V. Ethics A. Foundational Studies

B. Church, Society and Public Ethics

ANTS ETHI 616S
Deconstruction in Public Discourse: Reading the Iraq War
In this course, we will use the text-interpretation strategy of deconstruction to interpret the multiple meanings within our public discourse regarding the current War in Iraq. We will explore the ethics of and within the public discourse about the war. Prerequisite: ETHI 601 or 602.
Dixon M 9-11:50 Spring

ANTS ETHI 644F
Economics and Ethics
(description unavailable)
Wariboko W 9-11:50 Fall

ANTS ETHI 718/818F
The Ethics of Peacemaking
This course reads several world conflicts from various power perspectives and from within the context of Just Peace theory and post-colonial analysis. This course fulfills the ETHI upper-level requirement.
Dixon Th 6-8:50 Fall

ANTS ETHI 736F
Womanist/Feminist Ethics
This course examines the ethical thinking of women from various cultural locations using the framework of Dr. Katie G. Cannon’s “Dance of Redemption”. Prerequisite: ETHI 601 or 602. Limit: 15.
Dixon T 2-4:50 Fall

ANTS ETHI 780/880F
With Head and Heart: The Life and Writings of Howard Thurman
This course will explore the ministerial and theological contributions of Howard Thurman, with a special emphasis on his integration of deepening spirituality and daring justice making. This course fulfills the ETHI upper-level requirement.
K. Jones Th 9-11:50 Fall

ANTS ETHI 780/880S
With Head and Heart: The Life and Writings of Howard Thurman
This course will explore the ministerial and theological contributions of Howard Thurman, with a special emphasis on his integration of deepening spirituality and daring justice making. This course fulfills the ETHI upper-level requirement.
K. Jones Th 2-4:50 Spring

ANTS INTE 601Y
Justice Matters
An analysis of forms of social oppression and methods of engaging them, including exploration, dialogue, and advocacy. [Year-long course; Alternate Fridays (2-4:50pm); September 14, 28; October 12, 26; November 9, 30; February 1, 15, 29; March 14, 28; April 11, 25]
Nienhuis F 2-4:50 Fall/ Spring

ANTS THEO 672S
Faith and Justice: Liberation Theologies in the United States
Liberation theologies are widely acclaimed as the principal forms of prophetic thought and action in our contemporary age. Simply put, these are modes of theological discourse that rethink human existence, social life, the meaning(s) of faith, the Christian doctrines, and overall religious or church practice by placing attention on the non-subjects of history--those who have been oppressed and have been denied voice and positive identity in history. This course considers the emergence and development of the different types of liberation theologies that have come into existence in the United States. Black/African American, Feminist, Hispanic/Latino(a), and ecological theologies, among others, are examined.
Valentin T 9-11:50 Spring

BC TH 351
Faith Elements in Conflicts:
The Role of Theological Positions in the Fomenting or Resolution of Conflict
Religious differences appear often to figure in the dehumanization of enemies and rationalization of violence. This course will look at the way key concepts such as revelation, election and universality in various religions, especially in sectarian guise, affect the origins and progress of violent conflicts, and will ask to what extent such employment of these concepts betrays the religions themselves. It will also examine how far the institutional interests of religious bodies make them vulnerable to manipulation by other parties engaged in any given conflict, and how the religious elements and loyalties relate to other interests that figure in such conflicts.
Helmik T 3-5:20 Spring

BC TH 352
Israelis and Palestinians: Two Peoples, Three Faiths
The parties in the Middle Eastern Conflict came, in 1993, to a watershed agreement, which had eluded them earlier, to recognize one another's legitimacy as peoples. The agreement has been difficult to maintain and to withdraw, and has figured massively in the turbulent events in the region since that time. This course examines how, in the whole history of the conflict, the elements of ethnicity and faith have contributed to the hatreds and resentments of these peoples, and the extent to which mutual acceptance and respect at these levels of faith and ethnicity can contribute to healing the conflict.
Helmick T 2-4:25 Fall

BC TH 405
Christianity and Politics
This seminar will examine how the Christian tradition has understood basic questions of the political order, e.g. the nature, purpose and role of the state; the church's mission to the political order; the church and democracy; church-state relations in the U.S. context; law and morality; states and the international order.
K Himes Th 2-4:15 Spring

