23 courses with the subject TH, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
TH 600Philosophy of Nature and Contemporary Science3
Beginning from the fact that things change, this course investigates the principles that material beings must have to make change possible, leading to a definition of “nature.” It introduces students to the fundamental principles of the Aristotelian-Thomistic worldview, namely, substance, form, matter, causality, motion, and time. It discusses the relationship between philosophy and natural science, their methods, and the role that each plays in understanding the world. This course provides a foundation for the study of metaphysics, natural theology, anthropology, and ethics. 176
This course introduces students to the foundational teachings of Catholicism as professed in the Nicene Creed and celebrated in the Church’s sacramental life. The primary source for this study is the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Parts One and Two. This introduction touches upon the theological, cultural, and philosophical elements that have shaped the Church’s profession of faith. Students examine some of the doctrinal and pastoral challenges associated with Church teaching.
This course provides students with a foundational understanding of the principles, virtues, and precepts that form the nucleus of Christian discipleship. The primary text for this introduction to Christian morality is Part Three of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, along with numerous moral catecheses from the Gospels and the Epistles, especially the Sermon on the Mount. Topics include: human personhood, Christian beatitude, law and grace, the cardinal and theological virtues, human freedom, sin, the gifts and fruits of the spirit, and the Decalogue.
Total Credits: 15/18 TASKS FOR THE MA Candidate 1. Achieve a 3.0 or above G.P.A. 2. Discern to pursue MA Degree 3. Meet with your academic advisor regarding your application to the MA Degree Program Spring CONFIGURATION 1
This course studies the human person in the light of Christian revelation and as open to the supernatural. It considers the human person as created, fallen, justified, and glorified. Included in this study are human experience, revelation, the dialectic between faith and reason, and the theology of the body. The Church’s understanding of grace as the dynamic and liberating principle of the Christian life is also examined through a study of the biblical witness and classical and contemporary topics, including grace and human nature, grace and freedom, justification and divinization, universal salvific will, virtue and merit, conversion, sacramental grace, and the experience of grace. 195
Elective 3 credits Total credits: 20 TASKS FOR THE SEMINARIANS PURSUING MA DEGREE 1. You are to take a three-credit elective course in the area of concentration (if possible). 2. Draft thesis proposal to be approved by the thesis director by FEBRUARY 1 and submitted to the Academic Dean by MARCH 1 for approval and review by the MA Committee (in accord with the Seminary’s “Thesis Proposal Instructions & Approval Process” document). ii
This is the basic theological course on the Church. The first part addresses the issue of exploring what the Church is. It discusses various methodologies, including that of “models.” This first part leads to a consideration of the Church in the years following World War II. The bulk of the course is devoted to consideration of Vatican Council II’s teaching on the mystery, structure, and life of the Church, drawing on many of the Council’s 16 documents. The second section of the course focuses on the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gentium), along with consideration of such topics as membership, episcopal collegiality, ecclesial infallibility, and authentic but imperfect holiness. The third section explores the Council’s teaching on ecumenical dialogue, religious freedom, the Church’s role in the world (e.g., Gaudium et Spes), and missionary activity. 196
This course provides a brief history of the Liturgy and deals with the theology of the liturgical signs and the spirit of the Liturgy in the New Testament. The historical and theoretical basis for understanding the sacramentals and sacraments is studied along with the celebration of Sunday and Easter in the early Church. Special emphasis is placed on the Eucharistic liturgy, i.e., the Last Supper, the Eucharist in the apostolic Church, and the Eucharist in the second and third centuries. The basic structure of the Mass and historical changes in the celebration of the Mass are studied in detail.
TH 851Biomedical and Medical Ethics for Priestly Ministry3
[Elective 3 credits] TASKS FOR THE SEMINARIANS PURSUING MA DEGREE Final Draft of Thesis due to Director and Reader MARCH 1 Final Thesis due APRIL 1 Scheduling of the Lectio Coram Fall CONFIGURATION 4
This course presents the understanding of human sexuality and of sexual morality as it has been developed in the continuing Catholic Tradition, contrasting this with the understandings of human sexuality and sexual morality current in contemporary culture. The primary focus is on a study of magisterial teachings, but the course also includes a presentation of the biblical, historical, social, and pastoral dimensions of sexual issues. Its purpose is also to show the perennial truth of the Catholic teaching on Sexual Morality, taking up issues in sexual morality, exploring the broad meaning of human sexuality, and the differences in male and female sexuality and the significance of these differences. With this clear knowledge, students will be well equipped to communicate effectively the Church’s teaching as pastors of souls or in whatever capacity they serve.
SC 821/TH 861 MA Seminar 3 credits Total credits: 20 TASKS FOR THE SEMINARIANS PURSUING MA DEGREE 1. Complete the MA seminar course. 2. Meet with your MA thesis Director to draft thesis proposal (in accord with the Seminary’s “Thesis Proposal Instructions & Approval Process” document) for review and feedback Spring CONFIGURATION 2
or 3 This seminar is designed for M.A. candidates and focuses on a particular aspect(s) of theological studies. Special attention is paid to the use of reference tools, in-depth research, and the development of the topic as well as oral and written presentations.
Elective 3 credits Total credits: 20 TASKS FOR THE SEMINARIANS PURSUING MA DEGREE 1. You are to take a three-credit elective course in the area of concentration if not already taken. 2. If you do not fulfill your final elective requirement, register for your final elective for the Spring semester. 3. First draft submitted to thesis Director for review and feedback NOVEMBER 1 Spring CONFIGURATION 3
This course for priesthood candidates takes a systematic approach to the theology of priesthood and the practice of celibacy in the Roman Catholic Church by covering the following topics: Jesus Christ as source and model of priesthood; the priesthood of the baptized and the ordained priesthood; the priest and the sacred; the institution of the ministerial priesthood; and the scriptural foundations of the priesthood. Catholic priesthood is understood through the continuity of its development in the Catholic Church. Starting from a reflection on the nature of priesthood in general, the course moves to the study of priesthood in the Old Covenant and how Jesus shows his intention to establish a New Covenant priesthood. Continuing through a survey of the Church Fathers and other writings and magisterial teachings about the priesthood, the class focuses particularly on the teaching of Vatican II and post-conciliar teaching, as well as the renewed rite of ordination. Thus, the course demonstrates how the Catholic priesthood is biblically grounded as instituted by Christ as Catholic tradition has lived it and as it continues to be revitalized under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and Christ the eternal high priest. The last part of the course is an historical, psychological, and spiritual reflection on the charism of celibacy for priests, inspired by Pope Saint John Paul II’s teaching on Theology of the Body. Showing the apostolic origins of celibacy, this class seeks to evoke and deepen its resonance in the total self gift of the priest sharing in the headship of Christ over His Body the Church.
