Graduate Program > Course Descriptions
Course Descriptions
Course Decriptions
THEO 676 Leadership and Ministry 3 sem. hrs. in a Postmodern Culture
This course explores significant changes taking place within the Church today in the theology of ministry, identity of ordained and non-ordained ministry, collaborative ministry, the role of women in the Church, and the historical/spiritual foundations of discipleship. This course also strives to create a vision of Church for the new millennium for those assuming leadership in the name of the ecclesial community.
THEO 677 Dynamics of Theology 3 sem. hrs.
This course reflects on the Christian experience of God reflected within the context of a faith community. It examines the concepts of revelation, faith, scripture, tradition, and the symbolic nature of theology in light of the theological tradition of the church and the cultural setting in which the praxis of ministry occurs.
THEO 678 Biblical and Theological 3 sem. hrs. Themes
This course will guide students' existing familiarity with Hebrew Scriptures and New Testament by studying, discussing, and critiquing the theological and fundamental themes that form the narratives of the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament texts.
THEO 679 God: One and Three 3 sem. hrs.
This course examines the mystery of God within Christianity. The content will include contemporary Trinitarian theology, Christology, and pneumatology, especially how these relate to salvation promised by God.
THEO 680 Catholic Moral Life 3 sem. hrs.
With an eye toward the roles, responsibilities and concerns of lay ecclesial leaders of the Church in the modern world, this course explores fundamental categories, methods, concepts and norms used in moral theology to analyze and evaluate human moral experience (individual and social) and to address central questions of Christian theological ethics. Topics include: the use of scripture, tradition, and experience as foundational sources in moral theology; the Church as locus for Christian moral life; the connection of worship and spirituality with the Christian moral life; the relation between Christian ethics and theological understandings of freedom, conscience, authority, character, sin, grace and responsibility; and application of moral analysis to selected contemporary moral issues (personal, professional and social).
THEO 681 Ecclesiology 3 sem. hrs.
This course investigates the mission of the church and the evolution of its structures, particularly in light of the teachings of Vatican II. There will be a special focus on the relationship between ecclesiology and ministry.
THEO 682 Introduction to the Hebrew 3 sem hrs. Scriptures
Students will explore the Hebrew Bible in its context, focusing on the religious, literary, and historical development of the ancient Near East. Using the tools of analysis, students will explore the historical-critical scholarship, methodologies, and processes in understanding the composition of the Scriptures. Students will be prepared to engage in intelligent interpretation of the Old Testament theology and contemporary theological issues that enable an understanding of the sources that form contemporary ecclesial traditions.
THEO 683 Introduction to the New 3 sem. hrs. Testament
Students will be introduced to the graduate level understanding of the New Testament, enabling a mastery in understanding and analysis of the historical situation, authorship, and literary formation of the New Testament, which results in the fundamental themes that inform a contemporary ecclesial understanding of church and ministry within the church.
THEO 690 Foundations of Spirituality 3 sem. hrs.
In this course, students will become familiar with the principles of Ignatian Spirituality. Students will examine the practice of the spiritual exercises in order to raise their awareness of God's workings in them and in order to assist them in their role as ecclesial leaders in helping others awaken to the the Divine Indwelling. Through research, students will become familiar with the Christian experience of the Holy Spirit of God as recorded in the Sacred Scriptures, early writings of the Patristic Church, the teaching of the saints and the Spiritual Masters with attention to the women mystics of the Middle Ages. Additionally, students will be mentored into creating a rule of life for themselves that is tailored to their own level of conversion, personality, vocation and abilities.
THEO 691 Liturgy, Sacraments, & the 3 sem. hrs Ethical Implications of Christian Living
This course examines the church within the context of a Sacramental/Incarnational world-view. Students will study the relationship of humanity and the reality of God that is characteristic of the Catholic vision. The theological, historical, and pastoral dimensions of the liturgical and ritual sacramental life will be included so that the student may, within their research, observe those contemporary issues and/or areas of interest that are informed by a Catholic theology of grace and church. Students will be guided to identify the ethical dimensions that impact present-day pastoral care and ministry for the lay ecclesial leader.
THEOLOGY ELECTIVES
THEO 600 Special Topic in Ecclesial 2-3 sem. hrs. Leadership
This course focuses on the faith experience of the Christian community, grounding contemporary ecclesial leadership in a theological tradition and enabling lay ecclesial leader to respond effectively to a wide range of needs in today's world. Possible topics to be explored may include: pastoral leadership and administration, church leadership in history, Catholic social teaching for ecclesial leaders, Canon Law for ecclesial/pastoral leaders.
