Course Descriptions

Art of Liturgical Prayer

This is an intermediate course in the theory, theology and practice of liturgical prayer intended for students preparing for ministry in a Roman Catholic setting. Students will explore in depth the patterns of both Eucharist and Liturgy of the Hours, and how these patterns can be embodied by assemblies in ways that are inclusive, dynamic, and sensitive to the challenge of a multicultural church. Attention will be given to the role of music, proclamation, environment, and various modes of ritual action in the church's worship, as well as the relationship between liturgical celebration and the church's mission in the world. Students will be involved in the preparation and celebration of the weekly liturgy at the Franciscan School of Theology (Thursdays, 9:40 am), and assist in the coordination of its various ministries.

 

Advanced Hebrew Reading

After an introduction to Hebrew poetry, selected poetic texts will be read. An introduction to and practice in reading the Massoretic motes will be included.

 

Advanced Preaching and Prayer Leadership

The purpose of this course is two-fold: to develop a personal style of prayer leadership and to build on homilectical skills, both focused around the Roman Catholic sacraments. Strong emphasis will be placed on integrated theological theory with sacramental practice on the one hand, and developing a personal prayer leadership style on the other. Two tracks are offered: prayer leadership for ordained ministry an dprayer leadership for lay ministry.

 

Canon Law: Introduction and Marriage

This course is a combination of two aspects of the field of canon law.  The first half of the course will present an overview of the 1983 Code of Canon Law, giving its origins and the legal traditions on which it is built.  Special emphasis will be on the pastoral application of the foundational principles of law and an examination of the rights and obligations of the Christian Faithful.  The second half of the course will cover the sacrament of marriage. Both the celebration of marriage as the law prescribes and the work of marriage tribunals when a marriage ends in divorce will be studied in detail.

 

Christian Sacraments

This is a foundational course in the sacraments of the Christian Church.  Attention will be given to the biblical base of sacraments, their historical development, and the post-Vatican II theology/liturgy of sacraments.  The ecumenical aspects of the sacraments will also be part of this course.

 

Christology

A basic course in Christology. Emphasis will be on the Jewishness of Jesus, the Jesus community of the apostolic period; the development of christological doctrines in the early church; the basic meaning of the kerygma of Jesus, the infancy narratives, the death of Jesus and the resurrection. Contemporary liberation theologies: i.e., Latin America, feminist, and multi-cultural.

 

Contemporary Asian Theology

A study of the documents of the FABC (Asian Bishops Meetings), the Asian Synod, the Pope's statement "Ecclesia in Asia," various theologians: Amaladoss, Claver, Dupuis, Wilfred, Balasuriya, Pieris, Phan.  We will consider the contemporary Roman Catholic movements towards the formation of an Asian theology.  Movements include: Theology of Struggle, Minjung Theology, Theology of Harmony, Kingdom Theology, Spirit Ecclesiology.

 

Ethics and Spirituality

This course examines ways that the moral life is rooted in, nourished by, and is an expressions of one's spirituality. To this end, it will consider convictions about God, Jesus, and the human person to establish the foundations for relating spirituality and morality. It will also examine how spiritual practices nourish the moral life and how a commitment to justice embodies one's spirituality.

 

Fourth Gospel as Instant Theater

A study of the composition and structure of the Fourth Gospel. The concept of Instant Theater will be used whereby episodes of the Gospel will be performed as Readers' Theatre.

 

Francis of Assisi: Documents

Careful study of early biographies (hagiographies) of Francis of Assisi in English translation; problems of textual tradition ("the Franciscan Question"); changing portrayals of Francis during the first fifty years after his death; competing interpretations of Francis as "saint" and "founder."

 

From Saul to Paul

An examination of the undisputed letters of Paul, with some study of the non-Pauline correspondence. Special attention will be paid to Paul's Jewish and Greco-Roman environment, as well as the context of Paul's communities.

 

Fundamental Moral Theology

This course outlines the basic structure and method of Roman Catholic moral theology. By means of common readings, discussion, and lectures, it introduces basic concepts of moral theology and moral methods.

 

Gaudium et Spes: Legacy & Challenge

Unlike the other Vatican II documents, the genesis of Gaudium et Spes (GS) was in the workings of the Council itself. Placing the Church IN the modern world, GS identifies five questions of "special urgency." The questions surrounding marriage and family life, culture, politics, socio-economic life, and war and peace, continue to be issues facing us some forty years after the Council. This course examines GS in light of its foundational theological themes, and investigates what theological principles shape the church's consideration of these areas of urgent concern. Can GS offer a theological method that contributes to the current theological enterprise? In what manner do these areas of concern impact the ministerial situations of parish, ministry, and preaching?

