Graduate Registration

APO 512 Catholic Apologetics Dr. Jon Kirwan
This course introduces the student to the art of fulfilling this biblical mandate to cogently and convincingly explain and defend Christian truth, and focuses on the “what” and “how” of apologetics to present a compelling defense of the Faith.

APO 535 Moral Apologetics TBA
This course focuses on engaging apologetics from a moral dimension.

APO 656 Reading Science in the Light of Faith Dr. Stacy Trasancos
This course teaches the non-scientist layperson how to articulate developments in current research in biological or biochemical fields (with particular emphasis on evolutionary biology, genetics, or neuroscience) by reading scientific papers and how to classify the conclusions in the scientific papers as neutral, contradictory, or consistent with the tenets of Catholic faith.

APO/PAS 631 Social Media and the New Evangelization Dr. Kristina Olsen
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).

CHH 635 The Syriac Fathers of the Church Fr. Patrick Kassab
course is an introduction to the Syriac Fathers of the Church, from the first century until the seventh. It provides an overview of the life and writings of four Syriac Fathers: Aphrahat the Persian Sage, Ephrem the Syriac, Jacob of Serugh, and Isaac the Syrian. In addition, this course analyzes the theological thought of each of these Fathers. The course will immerse learners in early Syriac theology in its context, taking into consideration the particularities of the Semitic method of expression. Throughout lessons, learners will discuss texts, allowing them to value the richness of this old tradition, and to identify its influence on Eastern, as well as Western liturgies, theology, spirituality, and sacred art.

DTH 637 Syriac Theology of the Sacraments Fr. Rodrique Constantin
This course in sacramental theology allows to delve into the meaning of the Sacraments, their relationship to the Trinity, and their effects on the faithful. The Syriac Fathers of the Church have written extensively on this topic in their homilies and treatises. This course will explore these writings through primary sources and scholarly articles and books.

DTH 645 Nature and Grace Prof. William Dunn
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.

PAS 507 Contemporary Youth Culture Dr. Marc Tumeinski
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 602 Fundamentals of Practical Theology Dr. J. 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.

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 641 Methods in Counseling Fr. Gregory Lockwood
This course presents appropriate methods in pastoral counseling.

PAS 700 Intellectual Impairments Dr. Marc Tumeinski
This course will draw us into a deeper understanding of Christian faith, vocation, catechesis, ministry & ecclesiology – in light of the presence and reality of physical & intellectual impairment among disciples. As part of the core of Christian life or ministry, our focus is pastoral & ecclesial; rather than clinical, medical, legal or psychological.

PAS 785 Pastoral Issues Concerning Human Sexuality Dr. J. 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.

PHE 505 Narrative and the Moral Life Prof. David Arias
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 Prof. 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 Prof. Derya Rix
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 & Medieval Philosophy Dr. 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 and Contemporary Philosophy Dr. Randy 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 Prof. Melissa 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 Dr. 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 Prof. 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 Dr. 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 Dr. Timothy Smith
This course examines arguments for the existence of God, His nature and relation to the world and man.

PHS 731 The One & the Many Dr. Eduardo Bernot
This course is a study of the teaching of St. Thomas Aquinas concerning the nature of the metaphysical principles of unity and multiplicity and the essential role that these principles play in the existence of things and all other principles of being, becoming, and knowing, including those of experience, art, philosophy, science.

PHS 761 The Good, the Bad, the Beautiful and the Ugly Dr. Eduardo Bernot
This course is a study of the teaching of St. Thomas Aquinas about good and its opposite, evil, and the beautiful and it opposite, the ugly, in relationship to unity and multiplicity, being and non-being, and truth and error, and different kinds of good and evil, beauty and ugliness, considered in themselves and in relation to their existence within human knowing faculties, appetites, and in relationship to God.

