Spring 2024 Course Schedule
SPRING 2024
Most face-to-face courses are available for remote/Synchronous participation.
Please note your preference by choosing section 01A for face-to-face courses or 01B for remote/Synchronous courses.
Search by Focus Area
DOCTRINE | SCRIPTURE |LANGUAGES | PASTORAL THEOLOGY
HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY | MORAL THEOLOGY | SPIRITUALITY
COMPREHENSIVE EXAMS | FIELD EDUCATION | LITURGY | LITURGICAL MUSIC
ONLINE COURSES
DOCTRINE
Sacrament and Worship
Ben Durheim | DOCT 424 / LTGY 424 | 3 credits
1:15-4:25 PM (Mondays) Synchronous Course
The roots of Christian worship in symbol, language, and social dynamics. Theological reflection on the sacramental life in the Church. Contemporary approaches to a theology of sacrament especially in relation to Trinitarian, theology, Christology, Pneumatology, Christian anthropology, and ecclesiology. Cross-listed DOCT 424 / LTGY 424.
Documents of Vatican II
NOTE: This ourse is CLOSED.
Kristin Colberg | DOCT 426 | 3 credits
8:15 AM - 3:30 PM (Satursdays) Synchronous Course
Weekends: Saturdays, 8:30 AM-3:00 PM
January 20, February 10, March 16, April 13
The Second Vatican Council has impacted virtually every area of Catholic life and thought. The council invited and guided the church to know itself and its relation to the world more deeply, and the implications of this enhanced understanding continue to unfold today. This course approaches the Second Vatican Council as a historical and theological event. It examines the development of Vatican II, its final documents and the council's interpretation.
Emphasis will be given to seeing the council as a whole and the way that each particular document -- and all thedocuments together -- are an expression of the council's general aims and overarching goals. Additionally, students will be asked to think independently about the connections between particular documents and how the council's teachings inform contemporary issues.
Theology and Social Justice
Anna Mercedes | DOCT 468 / SPIR 468 | 3 credits
1:15-4:25 PM (Wednesdays) Synchronous Course
Taught within a Social Justice Education framework, this course explores major topics of systematic theology through the lens of social justice. Critical cultural theory informs our theological analysis of social difference and social power. We devote focused attention to the ways in which Christian doctrine can exacerbate social oppression and conversely how doctrine can inform lives of resistance to oppression. Group interaction and invitation for individuals to share their life experience serves as a welcome source of knowledge and creativity in this course, and thus as one "text" among many for our shared learning. We seek to embody as a class the justice we study. Cross listed DOCT 468 / SPIR 468.
Augustine, Aquinas, Luther
Shawn Colberg | DOCT 468 | 3 credits
8:00-11:10 AM (Mondays) Synchronous Course
Few thinkers have exercised greater influence over the Christian theological tradition than Augustine of Hippo, Thomas Aquinas, and Martin Luther. This course will survey and examine the primary contributions of these authors including the way in which their thought has shaped the present state of Christian doctrine. The course will explore each thinker’s context and biography; the central theological debates and questions of their time, and common topics among the three thinkers including (1) Christology (2) salvation, (3) sacraments, and (4) Christian life. Students will have the opportunity to explore how these thinkers engage the past and remain relevant for theology and pastoral ministry today. Cross listed DOCT / HCHR 468.
SCRIPTURE
Reading the New Testament
Charles Bobertz | SSNT 400 | 3 credits
8:00-11:10 AM (Wednesdays) Synchronous Course
A general introduction to the history, literature and theology of the New Testament with special emphasis on reading the strategies appropriate to both pastoral work and further academic study. Particular attention is paid to the Gospels and the Pauline Letters.
Wisdom Tradition
Dale Launderville, OSB | SSOT 414| 3 credits
9:45-11:10 AM (Tuesdays and Thursdays ) Synchronous Course
Introduction to the wisdom material of the Old Testament with special attention given to the historical background of the wisdom tradition, and the structure and content of the wisdom books (especially Proverbs, Job, Qoheleth, Sirach and Wisdom), the development of the OT wisdom tradition in later writings including the New Testament, and the relevance of the wisdom tradition to the present.
PASTORAL THEOLOGY
Pastoral Care: Grief, Illness, and Healing
Kathleen Cahalan | PTHM 409 | 3 credits
1:15-4:25 PM (Wednesdays) Synchronous Course
Pastoral care is the ministry of compassion for the well-being of persons and communities. Traditionally the ministry has included four dimensions of care: healing, guiding, sustaining, and reconciling. This class focuses on healing and sustaining in the midst of loss, grief, illness, dying, and elder care and is grounded in a theology of Christ the healer and good shepherd.
