Courses
The Catholic University of America Rome Program
The Papacy and the Development of the Church in Rome
Since the fourth century Rome has been a city of the Christian Church, the
center and embodiment of the Roman Catholic Church. The history of the city
is tied to the history of the Church and is intimately connected with its
leaders, the popes. Students in the course will study the development of
the meaning of the papacy as the role of the bishop of Rome developed into
the office it is today. They will critically examine the interaction between
the understanding and theology of the papacy, the actual lives of the men
who filled these roles (and often fell far short of the ideal), the places
they walked, and the buildings and artwork they inspired. Through a study
of the historical development of the papacy, students will reflect on the
Roman Catholic understanding of and commitment to the Pope as the successor
of Peter, Vicar of Christ, and Servant of the Servants of God.
Christian Rome: Understanding Jesus Christ in Rome
The past two thousand years of Roman history is marked by Christianity. Indeed,
for much of this time, and still today for Roman Catholics, Rome was and is the
premier Christian city, rivaling the Holy Land as a place of pilgrimage, prayer,
and encounter with Jesus Christ. The course will study this aspect of Rome by
examining the Christian understanding of Jesus, his life, death, resurrection,
his continued presence in the Church, and his influence on Christians throughout
time. It will use the places, the architecture, and the art of Rome to
illustrate and deepen this understanding. Through this course, students will
come to a critical understanding of the Christian belief in Jesus as the Christ
and Son of God.
The Cappadocian Fathers and the Christian God
The course will examine the writings of the Cappadocian fathers in regard to
their development of the understanding of the Trinity and their relationship to the
disputes following the Council of Nicea. It will show the many ways, the writings of
Basil the Great, Gregory Nazianzen, and Gregory of Nyssa contributed to the official
understanding the Trinity and the various nuances of their claims.
Christology
The course examines the Christian, and specifically Roman Catholic, understanding
of Jesus of Nazareth as the child of Israel, the son of Mary, the promised
Messiah, the Son of God, and the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity.
It will examine the understanding of Jesus in the New Testament and trace
the development of official language about him through the ecumenical councils.
Attention will be given to the various historical understandings of Jesus
embraced by the Church throughout history, especially the time-honoured
texts, but also including a look at hymns, art, and architecture.
The Papacy and the Development of the Church in Rome
Since the fourth century Rome has been a city of the Christian Church, the
center and embodiment of the Roman Catholic Church. The history of the city
is tied to the history of the Church and is intimately connected with its
leaders, the popes. Students in the course will study the development of
the meaning of the papacy as the role of the bishop of Rome developed into
the office it is today. They will critically examine the interaction between
the understanding and theology of the papacy, the actual lives of the men
who filled these roles (and often fell far short of the ideal), the places
they walked, and the buildings and artwork they inspired. Through a study
of the historical development of the papacy, students will reflect on the
Roman Catholic understanding of and commitment to the Pope as the successor
of Peter, Vicar of Christ, and Servant of the Servants of God.
Theology according to Maximus the Confessor
The course will examine the writings of perhaps the greatest of the Greek fathers
in order to understand his concept of theology and the intellectual approach to God.
Maximus (c. 580-662) developed a sophisticated understanding of the Christian knowledge
of God based on a reading of Dionysius the Areopagite. Themes such as the relationship
between apophatic and cataphatic theology, how the mind receives divine truth, and the
relationship between theology and holiness will be discussed.
Syllabus
Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue
The course examines the Christian, and specifically Roman Catholic, understanding
of God's plan of salvation for all humanity in Christ. The course begins
by exploring the role of the Roman Catholic Church in promoting unity among
Christians, including the basic principles of ecumenism and the current
state of Christian dialogue. We then turn to the nature of Christian dialogue
with other world religions to discover how this dialogue encompasses both
the understanding of Jesus Christ as the universal saviour as well as an
attentiveness to all that is good and true in other religious traditions.
Syllabus
Grace
The Course examines the presence of God in the lives of humans, traditionally
spoken of in terms of grace. After a look at the New Testament foundation
for an understanding of grace, the course will treat the development of
a doctrine of grace as formulated by Augustine and articulated by Thomas
Aquinas. The specific Roman Catholic understanding will emerge through the
debates of the Reformation and the response of the Council of Trent. The
course will conclude with a look at modern accounts of grace and the Eastern
Orthodox understanding of participation in divinity.
