Saint Michael's College

Theology - Summer 2011

See below the box for the full course description. If you have questions, please contact the academic advisor, Dr. Edward Mahoney, emahoney@smcvt.edu, 802.654.2578, or the Program Assistant, Lisa McCormick, lmccormick2@smcvt.edu, 802.654.2579.

GTH 517 The Writing of Paul
Instructor: Wilfrid Harrington, O.P., SSL
The course will explore the life, writings and theology of St. Paul.  This course includes an examination of the social, political and religious context of Pauline literature, with special attention paid to selected letters.  Special focus is given to topics or problems such as women in the early church; ministry in Pauline communities; authority and church structure; and Christian life according to Paul.
Area: Biblical Studies

GTH 522 The Prophets (3 cr.)
Instructor: Joan Cook, S.C., Ph.D.
The course will study the identity and role of prophets within the history and traditions of Israel, including a review of their visions and missions, major prophetic themes and the relevance of their message for the contemporary faith community.
Area: Biblical Studies

GTH 527 The Eucharist (3 cr.)
Instructor: Margaret Lavin, PhD
In this course, students will examine the experience of symbol as a basis for understanding the Eucharist.  This is followed by a study of Eucharistic themes in the New Testament, and the historical and cultural factors that led to a changing theology and celebration of the Eucharist in the life of the church. This historical survey will include an exploration of the art, architecture and sacred space that reflected these changing approaches to Eucharist. Finally, the course will examine contemporary current issues in Eucharistic theology such as questions of “Real Presence,” sacrifice and inter-communion.
Area: Liturgical Studies

GTH 610A Human Reconciliation: Theory and Practice
Instructor: Philip Sheldrake, PhD
Human reconciliation is arguably the critical religious, ethnic, social and political issue of our times. It is also a deeply spiritual matter as it touches on our sense of identity, purpose and practice of everyday life. The introduction to the course will ask what “reconciliation” means, how it differs from “tolerance” and will outline the challenging process of reconciliation – remembering, repentance, restitution and mutual empowerment. The first section of the course will then study some key elements of a theology of reconciliation. The second section will explore relevant resources from the Christian spiritual tradition. The third section of the course will use these tools to focus on two challenging case studies of contemporary reconciliation – interfaith dialogue and the future of radically plural global cities. Finally, the course will discuss some strategies for a Christian ministry of reconciliation. 
Area: Spirituality and Pastoral Ministry

GTH 610B Spirituality for Ministry
Instructor: Finola Cunnane, PhD
What is spirituality and how would you describe spirituality?  What do you understand by ministry?  What if ministry was the commission and privilege of all baptized?  What is the spirituality that informs your ministry and the ways in which you facilitate the continual birthing of the Word and the Kingdom?  This course explores the meanings of spirituality and ministry and invites them into conversation with each other and with ourselves.  Beginning with the charism of the Spirit, the main elements of prophetic ministry and imagination will be examined, culminating in spirituality for ministry for our time, one that requires a reverent engagement with others at their highest level of becoming.
Area: Spirituality and Pastoral Ministry

GTH 701 Hope Seeking Transformation (3 cr.)
Instructor: Dermot Lane, STD
This course begins with an exploration of the principles of eschatology by engaging in a discussion of the experiences of evil, suffering and death.  Our encounters with the nuclear threat, ethnic cleansing resulting in the breakdown of humanity and human hope for the future are but a few issues that challenge the classic approaches to death and resurrection.  This raises the need for a new, post-modern framework in which the Christian symbols of Resurrection, New Creation, and the Second Coming of Christ have new meaning in light of our living in the shadow of the Cross.
Area: Systematic Theology

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For more information, contact:
Lisa McCormick, Administrative Assistant
Graduate Theology Program
802.654.2223
lmccormick2@smcvt.edu

Dr. Edward Mahoney, Program Director
802.654.2578
emahoney@smcvt.edu