BC TH 406
War & Peacemaking in Eastern Christianity
The purpose of this course is to study the concepts of war and peace in Eastern Christianity. Despite its compelling record on pacifism, the Church had occasionally derailed from this position due to heretical attitudes in defining and identifying ‘the enemy,’ as well as due to pressures from political authorities. In the first part of this course, a focused literature review of patristic writings, liturgical compositions, Canon Law and selected contemporary writings will be conducted for the purpose of identifying the core position of the Eastern Church on violence and peacemaking. In the second part of the course, themes such as ‘evil’ and ‘dualism’ will be analyzed for the purpose of comprehending heretical attitudes that emerged during times of war (e.g. demonizing of enemies), while political themes such as Just War and Nationalism will be explored for the purpose of identifying instances when members of the Church sanctioned defensive violence and fostered a version of nationalism that contradicted Christian universalism. The third part of this course will explore peacemaking methods developed throughout Eastern Christianity in light of the tripartite dimension of violence (against oneself, against God and against another human being), when managing human passions towards “fighting the good fight.”
Simion Th 3-5:50 Spring

BC TH 504
Seminar: Ethics and International Studies
Permission of the instructor. The Seminar in International Studies will examine the evolution of individual and group rights throughout the history of modern international relations, but with special attention to the post-World War II period. The unifying question is how individuals and groups obtain fundamental civil, political, social and economic rights not only within the states but also across them.
Dietrich T 3-4:50 Fall

BC TH 539
Humanitarian Crises and Refugees: Ethical, Political,& Religious Responses
Permission of professor required. Contemporary humanitarian crises; the forced migration resulting from many of these crises; moral theories relevant to such crises and the needs of refugees; the relation between such crises and the ethics of both warfare and economic justice; and elements of response by political, religious and civil communities today.
Hollenbach T 3-4:50 Spring

BC TH 563
Ethics, Religion and International Politics
Permission of professor required. An examination of the role of religion in international politics and of ethical approaches to international affairs. Special emphasis will be given to religion as a source of conflict, religious communities as transnational agents for justice, protection of human rights, and peace; the historical development and contemporary formulations of ethical norms for the use of force, ethical and religious contributions to reconciliation and solidarity.
Hollenbach M W 3- Fall
Owens T Th 3 - Spring

BC TH 606
Justice and Reconciliation
This course will consider theological and philosophical questions posed by the ethics of reconciliation in the social and political realms: In what respects are the reconciliation of peoples related to the themes of justice, liberation, reparation, and forgiveness? What are the appropriate forms of moral discourse invoked in assessing genocide, "ethnic cleansing," institutional racism, or the systematic rape of victims? In what respects are distinctively theological interpretations possible or necessary? This course explores the ethical dimensions of reconciliation, examining the interrelated aspects of justice, reconciliation, reparation, historical memory, and forgiveness. It gives special attention to recent attempts at public reconciliation.
Pope W 12-1:50 Fall

BC TH 687
Catholic Theological Ethics: 1300-1900
A survey of major figures in theological ethics: Duns Scotus; William of Ockham; Jean Gerson; Antoninus of Florence; Desiderius Erasmus; John Mair; Bartolome de las Casa; Juan Gines de Sepulveda; Francisco de Vitoria; Dominic Soto; Bartolome Medina; Council of Trent (1545-1563); Francesco de Toldeo; Thomas Sanchez; Francisco Suarez; Antonio Escobar; Blaise Pascal; Alphonsus Liguori; Johann Michael Sailer; Johann Baptist von Hirscher; Thomas Slater.
Keenan T 2-4:20 Spring

BC TH 747
Narcotics in America: Issue of Public Empowerment
This course probes the drug phenomenon in its social, cultural and legal complexity in American society. It analyzes the history of what might be called a narcotics infestation and the economic, political and legal support for it as well as attempts to control or legislate aspects of it. The social and ethical implications of drug use and trafficking will be presented and attention given to the way it has ensnared a large part of the population in an unchosen and destructive course, supported by powerful forces within the society for gain.
Helmick & Petersen W 3-5:20 Spring

BC TH 994
Education and Ministry for Justice
The intent of this course is to help students become familiar with tools of analysis around issues of justice, to make connections with the Catholic tradition’s theological foundations for justice and to utilize appropriate and effective educational processes for teaching and ministry. The course begins with an investigation of the tools of social analysis as a means of getting beneath the surface of issues of injustice. Following that is a brief review of Catholic Social Teachings, as a means of offering a theological foundation for educating for justice around issues. From there the course looks at educational methods from the early 20th century to the present, methods that reflect an understanding that education itself is a work of justice. The course will conclude with an opportunity for students to integrate tools of investigation and analysis on an issue of justice; Catholic Social Teachings; and appropriate methodology for effective education. The hope for the course is that students will develop and refine effective educational practices around justice.
O’Keefe W 10-12:30 Spring

BU STH TS 819
Engaging Conflict Well
This course is a response to the experience of destructive conflict in the Church and in the world as well as the call to be ministers of reconciliation (II Corinthians 5:18) and peacebuilders. This requires the conversion of attitudes about conflict, the development of skills and the practice of processes that transform conflict into opportunities for learning, growth, healing, new relationships and stronger communities. The focus of our reflection will be both on the Church and the communities and world served by the Church. We will work to bring together the theology, theory and practice of faith based conflict transformation and restorative justice.
Petersen & Porter M 1-4 Fall

