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BTI Consortium | Last Updated April 11, 2023 - 5:00PM
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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