Syllabus
The Catholic University of America Rome Program
The Papacy and the Development of the Church in Rome
Since the fourth century Rome has been a city of the Christian Church, the
center and embodiment of the Roman Catholic Church. The history of the city
is tied to the history of the Church and is intimately connected with its
leaders, the popes. Students in the course will study the development of
the meaning of the papacy as the role of the bishop of Rome developed into
the office it is today. They will critically examine the interaction between
the understanding and theology of the papacy, the actual lives of the men
who filled these roles (and often fell far short of the ideal), the places
they walked, and the buildings and artwork they inspired. Through a study
of the historical development of the papacy, students will reflect on the
Roman Catholic understanding of and commitment to the Pope as the successor
of Peter, Vicar of Christ, and Servant of the Servants of God.
Happiness and Beauty: Ethics and the Human Life
The course will provide a general introduction to ethical thinking from
a philosophical perspective by examining how the great thinkers of the
western tradition have understood the goal of human existence and the means
for human fulfillment, considering both classical and contemporary theories
of moral conduct. Through reading and critically considering selections
from Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas, and several modern writers,
students will come to see the philosophical thought about the ideal human being
that inspired much of western civilization and especially the art
and architecture of Rome.
Christian Rome: Understanding Jesus Christ in Rome (with Dr. Frederick Bauerschmidt)
The past two thousand years of Roman history is marked by Christianity. Indeed,
for much of this time, and still today for Roman Catholics, Rome was and is the
premier Christian city, rivaling the Holy Land as a place of pilgrimage, prayer,
and encounter with Jesus Christ. The course will study this aspect of Rome by
examining the Christian understanding of Jesus, his life, death, resurrection,
his continued presence in the Church, and his influence on Christians throughout
time. It will use the places, the architecture, and the art of Rome to
illustrate and deepen this understanding. Through this course, students will
come to a critical understanding of the Christian belief in Jesus as the Christ
and Son of God.
Liturgical Theology (seminar)
Recent theology has awakened to the long-held
conviction that theology and Christian worship are intimately connected.
This conviction is traditionally expressed by the maxim lex orandi, lex
credendi, the prayer of the Church affects her belief and vice versa.
This seminar will examine different approaches to liturgical theology,
in the search for a better understanding of the richness of the
relationship of theology and liturgy.
Bibliography: Kevin Irwin, Context
and Text, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, A New Song for the Lord, Alexander Schmemann,
An Introduction to Liturgical Theology, Gordon Lathrop, Holy
Things
Christology
The course examines the Christian, and specifically Roman Catholic, understanding
of Jesus of Nazareth as the child of Israel, the son of Mary, the promised
Messiah, the Son of God, and the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity.
It will examine the understanding of Jesus in the New Testament and trace
the development of official language about him through the ecumenical councils.
Attention will be given to the various historical understandings of Jesus
embraced by the Church throughout history, especially the time-honoured
texts, but also including a look at hymns, art, and architecture.
The Papacy and the Development of the Church in Rome
Since the fourth century Rome has been a city of the Christian Church, the
center and embodiment of the Roman Catholic Church. The history of the city
is tied to the history of the Church and is intimately connected with its
leaders, the popes. Students in the course will study the development of
the meaning of the papacy as the role of the bishop of Rome developed into
the office it is today. They will critically examine the interaction between
the understanding and theology of the papacy, the actual lives of the men
who filled these roles (and often fell far short of the ideal), the places
they walked, and the buildings and artwork they inspired. Through a study
of the historical development of the papacy, students will reflect on the
Roman Catholic understanding of and commitment to the Pope as the successor
of Peter, Vicar of Christ, and Servant of the Servants of God.
Happiness and Beauty: Ethics and the Human Life
The course will provide a general introduction to ethical thinking from
a philosophical perspective by examining how the great thinkers of the
western tradition have understood the goal of human existence and the means
for human fulfillment, considering both classical and contemporary theories
of moral conduct. Through reading and critically considering selections
from Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas, and several modern writers,
students will come to see the philosophical thought about the ideal human being
that inspired much of western civilization and especially the art
and architecture of Rome.