BU STH TS 829
Christian Ecological Ethics and Political Issues
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the character and dimensions of the ecological crisis, and to help them reflect theologically and ethically on ecological problems and proposed solutions, especially in public policy. The course will explore: The multiple forms of ecological problems and the ethical issues in each; the implications of the central affirmations of the Christian faith for the formation of ecological ethics; the nature of Christian love and justice in ecological contexts, current national and international policy debates in ecological concerns; directions for public policy that are theologically, ethically, socially, ecologically, and strategically coherent; and the role of the churches in responding to ecological concerns. Also offered as STH TS 929 for doctoral students.
Hart Th 2-5 Fall

BU STH TS 837
Comparative Religious Ethics
Philosophical and religious perspectives in the meaning of the good life and the good society. Comparative study of social ethics in Christianity and other world religions with particular attention to one or two selected contemporary issues, such as the erosion of community, economic problems, humanity's relationship to the environment, and human rights.
Chung F 9:30-12:30 Fall

BU STH TS 845
Christian Social Ethics
Comparative study of historical and contemporary approaches to the nature, sources, methods, and concepts of Christian morality in Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Orthodox tradition.
Hart W 3:30-6:30 Spring

BU STH TS 846
Religion and Society in East Asia
Comparative and historical study of the interaction of religion and society in East Asia. Particular attention to the relation of Christianity to Asian religions. The role of religion in modernization. Also offered as STH TM 846.
Chung W 3-6 Fall

BU STH TS 862
Global Ethics in Cultural Contexts
An in-depth study of distinctive approaches to economic, ethnic, gender and political justice in diverse regions: North America, Latin America, Africa, Asia and Israel/Palestine. Liberation theology perspectives–African American, Feminist, Womanist, Mujerista, Latin American, Native American, Asian, African, Jewish and Palestinian–will provide bases for developing transcultural social ethics. Also offered as TS 962 for Doctoral level students.
Hart T 2-5 Fall

BU STH TS 863
Literature of Memory III: Faith and Tragedy
From antiquity to modern times, writers have tried to capture what is essential in human nature by composing tragedies. What defines tragedy? How does the tragic form provide occasions for ethical examination? We will explore tragic literature from Sophocles to Miller and from Shakespeare to Shaw, as well as theories of tragedy from Aristotle to Brecht. Prerequisite: 400-level course in the Humanities or upper-level literature class. Preference given to seniors & graduate students; stamped approval from the instructor’s office required.  
Wiesel M 12-2 Fall

BU STH TS 870
Literature of Memory IV: Hope and Despair in Chasidism
Lecture: A1, Tuesday 8:30 – 10 am and Discussion Section: B1, Tuesday 10 – 10:50 am or B2, Tuesday 12:30 – 1:20 pm The Chasidic revolution, originating in Eastern Europe, altered the course of religious history by introducing radically innovative models of spiritual life that remained grounded in classical Jewish tradition. This course will constitute an exploration of the central tension in the movement between the Chasidic emphasis on joy and the experience of despair. How does one find hope in desperate times? How do fundamental principles impact a community's ability to generate constructive belief in the face of anguish? We will examine the ways in which some of the great Jewish religious figures of the 18th and 19th centuries negotiated choices surrounding faith and melancholy, dealt with the temptation to despair and fostered hope among others. Prerequisite: 400-level course in the Humanities or upper-level literature class. Preference given to seniors & graduate students; stamped approval from the instructor’s office required.
Wiesel T 8:30-10 Fall

BU STH TS 929
Christian Ecological Ethics and Political Issues
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to aspects and dimensions of the ecological crisis; to help them reflect theologically and ethically on ecological problems; to develop or enhance their particular faith tradition’s theoretical and practical engagement with ecological issues; and to formulate public policy possibilities and practical projects to address and seek to solve ecological problems. Also offered as TS 829 for Masters level students.
Hart Th 2-5 Fall

BU STH TS 962
Global Ethics in Cultural Contexts
An in-depth study of distinctive approaches to economic, ethnic, gender and political justice in diverse regions: North America, Latin America, Africa, Asia and Israel/Palestine. Liberation theology perspectives–African American, Feminist, Womanist, Mujerista, Latin American, Native American, Asian, African, Jewish and Palestinian–will provide bases for developing transcultural social ethics. Also offered as TS 862 for Masters level students.
Hart T 2-5 Fall

BU STH TS 961
History of Western Ethics and Social Philosophy
(description unavailable)
Faramelli M 9-12 Fall