THEO 610 Special Topics in Moral 2-3 sem. hrs Theology
This course focuses on the historical development and contemporary discussion of a specific moral issue of special concern (to be announced) for lay ecclesial leaders in the Church in the modern world. Possible topics to be examined from a Christian theological perspective include: biomedical ethics (e.g., reproductive technologies, genetic screening and manipulation, human experimentation, physician-assisted suicide, and allocation of medical resources); war and peace (e.g., pacifism, just-war tradition, crusades, terrorism, and conscientious objection); environmental ethics (e.g., stewardship, depletion and destruction of natural resources, extinction of species, environmental racism, human population growth and the environment, and earth-friendly churches and church-related buildings); and criminal justice (e.g., dealing with violence in society, crime and punishment, death penalty, policing, prisons, and restorative justice). The first unit will focus on Reflection as a Process and foundation for pastoral care. It will begin with an orientation to each of the facilities and their respective staffs. Students share their personal history as a way to begin understanding how their personal identity informs their ministry. We begin the process of theological reflection by focusing upon the student himself or herself. This will begin the process of identity formation. Educationally, it will contain presentations designed to help students become familiar with their context and form basic skills in Pastoral Care. These will include Clinical Phenomenology, Using the Clinical Method, and Active Listening. (Standards 232.5, 240.1, 240.2,240.4,251.2,252.4 and 252.7)
THEO 620 Special Topics in Applied 2 -3 sem. hrs. Practical Theology
This course will explore those areas of practical theology that engage the contemporary ecclesial leader in specific pastoral and leadership roles. Special emphasis will be on providing the lay ecclesial leader with the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary in the application of principles to a broad range of pastoral concerns and a contemporary praxis. Specific topics may include: Christian education, Christian spirituality, Christian marriage and family, ministry to the aging community, the R.C.I.A. and parish life, canon law of marriage and the annulment process, grieving, Clinical Pastoral Education.
THEO 630 Special Topics in 2 -3 sem. hrs. Scripture
This course will explore specific biblical themes that may be of special concern or interest in grounding a lay ecclesial leaders knowledge and skills in pastoral care and leadership.
THEO 640 Special Topics in Theology 2-3 sem. hrs.
This course will explore specific theological areas that may be of special concern or interest.
CLINICAL PASTORAL EDUCATION (CPE)
THEO 684 CPE Ecclesial Leadership 3 sem. hrs. & Pastoral Care
THEO 685 CPE Pastoral Formation 3 sem. hrs. of the Ecclesial Leader The second unit will focus on Pastoral Formation and a basic understanding of behavioral concepts. It will build on some of the exercises from the first unit on theological reflection and pastoral identity. The student will examine his/her choices from movement into ministry and the process of developing resources to articulate faith, spirituality and religious beliefs. The educational exercises and discussions will include Motivation for Ministry., Spiritual Pilgrimage, Communication and Talking with a Patient about God and Faith, with the focus and exploration on personal development as the core behavioral concept. (Standard 240.3,240.5,240.6,252.1,252.5 and 252.6)
THEO. 686 CPE The Ecclesial Leader 3 sem. hrs. as a Professional Minister
The third unit will focus upon Competence in Pastoral Functioning. With the goal of greater professional functioning by the student, the program will offer structures to help conceptualize pastoral care and its professional tasks by writing a Theory of Pastoral Care Paper. Building again on what has come before, the themes will center on further professional growth in the areas of Pastoral Assessment, Development of Technique, and Group Dynamics with a focus on ethical perspectives and Advanced Conceptualization in Pastoral Care and Counseling. (Standard 240.1,240.7,240.8,240.10,252.4)
COGNATE FIELD 'LINKAGE' COURSES
CHD (Counseling & Human Development)
BSC 526 Group Process 3 sem. hrs.
The group as a unique medium of implementing the counseling process. An introduction to the basic issues of group leadership, group membership, group dynamics and process, and the application of group theory as related to counseling and development. Learning is facilitated through an experiential model and an interpersonal lab is required. Open to MA of Theology with permission of program director.
BSC 560 Introduction to Counseling 3 sem. hrs. and the Counseling Profession
Examines stages and strategies in the counseling process; application of selected counseling theories to case situations; counseling specialty areas; and legal, ethical and professional issues in counseling and interviewing. Includes an intensive laboratory focused on developing interviewing skills and mastering counseling procedures. Prerequisite for BSC 526 and CHD 612.
