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Boston College Theology Department

School

Boston College Department of Theology

THEO5009

Encounters of Catholic Faith and Belief to Understand Modern China

BTI Category

Semester

Church History/History of Religions

FA23

Most people are surprised to learn that there are at least 10 million Catholics in contemporary China. This course is an historical introduction to understand that Catholic experience. The nineteenth century was a time of European missionary reengagement with Chinese Catholics. Building on the local faith and devotions, European Catholic missionaries sought to strengthen that faith, convert so-called "pagans" and compete with Protestants. This was a time of theological suffering and hope symbolized by the Boxer Uprising martyrs in 1900. The twentieth century describes a new theological opportunity. We will see how American and European missionaries and Chinese Catholics implemented Catholic encyclicals and adapted theological principles to assist Chinese and peoples of the world in the face of famine, environmental disasters, as refugees, and as witnessesto the Catholic faith before and after the establishment of the Peoples'Republic of China in 1949 till after Tiananmen Square in 1989 also seen as a world religions story. Ultimately, this course serves as an introduction to understand how encounters of Chinese theology contribute to contemporary international Catholic theological relationships.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Robert Carbonneau

TR

10:30-11:45

Grading Option

Letter

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

Grad/Undergrad split

School

Boston College Department of Theology

THEO5426

From Nile to Niger: African Christian Fathers and Mothers of the Church

BTI Category

Semester

Church History/History of Religions

FA23

This course counts as an elective towards the interdisciplinary Minor in Ancient Civilization. Introduction to the Fathers of the Church, with special emphasis on the period after the apostles to the Council of Nicea (A.D. 325). The lives, writings, and teachings of the Church Fathers will be studied through readings in English translation.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Margaret Schatkin

M

3:00-5:20

Grading Option

Letter

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

Grad/Undergrad split

School

Boston College Department of Theology

THEO5569

Johanine Community

BTI Category

Semester

Scripture & Biblical Studies

FA23

Emergence and development of the Johannine community as reflected in the Gospel and epistles of John. Analysis of the gospel text from the perspective of historical-criticism, literary criticism, and theological developments in gospel traditions. Introduces the student to exegetical methodology as well as basis themes in Johannine theology.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Pheme Perkins

M

3:00-5:20

Grading Option

Letter

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

Grad/Undergrad split

School

Boston College Department of Theology

THEO5599

Theology of Food: Eating, Drinking, and the Eucharist

BTI Category

Semester

Systematic Theology & Philosophy (Western)

FA23

Eating and drinking are primordial human experiences that nourish individuals, sustain communities and are at the heart of rituals in many religions. In the Judeo-Christian tradition meals play an important part in the unfolding dialog between God and humanity. Christians believe in a privileged encounter with the Lord Jesus in the Eucharistic meal of bread and wine. Eternal life is portrayed as a great banquet in God's presence. This course articulates a theology of the Eucharist that takes meal as its point of departure. It examines how this central Christian action both shapes the divine-human relationship and informs our response to contemporary issues such as creation and ecology, hunger and suffering, solidarity and exclusion, hope and eternity.

Professor

Class Day & Time

William N. Bergin

T

3:00-5:20

Grading Option

Letter

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

Grad/Undergrad split

School

Boston College Department of Theology

THEO7037

Practical Theological Ethics and Global Christianity

BTI Category

Semester

Ethics (All Traditions)

FA23

The doctoral seminar explores four selected topics in contemporary practical theological ethics: bioethics, sustainability, politics, and theological ethics in the local and global Church. By engaging the contributions of representative, diverse theological-ethical voices in global Christianity from the Global South particularly from Asia, Africa, and Latin America the seminar aims to strengthening the students familiarity with current global scholarship on these topics.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Andrea Vicini, SJ

M

2:00-4:20

Grading Option

Letter

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

Masters and Doctoral

School

Boston College Department of Theology

THEO7044

Genealogies of Catholicism: Medieval & Modern Trinitarian Theology

BTI Category

Semester

Systematic Theology & Philosophy (Western)

FA23

The primary pedagogical goal of the seminar will be to provide a substantial, genealogical introduction to the fundamental concerns and challenges in contemporary trinitarian theology by tracing its premodern origins and modern/post-modern expressions. The course will begin with the two most influential expressions of medieval theologies of the Trinity, namely, those of Bonaventure and Aquinas. It will then turn to the twentieth century and focus on three distinct versions of trinitarian theology, that of Bernard Lonergan, Hans Urs von Balthasar, and Sarah Coakley.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Boyd Coolman and Jeremy Wilkins

T

3:00-5:20

Grading Option

Letter

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

Masters and Doctoral

School

Boston College Department of Theology

THEO7049

The Council of Nicea (325): Theology and Discipline

BTI Category

Semester

Church History/History of Religions

FA23

The Council of Nicaea (325) is crucial event that shaped both Christian theology and life. Although its main impact revolved around the development of Trinitarian theology, its canonical legislation became a reference point for subsequent Christian discipline. Therefore, the seminar addresses these two aspects. The first part of it deals with the Trinitarian debate, namely, the so-called Arian crisis and focuses on the analysis of contemporary documents rather than fifth-century Christian historians (Fernndez). The second part of the seminar addresses the twenty disciplinary canons of the council, their antecedents and reception (Hunter).

