SUMMER MINI-SESSION 2001

THE 603: Historical Foundations (Dr. Kimberly Georgedes)

Discuss the importance of the study of history to the study of theology. Utilizing in detail at least two (2) specific examples (one example each from two of the three basic periods of church history: the Patristic Age, A.D. 100-600; Medieval, A.D. 600-1500; Modern, A.D. 1500-Present), explain how historical circumstances have affected the development of the Church and of Church doctrine or dogma. You may use more than two (2) examples if you wish, but you must discuss your examples in detail, and clearly show how they illustrate the importance of historical circumstances for the development of theology.

THE 660: PI: Nature of Love and Sexuality (Dr. Michael Healy)

Discuss the relation between love of the other person for his own sake and a concern for one's own happiness in life and love. Are these two attitudes necessarily contradictory -- the one altruistic, the other selfish? How can they be integrated?

THE 722: TP: Apostolic Fathers (Dr. Andrew Minto)

Be prepared to discuss any one of the three author's works of the examiner's choosing from the following list. In other words, the examiner chooses three (3) works and you select one (1) of these three (3). Your discussion must include matters of provenance (authorship, date, locale, audience, and historical situation), literary genre, and at least one major theme/motif, problem or issue (pastoral/theological) of the selected work.

  

  1. 1 Clement
  2. 2 or Pseudo-Clement
  3. Ignatius of Antioch, Epistles to:

    Ephesians

    Magnesians

    Tallians

    Romans

    Philadelphians

    Smyranens

    Polycarp

  4. Polycarp to the Philippians
  5. Martyrdom of Polycarp
  6. Didache
  7. Epistle of Barnabas
  8. Epistle to Diognetus
  9. Shepherd of Hermas

THE 740: TI: Feminism & Theology of the Body (Prof. Patricia Donohue-White)

Answer two of the following essays. Your essays should clearly illustrate a comprehensive knowledge of the relevant readings (with explicit reference to authors) and lectures from the course as well as an ability to think clearly and critically about the subject matter.

  1. Feminist theology and the critique of the tradition. Based on the various essays in C. Lacugna's Freeing Theology, present and critically analyze the purpose and method of feminist theology and its critique of the Christian tradition. Your essay should include an analysis of androcentrism and patriarchy as used in feminist theology as well as an analysis of the thematic lines of thought in feminist trinitarian theology, christology, and theological anthropology. Conclude your essay by developing three points or lines of criticism which could be applied to the project of feminist theology.
  2. Theology of the body, sexuality and gender in Patristic sources. Based on Peter Brown's The Body and Society, present and critically analyze the primary themes and lines of development in the Patristic period regarding the theological understanding and experience of the body, sexuality and gender. Choose at least three but not more than four specific figures to illustrate the points of difference and development (e.g., Clement of Alexandria, Gregory of Nyssa, Augustine). Your essay should include a general discussion of approaches to the soul-body relation (e.g., monism, dualism, intergral unity or composite) as well as a discussion of the ideal of virginity and its implications for a theology of marriage. Conclude your essay by discussing how a recovery of certain dimensions of the tradition could help in the development of contemporary theology of the body.
  3. Medieval spirituality and gender. Based on either Caroline Bynum's Holy Feast, Holy Fast (THE 740) or Bernard McGinn's The Flowering of Mysticism and (THE 660A) present and critically analyze Medieval understandings of the body and gender as illustrated in women's spirituality. Your essay should include a discussion of the changing roles and opportunities for women in the Medieval period, their use of body symbolism, and their understandings of masculinity, femininity and complementarity. For those in THE 740, be sure to include an analysis of the symbolic meanings of food and eating as developed by Bynum. For those in THE 660A, your essay should include a discussion of the theology of three mystic women as presented in McGinn. Conclude your essay by considering ways in which a recovery of Medieval women's spirituality could help in the development of contemporary ideas of complementarity.

 

SUMMER I 2001

THE 601: Biblical Foundations (Dr. Andrew Minto)

Study all three (3) questions. The proctor will choose one for you to answer at the examination.

  1.  
    1. Reflecting on the magisterial documents (Profidentissimus Deus, Divino Afflante Spiritu, Dei Verbu, Historicity of the Gospels, and Mysterium Ecclesiae), the NCCB's Pastoral Statement for Catholics on Biblical Fundamentalism, class lecture, and the articles by Frein and Lindbeck, address and answer the following questions. What place and role does Scripture occupy within the Church with respect to the mediation of God's word. How does this view of Scripture, as the privileged instrument of God's word, rest on certain fundamentals, yet, at the same time, resist and contradict fundamentalism?
    2. Reflecting on the article by Ratzinger, the excerpts from Colin's Enlightenment and Alienation, Hayes & Holloday's Biblical Exegesis, and class lecture, write a response to the two articles by R. Brown addressing the key issue of the effect of Enlightenment thinking on modern exegesis and theological reflection and a remedy to this affect.
    3. Reflecting on the magisterial documents (see question #1), the two articles by de la Potterie, the articles by S. M. and F. Martin, and class lecture, write an essay that discusses the meaning and interrelation of the senses of Scripture.