 

God and Trinity

This is a basic course in the theology of God.  We will consider the various understandings of God that have developed within Christianity over history and the challenges that are posed by science, philosophy and atheism.

 

The Gospel of Mark as Instant Cinema

An in-depth study of the Gospel of Mark: its content, structure, sequence and meaning. In addition to a verse-by-verse examination of the Gospel, an effort will be made to discern the purposes of Mark in creating the gospel genre; the sociological situation of the community for which he wrote; and the impact of Mark's Gospel on later Gospels. A special feature of the course will be the screening of recent movie clips depicting events in Mark's Gospel.

 

History of Christianity: Medieval/Reformation

This course is designed to give an overview of significant developments in the History of Christianity between the 11th and 16th centuries.  Special attention will be given to popular religious devotions and the on-going reform movements that eventually broke open in the Protestant Reformation.

 

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History of Roman Catholic Cultures in the U.S.

This course explores the development and interaction of the many cultures which have made up the Catholic Church in the United States -- Native American, Spanish, Irish, French, German, Polish, Italian, African-American, Latino, Filipino, Vietnamese and other Asian groups. Non-ethnic cultures will also be explored such as preconciliar Catholic culture, conservative, liberal, and radical Catholic cultures.  The course will examine the many conflicts the diversity of cultures engendered.

 

History of Theology: 1914-1965

This seminar explores major Protestant and Roman Catholic theologians from World War I to Vatican II. The class focuses on key figures and movements from theological, political, philosophical, and cultural perspectives.

 

Inculturation and Liturgy

This course will explore the theological and theoretical principles for inculturation of liturgy from a Roman Catholic perspective, as contained in church documents and the writings of various theologians who represent the perspectives of the world church.  Participants will investigate how these principles come to bear on issues of faith and culture, culture and ritual, the practices of Christian liturgy and the spiritual quests of various ethno-cultural communities, the interface of popular religiosity and official liturgical practice.  Discussion and reading will focus specifically on Asian, African, Latino, and African American perspectives and models of inculturation.

 

Interpreting the Church Today

This course considers key Vatican II documents: Lumen Gentium, Guadium et spes, the Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity, as well as the synod documents of Asia, Africa, and the Americas, and their impact on the church's renewed self-understanding and pastoral practice.  Various interpretations of these documents have an impact on many common pastoral concerns: the indispensable role of the laity in the mission and ministry of the Church, questions and issues surrounding the use of the catechism, and collaboration in ministry. This course is a resource for dialogue in practical ministerial situations one is sure to encounter.

 

Introduction to New Testament

This course studies all the writings of the New Testament in their historical, cultural, social, and religious contexts.  The course introduces theory and practice of major methodologies of interpretations and the resources for contemporary actualization of New Testament text.

 

Introduction to Old Testament

After a brief introduction to the Bible as a whole and various approaches to it, this course seeks to present an overview of the Old Testament by studying its main literary works, theological traditions, and the historical contexts in which they grew.

 

Intercultural Religious Education

This course explores intercultural, inclusive, and interdisciplinary approaches to Christian religious education; particularly with new immigrant communities in the United States. Topics include: social context of education; theories of teaching and learning; ethnic and race relations; intercultural communication; educating diverse learners; models of contextual theology; and so forth.

 

Intermediate Hebrew Reading II

Continued reading of prose narrative biblical Hebrew texts, with a goal of consolidating basic morphology, syntax and vocabulary.

 

Liturgy and Spirituality

This course examines ways that the moral life is rooted in, nourished by, and is an expressions of one's spirituality. To this end, it will consider convictions about God, Jesus, and the human person to establish the foundations for relating spirituality and morality. It will also examine how spiritual practices nourish the moral life and how a commitment to justice embodies one's spirituality.

 

Medical Ethics

This course examines issues in medical ethics in ways that would interest students who anticipate a ministry as hospital chaplains. Through a study of magisterial documents, selected readings, discussions, case studies, and lectures, it will take a more pastoral rather than strictly theoretical interest in issues of patient-physician relationships, genetics, reproductive technology, abortion, care of the dying and euthanasia.  Particular attention is given to the Roman Catholic tradition.

 

Ministry Seminar I

This is a required course for second year M.Div. sudents and first year M.A.M.C. students at FST. Course includes supervised Field placement, theological reflection, and spiritual formation.

 

Ministry Seminar II

This is a required course for second year M Div and first year MAMC students at FST.  Course includes supervised field placement, theological reflection, and spiritual formation.