EDS T 3050
Sexuality and the Social Order
This course offers a critical exmaniation of both personal and social dimension of human sexuality, and investigation into the meaning of sexual justice for church and society, and an opportunity to frame a constructive social ethic of sexuality for “keeping body and soul together” in these times. Same as E/CS 3050.
Ellison Daily 3-5 Summer (June 16-27, 2008)

EDS E 2605
Feminist/Womanist/Mujerista Ethics:
Christian Social Ethics in Women’s Voices
This is an exploration of the various communities of women’s voices in Christian social ethics. Participants will focus on critical feminist theories, methods, and issues for Christian ethics, including biblical, theological, historical, literary, and sociological sources.
Martin W 1-3 Spring

EDS E 2271
Contemporary Issues in Christian Social Ethics:
The Church and Class in the U.S. and Global Economy
Readings, lectures, and speakers will engage students in developing a theological-ethical and practical understanding of class issues in churches, U.S., and global societies and economies. Students will participate in class presentations and leadership. Same as T 2271 and CS 2271.
Martin W 3-5 Fall

EDS PT 1301
Changing Racism: A Personal Approach to Anti-oppression Work
Course participants will learn how to identify modern racism and other forms of systemic oppression at personal, interpersonal, organizational, and cultural levels. They will see how prejudice displays itself in everyday life, in both obvious and subtle ways. Further, they will come to understand how organizational structures (i.e., the church, faith communities, and agencies, etc.) can perpetuate racism even among well intentioned individuals. Participants will learn approaches for changing personal level racism and for working cooperatively to dismantle oppressive practices. The course is both didactic and experiential. Offered annually.
Kondrath, Montagno TBA Spring (Feb 15-16; Mar 7-8, 2008)

GC SE 571
Christian Ethics and Social Issues
Seeks to develop the student’s theological-ethical reflections, social analysis, and types of action for ministering to crucial social issues. Our three-step approach will be: 1) clarification, 2) conceptualization, and 3) confrontation. Issues include: urbanization, economic justice, and environmental ethics. Meets in Boston
Villafane TBA Spring

GC CH/CO/ET 602
Human Sexuality: Issues and Ethics in the Ancient and Modern Worlds
Examines Christian responses to sexual practices and values of the ancient world and contemporary society, beginning with a study of the early church’s relationship to standards and practices of its Jewish and Greco-Roman environments, and then investigating current evangelical views.
Kroeger W 1:15-4:15 Fall
Wiley TBA January Meets in Boston

GC SE 632
Christianity and the Problem of Racism
Multiethnic and interactive class examines racism in terms of a black and white paradigm. A multidisciplinary analysis of this major social problem. Course includes graphic presentations, biblical, psycho-social and ethical principles leading to challenging discussions.
Borgman & Gaskin TBA Spring Meets in Boston

HC ETHC 6102
Orthodox Christian Social Ethics
A study of social ethics from an Orthodox Christian perspective. The course will focus on developing skills, through a study of methods and sources, necessary to analyze contemporary social problems and to make ethical judgments on such issues as church and politics, poverty, war, culture, the environment and other current topics.
Patitsas TBA Spring

HC ETHC 7132
Bioethics
This seminar will consider end of life, origin of life, and medical ethical issues from an Orthodox perspective. In particular, students will be challenged to ask what difference an Orthodox Christian anthropology would make in treating these cases. The course will make use of texts by Fr. John Breck, Tristram Engelhardt, and the Blackwell Reader in bioethics.
Patitsas TBA Spring

HDS 2329
Women and Religion: Seminar
This course examines how religion (i.e. institutionalized social and cultural structures of belief and practice) functions to shape and inform womens individual and collective experiences. We focus on constructions of women and womens roles in various contexts. The broad perspective of the course is cross-cultural and trans-historical; our primary concern is womens experience within Western cultural traditions. In every case, religion will be considered against the background of social, cultural, and political realities.
Denzey TBA Fall

HDS 2524
Religion and American Public Life
An overview of the issues that arise within American democracy concerning the public role of religion. This course will cover issues in public theology, religion and democratic political theory, and constitutional law, including church/state relations. It will conclude with a case study in public policy, considering such issues as religion and gay/lesbian marriage, religion and warfare, and/or religion and welfare policy.
Thiemann TBA Spring

HDS 2544
Islam Through Western Christian Eyes
From the time of the Prophet until today Christians have interpreted Islam in a variety of ways in literature, poetry, art, theology, and films.Many images are constantly re-circulated. Beginning with early and classical medieval and Reformation Christian depictions, we will then consider contemporary western images of Muslims and Islam and how these depictions influence western political and religious attitudes. Prerequisite: Some previous study of Islam. Enrollment limited to 12.
Cox TBA Spring