CHD 612 Lifespan Development 3 sem. hrs. and Adjustment
Lifespan development and analysis of predictable conflicts and crises associated with various stages in life. Physical, psychosexual, cognitive, emotional, and social development form conception to death. This is a beginning level course
EDUCATION
EDF 601 Psychology of Learning 3 sem. hrs.
An examination of theories of learning, creativity and fundamentals of human memory and cognition as related to psychology, counseling and education fields. A review of the historical development of learning theories and major learning theorists will be examined. Application of behavioral principles to student or client situations, evaluations of the progress of a participant in learning, demonstration of an ability to communicate using the specific language of learning and differentiate the various approaches across schools of learning. Offered every June/July.
CULMINATING ASSIGNMENT
THEO 700 Seminar 1-3 sem. hrs.
All students who will be taking THEO 701 or THEO 702 are required to participate in the seminar. Ordinarily, this will be taken prior to beginning the Culminating Assignment. The seminar will promote the integration of theory and practice as well as collaboration and partnership in developing ecclesial leadership praxis. The nature of the seminar is to integrate pastorally what the student has learned academically throughout their courses. In conjunction with the seminar, a student is expected to prepare a reflection paper that exhibits a growing ability to integrate the theology and practice within a particular context of ecclesial leadership. Discussions and group work are directed toward either a final ministry project or a final integrating thesis involving a significant contribution to the students' ecclesial context or the wider community. Participation in the seminar will involve an assessment by members of the faculty. The Director of the Master's Program oversees the seminar. Completion of this seminar involves successful preparation of an acceptable final comprehensive project or thesis in a selected area of ecclesial leadership, attesting to the student's successful integration of theological knowledge and pastoral/professional expertise with its appropriate application.
THEO 701 and THEO 702 Integration Project/Integration Thesis 3-6 sem. hrs.
Requirements for the Master of Arts in Theology degree include completing either an Integration Project or Integration Thesis, normally in the last semester of the degree program. The project/thesis assists the student in integrating various foundational and elected courses within the program with the past, present, and future ecclesial leadership role/ministerial context of the students. Students develop the project/thesis using the particular interest or emphasis that has been identified within the seminar and which has been supported throughout the course of study. This culminating assignment is intended to foster an internalized appropriation of the foundational doctrines of the Church in a way that relates them to Christian life and ecclesial leadership. Weekly small group work will help develop the skills necessary for sound theological and ecclesial/ministerial judgment, promoting integration of theory and practice as well as formation for collaboration and partnership in lay ecclesial leadership settings. Through discussions, group work, and a specific project/thesis involving a contribution to the wider community, (e.g., related to social justice, spiritual renewal, education and formation, pastoral administration or pastoral care), students will demonstrate in a structured format the ability to articulate, exercise and apply the skills and knowledge acquired during the degree program. Typically a paper of approximately 45-60 pages is required. Students should present a substantive, well crafted and focused project/thesis that is of significant pastoral interest. The student will demonstrate competence in a specific area chosen in consultation with a major advisor. The student's focus will be an in-depth problem rather than several broad problems. The completed project/thesis will reflect the student's graduate-level ability for in-depth research and will include:
* Scholarly exposition of appropriate primary and secondary literature, *Informed, critical analysis of major issues involved,
and
* Thoughtful and academically defensible disclosure reflecting the student's position on the chosen research question.
Although the project/thesis format may vary according to the nature of the topic to be explored, scholarly and academic standards are expected throughout. The student is not expected to conduct research with the expansive rigor of a doctoral dissertation. However, he or she is expected to demonstrate both familiarity with scholarly literature and growing expertise in the chosen area. The student will be responsible for proof-reading the final work, checking for clear grammar, academically appropriate style, expressing oneself clearly and effectively, and exploring abstract thinking. The last component of the Culminating Assignment is a one-hour oral qualifying exam/discussion with a panel of three examiners. The work signifies that, through this project/thesis and this discussion, one has developed an integrated framework in ecclesial leadership praxis.
THEO 703 CPE Integration of 3 sem. hrs
Pastoral Care for Ecclesial Leaders.
The final unit will strive to facilitate Integration. The themes as well as the program schedule will be planned in part by the Residents. Two focused presentations will be Perspectives of Pastoral Care Leadership and Group Dynamics. Activities will help students to think about their learning and plan for their future professional roles as laity, vowed religious, ministers, priests and rabbis. (Standard 240.9,241.1.241.2,241.3, 252.8)
