Summer 2023 Course Offerings
Please click on the appropriate program below to view available courses and syllabi which will detail the required book list for the course. Please note that it is your responsibility to purchase all materials prior to the start of classes.
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Undergraduate
APO 512 Catholic Apologetics Prof. Trenton Horn
This course focuses on the dispute between Catholics and Protestants and equips students to defend the Church’s fundamental teachings against Protestant criticisms.
APO 540 The New Atheism Prof. Trenton Horn
This course focuses on the arguments from the “New Atheism” and how Christians can answer these arguments.
DTH 512 Spiritual Life in the Classics Dr. J. Marianne Siegmund
“This course provides a study of the great spiritual writers of the Catholic Spiritual Tradition with an emphasis on how the images and concepts in such classics can help us grow in our knowledge and union with God, and in our love of those we encounter in friendship, family, work and mission” (Catalogue).
ENG 131 Poetry Prof. Cynthia Gniadek
This course introduces students to poetry and focuses on evaluating poems in light of the Catholic Tradition. Works covered include but are not limited to the following: poems by Dante Alighieri, Francis Thompson, Gerard Manley Hopkins, and William Shakespeare. The course concludes with a consideration of the concept of classic works of poetry.
ENG 151 Drama Prof. Cynthia Gniadek
This course surveys Western dramatists in light of the Catholic Tradition. Works include but are not limited to the following: Aeschylus’s Prometheus Bound, Sophocles’s Oedipus Rex, and Karol Wojtyła’s The Jeweler’s Shop. Additionally, particular attention will be paid to works by William Shakespeare. The course concludes with a consideration of the concept of classic works of drama.
ENG 221 Novels, Short Stories, and Literary Research Prof. Cynthia Gniadek
This course introduces students to novels and short stories and focuses on evaluating them in light of the Catholic Tradition. Works include but are not limited to the following: Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre, George Orwell’s 1984, and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Students write an academic research paper on a work of literature with guidance through the process of research, drafting, and formatting.
HIS 101 Western Civilization I Dr. John Bequette
This course covers the history of Western civilization from the dawn of civilization through the Council of Trent. The intent of this course is for the student to develop an understanding of both the flow of history as an integrated whole, as well as an understanding of the significant part played by the Catholic Church in building Western civilization.
HIS 200 American History Fr. Gregoire Fluet
This course will offer a survey of the history of the United States of America from the Reconstruction to the election of 2000. The student will focus on the persons who moved that history seeing them as human being with both flaws, but also great talents.
HIS 352 Eastern Civilization II Dr. Sebastian Mahfood
This course will complement Eastern Civilization I by chronologically tracing the history of East and South East Asia from ancient times to modern times. In so doing, students will be introduced to cultures, philosophies and religions of East Asia. Special attention will be given to the role of Catholicism throughout East Asian history.
HUM 104 Humanities in the Early Christian Church and Medieval World Dr. John Bequette
This course covers the emergence and spread of Christianity as primary cultural phenomena from the time of Christ until the late middle ages, and introduces the major branches of the humanities–for example, the literature, philosophy, arts and architecture.
LAT 203 Latin III: Advanced Latin Dr. Philippe Yates
This advanced course builds on the learning in LAT 201 and 202. It is designed to complete the student’s knowledge of Latin Grammar and enable the student to read ecclesiastical, classical, medieval and modern Latin texts. LAT 203 transitions from learning the grammar and basic vocabulary to translating significant texts of ecclesiastical, medieval, modern and classical Latin.
MTH 300 Introduction to Moral Theology Prof. Paul Chutikorn
This course is designed as an introduction to the foundational concepts of Catholic moral theology. Throughout the course, we will seek to gain a mastery of the questions: What is moral theology? What are its principles? How can we use these to help ourselves and others lead a moral life?
MTH 425 Theology of the Body Dr. Lucy Knouse
This course covers the biblical foundations for the Theology of the Body as expressed in the works of St. John Paul II, and seeks to relate the Theology of the Body in the practical encounters of life, love and marriage.
PAS 161 Catechism I Prof. Steven Schultz
This course presents an overview of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Students study the first two parts, “The Profession of Faith” and “The Celebration of the Christian Mystery” to grasp its presentation of truth in the light of Vatican Council II.
PAS 162 Catechism II Prof. Steven Schultz
This course presents an overview of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Students study parts three and four of the Catechism, “Life in Christ” and “Christian Prayer,” to grasp its presentation of truth in the light of Vatican Council II.