    THE 602: Theological Foundations (Dr. Regis Martin)

    In his summary of the basic and abiding content of the Christian belief, Joseph Ratzinger provides "a few graspable statements," pursuant to what being a Christian really means (i.e., his "Excursus: Christian Structures," from Introduction to Christianity). Seven (7) propositions follow in which the nub of a man's faith in Christianity crystallize. What are they and why is it necessary to present them in the way that he has?

    THE 722: TP: St. John of the Cross (Prof. Ralph Martin)

    Give an account of the progression in the spiritual life that John of the Cross presents in his major works.

    THE 740: TI: Christ: Prophet, Priest, King in the Church Fathers (Fr. Bertrand de Margerie)

    What is the meaning and finality of Christ as prophet, priest, and king according to the Fathers of the Church?

    SUMMER II 2001

    THE 604: Teachings of Vatican II (Dr. Alan Schreck)

     STUDY AND ANSWER BOTH QUESTIONS:

    1. Discuss how each of the four constitutions of the Second Vatican Council express both continuity with past Catholic teaching and new approaches that present Catholic doctrine in light of the present situation and understanding of modern people; and
    2. How would you evaluate both the successes and shortcomings of the implementation of the teachings of the Second Vatican Council in the Catholic Church from the close of the Council in 1965 to the present? Include in your answer the evaluation of the Catholic bishops from the "Extraordinary synod" in 1985.

    THE 641: Catechesis: Content & Curriculum (Prof. Barbara Morgan)

    In light of the General Directory of Catechesis and Catechesi Tradendae, discuss the content of the catechesis regarding the maintenance of its integrity, the hierarchy of truths, and the need for a systematic presentation of it.

    THE 655: Mary in the Modern World (Dr. Regis Martin)

    Mary constitutes the pedagogy which the world needs if it is to recover the Gospel message in its fullness. Discuss this proposition in the light of the six reasons cited in class which underscore the continuing importance of Mary in the scheme of Salvation and in the life of the Church. (In other words, using Ratzinger's phrase concerning "the equilibrium and completeness of Catholic faith," how does an authentic Mariology contribute to this necessary integration?)

    THE 660: PI: The School of French Spirituality (Msgr. John Mark Williams)

    Class Cancelled

    THE 691: Catechetical Methods I (Sr. M. Johanna Paruch)

    In Catechesi Tradendae #20, Pope John Paul II states the aim of catechesis. Authentic catechetical methodology must reflect that aim, while keeping in mind the faith, spiritual, and moral development of those to be catechized, as well as their age, intellectual/physical ability, and their social condition. A) Explain this premise, supporting your explanation with statements from the catechetical magisterial documents and required reading for this course. B) Explain how the Ecclesial Method defined by Msgr. Francis Kelly and St. John Bosco's Preventative Method of Reason, Religion and Kindness keeps the catechist faithful to the mind of the Church regarding Catechetical Methodology.

    THE 700: The Moral Formation of Conscience (Dr. James Keating)

     What does the church mean when it teaches that one must never disobey the conscience? How are we to understand this in light of the fact that sometimes the conscience leads people into objective error? What role does conscience formation play in contextualizing the reality of this fact regarding objective error?

    SUMMER III 2001

    THE 692: Catechetical Method II (Sr. M. Johanna Paruch)

    Outline and briefly discuss the following:

     

    1. the catechetical endeavor and liturgical practice
    2. the catechetical endeavor and inculturation

    THE 694: Catechetical Practice Today (Prof. Barbara Morgan)

    Produce an outline for a model of adult catechesis OR family catechesis in a parish, incorporating salient principles from the most applicable magisterial catechetical documents.

    THE 700: John Paul II's Social, Gender, and Sexual Ethics (Prof. Kevin Miller)

    Discuss the main philosophical and theological principles underlying John Paul II's ethical thought, together with several key examples of his practical applications of these principles in any two of the following areas: (1) sexual ethics, (2) gender ethics, (3) social ethics.

    THE 740: TI: Theology of Karl Rahner (Fr. Bevil Bramwell)

     Class Cancelled

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