Contemporary Orthodox Theology
The past century has witness a
flourishing of Greek and Russian Orthodox thought due to Russian
immigration to the West, the emergence of Greece as an independent
state, and most recently with the fall of the Soviet Union. These
thinkers seek to revive traditional aspects of Orthodoxy and at the same
time give evidence of a diversity in their approaches. The course will
explore these trends in Orthodox thought, specifically focusing on
exploring the nature of theology in eastern thought. Readings will be
taken from Orthodox thinkers of the 20th and 21st century.
Bibliography: various writings from Vladimir Lossky, Paul Evdokimov, Sergei Bulgakov,
Alexander Schmemann, Dimitru Staniloe, John Zizioulas, and others.
Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue
The course examines the Christian, and specifically Roman Catholic, understanding
of God's plan of salvation for all humanity in Christ. The course begins
by exploring the role of the Roman Catholic Church in promoting unity among
Christians, including the basic principles of ecumenism and the current
state of Christian dialogue. We then turn to the nature of Christian dialogue
with other world religions to discover how this dialogue encompasses both
the understanding of Jesus Christ as the universal saviour as well as an
attentiveness to all that is good and true in other religious traditions.
Grace
The Course examines the presence of God in the lives of humans, traditionally
spoken of in terms of grace. After a look at the New Testament foundation
for an understanding of grace, the course will treat the development of
a doctrine of grace as formulated by Augustine and articulated by Thomas
Aquinas. The specific Roman Catholic understanding will emerge through the
debates of the Reformation and the response of the Council of Trent. The
course will conclude with a look at modern accounts of grace and the Eastern
Orthodox understanding of participation in divinity.
The Catholic University of America Rome Program
The Papacy and the Development of the Church in Rome
Since the fourth century Rome has been a city of the Christian Church, the
center and embodiment of the Roman Catholic Church. The history of the city
is tied to the history of the Church and is intimately connected with its
leaders, the popes. Students in the course will study the development of
the meaning of the papacy as the role of the bishop of Rome developed into
the office it is today. They will critically examine the interaction between
the understanding and theology of the papacy, the actual lives of the men
who filled these roles (and often fell far short of the ideal), the places
they walked, and the buildings and artwork they inspired. Through a study
of the historical development of the papacy, students will reflect on the
Roman Catholic understanding of and commitment to the Pope as the successor
of Peter, Vicar of Christ, and Servant of the Servants of God.
Philosophy of God
Western philosophers have thought and written much about the nature and
existence of God. They raise questions about the nature of God, the relationship
of reason to God, the meaning of the word “God” in the face of the evil
in the world, and the relationship of God with other aspects of metaphysics.
The present course will discuss these various approaches throughout the
tradition, beginning with the differing perspectives of Plato and Aristotle,
and continuing through medieval and early modern thinkers. It will conclude
with an exploration of how today’s contemporary philosophers account for
God in their thought.
“Participants of the Divine Nature” (2 Peter 1:4): A Study of Participation
in the Greek Fathers
The Eastern Christian tradition speaks of a real participation of created
nature in the uncreated, based on a reading of the Greek Patristic writers.
This course will examine these writings to try to understand what the Fathers
mean when they talk of participation, the contexts in which such language
is used, and the relationship of this to grace. Questions will be raised
as to the applicability of this language to western theological concerns.
Bibliography: Selected writings of Origen, Clement of Alexandria,
Gregory of Nyssa, Evagrius Ponticus, Dionysius the Areopagite, Maximus the
Confessor, John of Damascus.
Christology
The course examines the Christian, and specifically Roman Catholic, understanding
of Jesus of Nazareth as the child of Israel, the son of Mary, the promised
Messiah, the Son of God, and the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity.
It will examine the understanding of Jesus in the New Testament and trace
the development of official language about him through the ecumenical councils.
Attention will be given to the various historical understandings of Jesus
embraced by the Church throughout history, especially the time-honoured
texts, but also including a look at hymns, art, and architecture.
Grace
The Course examines the presence of God in the lives of humans, traditionally
spoken of in terms of grace. After a look at the New Testament foundation
for an understanding of grace, the course will treat the development of
a doctrine of grace as formulated by Augustine and articulated by Thomas
Aquinas. The specific Roman Catholic understanding will emerge through the
debates of the Reformation and the response of the Council of Trent. The
course will conclude with a look at modern accounts of grace and the Eastern
Orthodox understanding of participation in divinity.