PHE 450 Ethics Prof. Jonathan Stute
A study of the basic principles of ethics from a Thomistic perspective including topics such as happiness and the nature of the good life, God as man’s final end, virtue and vice in the human person, and the natural law as an extrinsic measure human actions. The course will include applications of Thomistic ethics to controversial contemporary moral issues.
PHH 301 History of Ancient Philosophy Dr. Peter Mango
This course will consider some of the historical origins, some of the methods, and some of the
implications of philosophy in the Western world classified as “ancient” – as well as sociocultural implications of ancient philosophical claims within the history of ideas. The course will examine ancient authors spanning from the Greek Pre-Socratics through the Neo-Platonists.
PHH 304 History of Medieval Philosophy Dr. Jonathan Kirwan
This course will introduce students to medieval philosophy and, in addition to focusing on major thinkers such as Augustine, Boethius, Anselm, Thomas Aquinas, Bonaventure, Duns Scotus, and William of Ockham, examine its importance today in such topics as the nature and existence of God, the relationship between faith and reason, and the human soul and its faculties.
PHH 401 History of Modern Philosophy Prof. Jonathan Stute
This course provides an examination of the most important philosophers within the modern tradition from Descartes through Kant. Special topics of emphasis will include the “turn to the subject,” the subordination of philosophy to science and mathematics, and the effects that modern thought has had on the philosophy of religion.
PHS 421 Philosophy of Nature Dr. David Arias
This course provides an examination of the most important philosophers within the modern tradition from Descartes through Kant. Special topics of emphasis will include the “turn to the subject,” the subordination of philosophy to science and mathematics, and the effects that modern thought has had on the philosophy of religion.
PHS 450 Philosophical Anthropology Dr. John Finley
In this course you will examine human nature from the perspective of the Catholic intellectual tradition. Special emphasis will be placed on the philosophical insights of Thomas Aquinas and their applicability to our contemporary world.
PHS 490 Metaphysics Philosophy Dr. Kirwan
Metaphysics is that most general investigation of philosophy that attempts to arrive at reasoned judgments about how things really are. This course presents a comprehensive introduction to Aristotelian and Thomistic metaphysics. Topics included are the nature of metaphysics as a science and its subject matter; the distinction between being and essence; and the analogy of being.
PHS/SAI 471 Aesthetics in Sacred Art Dr. Michela Ferri
This course explores the various elements of Aesthetics in the field of the “Sacred Art”, related to the Christian world, in comparison with the secular Christian Arts of religious themes, and in comparison with the Art in general.
During this course students will learn the specifics of Christian theological, doctrinal, theosophical and philosophical thought foundations as they relate to Aesthetics in Sacred Arts, and will examine their evolution through the ages. Students will recognize and develop an appreciation for the uniqueness of the Aesthetics used in Christian Arts through their multiple facets, intended relation, and effect on the human senses both cognitively, symbolically and spiritually.
SAI 214 History of Christian Iconography Dr. Michela Ferri
This course explores the history of Christian Iconography as a fundamental moment in the History of our Sacred Art – starting from the discovery of its roots during the Roman Empire until the fall of the Byzantine Empire in 1453 Anno Domini – with an insight dedicated to the iconoclasm controversies in relation to the Icon. This course highlights also the Historical Schools of Iconography, the styles, themes, and materials used to write an icon from Early Christianity until the present times, in the light of the Sacred Scriptures and the Liturgy. The course explores the places, the Monasteries, all around the world, where this tradition is cultivated. It also focuses on Christian Sacred art symbolism and aesthetics as they relate to the theology of the icon and its meanings.
SAI 427 Hagiography from sacred Art to Liturgy Dr. Michela Ferri
The course “Hagiography from the Sacred Art to Liturgy” provides a complete analysis dedicated to the discipline “Hagiography” – both from an Historical and Aesthetic Perspective, in its interrelation with the discipline that is the Iconography of the Saints.
During the course, we will describe the lives of the major Christian Saints and the places of Veneration of them. The literature of Hagiography embraces also: acts of martyrs (accounts of their trials and deaths); biographies of saint monks, of saint bishops, of saint politics, of saint virgins and of saint mothers; and accounts of miracles connected with saints’ tombs, relics, icons, or statues. The discipline “Hagiography” is studied here in its obliged relation with the field of the Symbology, with the background provided by the Iconography of the Sacred Art.
