Graduate Registration

APO 535 – Moral Apologetics – Edward Trendowski
This course focuses on engaging apologetics from a moral dimension.

APO/PAS 631 – Social Media and the New Evangelization – Jad Chlouk
This course explores the history, trends, and issues related to the Catholic Church and its use of media for social communications. Students discuss how the media is “social” and how this can be used to “introduce people to the life of the Church and help our contemporaries to discover the face of Christ” (Pope Benedict XVI, Message for 44th World Communications Day, 2010).

DTH 512 – Spiritual Life in the Classics – Kristina Olsen
This course provides a study of the great spiritual writers with an emphasis on how the beautiful images and concepts in such classics can help us grow in our own union with God, and in our love of those we encounter in friendship, family, work and mission.

DTH 645 – Nature and Grace – Joshua Madden
This course examines the natural desire to see God; the controversy over the desire to see God; the state of human nature; the nature of the law; the new law of Christ – sanctifying grace; and the nature, necessity and effects of sanctifying grace.

DTH 760 – Theology of the Church – Matthew Vander Vennet
This course investigates the nature and characteristics of the Church, its attributes, its structures, its mission and its relation to the world, and the development of Catholic thought concerning ecumenical and interreligious dialogue.

ENG 891 – Academic Research Design and Writing – Chad Hegelmeyer
This course walks through the process for producing quality academic research papers, beginning with topic selection, research, and writing. The course culminates in the production of an academic research paper and thesis proposal.

MTH 841 – Catholic Social Teachings – John Bequette
This course traces major themes in Catholic social teachings by using the U.S. Bishops’ document, Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions and includes topics therein.

PAS 507 – Contemporary Youth Culture – William O’Leary
This course explores the culture of contemporary youth and its ramifications for catechesis. Students prepare to encounter the learner who is immersed in the secular, post-modern milieu. Families in contemporary culture, peer expectations, and the influence of media are addressed.

PAS 581 – History and Foundations of Catechesis – Edward Trendowski
This course will examine the roots and history of catechesis, starting from early foundations of faith formation in the Jewish tradition, exploring the teaching of the faith in the New Testament and early Church, and continuing through the modern era. Students will become acquainted with the foundational documents of catechesis and their application to religious education in parishes and schools. Offered online every other fall during the even years.

PAS 602 – Fundamentals of Practical Theology – Marianne Siegmund
Practical, or pastoral theology is the “practical application of scientific theology to the care of souls in the sacred ministry”(John A. Hardon, Modern Catholic Dictionary). Unfortunately, in today’s world, the “unrestricted application of scientific methods to matters of faith appears to be sheer presumption, whereby man oversteps his limits and undermines his own foundations” (Joseph Ratzinger, The Nature and Mission of Theology, 8). Consequently, practical theology must first be grounded in theology itself.

Firmly rooted in “scientific theology,” the course seeks to apply the doctrinal truths of the Faith to various pastoral situations confronting today’s minister. Since Sacred Scripture is to “inspire all pastoral work,” this course copiously invokes it (Benedict XVI Verbum Domini#73).

PAS 621 – Pastoral Care of Marriage and Family – Fr. Gregory Lockwood
This course will explore marriage as a spousal covenant from the biblical and traditional perspectives and consider how to minister to families, using as a basic text, John Paul II’s Magisterial Document, Familiaris consortio. Modern challenges to marriage will also be addressed.

PAS 785 – Pastoral Issues Concerning Human Sexuality – Marianne Siegmund
This course addresses the meaning of human sexuality, education and integration of emotion, sexual aberrations, relationship skills such as intra- and inter-personal skills, personal freedom skills, sexuality and spirituality, human sexuality and eschatology.

ENG 891 – Academic Research Design and Writing – Chad Hegelmeyer
This course walks through the process for producing quality academic research papers, beginning with topic selection, research, and writing. The course culminates in the production of an academic research paper and thesis proposal.

PHE 505 – Narrative and the Moral Life – Nathan Metzger
This course examines the ethical influence of stories by focusing on philosophical analyses of narrative and moral life. Topics may include: the sources and limits of narratives’ moral power; their nature and structure; principles for the ethical evaluation of stories and their readers; and stories in Catholic spirituality.