DePaul University Study Abroad-Rome
The Papacy and the Development of the Church in Rome
Since the fourth century Rome has been a city of the Christian Church, the
center and embodiment of the Roman Catholic Church. The history of the city
is tied to the history of the Church and is intimately connected with its
leaders, the popes. Students in the course will study the development of
the meaning of the papacy as the role of the bishop of Rome developed into
the office it is today. They will critically examine the interaction between
the understanding and theology of the papacy, the actual lives of the men
who filled these roles (and often fell far short of the ideal), the places
they walked, and the buildings and artwork they inspired. Through a study
of the historical development of the papacy, students will reflect on the
Roman Catholic understanding of and commitment to the Pope as the successor
of Peter, Vicar of Christ, and Servant of the Servants of God.
Philosophy of God
Western philosophers have thought and written much about the nature and
existence of God. They raise questions about the nature of God, the relationship
of reason to God, the meaning of the word “God” in the face of the evil
in the world, and the relationship of God with other aspects of metaphysics.
The present course will discuss these various approaches throughout the
tradition, beginning with the differing perspectives of Plato and Aristotle,
and continuing through medieval and early modern thinkers. It will conclude
with an exploration of how today’s contemporary philosophers account for
God in their thought.
The Mystical Theology of St. Thomas Aquinas
The theology of St. Thomas Aquinas is rightly seen as a masterpiece of rational
investigation into the mysteries of revelation. Less known is that his theology
is also meant to lead the person to contemplation of these same mysteries
and thus to an ascent to God in holiness, guided by the transformation of
the intellect by submission to the Word given in revelation. The course
will examine various parts of the Summa theologiae to show how Thomas’s
theology orients one to God and transforms one for participation in the
life of the Trinity.
Bibliography: St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa theologiae; Dionysius
the Areopagite, De Divinis Nominibus; Gregory Rocca, Speaking
the Incomprehensible God (Washington, DC: The Catholic University of
America Press, 2004); Timothy L. Smith, Thomas Aquinas’ Trinitarian Theology
(Washington, DC: The Catholic University of America Press, 2003); Jean-Pierre
Torrell, St. Thomas Aquinas (Washington, DC: The Catholic University
of America Press, 2005).
Understanding Dionysius the Areopagite
The seminar will offer a reading of the texts that were written under the
name of Dionysius the Areopagite. We will look specifically at the understanding
of theology evoked and the role of knowledge and philosophy in the spiritual
path. Certain modern commentators on the Areopagite corpus will also be
considered.
Bibliography: Dionysius the Areopagite, The Divine Names,
The Mystical Theology, Letters, The Celestial Hierarchy,
The Ecclesiastical Hierarchy.
Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue
The course examines the Christian, and specifically Roman Catholic, understanding
of God's plan of salvation for all humanity in Christ. The course begins
by exploring the role of the Roman Catholic Church in promoting unity among
Christians, including the basic principles of ecumenism and the current
state of Christian dialogue. We then turn to the nature of Christian dialogue
with other world religions to discover how this dialogue encompasses both
the understanding of Jesus Christ as the universal saviour as well as an
attentiveness to all that is good and true in other religious traditions.
The Catholic University of America Rome Program
Christian Rome: Understanding Jesus Christ in Rome
The past two thousand years of Roman history is marked by Christianity. Indeed,
for much of this time, and still today for Roman Catholics, Rome was and is the
premier Christian city, rivaling the Holy Land as a place of pilgrimage, prayer,
and encounter with Jesus Christ. The course will study this aspect of Rome by
examining the Christian understanding of Jesus, his life, death, resurrection,
his continued presence in the Church, and his influence on Christians throughout
time. It will use the places, the architecture, and the art of Rome to
illustrate and deepen this understanding. Through this course, students will
come to a critical understanding of the Christian belief in Jesus as the Christ
and Son of God.
Theology after Modernity: Postmodern Questions
Contemporary European philosophy has raised questions about the nature of
reason, the possibility of metaphysics, and the validity of any universal claims
to truth. Theology can only profit by considering these issues in the light of
the tradition. This seminar will introduce students to the various themes of
postmodern thought with the goal of showing its compatibility and
incompatibility with Catholic thought.
Bibliography: Jean-Luc Marion, God without Being, David Tracy,
Plurality and Ambiguity, along with select texts from Jacques Derrida,
Michel Foucault, Emmauel Levinas.