SAS 451 Synoptic Gospels Prof. Peter Swirzon
This course on the Synoptic Gospels introduces the stylistic and literary characteristics of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Students will first become familiar with the Church’s teaching regarding the interpretation of scripture by reading magisterial documents in the pontificates of John Paul II, Benedict XVI, Paul VI & Vatican II, as well as encyclicals of Leo XIII and Pius XII. Students will then learn the Lectio Divina Method of interpreting scripture through a series of assignments on each of the Synoptic Gospels. In doing so, the student will also learn of the relationship of theological, spiritual message of the gospels as it relates to Church doctrine.
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 composition, structure, purpose, historical background and theological themes of the Pauline letters with an exegesis of selected passages.
SCM 101 Mathematics Among the Liberal Arts Dr. Stacy Trasancos
This course is a survey of contemporary mathematical topics for liberal arts majors. Students will study problem solving skills, voting theory, apportionment, scheduling, growth models, finance, statistics, describing data, probability, sets, historical counting systems, fractals, cryptography, and logic. The content in this course is focused on math that citizens use in society and the applicability of each topic. Most of the course is non-algebraic. Emphasis is on the gift of intelligibility in the human person made in the image and likeness of God.
SCM 220 Chemistry Dr. Stacy Trasancos
This course will introduce students to the fundamentals of chemistry, including atomic theory, electronic structure, periodic properties of elements, chemical bonding, molecular geometry, substances, solutions, stoichiometry, gases, thermochemistry, liquids, solids, colloids, thermodynamics, and acid-base equilibria. After completing the course, students will have enough knowledge to appreciate the impact of chemistry in daily life and the structure of the atomic realm as the handiwork of God.
SCM 221 Chemistry Lab Dr. Stacy Trasancos
This course will introduce students to the fundamentals of chemistry lab techniques. After completing the course, students will have enough knowledge to appreciate the impact of chemistry in daily life.
SCM 301 Anatomy and Physiology I Prof. Adam Riso
This course presents a systemic approach to the study of the human body. Lecture topics include an introduction of anatomical terminology and an overview of cellular processes and tissue classification. Students then learn the gross and microscopic anatomy of the following systems: integumentary, skeletal, and muscular system. Section 2 of this course includes discussion of the nervous, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems.
SOC 253 Political Science Prof. Joe Jordan
In this course, from a Catholic perspective, students will be introduced to the fundamental ideas, institutions and practical issues of politics.
Graduate - MA in Theology
APO 512 Catholic Apologetics Prof. Trenton Horn
This course focuses on the dispute between Catholics and Protestants and equips students to defend the Church’s fundamental teachings against Protestant criticisms.
APO 540 The New Atheism Prof. Trenton Horn
This course focuses on the arguments from the “New Atheism” and how Christians can answer these arguments.
APO 620 Evolution and Catholic Thought Dr. Stacy Trasancos
This course blends instruction on the theory of evolution with Catholic thought on this much-debated topic. Students will study the scientific topics of variation within species; natural selection; speciation; evidence for and contra to evolution; and the development of organization at population and community levels including, of course, human evolution. In concert with the science, students will explore relevant articles from Church teachings including Vatican II documents, the Catechism, papal encyclicals and other sources of Catholic Tradition and tradition regarding whether evolution is an acceptable concept within the Church, the distinction between biological and spiritual man, and the uniqueness of humankind. The course will also provide discussion on Intelligent Design and Creationism.
BIE 625 Catholic Bioethics (For non-NCBC students) Prof. Judith Babarsky
This interdisciplinary course prepares students for pastoral service through an intensive review of the teachings of the Catholic Church regarding the sanctity and dignity of human life from the moment of conception until natural death. The course encompasses the wisdom of the Church’s teaching regarding the many difficult moral and medical issues in the field of contemporary bioethics that every Catholic will surely encounter in today’s increasingly secular society. Topics include a review of the Church’s moral teaching regarding human acts; freedom; conscience; natural law; the generation of human life; marriage; natural family planning; contraception; sterilization; abortion; ectopic pregnancies; new reproductive technologies; the cryopreservation of human embryos; cloning; stem-cell research; embryo adoption; genetic therapy; pre-natal diagnosis and screening; care for the dying; euthanasia; assisted suicide; advance directives; persistent vegetative state; the definition of death; organ transplantation; eugenics; and genocide.
BIE 651 Medical Ethics Dr. Peter Mango
This course will consider some of the questions arising in Medical Ethics today, as well as sociocultural implications of ideological claims within the history of ideas. The course will examine the suppositions of ethical claims in medicine as these overlap with questions of metaphysics and epistemology; as well as the implications of appeals to “science” for philosophical anthropology and ethics.
