Graduate Theology Course Schedule
Spring 2010

Classes begin: January 11, 2010
Classes end May 7, 2010
Last day to register without $150 late fee: January 8, 2010

TH 6352 Christian Social Ethics
Monday, 6:30pm-9:15pm
AT&T Center R-105, 3 sem. hrs.

This course deals with the perennial question of how Christian faith and praxis relate to the social, economic, and political dimensions of human life. Fundamental issues (such as the church's relationship to the world and role in the public sphere, the relationship between church and state, and Catholic social theory), as well as the matter of economic justice and modes of peacemaking in a violent world will be addressed. In this way, a survey of the methods and content of the discipline of Christian social ethics will also be conducted. The development of the modern tradition of Catholic social teaching is the primary hermeneutic for these studies.

James B. Ball, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Theology and Graduate Program Director of Theology at Saint Mary's University who holds a doctorate in Moral Theology/Christian Ethics from the University of Notre Dame and a J.D. from Hofstra University's School of Law. His areas of interest include Catholic social teaching, grassroots social movements, the ethics of war and nonviolence, and inter-religious dialogue. His latest publication is "A Second Look at the Industrial Areas Foundation: Lessons for Catholic Social Thought and Ministry." Horizons Vol. 35, no. 2 (Fall 2008): 271-97.

TH 6328 The Hermeneutical Question
Tuesday, 6:30pm-9:15pm
ATT Center R-105, 3 sem. hrs.

This course is required for all Theology students. It introduces the student to the various methods of interpreting the Bible, from biblical times to the present and offers an understanding and evaluation of these methods, particularly the patristic ones and the various contemporary approaches. It will also involve a study of relevant Church documents, such as Dei Verbum, the Constitution on Divine Revelation of Vatican II, and subsequent documents of the Pontifical Biblical Commission. Students will be given the opportunity to apply the different methods learned to a gospel text of their choice.

George T. Montague, S.M., S.T.D., professor of biblical theology at St. Mary's, University, received his doctorate in Theology at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, having done his dissertation on Saint Paul under Ceslas Spicq, O.P. He is former president of the Catholic Biblical Association of America and editor of The Catholic Biblical Quarterly. In addition to teaching at St. Mary's, Fr. Montague has taught as a visiting professor at St. Louis University, the Toronto School of Theology, and Franciscan University of Steubenville. He has authored more than twenty books on Scripture, among them Understanding the Bible: A Basic Introduction to Biblical Interpretation and, with Kilian McDonnell, Christian Initiation and Baptism in the Holy Spirit: Evidence from the First Eight Centuries, which has been translated into seven foreign languages. The Holy Spirit: Growth of a Biblical Tradition, now in its fifth printing, has been one of his most popular. He has lectured internationally.

TH 6322 The Gospel of Luke & the Acts of the Apostles
Wednesday, 6:30pm-9:15pm
ATT Center R-105, 3 sem. hrs.

This course is a study of the Gospel according to Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. The theology of these texts will be explored primarily in relation to their structure and literary styles (literary criticism) and historical background (historical criticism). Students will also be introduced to social-science and feminist readings of parts of these texts. The course will include training in exegetical methods (drawing out the meaning of the text) and modes of theological reflection (using the text to deepen one's spirituality and/or apply its wisdom to contemporary life issues).

Dr. Anne M. O'Leary, P.B.V.M., Ph.D., is Assistant Professor of New Testament at St. Mary's University, San Antonio, Texas. She obtained her Ph.D. in Sacred Scripture from Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick, where she subsequently taught prior to coming to St. Mary's. She is author of Matthew's Judaization of Mark (Edinburgh: Continuum/T&T Clark, 2006) as well as several articles. Anne is a Presentation Sister and has lectured in the areas of Sacred Scripture and Spirituality, directed retreats and facilitated Ignatian Communal Discernment with groups internationally--in Canada, England, Ghana, Israel, Italy, Pakistan, the Philippines, New Zealand and Wales--as well as in her home country, Ireland.

TH 6336 The Church
Thursday, 6:30pm-9:15pm
AT&T Center R-105, 3 sem. hrs.

