TH 102302 EXPLORING CATHOLICISM I: TRADITION AND TRANSFORMATION Boston College Fall 2014 M, W, F 2:00 2:50 Stokes South 461 Instructor: Conor Kelly Stokes N 430B Email: conor.kelly@bc.edu Office Hours Mon. 3-5; Tue. 9-noon Also by appointment Course Description This is a year-long course where you must take both sections of Exploring Catholicism (THEO1023-1024) first Part I, then Part II to receive Core credit. There are no exceptions. This course is a two-semester study of the foundations, beliefs, rites, and legacy of the Catholic faith. In particular, this course will focus on the ways in which Catholicism provides its adherents with insights into the classic questions of human existence, especially in relation to the divine. These questions include: What is the nature of the human person? Why is there suffering? What is the good life? What responsibilities do we owe to God, to one another, and to ourselves? Through a discussion of the Catholic understanding of the revelation of the Triune God in Scripture, the Incarnation, the Church, the seven sacraments, and the sacramental imagination, students will have a chance to consider Catholicism s answers to these questions while also searching for their own. Course Objectives By the end of this course (in May), students will be able to: Define the unique features that distinguish Catholic Christianity Identify the scriptural roots of Catholic beliefs and practices Explain the significance of the life of Jesus Christ in the development of Catholicism Analyze the historical emergence of increasingly refined theological pronouncements Assess the internal coherence of Catholic beliefs and practices Evaluate the external adequacy of Catholic theological commitments in relation to the challenges of life in the contemporary world Required Texts There are two required texts for this course: 1. The Bible I am not exceptionally concerned about which version of the Bible you use, although I am concerned that you do in fact own a physical Bible. So, if you already own a Bible, you can certainly bring that to class, but if you do not own one, I recommend purchasing the Catholic Study Bible that the bookstore lists as a required text for this class. 2. Augustine s Confessions here the translation is significant, so please purchase the version that has been translated by Henry Chadwick [Augustine. Confessions. Translated by Henry Chadwick. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991/1998]. This book is available at the bookstore, and copies should also be readily available for purchase online. Other assigned readings will be available on the Canvas website for our course.
Course Requirements In addition to class lectures, Part I of this course (the fall semester) has assigned readings, weekly response papers and class discussions, a short paper based on an on-campus event, one in-class exam, and two papers. The readings are not designed to be onerous, but critical engagement of the texts is required, and this will take time. In addition, each Friday s class session will be dedicated to discussion. In order to facilitate a fruitful conversation, typed one-paragraph (approx. 250 words) responses to an assigned discussion question will be due at the start of class every Friday. Active reading throughout the week will make these papers easier to complete. Grading Your grade for the course in the fall semester is composed of six parts: (1) 5% - Campus Event Paper: 500-700 words (approx. 2 pages) [Due one week after event] (2) 10% - Class Participation [Assessed every class] (3) 20% - Weekly Response Papers: one paragraph [Due (almost) every Friday] (4) 20% - In-class Exam [Fri., Oct. 3] (5) 20% - Jesus at the Movies Paper: 1500-2000 words (approx. 5-7 pages) [Due Nov. 14] (6) 25% - Final Paper: 1800-2300 words (approx. 6-8 pages) [Due Dec. 13] (1) Campus Event Paper: A number of centers sponsor public events on campus throughout the academic year and many of them are pertinent to the study of Catholicism. A separate assignment sheet will provide a list of possible events this semester and additional details about the content of your paper. This paper will be graded on a 5-point scale, which will also be outlined in the assignment sheet. (2) Class Participation: Your grade will be based on your presence in and active contribution to our class. This grade will especially reflect your involvement in our weekly discussions every Friday. You will be permitted three unexcused absences without any impact on your participation grade. Unexcused absences beyond this point will negatively affect your overall grade, up to a full grade (e.g., B+ to B) per class. If you must be absent for the in-class exam (Oct. 3), I expect you to notify me in advance. If you are absent on the due date of an assignment, your assignment is still due that day. (3) Weekly Response Papers: These papers must be printed and brought to class so that you can use them in the discussions on Fridays. They will be graded on a 0-5 scale: 0 Failure to turn in the assignment 1 Failure to address the question 2 Below average engagement of the question 3 Average engagement of the question 4 Active engagement of the question with some originality 5 Exceptional engagement of the question with awareness of the significant issues involved and original insight Grades will be averaged at the end of the semester and a 4.5 will be considered a perfect score. Averages above 4.75 will add one point to your overall grade. Please note: even if you are not in class on a Friday, you will still be required to submit a response paper.