BIE 661 Biology & Biotechnologies for Ethicists Dr. Hermann Frieboes
In this course we will study the basic biological principles related to ethical issues such as in vitro fertilization and other reproductive technologies, embryonic and adult stem cells, artificial contraception, and genetic engineering. As these technologies and issues are constantly changing, we will also cover a basic grounding in the study of biology. The results of scientific studies filtered through the lens of the popular media can be inaccurate and misleading. As such, we will also practice reading and analyzing scientific journal articles, so that we are prepared to study scientific advances from their original sources. Finally, we will read key documents that evaluate related ethical issues from the standpoint of the Catholic faith.
CHH/DTH 671 Documents of Vatican II Fr. Gregoire Fluet
This course introduces the history of Vatican II and the content of the documents. Topics include the background of the Council, the nature of the Church, inner spiritual renewal, the Church and the world, and the effects of the Council.
CLA 702 Canon Law I: General Norms Dr. Philippe Yates
This class is designed to provide the students with an understanding of how to interpret the laws of the Catholic Church in line with the supreme law of the Church, which is the salvation of souls (canon 1752 of the Code of Canon Law). Students will be provided a perspective of the history, philosophy and theology of the legal system that governs the Catholic Church, and the norms that control its implementation.
DTH 512 Spiritual Life in the Classics Dr. J. Marianne Siegmund
“This course provides a study of the great spiritual writers of the Catholic Spiritual Tradition with an emphasis on how the images and concepts in such classics can help us grow in our knowledge and union with God, and in our love of those we encounter in friendship, family, work and mission” (Catalogue).
DTH 600 Faith and Revelation Dr. Joan Gilbert
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 the writings of Saint 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 645 Nature & Grace Dr. Francisco Romero Carrasquillo
This course is a dogmatic presentation of the theology of nature and grace, with an emphasis on the Prima Secundae (Ia IIae) of St. Thomas Aquinas’ Summa theologiae. The overarching theme of the course is to comment on the Thomistic principle that “grace does not destroy nature, but perfects it” (ST I.1.8 ad 2). Topics discussed in the course include: the natural desire to see God, the theological controversy over the desire to see God, the state of human nature, the nature of the law, the new law of Christ, the types of grace, including the nature, necessity, and effects of sanctifying grace.
DTH 731 One and Triune God Dr. Cynthia Toolin-Wilson
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 aspects of God, the unity of God and the three-ness of God. The goal of this class is to expose students to these truths to be believed and to form a foundation for further growth and study.
DTH 751 Christology Dr. Cynthia Toolin-Wilson
This course considers the person of Jesus Christ and the theology of the Incarnation.
DTH 766 Mary, Mother of God & Mother of the Church Fr. Peter Kucer
This course examines Marian doctrine in its scriptural, historical, and modern context using the infallible statements, Lumen Gentium and the post-conciliar documents.
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 around Final Exam Week and to write a ten-page professional paper in the student’s concentration. Dr. Hermann Frieboes will test in Moral, and Dr. Francisco Romero will test on Dogma. The professional paper will be written under the direction of an advisor during the following semester.
ENG 891 Academic Research, Design and Writing Prof. Cynthia Gniadek
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 Dr. Matthew Minerd
This course introduces the scientific discipline of moral theology, its norms, and its history. Main topics include the moral nature of the human person, universal call to holiness, human act, freedom, circumstances, responsibility, nature, and grace.
MTH 612 Fundamental Moral Theology II Dr. Edward Trendowski
This course is designated for students who accomplished the course Fundamental Moral Theology I. It further introduces the principles and the norms of moral theology. Main topics include the moral nature of the law, conscience, sin, conversion, and moral life.
MTH 680 Marriage and Theology of the Body Dr. Lucy Knouse
This course covers the biblical foundations for the Theology of the Body as expressed in the works of St. John Paul II, and seeks to relate the Theology of the Body in the practical encounters of life, love, and Marriage. It also 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 Dr. Kristina Olsen
This course traces major themes in Catholic social teachings by using Fr. Brian Mullady’s book, Christian Social Teaching, magisterial documents, and other sources.
MTH 851 Contemporary Moral Issues Dr. J. Marianne Siegmund
“This course researches and evaluates selected significant moral questions confronting the Church and the world today, including such issues as abortion and euthanasia in their contemporary aspects, pressing issues in social justice, issues in business, environment, and media ethics, and critical issues in sexual ethics” (HACS Course Catalogue).