Particular Theologies and the Catholic Tradition
Recent years have witnessed the development of contextual theology or
"particular theologies", that is, theologies which intend to reflect the
experience and needs of a particular subset of society. This seminar will
examine this phenomenon in the light of the Catholic tradition by looking at
three different approaches to theology: feminist theology, black theology, and
latino theology. Even though these develop out of a particular cultural context,
the claims advanced have global implications. After examining the basic
principles upon which these approaches are developed, each will be examined in
particular, highlighting their relationship to recent magisterial statements.
Bibliography: Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza, But She Said, Elizabeth
Johnson, She Who Is, James Cone, A Black Theology of Liberation,
Roberto Goizueta, Caminemos con Jesús, John Paul II, Fides et Ratio.
Christology
The course examines the Christian, and
specifically Roman Catholic, understanding of Jesus of Nazareth as the
child of Israel, the son of Mary, the promised Messiah, the Son of God,
and the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity. It will examine the understanding
of Jesus in the New Testament and trace the development of official language
about him through the ecumenical councils. Attention will be given to the various
historical understandings of Jesus embraced by the Church throughout history, especially the
time-honoured texts, but also including a look at hymns, art, and architecture.
Grace
The Course examines the presence of God in the lives of humans, traditionally spoken of
in terms of grace. After a look at the New Testament foundation for an understanding of grace,
the course will treat the development of a doctrine of grace as formulated by Augustine and
articulated by Thomas Aquinas. The specific Roman Catholic understanding will emerge through the
debates of the Reformation and the response of the Council of Trent.
The course will conclude with a look at modern accounts of grace and the
Eastern Orthodox understanding of participation in divinity.
DePaul University Study Abroad-Rome
Christian Rome: Understanding Jesus Christ in Rome
The past two thousand years of Roman history is marked by Christianity. Indeed,
for much of this time, and still today for Roman Catholics, Rome was and is the
premier Christian city, rivaling the Holy Land as a place of pilgrimage, prayer,
and encounter with Jesus Christ. The course will study this aspect of Rome by
examining the Christian understanding of Jesus, his life, death, resurrection,
his continued presence in the Church, and his influence on Christians throughout
time. It will use the places, the architecture, and the art of Rome to
illustrate and deepen this understanding. Through this course, students will
come to a critical understanding of the Christian belief in Jesus as the Christ
and Son of God.
Philosophy of God
Western philosophers have thought and written much about the nature and
existence of God. They raise questions about the nature of God, the relationship
of reason to God, the meaning of the word “God” in the face of the evil in the
world, and the relationship of God with other aspects of metaphysics. The
present course will discuss these various approaches throughout the tradition,
beginning with the differing perspectives of Plato and Aristotle, and continuing
through medieval and early modern thinkers. It will conclude with an exploration
of how today’s contemporary philosophers account for God in their thought.
Independent Study: Christian Ethics, An Introduction
This directed reading course will examine Christian life, reflecting upon its
meaning and goal, in order to understand its criteria and method for deciding
what is right and wrong, what are the duties and obligations of the Christian.
The course will survey the history of Christian moral reflection in order to
discover how Christians have, over the years, engaged in the process of
reflecting on ethical living. It will also provide a brief introduction to
Christian attitudes on peace and war, sexuality, money and business, and
bioethics. It will focus primarily on a Roman Catholic approach to ethics, but
will include perspectives from the Protestant and Orthodox traditions.
Jesus Christ: Universal Savior
Like every age, the contemporary era has sought to express the meaning of
Christ in its own terms. In a time marked by pluralism, the uniqueness and
universality of Jesus are ever more important for Christians to understand.
This course will look at various treatments of Jesus in modern writings. It will
discover the importance of the uniqueness of Jesus as Son of God and Universal Savior.
Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue
The course examines the Christian, and
specifically Roman Catholic, understanding of God's plan of salvation for
all humanity in Christ. The course begins by exploring the role of the
Roman Catholic Church in promoting unity among Christians, including the
basic principles of ecumenism and the current state of Christian dialogue.
We then turn to the nature of Christian dialogue with other world
religions to discover how this dialogue encompasses both the understanding
of Jesus Christ as the universal saviour as well as an attentiveness to
all that is good and true in other religious traditions.
