Course Descriptions

600 Torah (3)
An historical-critical study of the Pentateuch in the light of literary, historical, theological, and archeological research on the Old Testament and its environment.

601 Synoptic Gospels and Acts (3)
A study of the influences to the crystallization of the primitive Christian catechesis; development of the gospel literature in the different Christian communities; overview of the characteristic theologies of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Formerly THE 534.

605 Johannine Literature (3)
An analysis of the last gospel with special concern for its unique theology. The role of the Beloved Disciple as founder of the community with its emphasis on the faith commitment to the Lord and the love of the brethren.

608 Dominican Spirituality: Medieval and Modern
An introduction and overview of the sources and development of Dominican spirituality, this course analyzes the fundamental structures of the spirituality, and surveys its evolution over its 800 year history. Locating the foundations of Dominican spirituality in the life and milieu of St. Dominic and the evangelical and ecclesial movement that he began in the 13th century, this course traces his legacy through the representative persons and events that shape its history. Through the hermeneutical analysis of the primary sources and the study of diverse patterns of historical praxis, dominant themes emerge as characteristic of the whole tradition. Special attention will be given to the contemporary situation of Dominican spirituality.

609 Introduction to Systematic Theology (formerly 511) (3)
An overview of the history of the study of theology, an introduction to the major concerns and authors in the main areas of contemporary theology, and an introduction to the methods of theological research is provided by this course. It is required of all students in the M.A. in Practical Theology.

610 Prophetic Literature (3)
A study of the origin and development of the prophetic movement in Israel and its relationship to other prophetic movements in the ancient Near East; analysis of the prophetical books of the Old Testament and the role of the prophets. Major emphasis will be on the prophets from the eighth to the sixth centuries. Formerly THE 535.

611 Pauline Literature (3)
An analysis of the genius of Paul as seen in his letters. Paul the founder of Churches, the missionary, his Jewishness, and his anthropology which gave birth to the Christian Church of the Gentiles.

612 Wisdom Literature (3)
A study of the Wisdom Books of the Old Testament with emphasis on an examination of the position and limits of Wisdom within the message of the Bible; also, an investigation of the wisdom tradition as it extends into the New Testament.

615 Dominican Theologians of the 20th Century (3)
This course examines the renewal of the Dominican tradition and charisms in the areas of philosophy and theology responding to modernity and the needs of the contemporary church. Beginning with the renewed interest in Thomism in the latter part of the 19th and the early part of the 20th centuries, special attention is given to the contribution of LaGrange in biblical studies, the ressourcement of the French Dominicans to the influences of the Dominicans at Vatican II.

616 Prudential Reasoning in the Dominican Moral Tradition (3)
The Dominican tradition of growth and development in the spiritual life figures prominently in the development of a moral theology of prudential reasoning and the virtues. This moral theology follows a Thomistic approach of the immanent nature of human action and its subsequent influence on the formation of a rightly ordered life. Acquired and theological virtues and grace become the source of the transformation from sin to new life. This course will explore the Dominican influence in the contemporary retrieval of virtue theory and its implications for the moral and spiritual growth of the person in community.

620 Supervised Ministry I (3)
One of the two required courses in ministry for the M.A. in Practical Theology. Field placement in a semester-long ministerial setting, ministerial learning contract, and theological reflection will be provided.

621 Supervised Ministry II (3)
One of the two required courses in ministry for the M.A. in Practical Theology. Field placement in a semester-long ministerial setting, ministerial learning contract, and theological reflection will be provided.

623 Leadership in the Old Testament (3)
Survey of the Old Testament with particular attention to the theme of political and religious leadership. Introduction to the history of biblical interpretation in the Jewish and Christian traditions and how the theme of biblical leadership continues to influence contemporary politics and religion.

625 The Origins and End of the City of God (3)
A study of the biblical traditions of creation and apocalypse and how they are related to each other and other aspects of Scripture. Particular attention to how these biblical traditions have been interpreted in ancient and modern times. Includes study of the intersection of religion, science, and politics.