HDS 2690
Doctoral Colloquium in Religion, Gender, and Culture
This colloquium is required for all pre-generals doctoral students as well as for those admitted as ThM students in Religion, Gender and Culture. Doctoral students from other departments or BTI schools as well as advanced master's-level students who intend to apply to the RGC program or plan to major in this field of study should contact the instructor in advance. The colloquium will explore key-topics and works in women's/gender/feminist studies in religion. May be taken on a Sat/Unsat basis only.
Ahmed TBA Spring

HDS 2914
Organizing: People, Power, and Change
"In democratic countries, knowledge of how to combine is the mother of all other forms of knowledge: on its progress depends that of all others," De Tocqueville stated. To meet the challenges of equity, accountability, and responsiveness, democracy requires an "organized" citizenry with the power to articulate and assert its interests effectively. New democracies struggle to make effective citizen participation possible, while citizen participation in the United States declines and becomes more unequal. Organizers revitalize old democratic institutions and create new ones. Students learn to view social, economic, and political problems from an organizer's perspective, and to act on these problems using a "praxis" of organizing: "mapping" power and interests, developing leadership, building relationships, motivating participation, devising strategy, and mobilizing action to create organizations and conduct campaigns. Principles common to community, electoral, union, and issue organizing are emphasized.
Ganz TBA Spring

HDS 2916
Religion, Democracy and Education
The focus of this course is to develop an understanding of the evolving relationship between religion, secularism, democracy and public education in the United States. Our exploration will include 1) a historical review of the relationship between religion and public education in the U.S. with special attention to pivotal Supreme Court decisions that have shaped public policy discourses in these areas over the past half century; 2) a consideration of the social and moral consequences that stem from privileging economically driven definitions of secularism and democracy as the normative ideologies of the public sphere; and 3) an historical and contemporary analysis of differing views regarding the nature and purpose of public education and the role of religion in those debates. Final projects may focus on the legal, political or curricular dimensions of the course. Required for those enrolled in the PRSE program but open to others.
Moore TBA Fall

HDS 2918
Education for Liberation
The course will explore the educational implications of liberation theology with particular attention to developing educational methods to facilitate a critical awareness of the social/political context of learning and educational resources for justice-based ministry. The course will draw on critical education theory in combination with resources of liberation theology.
Richardson TBA Fall

HDS 2808
Religion, Secularism, and Common Morality
Is there a secular or autonomous morality independent of religious traditions? Or do religions have distinctive moral visions? Unique moral vocabularies and incommensurable standards? Is moral reasoning relative to historical and cultural context? Is truth? Critics such as Alasdair MacIntyre, who link the autonomy of morality to the "Enlightenment Project", charge that the search for universal grounds outside culture and tradition is fruitless, for moral judgments have their home in particular and diverse traditions and practices. Other critics not only dismiss universal grounds, but universal truth. Justifications and claims to truth are masks of power, or are simply otiose; we don't need them to tell our stories and live according to our values. MacIntyre's Three Rival Versions of Moral Inquiry will frame the debate.
Reeder TBA Spring

HDS 2809
Justice and Love
Are there varieties of love? At least these four basic questions arise: l) Can love trump justice, or vice-versa? Is love the basis of social justice? Or do love and justice belong in different spheres, "private" and " public", "ethics" and "politics"? Is the distinction between love and justice gendered? 2) Does the other become "another myself"? Is compassion a form of love in which one identifies the other's weal and woe with one's own? Or does one empty oneself for the other? 3) Is love for someone different than love for anyone? Can we love the stranger and even the enemy as well as the friend? Which has priority: "impartial love" (agape), or love of particular persons("special relations")? 4) Is the content of love wholly concrete and in no way abstract? What informs love's response in a particular context? Is love opposed to "reason", or is love as an emotion inherently cognitive? Or does the "singularity" of the other escape conceptualization altogether? Cates, Kierkegaard and Levinas.
Reeder TBA Fall

HDS 2836
Feminist Ethics
What is feminist about feminist ethics? Feminist philosophers and theologians have developed ethical models that constitute alternatives to traditional approaches to ethics. This course begins with a discussion of these feminist contributions to the development of ethical reflection within moral philosophy and religious ethics. We will look at the ways in which these models attempt to revise and rethink aspects of religious ethics that have disregarded women's moral experience. One of the goals of this course will be to analyze and reflect critically upon the way in which feminist theory influences applied religious ethics. We will discuss feminist critiques of a variety of religious traditions as well as exploring the implications for sexual ethics, bioethics, and social ethics. Enrollment limited to 30.
Proctor TBA Fall