The Catholic University of America Rome Program
Christian Rome: Understanding Jesus Christ in Rome
The past two thousand years of Roman history is marked by Christianity. Indeed,
for much of this time, and still today for Roman Catholics, Rome was and is the
premier Christian city, rivaling the Holy Land as a place of pilgrimage, prayer,
and encounter with Jesus Christ. The course will study this aspect of Rome by
examining the Christian understanding of Jesus, his life, death, resurrection,
his continued presence in the Church, and his influence on Christians throughout
time. It will use the places, the architecture, and the art of Rome to
illustrate and deepen this understanding. Through this course, students will
come to a critical understanding of the Christian belief in Jesus as the Christ
and Son of God.
Readings in Orthodox Theology
Greek and Russian Orthodox theologians have always emphasized the limitations of
reason in theology, seeing the fundamentals of theological thinking as rooted in
the liturgy and in the experience of God. The seminar will explore the meaning
of theology in Orthodox thought, specifically the relationship between theology
and the experience of God. Readings will be taken from throughout the history of
Greek and Russian Orthodoxy.
Bibliography: Dionysius the Areopagite, The Divine Names, Symeon the New
Theologian, Discourses, Gregory Palamas, Triads, Seraphim of Sarov, Writings,
Dimitru Staniloe, The Experience of God, Vladimir Lossky, The Mystical Theology
of the Eastern Church.
Christology
The course examines the Christian, and
specifically Roman Catholic, understanding of Jesus of Nazareth as the
child of Israel, the son of Mary, the promised Messiah, the Son of God,
and the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity. It will examine the understanding
of Jesus in the New Testament and trace the development of official language
about him through the ecumenical councils. Attention will be given to the various
historical understandings of Jesus embraced by the Church throughout history, especially the
time-honoured texts, but also including a look at hymns, art, and architecture.
Grace
The Course examines the presence of God in the lives of humans, traditionally spoken of
in terms of grace. After a look at the New Testament foundation for an understanding of grace,
the course will treat the development of a doctrine of grace as formulated by Augustine and
articulated by Thomas Aquinas. The specific Roman Catholic understanding will emerge through the
debates of the Reformation and the response of the Council of Trent.
The course will conclude with a look at modern accounts of grace and the
Eastern Orthodox understanding of participation in divinity.
DePaul University Study Abroad-Rome
Christian Rome: Understanding Jesus Christ in Rome
The past two thousand years of Roman history is marked by Christianity. Indeed,
for much of this time, and still today for Roman Catholics, Rome was and is the
premier Christian city, rivaling the Holy Land as a place of pilgrimage, prayer,
and encounter with Jesus Christ. The course will study this aspect of Rome by
examining the Christian understanding of Jesus, his life, death, resurrection,
his continued presence in the Church, and his influence on Christians throughout
time. It will use the places, the architecture, and the art of Rome to
illustrate and deepen this understanding. Through this course, students will
come to a critical understanding of the Christian belief in Jesus as the Christ
and Son of God.
Philosophy of God
Western philosophers have thought and written much about the nature and
existence of God. They raise questions about the nature of God, the relationship
of reason to God, the meaning of the word “God” in the face of the evil in the
world, and the relationship of God with other aspects of metaphysics. The
present course will discuss these various approaches throughout the tradition,
beginning with the differing perspectives of Plato and Aristotle, and continuing
through medieval and early modern thinkers. It will conclude with an exploration
of how today’s contemporary philosophers account for God in their thought.
Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue
The course examines the Christian, and
specifically Roman Catholic, understanding of God's plan of salvation for
all humanity in Christ. The course begins by exploring the role of the
Roman Catholic Church in promoting unity among Christians, including the
basic principles of ecumenism and the current state of Christian dialogue.
We then turn to the nature of Christian dialogue with other world
religions to discover how this dialogue encompasses both the understanding
of Jesus Christ as the universal saviour as well as an attentiveness to
all that is good and true in other religious traditions.
The Catholic University of America Rome Program
The Papacy and the Development of the Church in Rome
Since the fourth century Rome has been a city of the Christian Church, the
center and embodiment of the Roman Catholic Church. The history of the city is
tied to the history of the Church and is intimately connected with its leaders,
the popes. Students in the course will study the meaning of Church in Christian thought
along with the development of the meaning of the papacy. Students will see how the
role of the bishop of Rome is intimately connected to the Roman Catholic understanding of Church.
They will critically examine the interaction between the understanding
and theology of the papacy, the actual lives of the men who filled these roles
(and often fell far short of the ideal), the places they walked, and the
buildings and artwork they inspired. Through a study of the historical
development of the papacy, students will reflect on the Roman Catholic
understanding of Church and its commitment to the Pope as the successor of Peter, Vicar of
Christ, and Servant of the Servants of God.