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 607 Philosophy for Theologians Dr. J. Marianne Siegmund
This is a basic philosophy course for the graduate student of theology. While various philosophical concepts will be presented, the underlying gist 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 a necessary prerequisite to understanding the terminology used in Catholic theology (e.g., cause, effect, form, matter, substance, accident, nature, essence and existence). Topics include why philosophy is necessary for theology, the history of philosophy, anthropology, ethics, logic, metaphysics and social philosophy.
This course explores and applies as a solution to some of the most acute problems discussed in modern theology Aquinas’s third way, expressed in the Summa Theologica (I, q. 32 a. 1), of using reason in sacred theology, the first two ways being explained in the Summa Contra Gentiles involving Natural Theology and a movement from principles of Faith revealed through Jesus Christ. Video lectures and foundations for the course originally were provided by Dr. Thaddaeus Kozinski of the Adler-Aquinas Institute.
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” (Course Catalogue, p. 103). The course is an introduction to the philosophical study of God’s existence, attributes, and operations. After considering the essence of natural theology and answering some objections to it, we investigate the Five Ways of Saint Thomas Aquinas that demonstrate God’s existence. After considering additional arguments for God’s existence and briefly surveying atheism, we finish with a study of God’s attributes and operations.
This course will help students to learn the most important metaphysical doctrines of St.Thomas Aquinas. It presents an understanding of reality from Being itself (God) to nothingness (complete absence of being). We shall mostly focus on primary texts from Aquinas, but, when appropriate, we shall read selections from other thinkers who have influenced Aquinas, such as Aristotle.
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 composition, structure, purpose, historical background and theological themes of the Pauline letters with an exegesis of selected passages.
SAS 638 Torah and Old Testament Historical Books Dr. Matthew Ramage
This course is a study of the composition, structure, purpose, background, and theological themes of the Torah and historical books of the Bible. Students will be introduced to a variety of patristic, medieval, and contemporary exegetical approaches to the Old Testament as found in the rich Catholic tradition. Emphasis will be placed upon the narrative of salvation history and how the divine pedagogy of God among his people Israel finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
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.
SAS 657 Luke and Acts of the Apostles (8 Week Course) Fr. Thomas Crean
This course will study the gospel of St Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, with the assistance of interpreters from the patristic, mediaeval, early modern and contemporary periods, and in the light of faith and of the teachings of the Catholic Church.
This course is a thorough study of the Letter to the Hebrews focusing primarily on the theological meaning of the sacred text. To that end, the commentaries of St. John Chrysostom and St. Thomas Aquinas are utilized to guide our understanding of the primary text, which is the Epistle itself. The priesthood of Jesus Christ is the dominant theme of the Epistle and so also of this course. The relationship of priesthood and sacrifice, the types of Christ’s priesthood and sacrifice in the Old Testament, and the superiority of the New Covenant over the Old are explored in detail. The disputed question of authorship is discussed briefly at the outset.
Graduate - MA in Philosophy
ENG 891 Academic Research, Design and Writing Prof. Cynthia Gniadek
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 680 Marriage and Theology of the Body Dr. Lucy Knouse
This course covers the biblical foundations for the Theology of the Body as expressed in the works of St. John Paul II, and seeks to relate the Theology of the Body in the practical encounters of life, love, and Marriage. It also 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 Dr. Kristina Olsen
This course traces major themes in Catholic social teachings by using Fr. Brian Mullady’s book, Christian Social Teaching, magisterial documents, and other sources.
PHE 610 Ethics Dr. Francisco Romero Carrasquillo
This course is an introduction to the main theories, concepts, principles, and problems of the philosophical science of ethics from an Aristotelian and Thomistic perspective. The first part of the course will consist in a critique of certain metaethical and normative ethical theories, such as moral relativism, logical positivism, emotivism, utilitarianism, Kantianism, etc. The second half of the course will consist in a textual study of the main writings of Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas on moral principles including a discussion of happiness, the natural law, human acts, objective right and wrong, the principle of double effect, the passions, and the virtues and vices.
PHE 663 Natural Law Dr. David Arias
This course includes topics such as enlightenment jurisprudence and the “Culture of Death,” the foundations of the natural law, how the natural law works, natural law as a basis for good laws, and natural law in Catholic moral teaching.
PHE 775 Political Philosophy Dr. Matthew Minerd
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. Within this context various forms of governments will be examined, such as democracy, monarchy, and socialistic, and communistic states.