 

Ministry Seminar III

This is the third in a series of seminars required for M.Div. and M.A.M.C. students. The course consists of lectures on pastoral ministry, field placements and group theological reflection exercises.

 

Ministry Seminar IV

This is a required course for second year MAMC students at FST. Course consists of supervised placements, theological reflection, spiritual formation, and presentation of an integrative ministry paper.

 

Multicultural Church: Congregation Studies

This is a foundational course in practical theology, particularly in the theory and practice of studying congregations of many cultures.  It will explore the theological, liturgical, educational, and leadership components that support congregational life in multicultural, multiethnic, and multilingual U.S. Roman Catholic parishes, as well as in some mainline Protestant traditions.

 

Perspectives: Introduction to Theology

An introductory course in Catholic theology which will cover sources, methodology, relationship to the modern world, and contemporary theological issues.

 

Portraits on Social Christianity

This course will examine the history of Christian (especially Catholic) social justice movements in the U.S. in the 20th century by focusing on representative leaders such as Dorothy Day, Peter Maurin, Pat and Patty Crowley, Mother Jones, Thomas Merton, the Berrigan brothers, Cesar Chavez, Catherine de Hueck, Janet Kalven, Jane Addams, Walter Rauschenbusch, Martin Luther King Jr., A.J. Muste and others.

 

Professional Ethics in Ministry

This course addresses the moral character and obligations of the pastoral minister.  It explores theological foundations for ethics in ministry and examines the virtues and duties entailed in being a professional minister.  Through discussions and lecture, the course aims to develop a "code of ethics" for ministry.

 

Themes in Christian Antiquity

This course will examine selected themes, historical, institutional, and theological, in the development of early Christianity from its break from its Jewish origins, through the encounter with Greek thought, to the period of late antiquity. It will concentrate particularly on major theological issues (the formation of the creeds, Christological controversies, Trinitarian doctrine), the encounter with various cultures and issues of adaptation and change, the birth of monasticism, major thinkers, and the formation of early structures such as the episcopacy, the papacy, and the relationship between the Eastern and Western churches.

 

Themes in Franciscan Spirituality

An examination of fundamental themes of Franciscan Spirituality: Incarnation; creation, image of God (in nature, in human person); Christocentrism; poverty; Mary and church; brother-sister relationships. Figures will include Francis, Clare, Bonaventure with some references to later mystics.

 

Reconciliation Practicum

A practicum in the celebration of the Roman Catholic Rite of Sacramental Reconciliation.  The class will emphasize role-playing and focus on Form A of the Rite of Reconciliation of Individuals.

 

Views of Nature

In a time when the emerging importance of eco-spirituality is widely noted, the insights of Franciscan thinkers have much to contribute to the discussion. This course will examine these insights within the broader context of western spirituality, philosophy and theology situating the discussion within a context that is multi-valent: scriptural, patristic, medieval and modern. Western attitudes toward nature have never been easy. A truly holistic view of the world and the human person is mandated by the Incarnation, yet often seems "just out of reach." Simplistic solutions are rarely sufficient. The unique contribution of Franciscan thought bridges the past and speaks to the concerns of the future.

 

Virtues and Vices

This upper level seminar will explore both classic and contemporary approaches to virtue and vice.  It will examine the role of virtue in the moral life, the formation of character, and the contribution virtue ethics can make to Christian morality.

 

White Supremacy and Religion

This course is organized around a selection of major issues and problems relative to the operation of the ideology of white supremacy in the history and development of Euro-American Buddhism, and Catholic and Protestant Christianity in the United States.  This course does not attempt to be comprehensive in scope, but it will examine these issues and problems historically, theologically, and from the perspective of church documents.  We will consider in particular an appropriation of Asian Buddhism by Euro-Americans, a Catholic response to the neoconservatives' appropriation of the civil rights rhetoric to support their vision of a color-blind society; and the mainstream response to African-American racial reconciliation theology.

 

Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament

This course surveys the wisdom material of the Old Testament, seeing it as an attitude, a movement, and a literature.  Wisdom theology is looked at within the context of the Old Testament as well as of our modern theological and pastoral situation.

 

Women in Religious Leadership

This course explores the ways some women since the time of Christ have lived faithful lives with such passion they exert powerful and significant religious leadership.  Even in the face of social criticism, strong leaders such as Mary Magdalene, Rose of Viterbo, Catherine of Siena, and Dorothy Day have persevered in their faith and their service of leadership.  This course will study individual women leaders to explore their motivations, their struggles and challenges, and their lasting legacies.