This course will concern ecclesiology, which is historical and systematic reflection on the nature and purpose of the church. Beginning with a contextual overview of the history of ecclesiology, the course will then focus on developments in Roman Catholic ecclesiology in the 20th century, with particular emphasis given to the Second Vatican Council and its later interpretations. The course will conclude with reflection on some new ecclesiological issues facing both local and global Catholicism.

Daniel Speed Thompson, Ph.D., received his Ph.D. in Theology from the Divinity School of the University of Chicago. He is Associate Professor of Theology at St. Mary's and currently department chair. Before coming to St. Mary's in 2005, Dr. Thompson taught at Fordham University in New York City. He has taught a wide range of topics at the undergraduate and graduate levels, with a particular interest in the history of Christian thought, ecclesiology, contemporary Catholic theology and theological methodology. His earlier work focused on the theology of the Belgian Dominican, Edward Schillebeeckx (1914-). He is now interested in engaging new questions about providence and human suffering, eschatology and the theology of history.

General Course Catalog

TH 6203 Hebrew I (Oblate SS 7260)
2 semester hours

TH 6204 Hebrew II (Oblate SS 7261)
2 semester hours

TH 6205 Greek I (Oblate SS 7250)
2 semester hours

TH 6206 Greek II (Oblate SS 7251)
2 semester hours

TH 6108, 6208, 6308 Special Topics in Biblical Study
1-3 semester hours
Specific topics vary from semester to semester.

TH 6158, 6258, 6358 Special Topics in Systematic Theology
1-3 semester hours
Specific topics vary from semester to semester.

TH 6168, 6268, 6368 Special Topics in Moral Theology
1-3 semester hours
Topics vary from semester to semester.

TH 6301 Theologies of the Old Testament
3 semester hours
A survey course including historical, geographical, and archaeological background for an understanding of the Old Testament; a study of the process of formation of the Hebrew Scriptures; a look at the ``theologies'' expressed in and through the inspired writings; and a specific introduction to the major books of the Old Testament Canon.

TH 6302 Theologies of the New Testament
3 semester hours
An examination of the pluralism of First Century Christianity; its expression in the composition of the New Testament, implications for our contemporary theological understandings and spiritualities, specific introductions to the books of the New Testament Canon.TH 6311 Pentateuch3 semester hoursEmergence of Pentateuch from ancient oral and written traditions, and central place in Old Testament. Careful study of key passages of Genesis and Exodus. Importance of Pentateuch for basic questions of theology and the Christian life.

TH 6312 Prophets
3 semester hours
Prophetism in Ancient Near East and rise of prophetic movement in Israel. Prophetic genres (oracles, exhortations, symbolic actions, etc.) Study of each of prophets in historical sequence, with special attention to passages which reflect growing future hope and Messianic expectation. Enduring character of the prophetic experience in the Church.

TH 6313 Wisdom Literature and Psalms
3 semester hours
Introduction to Wisdom literature of Old Testament. Principal themes. Sociological, historical, religious background to Psalms; types; theology of Psalms. The Psalms as Christian prayer.

TH 6314 Literary History of the Old Testament
3 semester hours
A study of the history of Israel in the Old Testament period as seen through the Deuteronomist's history (Joshua-2 Kings), the Chronicler's History (1 Chronicles- Nehemiah), and 1-2 Maccabees, against the socio-political background of the ancient Near East; situation of each of Old Testament books within this historical development.

TH 6320 The Gospel of Matthew
3 semester hours
An Introduction and intensive study of key texts. The theology of Matthew.

TH 6321 The Gospel of Mark
3 semester hours
Introduction to the Synoptics. Formation of the Gospel tradition. Form-criticism, redaction-criticism/literary criticism. A study of the key texts of Mark's Gospel.

TH 6322 The Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles
3 semester hours
An introduction to the Gospel and Acts. Intensive study of key texts. The theology of Luke.

TH 6323 The Johannine Literature
3 semester hours
Introduction and intensive study of key texts. The spiritual theology of John.

TH 6324 Theology of St. Paul
3 semester hours
Introduction to theology of St. Paul through intensive study of key texts in historical situation and sequence, with special stress on the spiritual theology of Paul.

