Doctrinal Studies

D 4001 Doing Systematic Theology
This course investigates the nature and methods of systematic theology. After defining theology according to Anselm of Canterbury’s classic definition of “faith seeking understanding,” the course draws implications for doing systematic theology in today’s context (Part I), and explores how systematic theology is done as a communal, ecclesial enterprise, in conversation with Christian tradition and the church’s teaching office (Part II). It then investigates the various sources of positive theology, surveys the methods of speculative theological reflection, and examines various theological texts (e.g., of patristic, scholastic, neo-orthodox, or liberation theology) in terms of the methods employed.

D 4015 Theology of Priesthood
This course will trace the history and theology of the Roman Catholic Priesthood, from its biblical origins to the present day.

D 4200 Christology
This course provides a systematic treatment of the foundations of Christology in a post-critical context. It is concerned with the possibility of constructing and evaluating Christology after one has subjected the Bible to the analysis of historical-critical studies, and after one has become thoroughly aware of the profound historicity of the Christian faith-community and its doctrines.

DC 4200 Christology and Culture
An investigation of the meaning of the person and work of Jesus Christ for Christian faith today. Special emphasis given to emerging christologies in the World Church, constructing christologies today, and the final consummation of all things in Christ.

D 4202 Ecclesiology/Mariology
This course consists of an historical and systematic study of the understanding of the church in the Christian tradition and in contemporary thought. Special attention is given to ecclesiological themes and issues which are critical for life in the church today and especially Mary, the mother of the church.

DC 4210 Revelation and Liberation
The seminar will explore how selected theologians from non-Western cultures are proponents of a theology of revelation based on our experience of God's intervention in human history.

DS 4210/6210 Reconciliation and Forgiveness
An exploration of the theology and ministry of individual and social reconciliation in a variety of settings today: domestic violence, the Church, immigration and urban issues, and post-conflict settings. Issues treated include trauma, healing of memories, truth telling, justice, and forgiveness. May be taken at the Master's or the Doctoral level.

DH 4220 Rediscovering Vatican II: The Background, the Documents, the Theology
This lecture course will first set the event of Vatican II within its historical context and will offer a brief overview of what happened in the Council's Four Sessions from 1962 until 1965. It will then reflect on the four major Constitutions that the Council produced--documents on the Liturgy, Revelation, the Church, and the Church in the Modern World--and on selected additional documents, such as those on the Laity, Missionary Activity, Non-Christian Religions, and Religious Freedom. The course will be conducted in two periods. Period One will consist in an hour fifteen minute presentation by a CTU faculty member on a particular document. Then, after a break, students taking the class for credit will spend the remaining time discussing the assigned document and readings.

DC 4360: Creation and Eschatology: Intercultural Perspectives
A treatment of themes of creation, Christian anthropology, and eschatology from the perspectives both of the Christian tradition and contemporary related issues in the world church today.

CD 4430 Doing Theology in the Context of Migrations
This course is dedicated to the elaboration of a theology that deals with the reality of migrations particularly in the U.S.A. Participants are exposed to the complexity of this phenomenon through the analysis of theories that explore the reasons why people migrate and the historical, political, legal, cultural, and social dynamics of international migration in the U.S.A. Issues of ethnicity, race, and gender are emphasized. Particular attention given to the human and religious experience of the migrants. Students are required to critically relate the reality of migration with the Christian revelation and traditions. Examines the experience of migration as depicted by the Bible, church documents, and theologies that deal with the contemporary and diverse experience of migrants within the U.S.A.

D5001 Theology of Edward Schillebeeckx
Counted among the great theologians of the twentieth century, with more than four hundred published works, Edward Schillebeeckx addresses a wide range of theological questions with great depth and a passionate concern for humanity. The course is an orientation to the main threads of Schillebeeckx's theology, from his early thomistic frame of reference to his praxis-oriented later theology, which continues to find renewed relevance in the global quest for sociopolitical justice and a "livable humanity."

DC 5001 Catholicism, U.S. Culture, and the Mission of the Church
An investigation of the history of Catholicism in the United States, how it has interfaced with U.S. culture, and what implications this has for the missionary nature of the church in the U.S. context.

HD 5010 Theology of the Second Vatican Council (Seminar)
This Seminar will reflect on the history and theology of the Second Vatican ouncil as found particularly in the four major Constitutions and in selected Decrees and Declarations.

DE 5200 Methods in Theology and Ethics
In this course, students will become acquainted with the principal methodologies that have been used in recent Roman Catholic theology: in systematic theology, and in theological ethics. Students will be able to compare the strengths and limits of the different methodologies and become more proficient in the critical reading of theological texts.

DS 5200 Sources and Methods in Latin@ Theologies
The integral relationship between the lived daily experiences of Latino/a communities and the theological reflections that emerge from within these contexts is articulated as teología y pastoral en conjunto. This seminar explores sources and methods developed by Latin@ theologians and biblical scholars in their constructing of theological perspectives that recognize this intrinsic connection between theology and ministry.

D 5206 Theologies of Thomas Aquinas and Karl Rahner
The course looks at two important but different theologians. Thomas Aquinas draws from an Aristotelian and medieval world-view. Karl Rahner presents a theology fashioned from the modern world of self and history. Each theologian will be studied out of his historical context and in light of his sources. The focus for both theologies is the presence of God in the world within and beyond creation: what Jesus calls the reign of God and Christians call grace. Other theological areas flow from this.

CD 5210 Theology of Interreligious Dialogue
Takes as starting point the Second Vatican Council's declaration "Nostra Aetate" to examine the Church's relations with other religions. Begins with a historical perspective and then looks at the theologies and forms of interreligious dialogue today. The actual praxis of dialogue will be integral to the course.

DC 6000 Theological Anthropology in Intercultural Perspective
A doctoral seminar in emerging issues in theological anthropology in the World Church today, as well as new challenges to the Christian understanding of the human being. Emphasis is placed on the different contexts in which these issues and challenges are encountered.

CD 6001 Inculturation
Much misunderstood, inculturation will be carefully explicated, theoretically and practically. Study methods by which Christianity and a culture may actually encounter each other. The outcome (with the Spirit and local people) is a new reality: the People of God Transformed.

DC 6001 History of Religions and Comparative Theology
This course focuses on the historical, critical, and comparative study of religions. It begins by looking at what has come to be known as the History of Religions and especially the history of the academic study of religion. The second part of the course is Comparative Theology and entails reflection on theological themes and methods across religious traditions.

DS 6210/4210 Reconciliation and Forgiveness
An exploration of the theology and ministry of individual and social reconciliation in a variety of settings today: domestic violence, the Church, immigration and urban issues, and post-conflict settings. Issues treated include trauma, healing of memories, truth telling, justice, and forgiveness. May be taken at the Master's or the Doctoral level.