MM 610 Foundations for Theology (2)
This course provides an introduction to theology and ministry. It acquaints the student with the program's content and methodology, its adult learning orientation and its academic resources. It enables the students to discern if this program will serve their goals and needs.
MM 610A Pastoral Leadership (1)
Leadership in a ministry setting often involves administration, financial management, and leadership of prayer. This course addresses the larger context of mission and integrates the practice of several key leadership skills into the course work.
MM 641 The Christian Scriptures (3)
This course introduces the student to the study of the Christian Scriptures. It addresses the nature of revelation, inspiration and hermeneutics. Students are given an overview of the Christian Scriptures and of the methodologies used to approach the scriptures.
MM 642 The Hebrew Scriptures (3)
This course deals with the texts and contexts of the Hebrew Scriptures. It will employ methods of contemporary biblical scholarship to trace the origins and development of biblical writings from the events through the oral tradition to their final written form in the Bible.
MM 643 Issues & Skills in Pastoral Care & Counseling (3)
The course work enables students to identify, articulate and explore pastoral issues. Class sessions are devoted to identifying, developing and practicing pastoral counseling skills in a supervised setting.
MM 644 Liturgy and Sacraments (3)
Students will study the liturgical act, ritual and symbol and their communal context. The theology of sacraments will include their historical understandings and development as well as current questions reflecting issues in various cultural contexts.
MM 700 Final Integration Project (3)
This practicum involves the design and implementation of a project which meets a ministerial need in a particular setting. The project is to make a contribution to the community and reflect the integration of the knowledge and skills acquired in the course of the ministry program. Class meetings will address theology of ministry and the practice of theological reflection. When completed the project and its written report must give evidence of a level of proficiency that meets the requirement and competencies of the Master of Arts in Ministry Program.
MM 654 Ministry and Spirituality (3)
This course will explore how the primary responsibilities of the minister are inextricably tied to the minister's spiritual life, namely her/his struggle to live in the light of the Gospel. It will trace the history of spirituality that underlies contemporary ministry in the church through a discussion of the following themes: scripture, journeying, contemplation and lectio divina, asceticism, mysticism, solitude and community, friendship and eucharist.
MM 655 Praxis of Pastoral Care & Counseling (3)
The purpose of this course is the formation of ministerial identity, the practice of theological reflection and the acquisition of specific ministerial skills related to the focus of the practicum. It involves a ministerial/learning contract, a mentor, supervision and regular seminars. It may be taken any time after the second summer session.
MM 661 Christology (3)
This theological study of the person, mission and ministry of Jesus will begin with testimony of the Christian scriptures and continue throughout the historical developments that shaped the classical formulations of Jesus' identity and the Church's faith. Contemporary thought from liberationist, feminist, and global perspectives will also be included. Throughout the course the implications for ministry will be sought.
MM 662 Christian Anthropology (3)
This course is directed to a study of what it means to be human: the relationship of human beings to God, to the world, and to one another; the problems of evil and suffering and the foundations of hope offered by Christian faith in this context; and the fundamental issues of creation, sin, and grace.
MM 663 Ecclesiology (3)
A study of the theology of church, or ecclesiology, will lay the foundation for a deeper understanding of the origins and nature of the church and its mission in today's world.
MM 670 Church History
This is a graduate level survey course that will introduce students to the major religious, cultural, and political figures and events that have shaped the history of Christianity. The course will provide students with an overview of the history of Christianity from the origins of the church through the present day. Topics to be covered include but are not limited to: Why History; From Jesus to Christ; Missions and Martyrs; Constantine and Church/State relations, Monasticism; Councils, Controversies and Schisms; Scholasticism and Mysticism; Christianity and Colonialism; Reformation and Counter-Reformation; Pietists and Puritans; Global Christianity and the Impact of Modernity; The Global Expansion of Christianity, Eastern Christianity, and Vatican II.
MM 671 History of the Ecumenical Movement
This course will provide students with an historical and theological foundation for understanding the Ecumenical movement. Students will acquire knowledge of the major theological issues and concerns driving the ecumenical movement. They will also acquire an appreciation for the implications of those concerns for ecumenical dialogue as a form of praxis, as well as for their own unique practice of ministry. This exploration of ecumenism will be non-perspectival - that is, it will not be approached from any one denominational point of view. The course will begin with a broad historical and theological overview of the Ecumenical Movement. This overview will be followed by a critical examination of the nature and role of dialogue in both western culture and more specifically in the movement towards restoring unity among the Christian churches. This study of dialogue will then be concretized and applied through the lens of Eucharist and its place in ecumenical dialogue.
MM 680 Social Justice
This course will introduce the student to teachings in social justice through the primary lens of Catholic Social Teaching. The course will begin with an intensive study of selected Vatican social encyclicals and documents from Leo XIII to John Paul II. We will then inquire into the public role of Catholic Social Teaching in American culture. The course will conclude with a concretization of these social justice principles through an exploration of interfaith dialogue between representatives of the Christian and Jewish communities on such social issues as marriage, nonviolence, the economy, and the environment.
MM 681 Moral Theology (3)
This course examines the moral framework of Christian life, its constitutive elements and various approaches. Church teaching, norms and guidelines along with current issues and questions will be presented. Applications to the ministerial context will be emphasized.
MM 682 Canon Law
This course examines the legal system of the Roman Catholic Church. In addition to an historical overview of the science of canon law, lectures address selected canonical issues and their pastoral implications. Topical lectures identify and examine pertinent canons of the Code of Canon Law. Canonical issues to be considered include: the power of governance, diocesan and supra-diocesan structures, ecclesiastical rights, sacramental law, procedural law and ecclesiastical sanctions.
MM 600 - 09 Special Topics
Special topic workshops will be offered to non-matriculating students seeking enrichment and/or professional updating opportunities as well as graduate students who wish to focus on a special area.
MM 686 Independent Study (1,2,3)
This is an opportunity to study in depth some area of interest within one's chosen specialization. Approval of the program director is required.