Homiletics
Charles Bobertz | PTHM 417 | 3 credits
6:00-9:15 PM (Tuesdays)
Development of speaking, reading, and preaching skills at the eucharist and in other liturgical contexts: weddings, baptisms, funerals, prayer services for retreats or special events/occasions. Preaching for particular audiences: children, families, elderly; schools, nursing homes, military gatherings. Scripture foundations and homily writing skills. Homily evaluations and feedback practices in pastoral settings.
Note: This course is only available for IN-PERSON registration.
Technology and Ministry
Noreen Herzfeld | PTHM 468 / MORL 468 | 3 credits
1:15-4:25 PM (Thursdays) Synchronous Course
This course will explore some of the ethical questions and challenges to ministry, particularly with youth, raised by new technologies. We will consider genetic engineering and CRISPER, AI and robotics, social media and video games, examining how these new technologies reframe our conception of what it means to be human and form the ground in which we relate to one another, to ourselves, and to God. Cross Listed PTHM 468 and MORL 468.
Evangelization and Catechetics
Daniella Zsupan-Jerome | PTHM 401 | 3 credits
8:15 AM - 3:30 PM (Saturdays) Synchronous Course
Weekends: Saturdays, 8:30 AM-3:00 PM
January 27, February 24, March 23, April 27
This course examines contemporary theologies and principles of evangelization and catechesis; theories of human and faith development; and various models and methods of evangelization and catechesis. Particular attention will be given to advancing catechetical leadership skills in assessment and strategic planning for program improvement.
Theological Research Seminar / Integration Seminar
Daniella Zsupan-Jerome | PTHM 465 / THY 465 | 3 credits
1:00-4:00 PM (Fridays) Synchronous Course
THY 465
The research seminar is designed to direct and guide students in advanced theological research for writing a paper or thesis. The course will focus on types of theological research and audiences; how to make a persuasive case and argument; how to conduct research, identify sources, use them critically, and cite in footnotes and bibliographies; how to organize and construct a major paper; and how to write in a clear and persuasive way. Students will read and engage other student projects in order to enhance their understanding of theological research and writing. This course is open to graduate students in all degree programs.
PTHM 465
Students enrolled in the Master of Divinity program are required to complete a capstone integration project at the conclusion of their degree. The project utilizes a fourfold method of practical theology that guides pastoral practice: description, interpretation, theological reflection, and constructive response. Students will engage in theological research to write a paper and present an oral presentation. The course will focus on theological research and audiences in ministry; how to make a persuasive case and argument; how to conduct research, identify sources, use them critically, and cite in footnotes and bibliographies; how to organize and construct a major paper; and how to write in a clear and persuasive way. Students will read and engage other student projects in order to enhance their understanding of theological research and writing.
Introduction to Ecclesiastical Law
Amy Tadlock | PTHM 420 | 3 credits
6:00-9:15 PM (Mondays) Synchronous Course
Students study the theology, history and general principles of Church law. Students will build capacity to effectively analyze and solve canonical cases.
HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY and MONASTIC STUDIES
History of Christianity II
Michael Rubbelke | HCHR 404 | 3 credits
8:00-9:30 AM (Tuesdays and Thursdays) Synchronous Course
This course will examine the development of the Christian tradition, including the expression of seminal doctrines within the Christian church, from the twelfth century to the present day. The course will explore the main trends in the development of the institution and primary doctrines of the church within the larger philosophical, social, and political contexts of the second millennium, paying attention to the ways in which the lived experience of Christian peoples informs and shapes its thinking.
Augustine, Aquinas, Luther
Shawn Colberg | DOCT 468 | 3 credits
8:00-11:10 AM (Mondays) Synchronous Course
Few thinkers have exercised greater influence over the Christian theological tradition than Augustine of Hippo, Thomas Aquinas, and Martin Luther. This course will survey and examine the primary contributions of these authors including the way in which their thought has shaped the present state of Christian doctrine. The course will explore each thinker’s context and biography; the central theological debates and questions of their time, and common topics among the three thinkers including (1) Christology (2) salvation, (3) sacraments, and (4) Christian life. Students will have the opportunity to explore how these thinkers engage the past and remain relevant for theology and pastoral ministry today. Cross listed with DOCT / HCHR 468.
Wise Women of Early Monasticism
NOTE: This course is CLOSED.