HDS 2838
Christian Ethics and Modern Society
This introductory survey course explores debates about the relationship between Christian concepts of community and character and modern liberal democracy which emphasizes principles such as freedom and equality. We begin this course with a discussion of the basic methods and tools in Christian ethics and then turn our attention to address the encounter between Christian ethics and secular ethics. We will pay special attention to Christian moral reasoning across a wide spectrum of contemporary social and political issues such as abortion, capital punishment, race, immigration, gender, poverty, war, and sexuality.
Proctor TBA Spring

HDS 2840
Gender, Sexuality, and Human Rights
Challenges to Christian ethics posed by new insights from the social and biological sciences into human sexuality will be addressed with attention to the roots of the Christian traditions, specifically St. Thomas Aquinas, and to feminist theo-ethical thought. We will consider contemporary debates around gender, sexuality and human rights, including the global campaign for sexual rights and the specific right to sexuality free of coercion and violence. The pandemic of feminicide in Latin America is taken as a case study, with exploration of the responses of leading Latin American feminist theologians, womens organizations and faith-based groups. Enrollment limited to 15.
Maher TBA Fall

HDS 2858
Biomedical Ethics
Biomedical research is constantly and rapidly expanding our power to influence the quality, character, and duration of human lives. It does this not only by improving medicines therapeutic potential for preventing and treating disease, but increasingly by enabling an ever-growing range of choices that can affect lifes beginnings, our physical and mental health, our personal characteristics and identities throughout life, and how our lives may end. Biomedical ethics examines debates about whether, when, and how we should pursue and employ these powers. For instance, should we endorse the selection of offspring based on characteristics such as sex? Should we genetically enhance or clone human beings? Should we use spare human embryos left over from in vitro fertilization, or even create and destroy human embryos, in order to obtain stem cells that may eventually lead to therapies for diseases that cause millions of people to suffer or die? Should we permit the terminally ill actively to end their own suffering by choosing death? In this course we explore a selection of topics drawn from the following areas: the ethics of clinical research; human reproductive ethics; death and dying; distributive justice; genetics; reproductive cloning; therapeutic cloning and stem cell research; and the growing field of neuroethics. Enrollment limited to 30.
Sorrells TBA Spring

HDS 2859
Classic and Contemporary Perspectives in Christian Ethics
In this introductory course we engage a selection of classic texts that broadly prefigure or inform important contemporary ethical approaches and perspectives in Christian ethics, and we consider a diverse range of those contemporary perspectives themselves. The course is divided into three parts. In Part I we study classic texts by four major historical figures Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, and Calvin that collectively address questions about the meaning and significance of love; human nature, sin, and virtues; divine, natural, and human law; relations between the religious and the secular; sexuality and gender; and social justice. In Part II we examine contemporary representatives of three approaches in Christian ethics: an ethics of love; communitarian and/or virtue ethics; and natural law ethics. In Part III we consider leading representatives of several liberationist discourses from distinct social locations and experiences: Latin American liberation theology and ethics; black theology and ethics; and feminist and womanist theology and ethics.
Sorrells TBA Fall

HDS 2893
Moral Leadership: Self, Other, and Action
If we understand leadership as accepting responsibility for enabling others to achieve purpose in the face of uncertainty, what makes it moral? We argue the capacity for moral leadership is rooted in self-understanding, relationship to others, and hopeful action. The moral challenge lies in the sources of motivation one draws upon and the capacity to articulate shared purpose to inspire action when conditions are most ambiguous. It is less about following rules than creating conditions for learning how to act when the rules are broken. Students learn how to draw moral instruction and inspiration from close reading of diverse narrative texts and to reflect on their own leadership challenges.
Ganz TBA Spring

HDS 2894
Public Narrative
Public narrative is action speech the discursive form in which individuals, communities, and nations construct identity, make choices, and inspire action. Because narrative engages the heart, it can both teach how we should act and motivate us to act. Students will learn the practice of public narrative based on psychological, philosophical, religious, literary, sociological and political texts; their life experience, and classroom exercises that can equip them to engage with the emotional foundations of values, choices and action. We will explore the role of narrative in public life, how it works, and why it works. And we will focus on self-narrative, shared narrative, action narrative, and narrative conflict and development. The second half of the course will delve deeper into this issue. Note: this course is comprised of two modules, HDS students are required to complete the entire semester to receive credit for the course.
Ganz TBA Fall

HDS 2911
Racializing Whiteness- Refocusing the Lens of Anti-Racist Ministerial Leadership in the United States: Conference Course
Within the dominant white society in the United States, conversations about race generally focus on the race of people of color rather than on that of white people. This tendency presents a problem in developing effective anti-racism strategies. The focus of this course will be on addressing this problem. We will do this by studying racism in the United States through the lens of whiteness and white privilege/power. What does it mean to be "white?" How has the notion of "whiteness" shaped understandings of "self" and "other" in religious, political and community settings, and what are the implications for ministerial leadership in these settings? Autobiography, fiction and film as well as historical and analytical materials will inform our study as we seek to understand the explicit and implicit assumptions that have shaped both the perpetuation of and attempts to eliminate racism in this country.
Richardson TBA Spring