PHS 781 Thomistic Personalism: Knowledge and Love Prof. Francisco Plaza
The course seeks to demonstrate that personalism can be effectively grounded in the philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas. It presents Thomistic personalism as that which successfully addresses all the essential issues concerning the human person.

BIE 639 Bioethics & The Law Dr. Peter DePergola
This course introduces basic constitutional, statutory, and regulatory law related to bioethics. United States Supreme Court case law is a central component of the course. The course will examine the development of constitutional substantive due process, privacy, individual autonomy, and equal protection. The structure of American constitutional government, the separation of powers, the protection of individual liberties, and related political and philosophical foundations are examined.

BIE 653 Guiding Principles of Catholic Medical Ethics Dr. Jozef Zalot
This course explores the extraordinary challenges, both medical and moral, currently facing Healthcare in the U.S. The Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, will be used to overview critical topics in Catholic medical ethics. Requires separate enrollment with the National Catholic Bioethics Center.

BIE 675 Case Studies and Applied Topics Dr. Jozef Zalot
This course examines a number of bioethical topics and critically analyzes case studies from a Catholic perspective, including research ethics, ethics committee process topics, beginning and end- of-life ethical issues, and selected clinical issues.

BIE 750 Magisterial Teaching Related to Major Catholic Bioethics Issues Dr. 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 Dr. Hermann Frieboes
This course examines the relationship between Catholic bioethics and secular culture.

CHH 501 Historical Knowledge & Human God Dr. John Bequette
This course explores the relationship between historical knowledge and human flourishing, both temporally and eternally. What key historical events, figures, controversies and concepts should an adult retain after having left college? How ought a mature, Christian adult view history? What role does historical knowledge play in establishing a flourishing social life? Is there a connection between a proper historical consciousness and eternal salvation?

CHH 709 Ecumenical Councils Dr. 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 Dr. 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 Dr. J. Marianne Siegmund
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 Dr. J. 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 Dr. Alan Fimister
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 Prof. William Dunn
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 pre- requisite 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 Dr. 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 inter-religious 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 treats sacramental confession and pastoral ministry to the sick, the dying and the bereaved, particularly Penance, Viaticum, Anointing of the Sick and the Mass and Rite of Christian Burial.

ENG 890 Summative Evaluation: Comprehensive Exam & Professional Paper (Theology) Dr. 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.

LLT 506 Liturgical Theology Dr. Matthew Ramage
This course demonstrates how the Liturgy is the source and summit of the Christian Life as found in Sacrosanctum Concilium, 10. It will examine liturgical theology especially in terms of its theological and spiritual aspects, while integrating pastoral and canonical applications.

MTH 611 Fundamental Moral Theology I Dr. 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 659 Moral Magisterium of John Paul II Dr. Kristina Olsen
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 and Theology of the Body Dr. 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.

PHS 607 Perennial Philosophy Dr. 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 Dr. 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 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, ! Corinthians, Philippians, and Romans.

SAS 621 Prophetic Literature Dr. 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 Dr. 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.

GRK 501 Greek I Prof. 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 Prof. 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 Prof. 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.

SAS 602 Soul of Theology Dr. 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 Prof. 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 Prof. 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. Prerequisite: SAS 712 Pentateuch

SAS 716 Gospels Dr. Andrew Blaski
This course is a study of the background, purpose, composition, structure, and historical and theological content 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 Letters of St. Paul Dr. 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

DTH 512 Spiritual Life in the Classics Dr. J. Marianne Siegmund
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 Prof. William Dunn
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 & Triune God Fr. Thomas CreanThis 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 pre- requisite 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.

MTH 611 Fundamental Moral Theology I Dr. 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 602 Fundamentals of Practical Theology Dr. J. 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.

PAS 621 Pastoral Care of Marriage & 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 Dr. 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.

PHE 610 Ethics Prof. 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.

PHS 607 Perennial Philosophy Dr. 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 561 Gospel of John 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 651 Synoptic Gospels Dr. 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.