Course Catalogue 2026-2027

This course is an introduction to some key figures in twentieth-century and current philosophy. We will begin with Edmund Husserl, the founder of the modern phenomenological movement. Husserl’s phenomenological method is one of the most important philosophical innovations of twentieth-century philosophy. His approach would influence several other major thinkers of the past century, including Emmanuel Levinas and Emmanuel Falque. Levinas articulates a highly original way of thinking about ethics that has left a strong mark on both contemporary philosophy and theology. Falque is widely considered one of the major Catholic philosophers today. His approach offers a very rich language that helps us better appreciate the depths and nuances of our corporeal being. The course also examines the provocative philosophy of Simone Weil, a brilliant young philosopher who sheds new light on the experiences of patience and attention, which she considered essential for gaining deeper contact with reality itself. We will also look at the thought of the Jewish philosopher Martin Buber, whose notion of the I-Thou relation continues to resonate with us today. Some of the themes that we will broach include the overcoming of the subject-object split, embodiment, and the proposition of ethics as “first philosophy.” These themes also make it possible to think more concretely about the nature of religious experience in a manner that reflects our actual lived experience.

This course is an introduction to some key figures in twentieth-century and current philosophy. We will begin with Edmund Husserl, the founder of the modern phenomenological movement. Husserl’s phenomenological method is one of the most important philosophical innovations of twentieth-century philosophy. His approach would influence several other major thinkers of the past century, including Emmanuel Levinas and Emmanuel Falque. Levinas articulates a highly original way of thinking about ethics that has left a strong mark on both contemporary philosophy and theology. Falque is widely considered one of the major Catholic philosophers today. His approach offers a very rich language that helps us better appreciate the depths and nuances of our corporeal being. The course also examines the provocative philosophy of Simone Weil, a brilliant young philosopher who sheds new light on the experiences of patience and attention, which she considered essential for gaining deeper contact with reality itself. We will also look at the thought of the Jewish philosopher Martin Buber, whose notion of the I-Thou relation continues to resonate with us today. Some of the themes that we will broach include the overcoming of the subject-object split, embodiment, and the proposition of ethics as “first philosophy.” These themes also make it possible to think more concretely about the nature of religious experience in a manner that reflects our actual lived experience.

An exploration of the philosophical questions associated with the kinds of change found in natural entities, with a focus of this general account for human nature and the cause of nature itself. Foundational concepts like Causality, change will be studied in relation to Metaphysics and the Sciences of Nature.

Natural Theology will help to explore the Knowability of God’s Existence and the Rational approaches employed in the History of philosophy especially the Anthropological and Cosmological and Ontological arguments advanced by Christian Philosophers as Thomas Aquinas and Anselm of Canterbury. While focusing on the Analogical knowledge of God though affirmation, through negation and through eminence it will also study the attributes of God, God’s Concurrence and Providence in relations to all creatures especially Human beings and the Problem of Evil.

An exploration of the philosophical questions associated with the kinds of change found in natural entities, with a focus of this general account for human nature and the cause of nature itself. Foundational concepts like Causality, change will be studied in relation to Metaphysics and the Sciences of Nature.

Natural Theology will help to explore the Knowability of God’s Existence and the Rational approaches employed in the History of philosophy especially the Anthropological and Cosmological and Ontological arguments advanced by Christian Philosophers as Thomas Aquinas and Anselm of Canterbury. While focusing on the Analogical knowledge of God though affirmation, through negation and through eminence it will also study the attributes of God, God’s Concurrence and Providence in relations to all creatures especially Human beings and the Problem of Evil.

An exploration of the philosophical questions associated with the kinds of change found in natural entities, with a focus of this general account for human nature and the cause of nature itself. Foundational concepts like Causality, change will be studied in relation to Metaphysics and the Sciences of Nature.

Natural Theology will help to explore the Knowability of God’s Existence and the Rational approaches employed in the History of philosophy especially the Anthropological and Cosmological and Ontological arguments advanced by Christian Philosophers as Thomas Aquinas and Anselm of Canterbury. While focusing on the Analogical knowledge of God though affirmation, through negation and through eminence it will also study the attributes of God, God’s Concurrence and Providence in relations to all creatures especially Human beings and the Problem of Evil.

An exploration of the philosophical questions associated with the kinds of change found in natural entities, with a focus of this general account for human nature and the cause of nature itself. Foundational concepts like Causality, change will be studied in relation to Metaphysics and the Sciences of Nature.

Natural Theology will help to explore the Knowability of God’s Existence and the Rational approaches employed in the History of philosophy especially the Anthropological and Cosmological and Ontological arguments advanced by Christian Philosophers as Thomas Aquinas and Anselm of Canterbury. While focusing on the Analogical knowledge of God though affirmation, through negation and through eminence it will also study the attributes of God, God’s Concurrence and Providence in relations to all creatures especially Human beings and the Problem of Evil.

Following an introduction to the historical development and function of canon law, the course will focus on those portions of canon law that deal with the obligations and rights of the faithful as well as Catholic institutions providing education, social services or healthcare.

An introduction for theology students to central existential themes of freedom, responsibility, self-knowledge and human solidarity. Readings will be from Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Sartre, and Heidegger.

An exegetical study of Paul's letter to the Romans analyzing rhetorical and social structures, and theological issues. Thisanalysis will attempt to grasp the movement of Paul's thought and the logic that led him from section to section. It will consider the historical context of both Paul and the Roman Christians for whom he wrote. Furthermore, this course will address the implications Paul's letter has for ethics and praxis in the church today. This course is an online course that will use Blackboard to facilitate teaching, online discussion and participation, as well as individual reading and research assignments.

An exegetical study of Paul's letter to the Romans analyzing rhetorical and social structures, and theological issues. Thisanalysis will attempt to grasp the movement of Paul's thought and the logic that led him from section to section. It will consider the historical context of both Paul and the Roman Christians for whom he wrote. Furthermore, this course will address the implications Paul's letter has for ethics and praxis in the church today. This course is an online course that will use Blackboard to facilitate teaching, online discussion and participation, as well as individual reading and research assignments.

This introductory course examines how the early to mid-nineteenth-century Transcendentalist movement in the United States influenced contemporary religious, social, and literary thought through the lives and writings of prominent New England literati such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Margaret Fuller. As well, to better understand the origins of the American Transcendentalist movement we will survey Transcendentalist thought in late eighteenth-century and early nineteenth-century England, Germany, and France. Two short research summaries submitted online (40%), participation (20%), final exam submitted online (40%).

The course will work through Romans consecutively, doing a close reading of the Biblical text and engaging with interpretations of Romans.