Carmel Posa, SGS | MONS 441 | 1 credit
6:00-8:00 PM (Wednesdays) Synchronous Course
5 class meetings: February 14, February 21, February 28, March 13, March 20
Note: This course will be fully SYNCHRONOUS, with ALL students and instructor on-line.
The contribution and wisdom of women to both theology and spirituality throughout Christian history can often be overshadowed by the ecclesial dominance given to the voices and lives of their male counterparts. Modern scholarship has tried to address this imbalance through the recovery of women’s agency in the historical record. This unit seeks to allow the lives and voices of revered and holy women, such as Syncletica, Mary of Egypt, Thecla, Macrina and Melania from ancient monasticism to find a transformative place in shaping our path to seeking God in a twenty-first century context.
MORAL THEOLOGY
Virtue Ethics
Nickolas Becker, OSB| MORL 428 | 3 credits
6:00-9:15 PM (Mondays)
Synchronous Course
Virtue ethics is a rich strand of the Catholic ethical tradition. The discipline begins with a simple, common human question: what is it to be happy? Christianity proposes a distinctive answer. This this course, we will begin with questions about the good life, continue by examining the role of the passions in making us happy, and finally focus on the virtues as constitutive of human happiness/flourishing. Our readings draw from a range of authors -- Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas, and contemporary theologians. The point of the course is to help students become conversant in this intellectual tradition and articulate in sharing it with others.
Technology and Ministry
Noreen Herzfeld | MORL 468 / PTHM 468 | 3 credits
1:15-4:25 PM (Thursdays) Synchronous Course
This course will explore some of the ethical questions and challenges to ministry, particularly with youth, raised by new technologies. We will consider genetic engineering and CRISPER, AI and robotics, social media and video games, examining how these new technologies reframe our conception of what it means to be human and form the ground in which we relate to one another, to ourselves, and to God. Cross Listed PTHM 468 and MORL 468.
SPIRITUALITY and MONASTIC STUDIES
Theology and Social Justice
Anna Mercedes | DOCT 468\ SPIR 468 | 3 credits
1:15-4:25 PM (Wednesdays) Synchronous Course
Taught within a Social Justice Education framework, this course explores major topics of systematic theology through the lens of social justice. Critical cultural theory informs our theological analysis of social difference and social power. We devote focused attention to the ways in which Christian doctrine can exacerbate social oppression and conversely how doctrine can inform lives of resistance to oppression. Group interaction and invitation for individuals to share their life experience serves as a welcome source of knowledge and creativity in this course, and thus as one "text" among many for our shared learning. We seek to embody as a class the justice we study. Cross-listed DOCT 468 / SPIRT 468.
Discernment in Prayer
Sam Rahberg | SPIR 437 | 0 credits or 1 credit
WEB COURSE
In support of students’ preparation as ministry leaders, this course engages practices of prayerful discernment. Students will learn ways to cultivate awareness of God with their whole selves (thinking, feeling, and bodily sensations), affective, even as they read, write, and interact with others. Special attention will be paid to Benedictine practices.
Course ASYNCHRONOUS ON-LINE January 22-March 1
Group ZOOM meeting Friday, March 1, 4:30-6:00 PM
Wise Women of Early Monasticism
Carmel Posa, SGS | MONS 441 / SPIR 441 | 1 credit
6:00-8:00 PM (Wednesdays) Synchronous Course
5 class meetings: February 14, February 21, February 28, March 13, March 20
Note: This course will be fully SYNCHRONOUS, with ALL students and instructor on-line .
The contribution and wisdom of women to both theology and spirituality throughout Christian history can often be overshadowed by the ecclesial dominance given to the voices and lives of their male counterparts. Modern scholarship has tried to address this imbalance through the recovery of women’s agency in the historical record. This unit seeks to allow the lives and voices of revered and holy women, such as Syncletica, Mary of Egypt, Thecla, Macrina and Melania from ancient monasticism to find a transformative place in shaping our path to seeking God in a twenty-first century context. Cross Listed MONS 468 / SPIR 468.
LITURGY
Sacrament and Worship
Ben Durheim | LTGY 424 / DOCT 424 | 3 credits
1:15-4:25 PM (Mondays) Synchronous Course
The roots of Christian worship in symbol, language, and social dynamics. Theological reflection on the sacramental life in the Church. Contemporary approaches to a theology of sacrament especially in relation to Trinitarian, theology, Christology, Pneumatology, Christian anthropology, and ecclesiology. Cross-listed DOCT 424 / LTGY 424.