TH 6328 The Hermeneutical Question
3 semester hours
From within the Bible itself, the early church writers, the middle ages, the Reformation, the Enlightenment, the response of the Magisterium, contemporary approaches, hermeneutical theory. Explanation, illustration and evaluation of various methods of biblical interpretative methods with conscious reflection on the hermeneutical processes involved.

TH 6330 Principles of Theological Method
3 semester hours
The nature of theology; its relationship to revelation, Scripture, tradition, and the magisterium. Branches of theology, allied disciplines. Survey of historical development of theology in Catholic and non-Catholic traditions, including an overview of contemporary trends. Introduction to the principal English language research tools to aid a graduate student in the overall program.

TH 6331 The Trinity
3 semester hours
New Testament roots of Trinitarian theology. Patristic development -- eastern and western -- including early controversies. A brief survey of the Thomistic Trinitarian theology and contemporary approaches. The Trinity as the central Christian mystery and its role in the spiritual life.

TH 6332 Christology
3 semester hours
New Testament Christology. The historical Jesus and biblical research. Central importance of the Resurrection. Developments of Christology through the earliest schools, controversies, and Councils. Contemporary approaches to the divinity of Christ and his human consciousness and freedom.

TH 6333 Sacraments of Initiation
3 semester hours
The nature of a sacrament; its place in the Christian religion; the sacramental system. A special study of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist in their New Testament foundations, historical developments, and celebration according to post-Vatican II ritual. The results of contemporary ecumenical dialogues on the Eucharist.

TH 6334 Sacraments of Healing and Vocation
3 semester hours
The New Testament foundations of Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. Their historical development in theology and practice. Their celebration according to post-Vatican II rituals.

TH 6335 Marian Theology
3 semester hours
Mary, the Mother of Jesus, in the New Testament: contemporary understandings, especially in the writings of Luke and John. Historical survey of Marian theology. Current non-Catholic appraisals of Mary.

TH 6336 The Church
3 semester hours
A study of the Church and local church, organized according to the chapters of Vatican II's Constitution on the Church, emphasizing Scriptural roots, the Church's nature and mission, ecumenical questions, and consensus on the Church, ministries in the Church, and the role of laity.

TH 6337 The Sacraments
3 semester hours
An examination of Catholic sacramental theology from biblical, doctrinal, and philosophical foundations for ritual and liturgical practice, the New Testament foundations for the Church's Christocentric sacramental system, and the reform of the Church's sacramental theology and practice initiated by the Second Vatican Council. The course will cover all seven of the official sacraments, but will give special attention to the sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist.

TH 6351 Foundational Moral Theology/Ethics
3 semester hours
A survey of the historical foundations of Roman Catholic moral, the role of scripture and natural law, moral norms, conscience, responsibility, sin, grace and virtue, conversion, the formation of character, moral development, contemporary approaches to moral development, with some application to selected moral problems.

TH 6352 Christian Social Ethics
3 semester hours
This course explores how Christians deal with the perennial questions of how Christian faith relates to the social, economic and political dimensions of human life. The principal questions taken up are those of economic justice and peace/war. Attention is paid to how Christians have approached these questions, and how they have answered them. Christian responses to social problems are placed in their historical, biblical, and theological contezts. The tradition of Catholic Social Teaching receives special emphasis.

TH 6353 Biomedical Issues and Catholic Thought
3 semester hours
The relation of Christian faith to contemporary biomedical issues. Catholic teachings on the meaning of human sexuality, eugenics, abortion, reproductive technologies, cloning, human experimentation, behavior control, organ transplants, prolonging life, euthanasia, assisted-suicide. Selected cases for study.

TH 6355 Theology of Human Sexuality, Marriage and the Family
3 semester hours
A theological understanding from the standpoint of Catholic tradition of the human body, human sexuality, marriage, responsible parenthood, and the role of the Christian family in the modern world.

TH 6307, 6607 Bible Lands and Civilizations
3-6 semester hours
Study session in bible lands with accompanying lectures on Old and New Testament sites and biblical background.

TH 7188, 7288, 7388 Special Topics in Religious Studies
1-3 semester hours
Topics vary from semester to semester.

TH7390, 7390 Research Practicum
3 semester hours

TH 7399 Thesis
3 semester hours