PHE 610 – Ethics – John Stefanczyk
This course studies the principles of ethics from a Thomistic and phenomenological perspective including criteria for making moral choices and a refutation of situation ethics, and addresses social justice, abortion, war and peace and sexual ethics.

PHE 775 – Political Philosophy – Eric Manchester
This course seeks to introduce students to political philosophy by undertaking a critical historical study of the most influential works (ancient, medieval, and modern) of the Western tradition. Students will study and analyze the fundamental issues that have shaped the debate throughout the centuries, including the nature of justice, law and liberty, power and authority, political equality, human rights, and the relation of Church and the state.

PHH 605 – Ancient and Medieval Philosophy – Timothy Smith
This course covers some of the most important figures and themes of Ancient & Medieval philosophy, including Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, the nature of man, education, the ultimate end of human activity, the meaning of life, God, Providence, and faith and reason.

PHH 620 – Modern & Contemporary Philosophy – Randall Colton
This course is an historical introduction to the thought and texts of principal modern philosophers from Descartes to Hegel and of principal contemporary philosophers from Kierkegaard to the present.

PHH 650 – Recent Catholic Philosophy – Melissa Beth Mitchell
This course introduces important Catholic philosophers of the nineteenth and twentieth- centuries who responded to the cultural, scientific, philosophical, and theological ideas of the times, and defended the philosophical underpinnings of the Catholic faith.

PHH 651 – Aristotle – John Finley
This course will examine Aristotle as a great thinker, focusing on what he says about human life. We will proceed through close readings of his Categories, De Anima, Nicomachean Ethics (selections) and Poetics.

PHH 781 – Philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas – Francisco Plaza
This course covers Aquinas on medieval education, the rise of universities, faith and reason, Aristotelian thought, Aquinas on the world and man, man as a moral agent, the meaning of life, the ultimate end of human action, difference between knowledge and faith; God.

PHS 621 – Philosophy of Nature and Metaphysics – Timothy Smith
This course explores the fundamental aspects of the natural world knowable to philosophy and science, including a discussion of the methodology and limits of the scientific and philosophical methods, along with the metaphysics of Aristotle; presuppositions of metaphysics, the subject matter of metaphysics, the scandal of generality, substance and essence, from finite to Infinite Being, the nature of existence, the names of God.

PHS 660 – Natural Theology – Timothy Smith
This course examines arguments for the existence of God, His nature and relation to the world and man.

APO 535 – Moral Apologetics – Edward Trendowski
This course focuses on engaging apologetics from a moral dimension.

APO/PAS 631 – Social Media and the New Evangelization – Jad Chlouk
This course explores the history, trends, and issues related to the Catholic Church and its use of media for social communications. Students discuss how the media is “social” and how this can be used to “introduce people to the life of the Church and help our contemporaries to discover the face of Christ” (Pope Benedict XVI, Message for 44th World Communications Day, 2010).

BIE 750 – Magisterial Teaching Related to Major Catholic Bioethics Issues – Lucy Knouse
This course is a study of Magisterial and Church documents that provide the basis of many Catholic Church bioethics teachings. By taking this course, students will understand the continuity of Church teaching over time on matters of chastity, marriage, and respect for life as well as have an opportunity to synthesize their understanding for their own appreciation, for future study and for their work in evangelizing the culture.

BIE 796 – Bioethics in the Post-Christian Culture – Hermann Frieboes
This course examines the relationship between Catholic bioethics and secular culture.

CHH 709 – Ecumenical Councils – Matthew Vander Vennet
This course discusses the Twenty-One Ecumenical Councils recognized as such by the Roman Catholic Church. Its purpose is two-fold. Most importantly, it is designed to present the Magisterial Teachings of these councils, integral as they are to the Deposit of the Faith. Secondly, by placing each of these councils in their historical context, it also introduces students to the many factors—intellectual, socio-political, and often all too personal—seeking to influence conciliar decisions and the consequent need to be aware of secular pressures upon what are ultimately issues of supernatural, eternal significance.