(4) In-Class Exam: This exam will consist of a brief multiple choice/short answer section and one longer essay question. The multiple choice/short answer will be worth 30 points and the essay will be worth 70 points. (5) Jesus at the Movies Paper: This 1500-2000 word paper will ask you to compare a Christ figure in a contemporary movie with the Christian understanding of Jesus Christ that emerges from Scripture and from the experience of the early Church. The paper will be graded holistically based on the rubric at the end of this syllabus. An assignment sheet with more details and a list of potential films will be distributed on Oct. 29. The paper will be due in class on Friday, Nov. 14. (6) Final Paper: The final paper will offer you an opportunity to integrate the course material from the entire semester. It will not require outside reading and will be graded holistically based on the rubric at the end of this syllabus. More details will be distributed on Dec. 3. The paper will be due on the date assigned for our regular final exam: Saturday Dec. 13 at 12 NOON Grading Scale A 94-100 B 84-86 C 74-76 D 64-66 A- 90-93 B- 80-83 C- 70-73 D- 60-63 B+ 87-89 C+ 77-79 D+ 67-69 F < 60 * late written assignments will lose one grade at first plus one point per day after the first day Classroom Etiquette Be respectful of one another and pay attention when a classmate is talking. The use of cellphones (including texting) is prohibited during class. Please silence your phones, or turn them off, when you come to class. In order to promote active engagement and learning, laptop computers will normally not be allowed in the classroom. If you have a particular reason that you might require the use of a laptop, you can speak with me about an exception. No laptops for Friday discussions. Academic Integrity All aspects of this course will be governed by Boston College s policies on academic integrity. A full explanation of these policies can be found at: http://www.bc.edu/content/bc/offices/stserv/academic/univcat/undergrad_catalog/policies_proce dures.html#integrity If you are not already familiar with these expectations, please review them. It is your responsibility to ensure that you adhere to these policies in all of your work, and the penalties for violating them are severe. Please contact me if you have any questions about these standards. Assistance for Students with Disabilities I will happily work with students who have documented disabilities to make reasonable accommodations to ensure their success in this course. These accommodations will need to be arranged through the university s Disability Services Office or the Connor s Family Learning Center. For more information, visit: http://www.bc.edu/offices/dos/disabilityservices.html or http://www.bc.edu/content/bc/libraries/help/tutoring/specialservices.html. You can also contact me directly to discuss any concerns you may have.
COURSE OUTLINE AND ASSIGNED READINGS Sept. 3 Introduction Prologue: Why Theology Sept. 5 Discussion - Why do you think BC requires you to study theology? Sept. 8 A Jesuit Explanation - Michael Buckley, Ignatius Understanding of the Jesuit University (excerpts), in The Catholic University as Promise and Project: Reflections in a Jesuit Idiom (Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press, 1998), 63, 66-70, 71-72, 73-74. Sept. 10 A Classic Task - David Tracy on Classics from The Analogical Imagination (New York: Crossroad, 1981), 107-113, 115-116, 118-121. Sept. 12 Discussion - Name a movie or TV show you have seen that you believe should be called a classic, based on Tracy s definition. Be sure to defend your choice by explaining a particular claim to attention that the movie demands: how does it challenge your presuppositions and reveal some deeper truth? Part I: Scriptural Foundations in Judaism Sept. 15 Catholic views on Scripture - Selections from the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation (Dei Verbum), no. 7-20. Sept. 17 In the Beginning - Genesis 1-3 - Lawrence Boadt, excerpts from Genesis 1-11, in Reading the Old Testament: An Introduction (New York: Paulist Press, 1984), 110-121 Sept. 19 Discussion Reread - Genesis 1-3 - What do you think is the most significant insight about human nature to emerge from Genesis 1-3? Use a contemporary example to demonstrate the value of this insight.