Professor

Class Day & Time

David G Hunter and Samuel Fernandez

W

10:00-12:25

Grading Option

Letter

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

Masters and Doctoral

School

Boston College Department of Theology

THEO7657

God and Creation

BTI Category

Semester

Systematic Theology & Philosophy (Western)

FA23

This seminar will survey and critically assess several contemporary theologies of creation, particularly as they articulate the God-world relation. In addition to exploring how these theologies engage scripture, doctrine, and historical trends in philosophy and theology, the seminar will highlight such topics as�creatio ex nihilo, divine action, divine passibility, divine self-communication, creaturely self-transcendence, freedom, relationality, and contingency. Figures for consideration include J�rgen Moltmann, Catherine Keller, Henri de Lubac, Karl Rahner, Elizabeth Johnson, John Haught, Herbert McCabe, and Sara Grant.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Brian Robinette

W

1:00-3:50

Grading Option

Letter

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

DOCTORAL

School

Boston College Department of Theology

THEO7762

Christian Ethics: Major Figures

BTI Category

Semester

Ethics (All Traditions)

FA23

Will consider fundamental questions in Christian theological ethics. Major issues are Scripture and ethics, nature and grace, Christian ethics and philosophy or "reason," and faith and social action or politics. Two areas of applied ethics will be emphasized: (1) just war and pacifism; and (2) gender, sex, marriage. The approach will be both historical or descriptive, and critical or normative. Authors include Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, Calvin, Menno Simons. This course is for doctoral students only.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Lisa Cahill

T

4:30-6:50

Grading Option

Letter

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

Masters and Doctoral

School

Boston College Department of Theology

THEO7803

Graeca

BTI Category

Semester

Scripture & Biblical Studies

FA23

Rapid reading in Jewish Greek texts (LXX, Philo, Josephus), with an introduction to research in the authors treated, for students who have completed Intermediate Greek.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Pheme Perkins

W

1:00-3:25

Grading Option

Letter

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

Y

Notes

PREREQ: Intermediate Greek

School

Boston College Department of Theology

THEO5372

Patristic Greek

BTI Category

Semester

Languages

FA23

This course is continued in the spring as THEO5373 New Testament Greek II.. This two-semester course is designed for the student with no previous knowledge of ancient Greek to develop reading and translating skills in Patristic Greek language by mastering the fundamental principles of Greek grammar and syntax and acquiring a basic reading vocabulary. The student becomes familiar with the meaning of Greek words, their forms and structure, and their customary arrangement in sentences. A secondary goal of this course is to serve as a foundation for further studies in Patristic Greek.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Margaret Schatkin

TR

10:30-11:45

Grading Option

Letter

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

Grad/Undergrad split

School

Boston College Department of Theology

THEO5437

Jewish/Christians Reading Bible

BTI Category

Semester

Interreligious Learning

FA23

This course compares how core themes in the scriptures of Israel have been received, interpreted, and disputed in their classical texts by both the Jewish and Christian communities. It will juxtapose these received readings with contemporary interpretative methods informed by the modern turn to Jewish-Christian understanding. Themes explored include creation, election, covenant, and commandment. This co-taught course will be an intentional exercise in interreligious dialogue.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Ruth Langer and Daniel Joslyn-Siematkoski

R

4:30-6:50

Grading Option

Letter

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

Grad/Undergrad split

School

Boston College Department of Theology

THEO5572

Intermediate Biblical Hebrew I

BTI Category

Semester

Languages

FA23

The course begins with a refresher of the basic grammar learned in Introduction to Biblical Hebrew I and II. Students will deepen their familiarity with Hebrew grammar and syntax. Strong emphasis is placed on reading and translating narrative selections directly from the Hebrew Bible. Texts for study will include passages from Genesis, Samuel, Jonah, and Ruth, among others.