CHH 881 – Patristics – John Joy
This course surveys selected writings from the principal Fathers of the Church. The focus is on the development of Catholic Doctrine from the Apostolic Fathers to St. Gregory the Great, with emphasis on the Trinitarian and Christological questions.

DTH 512 – Spiritual Life in the Classics – Kristina Olsen
This course provides a study of the great spiritual writers with an emphasis on how the beautiful images and concepts in such classics can help us grow in our own union with God, and in our love of those we encounter in friendship, family, work and mission.

DTH 600 – Faith and Revelation – Marianne Siegmund
This course will provide an exploration of the teachings of the Church on the mysteries of faith and revelation, through the study of related Magisterial documents and various writings of St. Thomas Aquinas. Topics include: the meaning of Revelation; the relationship between Sacred Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium; the relationship between faith and reason; the necessity, character, and effects of grace; the object, act, and virtue of faith; sins against faith; and the nature and mission of theology.

DTH 641 – First Things and End Times (Previously: Protology and Eschatology) – Leroy Huizenga
This course studies God as the Creator of all things and the relation of created things to Him. The four last things (death, judgment, heaven and hell) are related to Him as the fulfillment of man and nature, the end of His saving plan.

DTH 645 – Nature and Grace – Joshua Madden
This course examines the natural desire to see God; the controversy over the desire to see God; the state of human nature; the nature of the law; the new law of Christ—sanctifying grace; and the nature, necessity and effects of sanctifying grace.

DTH 731 – One and Triune God – Fr. Thomas Crean
This course is a doctrinal study of the nature and attributes of God as known by revelation and reason. The God we know and love is One and Three. Topics in this course address both the unity of God and the three-ness of God. The work of St. Thomas Aquinas is used to expose students to these truths to be believed and to form a foundation for further growth and study. This course is a prerequisite to DTH 751 Christology.

DTH 751 – Christology – Fr. Yosyp Veresh
This course considers the person of Jesus Christ and the theology of the Incarnation, with particular attention to the development of Christological doctrine and to the theology of Thomas Aquinas. Students registering for Christology must have already completed DTH 731 One and Triune God.

DTH 760 – Theology of the Church – Matthew Vander Vennet
This course investigates the nature and characteristics of the Church, its attributes, its structures, its mission and its relation to the world, and the development of Catholic thought concerning ecumenical and interreligious dialogue.

DTH 765 – Mariology – Fr. Gregory Lockwood
This course studies how Marian theology has developed in time. This historical approach to Marian Theology will be supplemented with careful study of Fr. Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange’s classical text on Mary, Mother of the Savior: And Our Interior Life.

DTH 800 – The Seven Sacraments – Fr. Thomas Crean
This course explores the concept and nature of “sacrament” in general and then each of the seven sacraments of the Church in particular (the fundamentals of each sacrament’s doctrine and theology, the rites for celebrating the sacraments, the historical development of each sacrament and current issues and debates surrounding the sacraments).

ENG 890 – Summative Evaluation: Comprehensive Exam & Professional Paper (Theology) – James Gentile
This course prepares M.A. Theology students to pass the oral-comprehensive exam in Dogmatic and Moral Theology during Final Exam Week and to write a ten-page professional paper in the student’s concentration. The professional paper will be written under the direction of an advisor the semester after passing the ENG 890 oral exam.

ENG 891 – Academic Research Design and Writing – Chad Hegelmeyer
This course walks through the process for producing quality academic research papers, beginning with topic selection, research, and writing. The course culminates in the production of an academic research paper and thesis proposal.

MTH 611 – Fundamental Moral Theology I – John O’Neill
This course presents fundamental moral principles from the perspective of the classical Catholic moral tradition especially as represented by Thomas Aquinas and John Paul II. Primary questions include the end of man, human acts, moral determinants, freedom, sin, moral responsibility, and conscience.

MTH 613 – Cardinal Virtues – John Joy
Course description coming soon.

MTH 614 – Theological Virtues – John O’Neill
Course description coming soon.

MTH 659 – Moral Magisterium of John Paul II – Joshua Madden
This course is devoted to the teachings of John Paul II in the area of moral theology. This course covers the foundations of his moral teaching before his pontificate as well as the legacy of his thought in the work of Popes Benedict XVI and Francis, attending especially to the encyclicals Laborem Exorcens, Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, Centessimus Annus, Veritatis Splendor, and Evangelium Vitae.

