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St. Mary's Seminary & University

Fall 2024 Courses

The regular registration period for Fall 2024 courses is July 15th through July 28th, 2024. (please note: two weeks only). Beginning July 29th, a $90 late-registration fee will go into effect for current students. (The late fee does not apply to new students, auditors, or to students returning after 3+ years).

Fall courses run from 8/29/24 to 12/9/24.

*All fall classes, except where noted, will be available as dual synchronous access courses. Students can opt to attend either in person or online (via Zoom), and will choose their primary mode of attendance at registration.

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PR = Prerequisite; CR = Corequisite

BS611 Introduction to Biblical Hebrew I
Monday 7 – 8:30 pm and Wednesday 7 – 8 pm, online only
Fr. Paul Maillet
PR/CR = none
This course assumes no prior knowledge of Hebrew.  The student is taught the Hebrew alphabet and vowel pointing system using drills and games in the first lessons.  The rest of the course is focused on translating from Biblical Hebrew into English, starting with very short phrases, moving on to sentences, and eventually whole passages—all from the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible). Full Course Description

BS621  Literature & Theology of the Hebrew Bible
Tuesday, 6 – 8:30 pm
Dr. Katherine Brown
PR/CR = BS600
This course will serve as an introduction to theological concepts found in the Torah, Prophets, and Writings, as well as their historical and social contexts, with consideration of critical methodology and major themes. The goal of the course is to help students become familiar with contents of the Hebrew Bible, to read texts critically, and to engage thoughtfully with theological themes in the Hebrew Bible and their ethical implications for contemporary Christian practice. Full Course Description

BS690 Readings in Biblical Greek (1 credit)
Monday, 4:00–5:15 pm (time may be slightly adjusted depending on students’ schedules)
Dr. Michael J. Gorman
PR = one year of Greek
A one-credit course reading, translating, and analyzing Romans. An additional goal will be to review and expand students’ knowledge of Greek vocabulary and grammar in order to become better at exegesis. Note: depending on enrollment preferences, this course may be online only. Full Course Description

BS733 Romans: Paul’s Gospel Then and Now
Monday, 6-8:30 pm
Dr. Michael Gorman
PR = BS600 or instructor’s permission
A careful historical/social, literary/rhetorical, and especially theological analysis of Paul’s letter to the Romans, with attention to (1) the significance of Paul’s theology in Romans for contemporary Christian life and theology and (2) how the letter is interpreted in various contexts. Full Course Description

DM869 Healing Trauma—DMin students only
The class will meet from Thursday evening to Friday daytime on the following dates: Sep 19-20, Oct 17-18, Nov 14-15, Dec 12-13
Dr. John Hayes
Almost every human being has been touched by trauma in some form, and so have many congregations, communities, and institutions. Therefore, all ministry occurs in the context of trauma. This course provides an immersion in understanding the spectrum and nature of trauma, along with its profound effects on the brain, psyche, and spirit. Students will be encouraged to consider the traumas in their lives and their contribution (positive or negative) to the way they do ministry. This course will equip the minister or pastoral helper to be a non-anxious presence, providing witness to suffering, and to assess the need for other kinds of care, including referral when indicated. Full Course Description

ES665 Christians, Jews and Theology After The Holocaust (Postponed to Summer 2025)
Monday, 6 – 8:30 pm
Dr. Jason Poling and Dr. Neil Rubin
PR = none
This course will explore the ways in which Jewish and Christian understandings of God, themselves and one another developed in the wake of the Holocaust.
Full Course Description

H600  Church History
Monday, 6 – 8:30 pm, online only
Dr. Stephen Lloyd
PR/CR = TH601.
This course offers a survey of the history of Christianity from the apostolic age to the present. This course pays particular attention to the development of different Christian traditions across history and around the world, and it will explore conversations and debates among these diverse expressions of Christian faith. Full Course Description

PT742 Ministry to the Ill and Dying
Thursday, 6-8:30 pm
Dr. Pat Fosarelli
PR = none
An exploration of the physical, emotional, and spiritual facets of ministry to those who are ill or dying, both for ill/dying persons and for those visiting them in a ministerial (lay or ordained) context. The course will cover all age groups and situations that include acute illness, chronic illness, terminal illness, and catastrophic illness/injury. Both physical and mental illness will be discussed throughout. Full Course Description

SP692 Spirituality & Theology of Henri Nouwen
Tuesday, 6-8:30 pm
Dr. Tony Hunt
PR= none
The course will provide a foundation for the academic study of Henri Nouwen, with a particular focus on the historical and contemporary implications of his work and ministry within the context of spiritual theology, social justice, community-building, and religious leadership. Full Course Description

ST601  Foundations of Systematic Theology
Thursday, 6 – 8:30 pm
Dr. Mark Gorman
PR = TH601.
This course introduces Christian systematic theology, whose subject matter includes God and all things in relation to God. Topics will include core doctrines of the Christian tradition as well as various ways to organize and understand the relationships between those doctrines. Full Course Description

ST755 God and the Problem of Evil
Thursday, 6-8:30 pm, online only
Dr. Dan Bell
PR=TH601
A discussion-based seminar that examines the challenges that suffering and evil present to Christian belief and life.  We will consider classical answers as well as contemporary challenges to the problem of suffering and evil.  We will consider the issue in its biblical, theological and pastoral/discipleship dimensions. Full Course Description

TH601  Introduction to Theological Study
Tuesday, 6 – 8:30 pm
Dr. Brent Laytham
PR = none.
An introduction to theological study generally (including its historical, systematic, moral, and ecumenical dimensions). Students will develop their ability to read, think, speak, and write appreciatively and critically, through a focus on unity and difference in Christian belief and practice. Full Course Description

Fall 2024 Course Schedule (all courses 6:00 to 8:30 pm, except where noted):
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
BS/BL611 Introduction to Hebrew I (Maillet, online only)

7 – 8:30 p.m.

BS621  Literature & Theology of the Hebrew Bible (Brown)

 

BS/BL611 Introduction to Hebrew I (Maillet, online only)

7 – 8 p.m.

PT742 Ministry to the Ill & Dying (Fosarelli)

 

BS690 Readings in Biblical Greek (1 credit) (Michael Gorman)

4:00–5:15 p.m

SP/PT692 Spirituality & Theology of Henri Nouwen (Hunt)   ST601  Foundations of Systematic Theology (Mark Gorman)

 

BS733 Romans: Paul’s Gospel Then and Now (Michael Gorman)

 

TH601  Introduction to Theological Study (Laytham)

 

  ST/MT 755 God and the Problem of Evil (Bell, online only)

 

ES665 Christians, Jews and Theology After The Holocaust (Poling and Rubin)

 

     
H600  Church History (Lloyd, online only)