PHH 605 Ancient & Medieval Philosophy Dr. Timothy Smith
This course covers some of the most important figures and themes of Ancient and 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
An historical introduction to the thought and texts of principal modern and contemporary philosophers from Descartes to the present day. The first half of the course illustrates the break between much of modern philosophy and the Aristotelian-Thomistic tradition and prepares the way for contemporary philosophy by focusing on themes such as the following: the self-transparence of reason, as seen in the priority of epistemology, the turn to the subject, the common concept of being, and the search for new beginnings; the Cartesian divide between mind and world; the problem of the formal unity of the object of knowledge; the question of personal identity; the relation between faith and reason; and the priority of the practical.
The second half of the course introduces the thought and texts of principal philosophers from Kierkegaard to the present. This part of the course begins with Kierkegaard and Nietzsche, and then covers in turn the analytic, pragmaticist, and phenomenological schools of contemporary philosophical thought, concluding the whole course with Pope Benedict’s Regensburg Lecture in the context of contemporary philosophy. Focusing especially on the relation between the principles of intelligibility and being, the second part of the course examines topics in anthropology; ethics; language, epistemology, and truth; and first principles.
PHH 651 Aristotle Dr. John Finley
This course is an examination of Aristotle’s thought. One of the greatest philosophers in history, Aristotle is an especially important figure in the Catholic philosophical tradition, given his prominence in the works of St. Thomas Aquinas. We wish to understand his thought and his way of doing philosophy. To this end, we will focus on his work on the soul: De Anima. We will also consider themes from his Categories, Nicomachean Ethics, and Poetics.
PHH 681 St. Thomas and Arabic Philosophy Dr. Francisco Romero Carrasquillo
This course examines the historical and systematic development of the Aristotelian and Neoplatonic philosophical tradition cultivated within the Arabic-speaking world during the classical period of Arabic philosophy (9th to 12th centuries AD), including major figures and works such as the Liber de Causis, Al-Farabi, Avicenna, Al-Ghazali, Averroes, and Maimonides. Emphasis is placed throughout on their influence on the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas and their reception within 13th century Latin Scholasticism as a whole. Online only.
PHH 781 Philosophy of St Thomas Aquinas Dr. Matthew Minerd
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 611 Logic and Epistemology Dr. Philippe Yates
This course surveys twin foundations upon which all philosophy depends relying on Aristotelian insights as developed by the great Christian philosophers of the Middle Ages, and develops these in the light of contributions from modern and contemporary philosophy.
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 641 Reason in the Theology of St. Thomas Dr. Peter Mango
This course explores and applies as a solution to some of the most acute problems discussed in modern theology Aquinas’s third way, expressed in the Summa Theologica (I, q. 32 a. 1), of using reason in sacred theology, the first two ways being explained in the Summa Contra Gentiles involving Natural Theology and a movement from principles of Faith revealed through Jesus Christ. Video lectures and foundations for the course originally were provided by Dr. Thaddaeus Kozinski of the Adler-Aquinas Institute.
PHS 657 Phenomenology Dr. John Finley
This course introduces phenomenology as a way of doing philosophy, and in particular, as a study ofmhuman experience.
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” (Course Catalogue, p. 103). The course is an introduction to the philosophical study of God’s existence, attributes, and operations. After considering the essence of natural theology and answering some objections to it, we investigate the Five Ways of Saint Thomas Aquinas that demonstrate God’s existence. After considering additional arguments for God’s existence and briefly surveying atheism, we finish with a study of God’s attributes and operations.
PHS 741 St. Thomas Aquinas on Being and Nothingness Dr. Robert Delfino
This course will help students to learn the most important metaphysical doctrines of St. Thomas Aquinas. It presents an understanding of reality from Being itself (God) to nothingness (complete absence of being). We shall mostly focus on primary texts from Aquinas, but, when appropriate, we shall read selections from other thinkers who have influenced Aquinas, such as Aristotle. Online only.
PHS 761 The Good, the Bad, the Beautiful and the Ugly Dr. Eduardo Bernot
This course is a study of the metaphysical and moral teaching of St. Thomas Aquinas concerning the nature of the metaphysical and moral principles of the good, bad, beautiful, and ugly.
Graduate - MA in Pastoral Studies
APO 512 Catholic Apologetics Prof. Trenton Horn
This course focuses on the dispute between Catholics and Protestants and equips students to defend the Church’s fundamental teachings against Protestant criticisms.
APO 540 The New Atheism Prof. Trenton Horn
This course focuses on the arguments from the “New Atheism” and how Christians can answer these arguments.