SJS MT 502
Catholic Social Doctrine
The Catholic Church is the foremost institutional defender of human rights in the world. Resisting a globalized culture of death, she bears witness to the dignity of every human and to the intrinsic intelligibilities of human nature and social life. Reason illuminated by faith unmasks ideologies that legitimate assaults on the most powerless members of the human species. We will use the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church to gain a systematic understanding of the Church’s integral and solidary humanism. We will attend to the Thomist natural-law tradition that underlies social doctrine and to Gaudium et spes as it dramatizes this tradition with regard to the dialectic of modernity. We will explore the centrality of the family, the right to life, and the new feminism for social justice.
Franks M W F 9-9:50 Fall

SJS MT 550
Catholic Social Doctrine and the Lay Apostolate
The Church proposes to the world an integral and solidary humanism, which elevates the natural human vocation to love into the Trinitarian communion of Persons. As the Second Vatican Council makes clear, the mission proper to the lay faithful is to insert this divine love into the everyday realities of economics, politics, and culture, because family life constitutes the heart of social existence. We will begin with Pope Benedict XVI’s first encyclical, Deus Caritas est, which grounds social doctrine in the theology of the body, thus following Pope John Paul II in drawing out the riches of Vatican II for the new evangelization of a globalized culture of death. We will explore the centrality of the family, the right to life, and the new feminism for social justice.
Franks TBA Summer

WJST MT 202
Introduction to Catholic Social Ethics
How may the Catholic tradition best contribute to deliberations about social justice in contemporary society? How may future ministers prepare to teach and preach about social justice? This course addresses such questions through an examination of modern papal social encyclicals as well as the U.S. Bishops’ major pastoral letters “The Challenge of Peace” and “Economic Justice for All.” Central themes will include human rights, solidarity, common good, economic development, work, property, ecology, preferential option for the poor. The course introduces students to the documentary heritage, the tools for conducting social analysis of justice issues and the task of developing a spirituality of social responsibility.
Massaro MW 8:30-10 Spring

WJST MT 211
Human Sexuality
A study of human sexuality as a fundamental mode of relating to oneself, to God, and to others; analysis of sexual issues including homosexuality, premarital sex, contraception, and celibacy.
Vacek Th 6-9 Fall

WJST MT 231
Religion and American Public Life
How separate should our faith lives and political involvements be? Is it possible for religion to resist privatization and to function in American political and social life as a constructive cultural force? Which symbolic and legal frameworks allow both religious pluralism and civic unity? We will examine the phenomena of secularization, “culture wars,” “civil religion” and “public church” in light of the American inheritance of religious liberty and pluralism. What is the proper relationship between church and state, religion and society, civil law and morality? This course will emphasize Catholic contributions (John Courtney Murray and U.S. Bishops) and public policy on social issues (poverty, family life). Authors may include Robert Bellah, Stephen Carter, James Davidson Hunter, Michael and Kenneth Himes.
Massaro M 2-4:30 Fall

WJST MT/ST 272
Ethics, Economics, and Liberation
This course brings the insights of religious social ethics and liberation theology to bear on current economic realities. How may we relate the tradition of Christian reflection on economic justice (such as the documents of modern Catholic social teaching) to the task of liberating whole peoples and the whole person? Students will develop their skills in social analysis and theological reflection. They will explore the justice dimensions of such realities as globalization of markets, Third World debt and migration. Students will evaluate public policies on poverty and development. We will consider threats to authentic human development such as environmental degradation, terrorism, and consumerism.
Massaro Th 1-3:30 Fall

WJST MT/HT 366
Seminar: Liturgy and Ethics in the Early Church
A study of the relationship between liturgy and early Christian ethics, with attention to topics such as the formative nature of liturgy, the rites of Christian initiation, community as constructive of ethics, and preaching as ongoing formation in Christian living. Through extensive reading of primary sources from the second through the fourth centuries, the seminar will consider church orders, baptismal and mystagogical catecheses, homilies, treatises on discipline and practice, and related theological works. Focused seminar discussions, short seminar papers and/or presentations, final research paper. Designed primarily for advanced degree students; others by explicit permission of the instructor. Prerequisites: at least one course or equivalent in each of the following areas: early church history or patristic theology and moral theology or ethics.
Cardman Th 12:30-3 Fall

C. Sociology and Psychology of Religion

BU STH TR 802
Sociology of Religion
(description unavailable)
N. Ammerman TBA Spring