MTH 680 – Marriage & the Theology of the Body – Lucy Knouse
This course approaches marriage from an interdisciplinary perspective, covering the biblical foundations for the Theology of the Body as expressed in the works of St. John Paul II, seeking to relate the Theology of the Body in the practical encounters of life, love and Marriage, and introduces Catholic sexual ethics using the work of John Paul II, and examines the significant philosophical thought of Karol Wojtyla on this topic in his Love and Responsibility and Theology of the Body.

MTH 841 – Catholic Social Teachings – John Bequette
This course traces major themes in Catholic social teachings by using the U.S. Bishops’ document, Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions and includes topics therein.

PHS 607 – Perennial Philosophy – Matthew Minerd
This is a foundational philosophy course for the graduate student of theology. While various philosophical concepts will be presented, the majority of the course material will point toward the application of philosophy to the theology of the Catholic Church. For the student who has some philosophical background, this course remains essential for understanding the terminology used in Catholic theology (e.g., cause, effect, form, matter, substance, accident, nature, essence, existence, relation, science, wisdom). Topics include why philosophy is necessary for theology, the history of philosophy, anthropology, ethics, logic, metaphysics and social philosophy.

SAI 510 – Introduction to Sacred Music – Marguerite Mullee
Throughout Church history, liturgical music has been a source of prayerful beauty and mysticism. By listening to sacred music, reading essays, and discussing and studying musical trends during different time periods, students will explore the historical and religious forces that have shaped Christian liturgical music in Western Europe and the United States.

SAS 561 – Gospel of John (Formerly SAS 661) – Fr. William Mills
This course studies the Gospel of John considering the historical, religious, and cultural background of this gospel and major themes such as covenant, Kingdom of God, grace, redemption, wisdom, prophecy, creation, Trinity, faith, angels, resurrection and priesthood.

SAS 571 – Letters of St. Paul – Fr. William Mills
This course studies the life and mission of St. Paul. It will also examine the composition, structure, purpose, historical background and theological themes of the Pauline letters with special concentration on Galatians, 1 Corinthians, Philippians, and Romans.

SAS 602 – The Soul of Theology – John Joy
Sacred Scripture is the soul of theology. This course lays the foundation for the study of the Sacred Page by examining the most important concepts for a theological understanding of Scripture, by establishing firm principles for its interpretation, and by considering its use in the science of Theology. Central topics include divine revelation, tradition, magisterium, inspiration, inerrancy, literal and spiritual senses, development of the canon, texts and editions, and the use of Scripture in theology and in prayer (lectio divina).

SAS 621 – Prophetic Literature – Matthew Ramage
This course examines the phenomenon of prophecy in Israel, and surveys early “non-writing” prophets, and classical prophets in their historical contexts to uncover their theological message and understand the development of prophecy into eschatology and apocalypse.

SAS 651 – Synoptic Gospels – Matthew Ramage
This course explores the stylistic and literary characteristics of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Students study the Synoptic Gospels’ theological, spiritual, and historical background.

SAS 714 – Wisdom Books – Nathan Schmiedicke
This course is a study of the content, background, purpose, composition, and structure of the Old Testament wisdom books. Students will be introduced to a variety of patristic, medieval, and contemporary interpretive approaches to wisdom literature as found in the rich Catholic spiritual and intellectual tradition. Emphasis will be placed upon the relationship between “wisdom” and Torah, the practical instruction wisdom literature offers to those who seek God in the face of suffering and death, and Jesus Christ as the ultimate source, goal, and embodiment of the wisdom tradition.

SAS 716 – Gospels – Andrew Blaski
This course is a study of the content, background, purpose, composition, and structure of the Four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). Students will be introduced to a variety of patristic, medieval, and contemporary interpretive approaches to the gospels as found in the rich Catholic spiritual and intellectual tradition. The course will examine the Gospels as individual works while simultaneously highlighting their historical and theological unity, centered in their common proclamation of the life, death, and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ.

