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BTI Consortium | Last Updated April 21, 2026 - 6:00PM
CHURCH POLITY & CANON LAW
School
Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry
TMPS8121
Introduction to Canon Law
BTI Category
Semester
Church Polity/Canon Law
FA26
This course examines the nature, history, and sources of Canon Law in the Catholic Church. It presents an overview of the norms provided in the 1983 Code of Canon Law and relevant complementary canonical legislation. This course will focus on general norms (Book I), the People of God (Book II), the teaching munus of the Church (Book III), temporal goods (Book V). Given the current circumstances and issues about the Catholic Church's sexual abuse crisis, a brief presentation of penal law (Book VI) and processes (Book VII) will be offered. This course is recommended as a foundational background for "Canon Law of the Sacraments."
Professor
Class Day & Time
Ponzone, Andrea
R
03:30PM-06:20PM
Credits
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
3
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
Y
Notes
(One year of graduate level theology.)(Free-Form Text)
School
Boston University School of Theology
STHTH 821
History and Doctrine of United Methodism
BTI Category
Semester
Church Polity/Canon Law
FA26
An exploration of Methodist origins, the Wesleys, the rise of Methodism in England, and the distinctive doctrines of Wesleyan theology. There is a particular focus on the development of the various United Methodist traditions in America and their impact on society. The course is designed to meet one of the requirements for membership in a UMC Annual Conference.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Maia, Filipe
R
12:30-3:15 pm
Credits
Letter
Credits
4
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox
CLAW 6012
Canon Law
BTI Category
Semester
Church Polity/Canon Law
FA26
A study of the holy canons understood as practical expressions of doctrinal truth, and their application in the life of the Church. The administrative structute of the local church will also be examined.
Professor
Class Day & Time
V. Rev. Bartholomew J Mercado
W
2:10-4:30 PM
Credits
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
3
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
St John's Seminary
MM502
Survey of Canon Law
BTI Category
Semester
Church Polity/Canon Law
FA26
An introduction to key terms and concepts in canon law through a textual analysis of several topics treated in the 1983 Code of Canon Law including ecclesial structures, the sacraments of initiation and healing, teaching authority, and penal law.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Prof. Shanklin
M
9-11:40 AM
Credits
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
3
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Boston University School of Theology
STHTC 857
Anglican Formation
BTI Category
Semester
Church Polity/Canon Law
FA26
An integrative weekly session incorporating worship, spiritual practice, and group reflection on significant texts within the Anglican spiritual and theological tradition. Students will take turns leading the Daily Office and guiding group conversations. This course aims at grounding students in the Anglican spiritual tradition and helping them to develop their own practices of prayer, worship, and spiritual leadership. It is especially recommended for Anglican/Episcopal students but is open to all regardless of religious tradition.
Professor
Class Day & Time
TBD
TBA
TBA
Credits
Letter
Credits
1
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
Contact registrar for course meeting times (sthregfa@bu.edu).
School
Harvard Divinity School
HDS 2980
Presbyterian Polity
BTI Category
Semester
Church Polity/Canon Law
FA26
This course is designed to establish and develop the student's working knowledge of the constitutional structure of the Presbyterian Church (USA). The primary focus is on current Presbyterian polity and programs, with attention to the denomination's roots in Reformed theology and tradition. A thorough reading of the Confessions and The Book of Order will serve as a basis for discussion of cases that illuminate the implications of reformed theology and polity in the praxis of the church. Offered every other year.
Professor
Class Day & Time
TBD
TBD
Credits
HDS Student Option (LG/SUS/AUD)
Credits
4
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox
DOGM 7025 Z1
Patristic and Conciliar Dogmatics
BTI Category
Semester
Church Polity/Canon Law
FA26
This course will provide a detailed study and analysis of select passages from St John of Damascus� Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, widely regarded as the most accurate and comprehensive summary of patristic and conciliar dogma up to the mid-eighth century. We will use the critical edition by Bonifatius Kotter and the recent
English translation by Norman Russell. References will be made to the work�s use by later authors in both the Eastern and the Western traditions. This course is a valuable addition to core courses in Dogmatics.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Rev. Fr. Demetrios Bathrellos
ASYNC
ASYNC
Credits
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
3
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
Y
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
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