APO 620 Evolution and Catholic Thought Dr. Stacey Trasancos
This course blends instruction on the theory of evolution with Catholic thought on this much-debated topic. Students will study the scientific topics of variation within species; natural selection; speciation; evidence for and contra to evolution; and the development of organization at population and community levels including, of course, human evolution. In concert with the science, students will explore relevant articles from Church teachings including Vatican II documents, the Catechism, papal encyclicals and other sources of Catholic Tradition and tradition regarding whether evolution is an acceptable concept within the Church, the distinction between biological and spiritual man, and the uniqueness of humankind. The course will also provide discussion on Intelligent Design and Creationism.
DTH 512 Spiritual Life in the Classics Dr. J. Marianne Siegmund
“This course provides a study of the great spiritual writers of the Catholic Spiritual Tradition with an emphasis on how the images and concepts in such classics can help us grow in our knowledge and union with God, and in our love of those we encounter in friendship, family, work and mission” (Catalogue).
DTH 645 Nature & Grace Dr. Francisco Romero Carrasquillo
This course is a dogmatic presentation of the theology of nature and grace, with an emphasis on the Prima Secundae (Ia IIae) of St. Thomas Aquinas’ Summa theologiae. The overarching theme of the course is to comment on the Thomistic principle that “grace does not destroy nature, but perfects it” (ST I.1.8 ad 2). Topics discussed in the course include: the natural desire to see God, the theological controversy over the desire to see God, the state of human nature, the nature of the law, the new law of Christ, the types of grace, including the nature, necessity, and effects of sanctifying grace.
MTH 851 Contemporary Moral Issues Dr. J. Marianne Siegmund
“This course researches and evaluates selected significant moral questions confronting the Church and the world today, including such issues as abortion and euthanasia in their contemporary aspects, pressing issues in social justice, issues in business, environment, and media ethics, and critical issues in sexual ethics” (HACS Course Catalogue).
PAS 602 Fundamentals of Practical Theology Dr. J. Marianne Siegmund
“This course explores the emerging field of practical theology, which examines how phronesis (i.e., authentic spirituality/practical wisdom) is facilitated through various ministerial efforts and sacred practices” (HACS Academic Catalogue).
PAS 621 Pastoral Care of Marriage & Family Fr. Gregory Lockwood
This course is designed to help the student develop a cogent theoretical and practical understanding of marriage and family. Marriage as a spousal covenant will be explored both from the biblical and traditional perspectives. In a culture where marriage has degenerated into a vehicle for self-fulfillment, the basic aspects of sacramental marriage, its aims, purposes and expected outcomes will be explored.
PAS 671 Spiritual Direction: Skills and Practice Fr. Gregory Lockwood
PAS 684 Pastoral Counseling II: Spiritual DIagnosis and Accompaniment Fr. Gregory Lockwood
This course explores how pastoral helping professionals can evaluate healthy and unhealthy expressions of spirituality, facilitate healthy spiritual growth, assess the spiritual dimensions of emotional, relational, and physical problems, and both develop and employ spiritually-based interventions to help clients overcome threats to human flourishing.
This course will enable students to understand the theology of engagement, marriage, and family life and its pastoral nature as a ministry. Learners will explore the theology and spirituality of marriage, parenthood, and childhood. Learners will develop the skills necessary to help families at all stages of life become the crucibles of intentional discipleship and social and ecclesial renewal (Course Catalogue).
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.
PAS 791 Morals and Psychology Dr. Marc Tumeinski
This is a specialized course concerning the mutual influences of reason, mind, will, soul, senses, emotions and experience on moral development, habit, action and virtue. The course draws on relevant classical and contemporary writings in theology, philosophy and psychology.
PAS 805 Trinity and the Incarnation Dr. Cynthia Toolin-Wilson
This course provides a pastoral understanding of two central mysteries of the Catholic Faith: the Holy Trinity and the Incarnation of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Since pastoral ministry concerns putting people in “communion with the Person of Christ” and helping others to follow Him, this course focuses upon Jesus Christ as the Way to the Father (John Paul II, Catechesis Tradendae #5). A second pastoral focus highlights the practical dimensions by which we can live our communion with the Blessed Trinity in family life, pastoral settings, and in the various ministries in the Church.
M.Div. in the New Evangelization
APO 512 Catholic Apologetics Prof. Trenton Horn
This course focuses on the dispute between Catholics and Protestants and equips students to defend the Church’s fundamental teachings against Protestant criticisms.