Sept. 22 God s Promise (I): Abrahamic Roots - Genesis 12:1-9 - Genesis (chapters) 15-18, 21-22, 24 - Gensis 25:19-34; 27-30:24 - Genesis (chapters) 37-46 Sept. 24 God s Promise (II): Liberation from Oppression - Exodus 1-15, 19-20, 32-34 Sept. 26 Discussion - Consider the stories of human failure in Genesis and Exodus. What do they reveal about God? What sorts of expectations do they establish? Sept. 29 God s Promise (III): A Davidic King - 1 Samuel 1, 3, 8-12, 15-16 - 2 Samuel 7, 1 - Kings 1, 11 Oct. 1 God s Promise (IV): A Hopeful Future - Isaiah 2-3, 11, 40-43, 50-53 Note: Oct. 1 is also the university s deadline for dropping a class without any impact. Students who drop after this deadline will receive a W on their transcript indicating they withdrew from a class. Oct. 4 IN-CLASS EXAM_ Part II: The Mystery of God in Christ Oct. 6 The Start - Matthew 1-4 - Herbert McCabe, The Genealogy of Jesus, in God Matters (Springfield, IL: Templegate,1991), 246-249. Oct. 8 Teachings of Jesus: New Law and Reign of God - Matthew 5-7, 13-15 - Mark 4-5 - Luke 4:14-44, chapters 13-18; 19:1-27
Oct. 10 Discussion Reread: - Matthew 5:1-12; Exodus 20:1-17 - Which do you think should have more impact on the Christian moral life today: the Beatitudes or the Ten Commandments? Defend your answer with a practical example illustrating the benefits of your choice in real life. Oct. 13 NO CLASS (Columbus Day) Oct. 15 Ministry of Jesus - Matthew 8-9, 12 - Luke 7, 19-20 - John 2, 5, 9-11 - Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza, In Memory of Her (New York: Crossroad, 1983), 120-130. Oct. 17 Discussion - Based on what you know about the composition of the Gospels, do you think any one of them should have priority over the others? Why or why not? Oct. 20 Paschal Mystery - Mark 14-16 - Matthew 26-28 - John 13, 17-21 - Luke 24 Oct. 22 Foundations of an Apostolic Church - Matthew 16:13-20 - Acts 2, 4, 10-11, 15 - Pheme Perkins, excerpts from Peter: Apostle for the Whole Church (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2000), 1-3, 6-14, 168-173. Oct. 24 Discussion - Rosemary Radford Ruether, Suffering and Redemption: The Cross and Atonement in Feminist Theology (excerpts) in Introducing Redemption in Christian Feminism (Sheffield, UK: Sheffield Academic Press, 1998), 97-107. - Do you agree with the assertion that the death of Jesus on the cross can be a tool of oppression, encouraging victims to tolerate suffering even when it is unjust? If not, why not i.e., what in the event protects against this danger? If yes, how would you interpret the death of Jesus in order to undermine this problem?