SAS 718 – St. Paul – Leroy Huizenga
This course studies the life and mission of St. Paul. It will also examine the content, composition, structure, purpose, and historical background of the Pauline epistles (Romans, I-II Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, I-II Thessalonians, I-II Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews). Students will be introduced to a variety of patristic, medieval, and contemporary interpretations of St. Paul’s letters as found in the rich Catholic spiritual and intellectual tradition. Prerequisite: SAS 716 Gospels

ENG 891 – Academic Research Design and Writing – Chad Hegelmeyer
This course walks through the process for producing quality academic research papers, beginning with topic selection, research, and writing. The course culminates in the production of an academic research paper and thesis proposal.

GRK 501 – Greek I – Hannah Murphy
This course equips you with the knowledge and skills you need to make a confident start in reading the New Testament in Greek. It introduces the most relevant grammar and syntax, and 80% of all vocabulary used in the New Testament, in a step-by-step fashion. Using material drawn from the New Testament itself, students will have the opportunity to begin to use their knowledge of Greek to study the New Testament Scriptures in depth.

GRK 503 – Greek Exegesis – Paul Watkins
This course is an introduction to the methods and tools used in New Testament exegesis. Students will use their mastery of Koine Greek grammar and vocabulary to develop the skills of critical interpretation as they now read the New Testament more fluently and competently. Using a variety of New Testament passages, and following the sound rules of interpretation, students will gain experience of working towards a better understanding and explanation of the meaning of Sacred Scripture. Prerequisites: Greek I-II

HEB 501 – Hebrew I – Geoffrey Ludvik
This course is designed to introduce the students to the basics of biblical Hebrew. It is the first of three courses designed to give the student the skills necessary to read the Old Testament with pleasure and understanding. It will also provide the linguistic basis to pursue advanced scholarly work in Old Testament studies.

HEB 503 – Hebrew Exegesis – Geoffrey Ludvik
This course is an introduction to the methods and tools used in Old Testament exegesis. Students will use their mastery of biblical Hebrew grammar and vocabulary to develop the skills of critical interpretation as they now read the Old Testament more fluently and competently. Using a variety of Old Testament passages, and following the sound rules of interpretation, students will gain experience of working towards a better understanding and explanation of the meaning of Sacred Scripture. Prerequisites: Hebrew I-II

PHS 607 – Perennial Philosophy – Matthew Minerd
This is a foundational philosophy course for the graduate student of theology. While various philosophical concepts will be presented, the majority of the course material will point toward the application of philosophy to the theology of the Catholic Church. For the student who has some philosophical background, this course remains essential for understanding the terminology used in Catholic theology (e.g., cause, effect, form, matter, substance, accident, nature, essence, existence, relation, science, wisdom). Topics include why philosophy is necessary for theology, the history of philosophy, anthropology, ethics, logic, metaphysics and social philosophy.

SAS 602 – The Soul of Theology – John Joy
Sacred Scripture is the soul of theology. This course lays the foundation for the study of the Sacred Page by examining the most important concepts for a theological understanding of Scripture, by establishing firm principles for its interpretation, and by considering its use in the science of Theology. Central topics include divine revelation, tradition, magisterium, inspiration, inerrancy, literal and spiritual senses, development of the canon, texts and editions, and the use of Scripture in theology and in prayer (lectio divina).

SAS 712 – Pentateuch – Nathan Schmiedicke
This course is a study of the content, background, purpose, composition, and structure of the books of the Pentateuch. Students will be introduced to a variety of patristic, medieval, and contemporary interpretive approaches to the Pentateuch as found in the rich Catholic spiritual and intellectual tradition. Emphasis will be placed upon the historical, theological, legal, and ceremonial aspects of the Pentateuch, as well as upon themes of creation, sin, and the redemption of Jesus Christ both promised and foreshadowed in the lives of the Patriarchs and in the precepts of the Law.

SAS 714 – Wisdom Books – Nathan Schmiedicke
This course is a study of the content, background, purpose, composition, and structure of the Old Testament wisdom books. Students will be introduced to a variety of patristic, medieval, and contemporary interpretive approaches to wisdom literature as found in the rich Catholic spiritual and intellectual tradition. Emphasis will be placed upon the relationship between “wisdom” and Torah, the practical instruction wisdom literature offers to those who seek God in the face of suffering and death, and Jesus Christ as the ultimate source, goal, and embodiment of the wisdom tradition.

