Graduate Course Descriptions: Historical Theology
Theological Method TH-A536
The course in theological method introduces students to the methods and issues that distinguish theology as a field of inquiry. To this end, the course will:
- Survey the history of different approaches to theology and theological questions from the time of St. Paul to the present day.
- Introduce foundational concepts relevant to diverse theological methodologies.
- Consider contemporary approaches to theological method as expounded by contemporary theologians.
Upon completing the course, students should be able to recognize and respond critically to various theological methods, i.e. philosophical, feminist, liberationist, social-critical, etc., analyze methodological issues in a given theological text, and identify their own methodological approach in designing their own responses to theological questions.
Historical Method: TH-A520
The course in historical methodology introduces students to those methods and issues common to all historical-theological research. To this end, the course will:
- Survey the principal methodologies and modes of discourse in modern and contemporary historiography.
- Introduce the basic bibliographical sources available for historical-theological research.
- Consider the relevance of historical methods to the theological science.
Upon completing the course, students should be able to recognize and respond critically to the historiographical tradition of their own and others' scholarship, compile independently a substantial, scholarly bibliography on a historical-theological topic, recognize different genres of scholarly production (journal articles, conference papers, book reviews, etc.) typical of historical theology, and have begun reflection on the contribution of historical work to their own theological project.
Survey of Early Christian History TH-A521
This course is a study of the figures, issues, and movements in the development of Christianity from the close of the New Testament to the beginning of the Middle Ages, or in other words from the Apostolic Fathers to Gregory the Great.
This course focuses on the reading of select texts from early Christian literature and investigates the important historical events of late antiquity.
By the end of this course, students should be able to identify the historical context of this period in which theology developed.
Survey of Medieval Christian History - TH-A522
This course exposes students to the broad sweep of figures, movements and theological themes in the historical period from late antiquity through the 15th century.
The course devotes attention to primary source texts which constitute essential building blocks of medieval theology.
By the end of the course students should be able not only to identify these key figures and texts, but also situate them in their historical origins and in their respective schools of thought.
Survey of Modern European Christian History - TH-A523
This course is designed to expose students to the broad sweep of figures, movements, and theological themes in the historical period from the Reformation to the present day.
In order to balance the breadth of inquiry with some depth, the course will devote particular attention to key figures and primary source texts which have influenced subsequent theological reflection.
By the end of the course, students should be able to explain both the thinking that influenced the important figures, writings, movements, and ideas of the period and the manner in which these shaped subsequent theological discourse.
Survey of American Church History TH-A524
This course surveys major developments in Catholic and Protestant Christianity, from the 16th century Spanish influence to the present, with special attention to theological and intellectual issues.
This course will devote particular attention to key figures and primary source texts which have influenced subsequent theological reflection.
By the end of the course, students should be able not only to identify these key figures and texts, but also to situate them in their historical origins and in their respective schools of thought.
Comparative Theology: TH-A526
This course bridges theology and religious studies and offers essential methodological tools for both the historical and systematic dimensions of the theological enterprise.
It explores how theological change has taken place historically in the context of inter-religious relations, and of the implications of serious interchange between and among religious traditions for the future of Christian theology.
Its objectives are: 1) to introduce students to a set of historical and systematic models as hermeneutical tools by which to 2) reconstruct and interpret historical and systematic case studies as a background against which to 3) appreciate the importance of the large world religious scene as important context for future Christian theology.
Research Problems: TH A601-604
Four courses for the Ph.D. course of study are entitled "Research Problems." At least two must be taken, according to the student's interest. These courses investigate, in light of recent scholarship, themes and issues pertinent to the four periods of Early Christian History (TH A 603), Medieval Christian History (TH A 602), Modern Christian History (TH A 603), and American Christian History (TH A 604).
These courses investigate methods, trends and approaches that are current to the academic discourse and scholarship within the specific area of historical theology under consideration.
By the end of each course, the students should be knowledgeable of issues, questions and sources that are investigated by research scholars today.
Upon completion of a Research Problems course, the student should be able to assess critically and to employ various scholarly methodologies in order to make their own contribution to the broad academic discourse of historical theology in that period.
Research Seminars: TH A611-615
At least three research seminars should be in one specific area of concentration and three additional seminars may be in secondary areas of concentration(s).
The seminars will expose doctoral students to advanced research in a given area of specialization and are intended to support the on-going research of students and professors. Students will gain experience with the relevant secondary literature in more than one language of scholarship, as well as primary source material often in the original language(s). The instructor will normally identify a central topic that the course will investigate and one that is also linked to his/her own research program. The syllabus will also allow time for the doctoral colloquia as well as opportunities for students (and the professor) to present their own research related to the seminar’s area of specialization (eg. conference papers, drafts of articles, etc.).
The seminars’ collective aims are (1) to enrich the student’s knowledge of the period of Church history and historical theology; (2) to develop research skills by focusing on specific historical and/or theological problems; (3) to sharpen the craft of oral and written presentation of one’s own research.
The seminars’ collective outcomes are: that the student will have a clear understanding of (1) how to pose initial research questions; (2) how to frame and execute a research project; and (3) how to construct a publishable written piece.