Part III: Theology Emerges from the Experience of Christ Oct. 27 Initial Ponderings: Pauline Epistles - Galatians 3-4 - Romans 3:21-6:23; 8:1-17; 9:1-11:36 Oct. 29 Resurrection and Eschatology - 1 Corinthians 15-2 Corinthians 5-6 - Romans 8:18-39 - 1 Thessalonians 4-5 - Daniel J. Harrington, Paul s Jewish Eschatological Consciousness, and What Did Paul Hope For?, in Daniel J. Harrington and James F. Keenan, Paul and Virtue Ethics: Building Bridges between New Testament Studies and Moral Theology (Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield, 2010), 21-27. Oct. 31 Discussion and mini-lecture on Catholic beliefs about the Devil - Anthony Faiola, A Modern Pope Gets Old School on the Devil, Washington Post, last updated May 10, 2014 (link available on Canvas) - Do you think it is a good idea to ascribe a personal form (i.e., the devil) to evil in today s world? Why or why not? Nov. 3 The Incarnation - Philippians 2:1-11, 3:7-21 - Matthew 1 - John 1 - Athanasius, On the Incarnation of the Word, nos. 11-18 - Sandra M. Schneiders, excerpts from Women and the Word (New York: Paulist Press, 1986), 15-19, 50-63. Nov. 5 Christological/Trinitarian Controversies - Joseph A. Bracken, The Birth of a Revolutionary Belief, in God, Engaging Theology: Catholic Perspectives (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2008), 3-15 - Gerard S. Sloyan, (excerpts) in Jesus: Word Made Flesh, Engaging Theology: Catholic Perspectives (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2008), 170-175
Nov. 7 Discussion - Jon Sobrino, Which Christ Do Victims Believe in: Arian or Nicene, in Christ the Liberator: A View from the Victims, trans. Paul Burns (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2001), 268-274. - In light of Sobrino s accounts and your own experience, which theological claim do you think provides a better response to the problem of suffering: a God who is all powerful and does not suffer or a God who suffers and therefore may not be all powerful? Explain not only the advantages of your preference but also the disadvantages of the alternative. Part IV: Developing Identity and Engaging Culture Nov. 10 Early Church Practice - Romans 13-14 - 1 Corinthians 1; 11:18-34 - The Teachings of the Lord Given to the Gentiles by the Twelve Apostles (Didache), in The Didache: A Window on the Earliest Christians, trans. Thomas O Loughlin (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2010), 161-171. - Carolyn Osiek, How Much Do We Really Know about the Lives of Early Christ Followers?, HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 67, no. 1 (2011): 5 pages Nov. 12 Persecutions and Eventual Recognition - The Passion of Saints Pereptua and Felicity, trans. Thomas J. Heffernan (New York: Oxford University Press, 2012), 125-135 - Kenneth R. Himes, The Patristic Era (excerpts), in Christianity and the Political Order: Conflict, Cooptation, and Cooperation (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2013), 61-68. Nov. 14 JESUS AT THE MOVIES PAPER DUE IN CLASS_ (The discussion session on this day will be dedicated to talking about your papers) Nov. 17 Christian Theology in a Roman Context (I) - Augustine, Confessions, Books I-III Nov. 19 Christian Theology in a Roman Context (II) - Augustine, Confessions, Books VIII-IX Nov. 21 Discussion - Based on your experience, how adequately does Augustine s understanding of sin and conversion explain imperfection and evil in the world? Nov. 24 CLASS CANCELED (On Campus Event Assignment will cover this class)
Nov. 26, Nov. 28 NO CLASS (Thanksgiving Break) Dec. 1 Expanding Theology Beyond Scripture - Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, I.75.4 (human as body and soul); I-II.1.8 (God as last end); I-II.88.1 (mortal v. venial sins); I-II.109.2 (need for grace) Dec. 3 Fractures in the Church (the Reformation) - Alister E. McGrath, The Great Schism between East and West, in Christian History: An Introduction (Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell, 2013), 87-88. - Justo L. González, The High Point of the Middle Ages, in Church History: An Essential Guide (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1996), 51-57. - Linda Woodhead, The Protestant Reformation and Biblical Christianity, in Christianity: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004), 63-69. - Martin Luther, Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences (95 Theses) Dec. 5 Discussion (Counter Reformation) - David C. Steinmetz, The Council of Trent (excerpts), in The Cambridge Companion to Reformation Theology, ed. David V. N. Bagchi and David Curtis Steinmetz (Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2004), 235-239, 241-244. - Which do you find more amenable: the view of Scripture, hierarchy, and sacraments advanced by the Protestant Reformers or the Catholic understanding articulated at the Council of Trent? Explain your preference. Dec. 8 A Missionary Church - Francis X. Clooney, A Charism for Dialogue: Advice from the Early Jesuit Missionaries in our World of Religious Pluralism (St. Louis, MO: Seminar on Jesuit Spirituality, 2002), 1-12 - Enrique Dussel, The Real Motives for the Conquest, in 1492 1992: The Voice of the Victims, ed. Leonardo Boff and Virgil Elizondo (London: SCM Press, 1991), 30-43. Dec. 10 Summation Saturday, December 13 FINAL PAPER DUE AT 12:00 NOON (via email)_