Worship: Local Practice, Global Question
Hansol Goo | LTGY 468 | 3 credits
1:15-4:25 PM ( Thursdays ) Synchronous Course
This course will examine contemporary liturgical practices across the globe as loci for exploring fundamental questions in liturgical theology, such as development of liturgical rites, role of symbols and images, presence of God, and participation in the economy of salvation. Students will be introduced to foundations of liturgical theology while critically engaging with history and culture as contexts.
Liturgical Song
Anthony Ruff, OSB | LTGY 428| 3 credits
6:00-9:15 PM ( Wednesdays) Synchronous Course
Fundamental treatment of the nature of the liturgical assembly and the theological basis for sung congregational participation. Introduction to resources for all genres of congregational song – dialogues and chants; psalms, with emphasis on responsorial psalmody; service music and Mass settings; and hymns and songs, including historical survey of repertoire from various cultures. Principles of theological and liturgical appraisal of congregational repertoire.
Liturgical Music Seminar
Anthony Ruff, OSB | LTGY 501 | 1 credit
8:00-9:30 AM (Thursdays)
One credit of classroom study integrated with 1 credit of participation in Chapel Choir. Students in the Seminar do not register separately for Chapel Choir. Foundational study of the theology, history, and official documents on music in worship. Principles for the ministry of cantors, choirs, instrumentalists, and ensembles. Practical aspects of music ministry and the management of a parish music program. Practica in liturgical planning of worship services in Emmaus Chapel, including (for Liturgical Music students) lab conducting of the Chapel Choir. Repeatable; offered in a four-semester sequence. Cross listed with LMUS 501.
FIELD EDUCATION
Clinical Pastoral Education
Kelley Deshler | PTHM 412 | 3 credits
Students participate in a basic unit of an accredited Clinical Pastoral Education program.
Practicum/Theological Reflection
Kelley Deshler| PTHM 459A-F| 1-6 credits
Students work with an organization, project, or parish in the area of their ministerial interest. The supervised experience requires students to integrate theological competence with pastoral practice in developing vocational identity as a public minister, exploring issues of leadership, power and authority; and gaining facility in articulating the Christian faith and in fostering the development of faith with others. Students will reflect on the practice of ministry in theological reflection groups.
- Theological Reflection dates TBA
- Fridays, 1:00-4:00 PM
- + Three sessions Theological Reflection -- Schedule TBA
FOCUS AREAS:
- A-- General Parish
- B-- Homiletics
- C--Spiritual Direction
- D -- Liturgical Music
- E -- Pastoral Care
- F -- Immersion Experience--MACC
MAM Ministry Portfolio
Kelley Deshler | PTHM 598 | 0 credit--registration required
Students preparing for ministerial leadership through the MAM degree are required to document and self-assess their readiness for ministry by developing a Ministry Learning Portfolio and presenting it first to a peer group, and second to faculty review group. The Ministry Learning Portfolios are developed over the duration of one’s degree preparation. MAM degree students are required to present their Ministry Learning Portfolio in their last semester. Offered for S/U grading only.
MDIV Ministry Portfolio
Kelley Deshler | PTHM 599| 0 credit--registration required
Students preparing for ministerial leadership through the MDIV degree are required to document and self-assess their readiness for ministry by developing a Ministry Learning Portfolio and presenting it first to a peer group, and second to faculty review group. The Ministry Learning Portfolios are developed over the duration of one’s degree preparation. MDIV LEM students present mid-degree (39-42 credits), MDIV seminarians (54-60 credits). Offered for S/U grading only.
MDIV Seminary Spiritual Formation
Michael Patella, OSB | SPIR 468 | 3 credits
Times TBA
THM THESIS
Thesis
Charles Bobertz | THY 580 | 6 credits
TBA--Director will arrange meetings with student.
The Thesis is the capstone project for the ThM degree.
COMPREHENSIVE EXAMS
Reading for Comprehensive Exams
Shawn Colberg | THY 598 | 3 credits
Comprehensive Exams
Shawn Colberg | THY 599 | 0 credit--registration only
LITURGICAL MUSIC
Applied Piano
Robert Koopmann, OSB | LMUS 406 | 1 credit
Times TBA
Students will develop technical skills and knowledge of performance practices at the graduate level, including the ability to play a large variety of repertoire fluently and with understanding. Secondary organ students will develop sufficient techniques and familiarity with the instrument to play knowledgeably and/or coach others in parish settings. Open to Liturgical Music students.
Applied Organ
Samuel Holmberg | LMUS 407 | 1 credit
Times TBA
Students will develop technical skills and knowledge of performance practices at the graduate level, including the ability to play a large variety of repertoire fluently and with understanding. Major works of significant periods and schools of organ literature will be studied and performed. Secondary organ students will develop sufficient techniques and familiarity with the instrument to play knowledgeably and/or coach others in parish settings.