Professor

Class Day & Time

David Vanderhooft

TR

12:00-1:15

Grading Option

Letter

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

Y

Notes

PREREQ: Introductory Biblical Hebrew I and II; Grad/Undergrad split

School

Boston College Department of Theology

THEO7018

Priesthood, Celibacy, and Authority in Ancient Christianity

BTI Category

Semester

Church History/History of Religions

FA23

In the late antique and early medieval periods the eastern and western branches of Christianity developed distinctive practices in regard to the marriage, celibacy, and sexual continence of the clergy. By the sixth century the eastern churches, for the most part, required celibacy of bishops, but allowed presbyters and deacons to marry prior to ordination. By the late fourth century the western churches, by contrast, attempted to enforce permanent sexual continence on the three highest ranks of the clergy, but did not refrain from ordaining married men. The eastern tradition was enshrined in the sixth-century legislation of Emperor Justinian and in the canons of the seventh-century Council in Trullo; the Western tradition is found in papal letters of the late fourth century, as well as in several of the Latin Fathers (Ambrose, Jerome, Ambrosiaster). Our aim in this course is to explore these diverse traditions and to discern the reasons behind these historical developments. We will study the emergence of the offices of bishop, presbyter, and deacon in the early church, the gradual appropriation of hieratic terminology ("priest" and "priesthood"), and the role of regulations such as single marriage, sexual continence, and complete celibacy in defining the authority of the clergy.

Professor

Class Day & Time

David G. Hunter

M

4:30-6:50

Grading Option

Letter

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

Masters and Doctoral

School

Boston College Department of Theology

THEO7043

The Book of Genesis

BTI Category

Semester

Scripture & Biblical Studies

FA23

The book of Genesis is undoubtedly the most read and commented-on book in the Hebrew Bible. In this course we will study the Hebrew text of Genesis, the context of its composition in ancient Judah, and its modern scholarly interpretation. We will also engage with related materials from Mesopotamia and its reception history. Knowledge of biblical Hebrew is expected.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Jeffery L Cooley

M

3:00-5:20

Grading Option

Letter

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

Y

Notes

Masters and Doctoral; PREREQ: Knowledge of Biblical Hebrew Expected

School

Boston College Department of Theology

THEO7045

The Gospels and Acts in Literary Perspective

BTI Category

Semester

Scripture & Biblical Studies

FA23

Only within the last four decades have literary theory and methodology begun to take their place alongside traditional historical methods in the critical study of New Testament narrative. In this seminar we will trace the emergence of literary approaches within the discipline, map and evaluate the diversity of literary critical methods advocated by leading theorists, and develop knowledge and skills for interpreting the Gospels and Acts not simply as rough repositories of historical data, but as integrated literary works. We will give special attention to basic narrative elements (e.g., narration, plot, characterization, settings, timing, rhetoric) and to the roles of readers and critics in the generation of meaning.

Professor

Class Day & Time

John A Darr

W

10:00-12:25

Grading Option

Letter

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

Masters and Doctoral

School

Boston College Department of Theology

THEO7507

Theology of Religions/Comparative Theology

BTI Category

Semester

Interreligious Learning

FA23

This seminar will focus on the various theological positions which have been developed with regard to the reality of religious pluralism as well as on the relationship between theology of religions and comparative theology. While we will focus mainly on the works of Christian theologians, we will also pay attention to analogous developments in other religious traditions.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Catherine M Cornille

T

10:00-12:25

Grading Option

Letter

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

DOCTORAL

School

Boston College Department of Theology

THEO7673

The Minor Prophets: Judgement, Justice, Restoration

BTI Category

Semester

Scripture & Biblical Studies

FA23

The seminar will investigate the corpus of the Book of the Twelve, sometimes called the Minor Prophets. Emphasis will be on the first nine books, from which students will read substantial selections in Hebrew. The course will emphasize philological precision, exegetical skills, critical methods, and theological interpretation. Recent scholarly approaches to understanding the corpus will figure prominently. Students will also have the opportunity to read Qumran commentaries on the Twelve directly from original photographs.

Professor

Class Day & Time

David Vanderhooft

T

3:00-5:20

Grading Option

Letter

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

Y

Notes

DOCTORAL; 4 Semesters of College Level Hebrew or equivalent

School

Boston College Department of Theology

THEO7763

Forgiveness: Theological and Philsophical Issues

BTI Category

Semester

Ethics (All Traditions)

FA23

This graduate course will examine theological and philosophical interpretations of forgiveness and related topics such as guilt, repentance, and accountability. We will focus on various accounts of what it means to forgive a wrongdoer, what it means to be forgiven, and how forgiveness is related to reconciliation. We will also examine whether and, if so, how forgiveness might pertain not only to interpersonal but also intrapersonal and collective wrongdoing. Special attention will be placed on the relation of forgiveness to the virtues of mercy and justice. Readings will include historical figures such as Thomas Aquinas, Joseph Butler, and Fredrich Nietzsche, contemporary philosophers Nicholas Wolterstorff, Martha Nussbaum, and Charles Griswold, and contemporary theologians Miroslav Volf, Anthony Bash, and James Alison. Course requirements: class participation, one seminar presentation, final paper. This is intended for advanced MA and PhD students.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Stephen J Pope

W

10:00-12:25

Grading Option

Letter

Credits

3

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Online?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

DOCTORAL; Class Participation; seminar presentation; final paper. Intended for advanced masters or PhD students

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