626 Historical Books (3)
An analysis of the historical books to explore the influence these writings had on Israel’s self-understanding and the role that this biblical material has had in
Christian belief. The theological importance of these books for messianic expectations and the promise to David will be related to the understanding of who Jesus was as the Son of David.

628 Deutero-Pauline and Early Catholic Letters (3)
A study of “letters” attributed to Paul but regarded by many today as having different authors, namely; 2 Thessalonians, Colossians, Ephesians, 1 & 2 Timo-thy, Titus and Hebrews, and of later literature 1 & 2 Peter, James, and Jude. The concept of pseudepigraphy in the ancient world. The relation between a) 1 and 2 Thessalonians, b) Colossians and Ephesians, and c) Jude and 2 Peter.

630 US Hispanic/Latino(a) Theology (3)
This course examines US Hispanic/Latino theology from the perspective of practical theology. Special attention will be given to US Hispanic/Latino contribution to theological method, inculturation, systematic theology, ecclesiology, theology of ministry, social ethics, biblical interpretation, and feminist thought.

632 Hispanic/Latino(a) Ministry and Practical Theology (3)
The course exposes graduate students to the historical perspective of Hispanic/Latinos in the United States. It will survey the National plan for Hispanic ministry and documents of the USCCB and other pertinent pastoral criteria for Hispanic ministry.

635 Ecclesiology: The Mystery of the Church (3)
An examination of the foundations for ecclesiology in the New Testament and its development in different Christian traditions with a view of the kerygmatic, sacramental, and charismatic dimensions of the Church. Church life, structure, and mission will also receive attention.

636 Christology (3)
An examination of the New Testament foundations for Christology and of doctrinal developments in the tradition of the Church. Attention will also focus on contemporary issues in Christology including methodology and the meaning of incarnation.

637 The Christian God and the Human Response (3)
A study of the Christian God as Trinity and the human response to this revelation. Foundations and developments in trinitarian theology will receive considerable attention. The course will also consider the nature and destiny of humankind in relation to the Triune God; special references to secularization and faith in God. Formerly THE 536.

638 Theology of Ministry (3)
This course will examine the evolution of Christian ministry spanning from biblical times through the present. Attention will be given to the characteristics and foundations of ministry, the theology of priestly ministry, the theology of lay ministry, and the ecclesiologies and theologies of revelation and grace that undergird different theologies of ministry. Consideration will also be given to the model and method for reflection in ministry.

641 Liturgical Time and Prayer (3)
The nature of liturgy as source and summit of the Church’s life. Special attention will be given to: general forms of Christian prayer; the development of structured daily prayer (especially Liturgy of the Hours); and the history and meaning of the liturgical year. Some discussion of the relationship between liturgical time and liturgical environment (especially art and architecture).

642 Sacramental Theology (3)
A look at Christian sacraments from the perspective of religious experience and symbol; Christ, the primordial sacrament, the Church as sacrament, and a theological-liturgical-historical examination of each sacrament.

643 Rites of Christian Initiation (3)
An in-depth study of Baptism-Confirmation and Eucharist as sacraments of full initiation into Christian life. Evolution and current thought on these sacraments.Discussion of the rite of Christian initiation of adults.

644 Issues in Ecumenism (3)
An examination of the ecumenical movement and its importance for Christian unity. Ecclesiological models as well as classical doctrinal conflicts will be the subject of investigation as various ecumenical dialogues (both multilateral and bilateral) are considered.

645 Salvation, Eschatology and Hope (3)
An examination of the traditional place of eschatology in dogmatics (death, judgement, heaven, hell) and its relationship to soteriology, atonement and parousia. Attention will be given to the role of eschatology and hope in contemporary theologies and its significance for preaching.

646 Pneumatology, Grace and the ChristianLife (3)
An examination of the theology of the Holy Spirit with reference to the order of salvation, theologies of grace, charisms and gifts. Attention will be given to the differences in Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox approaches with an emphasis on changing models of understanding the work of the Holy Spirit and its relationship to theological anthropology.