BU STH TR 860
Social Science Perspectives on the Church and the World
The work of ministry takes place in the context of human institutions and must engage the cultures and challenges of a dynamic and changing world. This course invites students to pay attention to the social forces at work in the world, to understand the organizations that structure our lives, and to hear the cultural stories that shape how we understand our faith.
N. Ammerman T 2-5 Fall

BU STH TR 964
Seminar: Social Theory
This seminar will explore a variety of theoretical perspectives on the social formation of modern persons, asking how those insights inform an understanding of individual and collective religious identity. Students will also participate in field research focused on the intersection of religious and social identities.
N. Ammerman Th 1-4 Fall

BU STH TY 803/903
The Psychology of Religion
From religion as pathological to religion as curative: how “classic" psychologists have looked at religion. Focus on Freud, James, Jung, Maslow, and Fromm. Offered as TY 903 for doctoral students.
Schlauch M 1-4 Fall

BU STH TY 804
Contemporary Trends in Psychology and Religion
(description unavailable) Two credits; by professor’s permission only.
McCorkle T 12:30-3:30 Fall

BU STH TY 806/906
Theories of Human Development
The goal of this course is to achieve an understanding of the human developmental process and how that process integrates the growth of faith and the life of the community. We will use a series of shared and individual readings, broader lectures by the professor, and use of autobiographies or biographies. There will be various opportunities to examine our own life processes as a way of seeing theory in action. Offered as TY906 for doctoral students.
Bohn T 2-5 Fall

BU STH TY 860
Social Psychology
(description unavailable)
Burns T 2-5 Fall

BU STH TY864/964
Personality Theory: Counseling, Psychology and Religion
(description unavailable)
Schlauch Th 2-5 Fall

BU STH TY 946
Ethics and Professional Development
Two-Credit; Review of ethical issues in the field as well as present and potential research in psychology of religion and pastoral psychology.
Burns M 3-4:30 Fall

BU STH TZ 800
Research in the Theological Disciplines
An introductory course to research methods in theological and religious studies. Half course. Pass/Fail.
J. Ammerman M 10-11:30 Fall

BU STH TZ 802
Theoretical Approaches to the Study of Religion
A study of methodological issues in the following approaches to the study of religion: faith, practice, and criticism: understanding “alien” cultures, religions and the arts, theology, religious ethics, pastoral psychology and comparative religions. Half course, continues in Spring as STH TZ 803.
Seligman W 6-9 Fall

EDS E/T 1270
Heritage of the Social Gospel Movement in the 20th & 21st Centuries
This course invites students to explore several of theologians, ethicists, activists, issues, and understanding of the Social Gospel Movement. A particular focus is the legacy of the Social Gospel in contemporary theology and ethics in addressing the church’s participation in social justice movements. Themes will include race and gender, worker justice and labor, and immigration
Martin Th 3-5 Spring

EDS E/T/CS 3050
Sexuality and the Social Order
This course offers a critical exmaniation of both personal and social dimension of human sexuality, and investigation into the meaning of sexual justice for church and society, and an opportunity to frame a constructive social ethic of sexuality for “keeping body and soul together” in these times. Same as T/CS 3050.
Ellison Daily 3-5 Summer (June 16-27, 2008)

EDS PT 1520
Black Church and Sexuality
This course will explore the question, has sexuality been a liberative or an oppressive force in the life of the black church? Through a variety of readings and class discussions, issues impacting the black church and community will be considered, as will ecumenical, interfaith, and global perspectives. Recent theologies will also be explored. Same as CS 1520.
Montagno, Rodman Th 7-9 Spring

HC ETHC 6345
Orthodox Art: Ethics of Beauty
What is an ethical approach to art and beauty? How do the traditional mystical ethics of Orthodoxy affect our approach to creativity? Beginning with relevant works by the amazing and saintly Orthodox artist Fotios Kontoglou, the class will go on to examine the mystical approach to beauty in Orthodox icons, buildings, and song. We will discover, together with the architect Christopher Alexander, that “a building or town will only be alive to the extent that it is governed by the timeless way” – and we will find the meaning of that way in the ancient worship of the Church.
Patitsas M 6:40-9 Fall

WJST MT 398
Seminar: Sociology of Religion
This seminar explores major theorists of religious beliefs, experiences, practices and institutions. We will read original texts from classic thinkers (Durkheim, Weber, Eliade, Geertz, Berger, Bellah). Concepts will include religious evolution, symbolism, secularization, ritual activity, civil religion and the role of religion in cultural analysis and social change. Students are encouraged to write a final term paper which applies these theories of religion to contemporary cultural phenomena.
Massaro W 7-9:30 Spring

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Last update: June 14, 2007 1:16 PM