BIE 625 Catholic Bioethics Prof. Judith Babarsky
This interdisciplinary course prepares students for pastoral service through an intensive review of the teachings of the Catholic Church regarding the sanctity and dignity of human life from the moment of conception until natural death. The course encompasses the wisdom of the Church’s teaching regarding the many difficult moral and medical issues in the field of contemporary bioethics that every Catholic will surely encounter in today’s increasingly secular society. Topics include a review of the Church’s moral teaching regarding human acts; freedom; conscience; natural law; the generation of human life; marriage; natural family planning; contraception; sterilization; abortion; ectopic pregnancies; new reproductive technologies; the cryopreservation of human embryos; cloning; stem-cell research; embryo adoption; genetic therapy; pre-natal diagnosis and screening; care for the dying; euthanasia; assisted suicide; advance directives; persistent vegetative state; the definition of death; organ transplantation; eugenics; and genocide.
DTH 512 Spiritual Life in the Classics Dr. J. Marianne Siegmund
“This course provides a study of the great spiritual writers of the Catholic Spiritual Tradition with an emphasis on how the images and concepts in such classics can help us grow in our knowledge and union with God, and in our love of those we encounter in friendship, family, work and mission” (Catalogue).
DTH 731 One & Triune God Dr. Cynthia Toolin-Wilson
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 aspects of God, the unity of God and the three-ness of God. The goal of this class is to expose students to these truths to be believed and to form a foundation for further growth and study.
DTH 751 Christology Dr. Cynthia Toolin-Wilson
This course considers the person of Jesus Christ and the theology of the Incarnation.
DTH 766 Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church Fr. Peter Kucer
This course examines Marian doctrine in its scriptural, historical, and modern context using the infallible statements, Lumen Gentium and the post-conciliar documents.
MTH 611 Fundamental Moral Theology I Dr. Matthew Minerd
This course introduces the scientific discipline of moral theology, its norms, and its history. Main topics include the moral nature of the human person, universal call to holiness, human act, freedom, circumstances, responsibility, nature, and grace.
MTH 612 Fundamental Moral Theology II Dr. Edward Trendowski
This course is designated for students who accomplished the course Fundamental Moral Theology I. It further introduces the principles and the norms of moral theology. Main topics include the moral nature of the law, conscience, sin, conversion, and moral life.
MTH 851 Contemporary Moral Issues Dr. J. Marianne Siegmund
“This course researches and evaluates selected significant moral questions confronting the Church and the world today, including such issues as abortion and euthanasia in their contemporary aspects, pressing issues in social justice, issues in business, environment, and media ethics, and critical issues in sexual ethics” (HACS Course Catalogue).
PAS 602 Fundamentals of Practical Theology Dr. J. Marianne Siegmund
This course explores the emerging field of practical theology, which examines how phronesis (i.e., authentic spirituality/practical wisdom) is facilitated through various ministerial efforts and sacred practices” (HACS Academic Catalogue).
PAS 621 Pastoral Care of Marriage & Family Fr. Gregory Lockwood
This course is designed to help the student develop a cogent theoretical and practical understanding of marriage and family. Marriage as a spousal covenant will be explored both from the biblical and traditional perspectives. In a culture where marriage has degenerated into a vehicle for self-fulfillment, the basic aspects of sacramental marriage, its aims, purposes and expected outcomes will be explored.
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 Dr. Francisco Romero Carrasquillo
This course is an introduction to the main theories, concepts, principles, and problems of the philosophical science of ethics from an Aristotelian and Thomistic perspective. The first part of the course will consist in a critique of certain metaethical and normative ethical theories, such as moral relativism, logical positivism, emotivism, utilitarianism, Kantianism, etc. The second half of the course will consist in a textual study of the main writings of Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas on moral principles including a discussion of happiness, the natural law, human acts, objective right and wrong, the principle of double effect, the passions, and the virtues and vices.
PHS 607 Philosophy for Theologians Dr. J. Marianne Siegmund
This is a basic philosophy course for the graduate student of theology. While various philosophical concepts will be presented, the underlying gist 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 a necessary prerequisite to understanding the terminology used in Catholic theology (e.g., cause, effect, form, matter, substance, accident, nature, essence and existence). 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 638 Torah & Old Testament Historical Books Dr. Matthew Ramage
This course is a study of the composition, structure, purpose, background, and theological themes of the Torah and historical books of the Bible. Students will be introduced to a variety of patristic, medieval, and contemporary exegetical approaches to the Old Testament as found in the rich Catholic tradition. Emphasis will be placed upon the narrative of salvation history and how the divine pedagogy of God among his people Israel finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
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.