C 215 Orientation to Theology Studies Nancy Hawkins, IHM, Ph.D.
St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry Spring 2007 Mon. Night
e-mail: nhawkins@stbernards.edu
(585) 271-3657 x 294
Students who wish to meet with me should call ahead
and make an apt.
Course Description:
This course orients students to the various aspects of theological studies and the way theology functions in a faith community. Key issues such as faith, revelation, scripture, tradition, human experience and worship are explored with an eye to how they are integrated into the entire discipline of theology. The course aims at helping the student develop a framework in which to understand how one engages in critical theological reflection in light of human experience in general and pastoral/ministerial life in particular. Specific theological terms will be covered as well as the work of some contemporary theologians.
Required Books:
Flannery, Austin, O.P .Dei Verbum: The Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation.
Vatican Council II: The Conciliar and Post-Conciliar Documents. (Dominican
Publications: 1992). ***Any edition will do. The document can also be found on
The Vatican website or at http://www.etwn.com/library/councils/V2revel.htm
O’Collins, Gerald, S.J. and Edward G. Farrugia, S.J. A Concise Dictionary of Theology.
(NY: Paulist Press, 2000).
Ormerod, Neil. Introducing Contemporary Theologians: The What and Who of Theology
Today. (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1997).
Stone, Howard, and James O. Duke. How To Think Theologically: Second Ed.
(Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2006).
Catechism of the Catholic Church. (Cita del Vaticano: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 1997).
***I will be using the second edition. I suggest purchasing the most recent edition.
For each class I will list the theological terms that you need to look up and read.
Required Articles:
DiGiacomo, James J. “Little Gray Cells.” America, May 30, 2005, 17-19.
Dulles, Avery, S.J. “Faith Come of Age.” America, March 5, 2001, 15.
Martin, James, S.J. “Where Have We Been?” America, September 11, 2006.
Martin, James, S.J. “Reason, Faith and Theology.” America, March 5, 2001, 6-14.
Soelle, Dorothee. “Hunger After Liberation,” in Against the Wind: Memoir of a Radical
Christian. ( Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1995).
Young, Pamela Dickey. “Feminist Challenge and Theological Method,” in Feminist
Theology/Christian Theology. (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1990.
***These articles/chapters are available in the school resource room as well as on line through the University of Rochester library.
Learning Outcomes:
Knowledge: The student will:
Become familiar with specific aspects of the St. Bernard’s program and various requirements of the program.
Describe the task of contemporary theology and understand how theology functions in the faith community.
Identify the various sources of theology and their relationship to each other and ministry in general.
Comprehend specific theological definitions and terms.
Recognize the names of significant contemporary theologians and how their work contributes to the field of theology at large.
Recognize the cultural and ethnic plurality that exists in the field of theology.
Skills: The student will:
Demonstrate the qualities of critical thinking both orally and in the written word.
Articulate the various uses of the Catechism in their personal and ministerial lives.
Be able to explain how the different sources of theology support and relate to each other.
Integrate the questions of theology in to their spiritual lives.
Be able to articulate the importance of cultural and ethnic pluralism when doing theology and relating theology to their ministries.
Course Requirements:
Class Participation:
Students are expected to complete the weekly readings and come to class prepared to discuss, interpret, and offer questions based on what they read.
Prompt and full attendance at class is expected. Students are allowed 3 absences all semester for any reason. Kindly contact the professor if you will miss class.
Written Assignments:
There will be four written assignments for the semester.
Paper One: A paper where the student takes a significant life issue that has occurred within the last five years and examines the questions that this incident brought forth in their life. The purpose of this paper is not to answer the questions but to identify the questions and the issues that the incident raised for the student. 3-4 pages long.
Paper Two: A paper that examines the role of the scriptures in the life of the student and how the scriptures can be used to address the questions of the first paper. 3-4 pages long.
Paper Three: The student will take a prayer (not the Our Father, Hail Mary, or Glory Be) and look how the prayer reflects specific theological themes. 3-4 pages long
Paper Four (Final Assignment): A paper on how the student can integrate the catechism into his/her ministry. 3-4 pages long
Oral Presentation:
The class will be divided in groups. Each group will explore the life, work, and theological themes of a particular theologian featured in the Ormerod book. The group will divide up the assignment among each member. The material will be presented orally to the class and a discussion will take place.
Each assignment is worth 20% of the final grade.
Class Schedule and Readings
January 22 Introduction to the course: Various aspects of the program
The human desire for God
What is theology? What is theological reflection?
Theology as sacred conversation and the asking of questions
To be a critical thinker
What is a Catechism?
Readings:
Stone & Duke, Introduction and Chapter 1
Ormerod: Chapter 1
Catechism: Prologue and Par. 1-49
January 29 The quest of faith.
The relationship between faith and reason
The doctrine of revelation
Dulles’ models of revelation
Readings:
Articles by DiGiacomo, Dulles
Catechism Par. 50-79, 88-90,142-197
Ormerod: Pgs. 42-49
First Paper is Due
February 5 Theological Methodology: The Doing of Theology
Various Methodologies
Doctrine and Dogma
Readings:
Stone & Duke: Chapter 2
Ormerod: Chapter 4
Martin Article: “Reason, Faith and Theology.”
Dickey Article: “Feminist Challenge and Theol. Method.”
February 12 Historical Highlights of Theology:
What is Contextual Theology?
Religious and Cultural Pluralism and Theology
Readings:
Ormerod: Chapters 2 & 3
Soelle Article
February 19 Scripture as a source of theology
(Prem comes to the class)
The various uses of scripture
Readings:
Stone & Duke: Pgs. 46-50
Catechism: Part I, Par. 101-141
February 26 Tradition as a source of theology
Vatican II on Tradition
Various aspects of our Tradition
The Magisterium and its significance for our faith
Readings:
Stone & Duke: Pgs. 50-52
Catechism: Part II: Par. 874-896, 1066-1690, and
2030-2038
Second Paper is Due
March 5 The Sacramental and Liturgical Life of the Church
(Dave comes to the class)
Theology and Worship
Theology and the Arts
Readings:
Catechism Part II: Par. 1066-1690
March 12 The Human Condition and Theology
(Pat comes to the class)
The Importance of Conscience
The Call to Justice
Readings:
Catechism Part III: Par.1691 – 2557
March 19 Pastoral Theology: What it is and how it functions.
(Roslyn comes to the class)
The Pastoral Circle
Theology informing ministry
Readings:
Stone and Duke: Chapters 6 and 7
Martin Article: “Where Have We Been?”
March 26 Theology and The Spiritual Life
Theology and Prayer
Some forms of Christian Prayer
Readings:
Catechism Part IV: Par. 2558-2865
Third Assignment is Due
April 2 Looking at the Work of Specific Theologians
Student Oral Presentations and Discussion of Chapters
Readings:
Ormerod: Chapters 5, 7, 9, 11 and 12
April 9 (Holy Week/EasterMonday Break)
April 16 Looking at the Work of Specific Theologians
Student Oral Presentations and Discussion of Chapters
Readings:
Omerod Chapters: 13 - 19
April 23 Where have we come from and where are we going?
Final Class Future Concerns for Theology
Final thoughts
Readings:
Stone & Duke: Chapters 8-9
***The Final Assignment on the Catechism is due on April 30th.