This course will provide an introduction to the theology of the Church and the Church'sunderstanding of itself as a principal mediator of the mystery and grace of God in theworld. The approach of the course will be threefold: 1) a study of the historicaldevelopment of ecclesial structures with special emphasis on understanding theecclesiology of the second Vatican Council. This will include, a discussion of somepertinent issues arising from the Council such as the magisterium, collegiality, andministry; 2) an understanding of the diverse “theologies' of Church through some of the primary images and models in which it understands itself; and 3) an attempt tounderstand the ecumenical emphasis of Vatican II that has given rise to a renewedinterest in interdenominational€”interreligious dialogue, mission and inculturation, andthe emergence of contextual approaches such as the feminist and liberationistmethodologies.