647 New Trends in Moral Theology (3)
This course will examine new theories and applications of moral theology and Christian ethics to contemporary concerns. Attention will be given to the return to virtue ethics, the ongoing debate between proportionalism and deontology, and the use of Scripture as the primary guide of moral theory.

648 War and Violence in the Old Testament (3)
An examination of biblical passages involving war and other violence, with a focus on the Old Testament. Includes study of the tension between the Testaments on the issues of war and violence, the moral critique of Scripture, and how interpreters through the ages have responded to this tension and this critique. Biclical roots of just war theory and pacifism.

651 History of Christian Thought (3)
An examination of the significant moments in the development of Christian intellectual life with an emphasis on paradigm shifts in the theological and philosophical discourse. Five periods will be subject of inquiry: Patristic, Medieval, Reformation, Renaissance, Modern. For each period students will be introduced to the predominant mode of theological reflection, its perceived foundations, its doctrinal focus, and the diversity and debates which were engendered.

652 Critical Issues in Bioethics (3)
This course will examine some of the major debates in contemporary bioethics. The focus will be on theoretical as well as practical issues.

653 Classics in Bioethics (3)
This course will examine the historical development of the discipline of bioethics from its roots in the pilgrim hospices of the medieval period through the rise of ‘modern’ hospitals to high tech medical practices. This history shows that systematic reflection on the ethical value of medical intervention depended on deontological and casuist reasoning. Attention will be given especially to the key authors of the Roman Catholic and Protestant denominations: John Ford and Gerald Kelley, Richard McCormick, Kevin O’Rourke, Joseph Fletcher, James Gustafson, and Paul Ramsey.

655 Principles of Christian Morality (3)
Fundamental questions regarding the person from a moral theological viewpoint; meaning of freedom, knowledge, and conscience with the totality of person and the basic sources of morality.

656 Catholic Social Thought (3)
An examination and evaluation of the teachings on major social issues in the papal encyclicals, conciliar documents, and episcopal pronouncements from Leo XIII to the present day. Formerly THE 538.

658 Death and Dying: Theology andMinistry (3)
This course will examine recent theology of death and dying, and relate to the ministry of chaplains, pastors, and educators.

659 Pastoral Care and Human Sexuality (3)
An inter-disciplinary, inter-personal and cross-cultural exploration of goals, dynamics, and skills as they affect ministries relating to issues of human sexuality, i.e., goals-ethics-moral foundations; definitional-developmental perspectives; sexual issues within congregations; male-female relationships, etc.

660 Pastoral Care and Cross-Cultural Counseling (3)
An exploration of the literature and practices in pastoral theology of counseling cross-culturally. Issues of mission and globalization will be explored, as well as a definition of culture that prepares participants to offer care within and between cultures of a congregation.

661 The Gospel and Conflict in the Church (3)
A study of conflict in biblical and theological traditions and implications for a contemporary parish or congregation. Attention will be given to the theological, pastoral, and social origins of conflict within the church.

662 Liberating Theologies (3)
A study of the major writings of contemporary Latin American, African, feminist, and African-American liberation theologians to explore implications for the social ministry within the contemporary church.

663 Pastoral Care Ethics (3)
This course presents issues related to professional functioning in a pastoral context. Issues of power abuse, sexual abuse, financial mismanagement, etc., will be explored in the context of moral theology and professional ethics.

664 Theology of Evangelization (3)
An exploration of models of evangelization and mission activity from an historical and theological perspective to discover effective models of ministry at home and abroad.

665 Historical Resolutions in Moral Theology (3)
This course will examine the historical development of the discipline of moral theology through the causes of debates and the vigorous exploration of resolutions. Attention will be given to the influence of the great thinkers, how their influence is still prevalent, and whether their influence is still valid.

668 The Psalms in Worship and Tradition (3)
Detailed study of the book of Psalms, including its interpretation through history, and its use in worship and liturgy. The Psalms as a summary of the Bible.

699 Thesis Research (3)
This is a research in-residence or continuous registration for all departments/schools offering graduate programs.

701 Independent Studies (3)
A faculty member will direct a student in individual research with the approval of the Chair.

