Course Catalogue 2026-2027

This course explores key Eastern Christian texts in the area of liturgical and sacramental theology - from the fourth to twentieth century. We begin with the Eastern mystagogical catecheses (Cyril of Jerusalem, Chrysostom and Theodore of Mopsuestia) proceed through Byzantine patristic texts (Ps.-Dionysius, Maximus, Germanus, the Damascene, Symeon the New Theologican and Nicholas Cabasilas), then review Ukrainian scholastic texts (Mohyla and Dmitry Tuptalo) and conclude with a sampling of modem Russian and Greek Orthodox writings, including Bulgakov and Zizioulas. Two contemporary "bookends" for these classical formulations will be the seminal works of David W. Fagerberg and Jean Corbon. The latter two authors will help in the evaluation of how these texts speak to the search for meaning- both personal and communal - among contemporary seekers and believers.

The coruse will begin by a philisophical examination of the siciplines of hermeneutics and education separtely, and then bring them into relationship. The course will then moveto the principle that as all education is ultimately concerned with meaning and value, and why education is tehn a hermeneutical task. The course will offer students an opportunity to read across a number of texts, all divide accourding to themes as indicated above each set of readings. Students will be expected to be knowledgeable of these texts and be prepared to discuss them in class.

Students will study various aspects of Greco-Roman religions in the Hellenistic and Imperial periods with special emphasis on topics relevant to the study of first and second century Christ groups including voluntary religious associations, mystery religions, sacred laws, sacrifice, magic, healing and sacred manumission.

This course explores the distinctive contents, methods, and interests of traditional theological disciplines (biblical studies, church history, pastoral and systematic theology and ethics) as well as their interrelationships: What does each subdiscipline count as evidence?; How does it construct knowledge?; What cognate disciplines might extend its insights?; How does it engage the challenges, fears, and hope for the "globalized" world of the 21st century? Students will explore the task of theological research and writing through all its steps. Attention will be given to the use of scholarly research software and bibliographic tools, identification of appropriate methodology, and the value of interdisciplinarity.

This course explores the distinctive contents, methods, and interests of traditional theological disciplines (biblical studies, church history, pastoral and systematic theology and ethics) as well as their interrelationships: What does each subdiscipline count as evidence?; How does it construct knowledge?; What cognate disciplines might extend its insights?; How does it engage the challenges, fears, and hope for the "globalized" world of the 21st century? Students will explore the task of theological research and writing through all its steps. Attention will be given to the use of scholarly research software and bibliographic tools, identification of appropriate methodology, and the value of interdisciplinarity. Lectures and seminars. Required of all MA students.

Trends, key questions, and methods of research for advanced theological studies in biblical, historical, pastoral and systematic theology (including ethics). Bibliographic tools, electronic resources. Lectures and seminars. Required of all MA students. Readings, reaction papers, library/bibliographic assignment, short research paper.

This course explores the distinctive contents, methods, and  interests of traditional theological disciplines (biblical studies, church history, pastoral and systematic theology and ethics) as well as their interrelationships: What does each subdiscipline count as evidence?; How does it construct knowledge?; What cognate disciplines might extend its insights?; How does it engage the challenges, fears, and hope for the "globalized" world of the 21st century? Students will explore the task of theological research and writing through all its steps. Attention will be given to the use of scholarly research software and bibliographic tools, identification of appropriate methodology, and the value of interdisciplinarity. Lectures and seminars.  Required of all MA students.

This course explores the distinctive contents, methods, and interests of traditional theological disciplines (biblical studies, church history, pastoral and systematic theology and ethics) as well as their interrelationships: What does each subdiscipline count as evidence?; How does it construct knowledge?; What cognate disciplines might extend its insights?; How does it engage the challenges, fears, and hope for the "globalized" world of the 21st century? Students will explore the task of theological research and writing through all its steps. Attention will be given to the use of scholarly research software and bibliographic tools, identification of appropriate methodology, and the value of interdisciplinarity.

This course explores the distinctive contents, methods, and  interests of traditional theological disciplines (biblical studies, church history, pastoral and systematic theology and ethics) as well as their interrelationships: What does each subdiscipline count as evidence?; How does it construct knowledge?; What cognate disciplines might extend its insights?; How does it engage the challenges, fears, and hope for the "globalized" world of the 21st century? Students will explore the task of theological research and writing through all its steps. Attention will be given to the use of scholarly research software and bibliographic tools, identification of appropriate methodology, and the value of interdisciplinarity. Lectures and seminars.  Required of all MA students.

This course immerses students in a close reading and translation of diverse texts from the Hellenistic period. Through grammatical and syntactical examination, participants will refine their ability to identify principal parts, parse verbs, build their knowledge of vocabulary, and translate grammatical constructions to produce nuanced a English translation. Through an engagement of texts such as the Acts of Paul and Thecla, Martyrdom of Polycarp, Philo of Alexandria, 2 Maccabees, and Greek philosophical writings, students will develop advanced proficiency in Hellenistic Greek.

This course is a close reading of the English text of Calvin's Institutio Christianae religionis of 1559. We begin by situating Calvin's theology in the historical and theological context of the 16th century Reformations before turning to a careful examination of the Institutes' major doctrinal themes and their significance both for Calvin's context and the subsequent history of Protestant theology.

Christian thought and practice cannot be understood apart from Christian institutions. This course will consider a range of methodological and empirical matters related to Christianity's earliest institutional forms, and how such considerations are to be situated in relation to both theology and the social sciences. Special attention will be directed towards the Jewish origins of Christian institutions, especially the foundational role of the synagogue.