Systematic Theology

What does it mean to be human in light of the mystery of Christ? As they examine the nature of human freedom through the traditional categories of creation, sin, grace, and eschatology, students will be challenged to employ the riches of the Roman Catholic tradition in articulating the meaning and destiny of their own humanity.

This course takes a comparative approach to the theological inquiry probing fundamental religious questions in relation to African indigenous Religions and Christianity. We will look at the major beliefs and practices of African indigenous Religions and Christianity and their historical development, using primary sources and focusing on how diverse religious approaches might be mutually illuminative.

This course will introduce students to the contemporary trends in theological anthropology. Notions of identity and relationality will be explored theologically, culturally, and philosophically. These will be linked to other social issues like ecology, poverty, racial and economic justice, feminism, grace, and suffering.

Historical development of conflicts, especially over the theory of evolution, and the variety of positions presented today by theologians, scientists, and philosophers.

Systematic reflection upon the doctrine of Christ in its biblical, classical, and contemporary historical perspectives. Students will gain insight into the Church's proclamation of Jesus as the Christ by examining the faith experiences of communities past and present in relation to their own experience of faith.

This course will explore the Catholic theological tradition from a literary perspective, primarily as it finds expression in five novelists whose writing is influenced by that tradition.

An examination of elements of theological reflection in the Roman Catholic tradition, with emphasis on theological method and the development of doctrine. From the starting point of an experience of faith that is personal and communal, historical and eschatological, students will explore the interrelationships among such theological categories as Revelation, Scripture and Tradition, Grace, Christology, and Ecclesiology.

This course will explore the Catholic theological tradition primarily as it finds expression in recent Catholic writing. Some examples of subjects to be discussed include Jesus Christ, Revelation, the Fall of humanity, the problem of evil, the nature of sacraments, and the implications of faith for personal relationships.

This course introduces, explores, and evaluates queer Christian theologies. Examining sources and methods within this burgeoning theological sub-field, it traces developments of queer(ing) theologies—from early turns to Scripture/doctrine affirming same-sex relationships, to efforts revising theologies in light of queer lives—and considers key themes, future possibilities, and impacts on ecclesial and public contexts.

This course explores the central theme of Christian hope and its role in shaping the political, cultural, economic, historical, ecological, and relational experiences of humans in society.

This course will introduce students to both the historical and theological development of interreligious dialogue in the Roman Catholic Church’s tradition. Particular attention will be given to the meaning and purpose of interfaith encounters, identity, culture, memory, history, and politics. We will appropriate insights from theological, cultural, philosophical, and political voices from the global north and south.