705 Old Testament Exegesis (3)
A course including specialized topics in Old Testament, designed for students who have completed courses in the areas of Prophetic literature, Torah, Wisdom literature, and historical books.

706 New Testament Exegesis (3)
A course including specialized topics in New Testament, designed for students who have completed courses in the areas of Synoptic Gospels, Johannine literature, Pauline theology, and Deutero-Pauline and Early Catholic letters.

707 New Testament Christology (3)
An examination of the manner in which a modern systematic theologian develops a Christology based on the New Testament, with detailed attention to key New Testament passages cited by the author.

708 Advanced Liturgical Preaching (3)
An advanced study of the theology of preaching within the context of the tradition of the church and its place in contemporary worship. Methods, content, and various contexts will be examined to enrich the student’s preaching ability.

709 Topics in Liturgy and Sacraments (3)
Selected topics of contemporary interest in liturgical and sacramental theology.

710 Topics in Systematic Theology (3)
Specialized topics of interest to Faculty/Students.

711 Topics in Moral Theology (3)
This course will examine issues of contemporary import and their presumable resolutions.

712 Topics in Moral Bio-Medical Ethics (3)
Selected topics in contemporary health care that challenge persons in ministry to search for ethical behaviors.

713 Topics in Pastoral Ministry (3)
Topics of interest to faculty and students.

715 Life, Times and Thought of Thomas Aquinas (3)
An introduction to the theology of St. Thomas Aquinas, this course presents the major themes of Thomistic thought in the historical and intellectual milieu in which they emerged. In particular, through the study of various primary sources, the contribution of this medieval Dominican to the Catholic understanding of God, Christian anthropology, the moral life, the person of Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit will be examined; and his significance of the contemporary theology and pastoral practice will be explored.

716 Latino(a) Popular Religiosity and its Ethics of Solidarity (3)
This course examines US Hispanic/Latino theology from the perspective of popular religiosity. Special attention will be given to the divers popular religious expressions of the US Hispanic/Latino community and their origins in Latin America and the Medieval Iberian piety.

717 Feminista/Mujerista Theology (3)
This course will critically reflect on the voices of Hispanic/Latino women engaged in theology in the United States, surveying the works of Feminista/Mujerista theologians in their attempt to understand and articulate the struggle of women in the US Hispanic/Latino context.

718 Liturgy and Preaching in Latino Congregations (3)
A comprehensive examination of how both liturgical praxis and preaching in US Hispanic/Latino contexts mediates a particular ecclesial expression and therefore both challenges and accentuates contemporary liturgical theology and theologies of proclamation. This course will emphasize how a practical liturgical theology can advance both the practice and evaluation of contemporary preaching in Latino congregations.

727 Dominican Women Through the Ages (3)
This course examines the change and expansion of Dominican Life through the various movements of women beginning in the 13th century through the present day. It will sketch out the primary patterns of development of these movements and investigate the cultural, sociological and ecclesiological impact of these women in their milieu. It will examine the changes in the Counter-Reformation and Baroque period and the unique historical development of Dominican women in the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries. These contexts will be analyzed and contemporary questions, problems and possibilities concerning Dominican women’s life will be explored.

729 Continuing Registration (1)

800 D.Min Integrative Seminar (3)
This course is the capstone course for the D. Min program. It is designed for D. Min students who have completed at least the distribution requirement of the program and preferably those who are enrolled in the last course(s) of their program. The Integrative Seminar allows the D. Min student to bridge his/her course work to the thesis/project by focusing on an aspect of their ministry for theological reflection and clarifying the theological methods which will best inform that task.

800A Fundamentals of Practical Theology Seminar (3)
This course is for the beginning D. Min student. It will explore the pastoral and the theoretical foundations of practical theology in its intentionality of enhancing the Church’s praxis. It will enable the students to use critical methods of theological reflection on specialized ministerial or pastoral practices.

801 D.Min. Thesis in Ministry (8)
Eight credit hours

802 D.Min. Supervised In-Service Project (6)
Six credit hours