Applied Voice
Guehyun Jung | LMUS 408 | 1 credit
Times TBA
Fundamentals of singing and vocal pedagogy (breathing, efficient use of voice, diction, etc.) addressing differing musical styles and their interpretation based on the performance practices of given periods in music history. Study and performance of significant bodies of solo repertoire. Technique and pedagogical skills appropriate to choral directors, section leaders, and coaches for cantors and song leaders.
Applied Composition
Brian Campbell | LMUS 409 | 1 credit
Times TBA
Individualized coaching in advanced composition of sacred music and music appropriate for liturgical use. Work in various forms and styles, depending on the needs and interests of individual students. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor and the liturgical music program director.
Service Playing
Samuel Holmberg | LMUS 433 | 1 credit
Times TBA
This course seeks to develop the qualified church organist as leader and enabler of the assembly's singing. The course will require high proficiency levels of assembly leadership and accompanimental skills (hymns, masses, psalm forms) as well as vocal and choral accompaniment. Students will also develop abilities in sight-reading, modulation, transposing, and extemporization. Open to Liturgical Music Students.
Chapel Choir
Maureen Putnam| LMUS 412 | 0 credits or 1 credit
9:45-11:15 AM (Thursdays)
Liturgical choir open to all graduate students which sings regularly for SOT worship. Choral music in a wide variety of styles including contemporary and world music. Offered every semester. May be taken for 0 or 1 credit.
Liturgical Music Seminar
Anthony Ruff, OSB | LMUS 501 | 2 credits
8:00-9:30 AM (Thursdays)
One credit of classroom study integrated with one credit of participation in Chapel Choir. Students in the Seminar do not register separately for Chapel Choir. Foundational study of the theology, history, and official documents on music in worship. Principles for the ministry of cantors, choirs, instrumentalists, and ensembles. Practical aspects of music ministry and the management of a parish music program. Practica in liturgical planning of worship services in Emmaus Chapel, including (for Liturgical Music students) lab conducting of the Chapel Choir. Repeatable; offered in a four-semester sequence. Cross listed with LTGY 501.
Gregorian Chant II: Advanced
Anthony Ruff, OSB | LMUS 411 | 1 credit
WEB COURSE
Expanded treatment of historical development, modality, solemn psalm tones, Latin pronunciation, and repertoire for liturgical use, with extensive study of lineless notation (St. Gall, Laon) and its application to the interpretation of advanced chant repertoire; advanced conducting. Prerequisite: Gregorian Chant I or equivalent.
Choral Literature
Instructor TBA | LMUS 434 | 1 credit
Class meetings TBA
Survey of repertoire for liturgical choirs, with emphasis on liturgical appropriateness. Practical aspects of programming choral music through the liturgical year and for various rites.
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LANGUAGES
Reading Ecclesial Latin ll
Jason Schlude | LANG 402 | 3 credits
1:50-2:45 PM (Monday/Wednesday/Friday)
Continuation of overview of the grammatical structure of the language and practice in reading short works. The course is graded pass/fail. Note: THis course is only available for IN-PERSON registration.
ONLINE COURSES
Synchronous-- Offered for remote participation– as well as on campus (Distance students attend in real time, participating via ZOOM Conference)
Nearly all regular three-credit courses are available in SYNCHRONOUS format (exceptions: LTGY 501/LMUS 501; PTHM 417; LANG 402)
Asynchronous--Course is offered entirely on the WEB platform
Discernment in Prayer
Sam Rahbeg | SPIR 437 | 0 credits or 1 credit
WEB COURSE
An exploration of how our personal image of God evolves as we discern God's ways of being present to us in prayer and in life. By both studying and practicing discernment of spirits we can become sensitive to inner movements, understanding where they come from and where they lead us. The course includes an introduction to the practice of lectio divina applied to our lived experience.
Course ASYNCHRONOUS ON-LINE January 22 to March 1
Group ZOOM meeting Friday, March 1 (4:30-6:00 PM)
Gregorian Chant II -- Advanced
Anthony Ruff, OSB | LMUS 411 | 1 credit
Asynchronous Course
Expanded treatment of historical development, modality, solemn psalm tones, Latin pronunciation, and repertoire for liturgical use, with extensive study of lineless notation (St. Gall, Laon) and its application to the interpretation of advanced chant repertoire; advanced conducting. Prerequisite: Gregorian Chant I or equivalent.