Independent Study: Understanding Jesus Christ in Rome
The past two thousand years of Roman history is marked by Christianity. Indeed,
for much of this time, and still today for Roman Catholics, Rome was and is the
primier Christian city, rivaling the Holy Land as a place of pilgrimage, prayer,
and encounter with Jesus Christ. The student in this course will study this aspect of Rome by
examining the Christian understanding of Jesus, his life, death, resurrection,
his continued presence in the Church, and his influence on Christians throughout
time. Reading and commenting on both the New Testament and important Christian writings
will be combined with reflection on the places, the architecture, and the art of Rome.
The student in this course will develop a critical understanding of the Christian belief in Jesus as the Christ
and Son of God.
Independent Study: Christian Ethics, An Introduction
This directed reading course will examine Christian life, reflecting upon its
meaning and goal, in order to understand its criteria and method for deciding
what is right and wrong, what are the duties and obligations of the Christian.
The course will survey the history of Christian moral reflection in order to
discover how Christians have, over the years, engaged in the process of
reflecting on ethical living. It will also provide a brief introduction to
Christian attitudes on peace and war, sexuality, money and business, and
bioethics. It will focus primarily on a Roman Catholic approach to ethics, but
will include perspectives from the Protestant and Orthodox traditions.
Text: Servais Pinckaers, The Sources of Christian Ethics, trans. Mary Thomas
Noble (Washington, DC: CUA Press, 1995).
Jesus Christ: Universal Savior
Like every age, the contemporary era has sought to express the meaning of
Christ in its own terms. In a time marked by pluralism, the uniqueness and
universality of Jesus are ever more important for Christians to understand.
This course will look at various treatments of Jesus in modern writings. It will
discover the importance of the uniqueness of Jesus as Son of God and Universal Savior.
Christology
The course examines the Christian, and
specifically Roman Catholic, understanding of Jesus of Nazareth as the
child of Israel, the son of Mary, the promised Messiah, the Son of God,
and the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity. It will examine the understanding
of Jesus in the New Testament and trace the development of official language
about him through the ecumenical councils. Attention will be given to the various
historical understandings of Jesus embraced by the Church throughout history, especially the
time-honoured texts, but also including a look at hymns, art, and architecture.
Grace
The Course examines the presence of God in the lives of humans, traditionally spoken of
in terms of grace. After a look at the New Testament foundation for an understanding of grace,
the course will treat the development of a doctrine of grace as formulated by Augustine and
articulated by Thomas Aquinas. The specific Roman Catholic understanding will emerge through the
debates of the Reformation and the response of the Council of Trent.
The course will conclude with a look at modern accounts of grace and the
Eastern Orthodox understanding of participation in divinity.
DePaul University Study Abroad-Rome
Christian Rome: Understanding Jesus Christ in Rome
The past two thousand years of Roman history is marked by Christianity. Indeed,
for much of this time, and still today for Roman Catholics, Rome was and is the
primier Christian city, rivaling the Holy Land as a place of pilgrimage, prayer,
and encounter with Jesus Christ. The course will study this aspect of Rome by
examining the Christian understanding of Jesus, his life, death, resurrection,
his continued presence in the Church, and his influence on Christians throughout
time. It will use the places, the architecture, and the art of Rome to
illustrate and deepen this understanding. Through this course, students will
come to a critical understanding of the Christian belief in Jesus as the Christ
and Son of God.
The Papacy and the Development of the Church in Rome
Since the fourth century Rome has been a city of the Christian Church, the
center and embodiment of the Roman Catholic Church. The history of the city is
tied to the history of the Church and is intimately connected with its leaders,
the popes. Students in the course will study the development of the meaning of
the papacy as the role of the bishop of Rome developed into the office it is
today. They will critically examine the interaction between the understanding
and theology of the papacy, the actual lives of the men who filled these roles
(and often fell far short of the ideal), the places they walked, and the
buildings and artwork they inspired. Through a study of the historical
development of the papacy, students will reflect on the Roman Catholic
understanding of and commitment to the Pope as the successor of Peter, Vicar of
Christ, and Servant of the Servants of God.