SAS 716 – Gospels – Andrew Blaski
This course is a study of the content, background, purpose, composition, and structure of the Four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). Students will be introduced to a variety of patristic, medieval, and contemporary interpretive approaches to the gospels as found in the rich Catholic spiritual and intellectual tradition. The course will examine the Gospels as individual works while simultaneously highlighting their historical and theological unity, centered in their common proclamation of the life, death, and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ.

SAS 718 – St. Paul – Leroy Huizenga
This course studies the life and mission of St. Paul. It will also examine the content, composition, structure, purpose, and historical background of the Pauline epistles (Romans, I-II Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, I-II Thessalonians, I-II Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews). Students will be introduced to a variety of patristic, medieval, and contemporary interpretations of St. Paul’s letters as found in the rich Catholic spiritual and intellectual tradition. Prerequisite: SAS 716 Gospels

ENG 891 – Academic Research Design and Writing – Chad Hegelmeyer
This course walks through the process for producing quality academic research papers, beginning with topic selection, research, and writing. The course culminates in the production of an academic research paper and thesis proposal.

MTH 611 – Fundamental Moral Theology I – John O’Neill
This course presents fundamental moral principles from the perspective of the classical Catholic moral tradition especially as represented by Thomas Aquinas and John Paul II. Primary questions include the end of man, human acts, moral determinants, freedom, sin, moral responsibility, and conscience.

PAS 581 – History and Foundations of Catechesis – Edward Trendowski
This course will examine the roots and history of catechesis, starting from early foundations of faith formation in the Jewish tradition, exploring the teaching of the faith in the New Testament and early Church, and continuing through the modern era. Students will become acquainted with the foundational documents of catechesis and their application to religious education in parishes and schools. Offered online every other fall during the even years.

PAS 602 – Fundamentals of Practical Theology – Marianne Siegmund
Practical, or pastoral theology is the “practical application of scientific theology to the care of souls in the sacred ministry”(John A. Hardon, Modern Catholic Dictionary). Unfortunately, in today’s world, the “unrestricted application of scientific methods to matters of faith appears to be sheer presumption, whereby man oversteps his limits and undermines his own foundations” (Joseph Ratzinger, The Nature and Mission of Theology, 8). Consequently, practical theology must first be grounded in theology itself.

Firmly rooted in “scientific theology,” the course seeks to apply the doctrinal truths of the Faith to various pastoral situations confronting today’s minister. Since Sacred Scripture is to “inspire all pastoral work,” this course copiously invokes it (Benedict XVI Verbum Domini#73).

PAS 621 – Pastoral Care of Marriage and Family – Fr. Gregory Lockwood
This course will explore marriage as a spousal covenant from the biblical and traditional perspectives and consider how to minister to families, using as a basic text, John Paul II’s Magisterial Document, Familiaris consortio. Modern challenges to marriage will also be addressed.

PAS 785 – Pastoral Issues Concerning Human Sexuality – Marianne Siegmund
This course addresses the meaning of human sexuality, education and integration of emotion, sexual aberrations, relationship skills such as intra- and inter-personal skills, personal freedom skills, sexuality and spirituality, human sexuality and eschatology.

PHS 607 – Perennial Philosophy – Matthew Minerd
This is a foundational philosophy course for the graduate student of theology. While various philosophical concepts will be presented, the majority of the course material will point toward the application of philosophy to the theology of the Catholic Church. For the student who has some philosophical background, this course remains essential for understanding the terminology used in Catholic theology (e.g., cause, effect, form, matter, substance, accident, nature, essence, existence, relation, science, wisdom). Topics include why philosophy is necessary for theology, the history of philosophy, anthropology, ethics, logic, metaphysics and social philosophy.

SAS 651 – Synoptic Gospels – Matthew Ramage
This course explores the stylistic and literary characteristics of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Students study the Synoptic Gospels’ theological, spiritual, and historical background.