with—or at—biblical texts? Considering the Bible as a collection of creative narrations, this course examines the role of humor within those narrations, particularly as it relates to the development of culture and communal identity. It also considers the role of biblical texts in comedy arts today, as well as within students’ own comic creations. 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Our objectives are: To develop a vocabulary to talk about comedy studies in relation to biblical studies; to understand and recognize comedic techniques, types, and motifs; to recognize humor’s role in the building of individual and communal identities, including especially within the Bible and extracanonical literature; to reflect upon the subjectivity of humor; to apply our learning to our own comic constructs.

PREREQUISITES/RECOMMENDED BACKGROUND
None.

REQUIRED TEXTS 
The SBL Study Bible
John Morreall, Comic Relief

Additional readings will be posted on Brightspace.

COURSE WORK/EXPECTATIONS
Because this course is so intensive—there is substantial reading with minimal time to digest—students are not required to produce a substantial research project for this course. Rather, they are expected to delve deeply into the initial stages of exegetical work: Read! Explore! Compare! Think! Discuss! Students will also be expected to complete shorter assignments. Reflecting the collective work of comedy making, students will work in Writers’ Rooms (small groups) on reading responses and the creation of a Bible-inspired sketch. Students will also work individually on a poster project and an explainer video project. 

COURSE TITLE: History and Theology of Vatican II

COURSE NUMBER/SECTION:   THST 6098

TIMES/DAYS: Tuesdays 4:00-7:00pm (in person), Thursdays 4:00-6:00pm (online)

INSTRUCTOR: Layla Karst

DEGREE REQUIREMENT: Elective

COURSE DESCRIPTION/PRINCIPAL TOPICS
This course provides students with an introduction to Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) by exploring its historical context, key documents, theological and pastoral significance, and its lasting impact on the Catholic Church today. We will begin by exploring the history and texts of the Council, with special attention to the interplay between tradition and reform. Following the conciliar spirit of “dialogue” between the church and the modern world, we will consider the wisdom and limitations of the Council’s vision in the areas of scriptural interpretation, liturgical practice, authority and decision-making, ecumenical and inter-religious relations, and religious freedom. Finally, we will examine the Council’s interpretation and reception in the church today, especially in Pope Francis’s vision of social friendship and the “synodal church.” 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
By successfully completing this course, you will…
1.    Understand what happened at Vatican II and the historical significance of the Council.
By situating our texts in their ecclesial and historical contexts, you will grow to appreciate both the continuity and the changes that this Council inspired in Catholic beliefs and practices.
2.    Engage critically and reflectively in scholarly discourse around the theological ideas expressed in the major constitutions and decrees of Vatican II. This course will challenge you to engage with serious ideas about God, the church, and the world in a critical and constructive manner.
3.    Reflect on the pastoral implications of the Second Vatican Council and their reception in the Roman Catholic Church today.
4.    Learn to read primary texts critically and carefully by developing active reading skills that move you beyond mere understanding of the main claims of the text to creative and critical engagement with the texts’ context, authors, and interpreters.

PREREQUISITES/RECOMMENDED BACKGROUND
None.

REQUIRED TEXTS (Subject to Change)
Austin Flannery, Vatican Council II: Constitutions, Decrees, Declarations. Liturgical Press, 1996.
John O’Malley, What Happened at Vatican II? Harvard University Press, 2010.
Edward Hahnenberg, A Concise Guide to the Documents of Vatican II. St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2007.
Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti: On Fraternity and Social Friendship. Paulist Press, 2020.

Additional readings will be posted on Brightspace.

COURSE WORK/EXPECTATIONS
Because this class is only six weeks long, students should plan to spend approximately 10-12 hours each week on reading, writing, and other course activities. Careful preparation of the course readings and engaged participation in both in-person and online class meetings expected. Assignments include four short analysis papers and a short research paper or final exam.

COURSE TITLE: Comparative Religious Health Care Ethics 

COURSE NUMBER/SECTION:   THST 6998-01

TIMES/DAYS: Mondays 4:00-7:00pm (in person), Wednesdays 4:00-6:00pm (online)

INSTRUCTOR: Nicholas R. Brown 

DEGREE REQUIREMENT: Fulfills Pastoral Theology elective requirement in ethics 

COURSE DESCRIPTION/PRINCIPAL TOPICS
The normative relationship between religious traditions and medicine is a long and enduring one and often proves to be as fruitful as it does challenging. The purpose of this course is to probe this relationship further by examining the unique contributions different religious traditions can offer when addressing complex ethical questions that arise in modern medical practice and research. In particular, the course will compare and contrast how the Jewish, Christian and Islamic traditions evaluate bioethical topics surrounding the beginning and end of human life as well as organ transplantation and genetic medicine.   
. 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of the course students should master the following competencies, as demonstrated in the weekly analysis papers, in-class article presentation, class discussion and participation, midterm exam and in a final exam paper: (1) systematic analysis of the nature of medical ethics in Judaism, Christianity or Islam, (b) applied analysis, and (c) comparative analysis; (2) the ability to critically reflect upon the nature of medical ethics in Judaism, Christianity, or Islam and question representations of these religions in bioethical discussions in general and in bioethical literature in particular; (3) the capability to succinctly and convincingly formulate arguments about applied bioethics in Judaism, Christianity or Islam; and (4) The capacity to critically compare and explain bioethical attitudes in different religions. 

PREREQUISITES/RECOMMENDED BACKGROUND
None.

REQUIRED TEXTS (Subject to Change)
All assigned course texts are accessible via the course Brightspace page. 

COURSE WORK/EXPECTATIONS
Because this class is only six weeks long, students should plan to spend approximately 10-12 hours each week on reading, writing, and other course activities. Careful analysis and interpretation of the assigned course readings and thoughtful discussion of these texts and related topics in both in-person and online class meetings expected. Assignments include weekly analysis papers, an in class presentation on either a scholarly article or book chapter a midterm exam and a final exam paper.