Platonism and Christian
Theology
Christians throughout the ages have
searched the platonic and neo-platonic tradition of Greek philosophy for
resources for Christian theology. The seminar will provide a reading of
these Christian texts from the Greek Fathers, the medieval scholastics,
along with contemporary authors. The course will explore the various ways
that Christians have used platonic philosophy in their theological task.
Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue
The course examines the Christian, and
specifically Roman Catholic, understanding of God's plan of salvation for
all humanity in Christ. The course begins by exploring the role of the
Roman Catholic Church in promoting unity among Christians, including the
basic principles of ecumenism and the current state of Christian dialogue.
We then turn to the nature of Christian dialogue with other world
religions to discover how this dialogue encompasses both the understanding
of Jesus Christ as the universal saviour as well as an attentiveness to
all that is good and true in other religious traditions.
The Purpose and Limits of Theological Language
Christian theology has always recognized that theological discourse
can only go so far in its speech about God. The Fathers of the Church
and the great medieval thinkers have written that a certain “ignorance”
is the best and highest human stance before God, where we recognize that
we know more what God is not than what He is. This seminar will examine
this theme in various ancient authors, with continual reference to contemporary understandings.
Christology
The course examines the Christian, and
specifically Roman Catholic, understanding of Jesus of Nazareth as the
child of Israel, the son of Mary, the promised Messiah, the Son of God,
and the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity. It will examine the understanding
of Jesus in the New Testament and trace the development of official language
about him through the ecumenical councils. Attention will be given to the various
historical understandings of Jesus embraced by the Church throughout history, especially the
time-honoured texts, but also including a look at hymns, art, and architecture.
DePaul University Study Abroad-Rome
Christian Rome: Understanding Jesus Christ in Rome
The past two thousand years of Roman history is marked by Christianity. Indeed,
for much of this time, and still today for Roman Catholics, Rome was and is the
primier Christian city, rivaling the Holy Land as a place of pilgrimage, prayer,
and encounter with Jesus Christ. The course will study this aspect of Rome by
examining the Christian understanding of Jesus, his life, death, resurrection,
his continued presence in the Church, and his influence on Christians throughout
time. It will use the places, the architecture, and the art of Rome to
illustrate and deepen this understanding. Through this course, students will
come to a critical understanding of the Christian belief in Jesus as the Christ
and Son of God.
The Papacy and the Development of the Church in Rome
Since the fourth century Rome has been a city of the Christian Church, the
center and embodiment of the Roman Catholic Church. The history of the city is
tied to the history of the Church and is intimately connected with its leaders,
the popes. Students in the course will study the development of the meaning of
the papacy as the role of the bishop of Rome developed into the office it is
today. They will critically examine the interaction between the understanding
and theology of the papacy, the actual lives of the men who filled these roles
(and often fell far short of the ideal), the places they walked, and the
buildings and artwork they inspired. Through a study of the historical
development of the papacy, students will reflect on the Roman Catholic
understanding of and commitment to the Pope as the successor of Peter, Vicar of
Christ, and Servant of the Servants of God.
Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue
The course examines the Christian, and
specifically Roman Catholic, understanding of God's plan of salvation for
all humanity in Christ. The course begins by exploring the role of the
Roman Catholic Church in promoting unity among Christians, including the
basic principles of ecumenism and the current state of Christian dialogue.
We then turn to the nature of Christian dialogue with other world
religions to discover how this dialogue encompasses both the understanding
of Jesus Christ as the universal saviour as well as an attentiveness to
all that is good and true in other religious traditions.
Christology
The course examines the Christian, and
specifically Roman Catholic, understanding of Jesus of Nazareth as the
child of Israel, the son of Mary, the promised Messiah, the Son of God,
and the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity. It will examine the understanding
of Jesus in the New Testament and trace the development of official language
about him through the ecumenical councils. Attention will be given to the various
historical understandings of Jesus embraced by the Church throughout history, especially the
time-honoured texts, but also including a look at hymns, art, and architecture.
Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue
The course examines the Christian, and
specifically Roman Catholic, understanding of God's plan of salvation for
all humanity in Christ. The course begins by exploring the role of the
Roman Catholic Church in promoting unity among Christians, including the
basic principles of ecumenism and the current state of Christian dialogue.
We then turn to the nature of Christian dialogue with other world
religions to discover how this dialogue encompasses both the understanding
of Jesus Christ as the universal saviour as well as an attentiveness to
all that is good and true in other religious traditions.