TH02308
Exploring Catholicism: Tradition and Transition I
Fall, 2008
Professor
Bruce T. Morrill, S.J.
M W 3:00 – 4:15; Cushing 331
21 Campanella Way, Office 322
Phone: 617-552-3873
http://www2.bc.edu/~morrilb
Email: morrilb@bc.edu
Office Hours: Mon. 4:30 – 5:30 (access via lobby phone); Wed. 1:30 –
2:30; Thu. 1:00 – 2:00
Teaching Assistant
Bede Bidlack
Phone: 617-552-1611
21 Campanella Way, Office 340R
Email: bidlack@bc.edu
Office Hours: Mon. 1:00 - 2:30; Wed. 10:00 - 11:00
Course Description
This course is a two-semester exploration of the vision, beliefs,
practices, and challenge of Catholicism. The first semester explores
human existence lived in the light of the Mystery of God and the gift
of Jesus Christ. The second semester considers the Church as the people
of God, gathered and sent forth in the Spirit, the sacraments as
catalysts of ongoing transformation in Christ, and the challenge of an
ethical and spiritual life today. Close analysis of passages from the
Bible will accompany readings from contemporary theologians, official
church documents, and historical surveys.
Required Texts
Catholicism: New Study Edition
Richard
McBrien
Jesus: A Revolutionary Biography
John Dominic Crossan
Living Jesus: Learning the Heart of
the Gospel Luke Timothy Johnson
The Catholic Bible: New American Bible
Oxford,
Personal Study Edition
Grading
Class Participation (two specific sessions + ongoing +
attendance)
5%
First Paper (see 1-A through 1-F below, each student does one of
these) 20%
Take-Home Exam
20%
Second Paper (see 2-A through 2-D below, each student does one of
these) 25%
Final Exam
30%
Course Procedure and Requirements
The sequence of topics and readings for this first semester has a
cumulative trajectory. Getting students actively engaged in the
reading and class sessions is a high priority. To promote such active
engagement, each student will for two specific class sessions write
formal papers (guidelines will be provided), from which s/he will speak
during those specific classes. Thus, those two papers are
absolutely due at the beginning of those specific classes.
Furthermore, each student who wrote a paper for a given class should
speak during that session. Not showing up for such a session
results in zero credit toward the “class participation” portion of the
course grade. Nor will the paper be accepted late (that would
defeat the whole goal of this educational method). Each paper
will be the student’s own, individual, original work.
Attendance at all class sessions, along with at least occasional vocal
participation, is also required. Should students need to miss a
particular session, they should notify the teaching assistant in
advance (including emails, with date and time prior to the given
session) or, in the case of extreme emergencies, as soon as reasonably
possible thereafter. Please note: There is no “Thanksgiving Week” at
BC. The regularly scheduled class for Monday, November 24th will meet
accordingly.
The take-home essay exam is due at the date and time listed on the
syllabus. Late submissions will be penalized a half-letter grade
for each day tardy. The final exam date is non-negotiable.
Guidelines and requirements for papers and exams will be provided in
advance, and each student will be responsible for obtaining and
following them. Students with special needs or problems concerning the
submission date of a paper may discuss and work out the problem with
the professor in advance. After the due date and time of any assignment
has passed, no negotiations will be possible.
Should students have any questions about the basis for these procedures
and requirements in the university’s statutes, they are advised to
consult The Boston College Academic
Catalogue, paragraphs 6.1 through 6.3. Concerning BC’s
academic integrity policy, please study:
http://www.bc.edu/offices/stserv/academic/resources/policy.html#integrity
Schedule of Classes
I. Introduction
9/3 Explanation of syllabus; theology as an academic
discipline; the bible and theology
II. Jesus, Then and Now: A
Controversial Catholic Approach
9/8 Crossan, ix-xvi
Bible:
pp. 7-14, 49-56; Exod 1-4, 12, 14; Deut 26:4-10; Matt 1-2; Luke 1-2
9/10 Crossan, Chapter 1, pp. 1 – 28
9/15 Crossan, Chapter 2, pp. 29-53
Bible:
pp. 268-271; Josh 1-4; Dan 7; Mark 13
Paper 1-A due
today.
9/17 Crossan, Chapter 3, pp. 54-74
Paper 1-B due
today.
9/22 Crossan, Chapters 4, pp. 75-101
Bible:
pp. 67-68; Lev 11-15
Paper 1-C due
today.
9/24 Crossan, Chapter 5, pp. 102-122
Bible: Mark
2:13-17
Paper 1-D due
today.
9/29 Crossan, Chapter 6, pp. 123-158
Bible:
Mark 14:1-16:8; and John 17 - 21
Paper 1-E due
today (note: right after Parents Weekend, so plan accordingly).
10/1 Crossan, Chapter 7, pp. 159-192
Paper 1-F due
today.
III. Catholic Faith: Scripture
and Tradition
10/6 Contrasting Scholarly Methods: All Hinges on the
Resurrection
Crossan,
Epilogue, pp. 193-201
Johnson, pp.
3-22
McBrien, pp.
428-446
10/8 Scripture, Tradition, and Doctrine
McBrien, pp.
19-70
10/15 Faith in Jesus as the Living Christ: New Testament
Literature
Johnson, pp.
23-38, 77-97
Bible: 1 Pet 1:3-9, 17-21; 2:4-9, 20-25; 3:15-18;
4:13-16
1 John 5:1-6;
2:1-5; 3:1-2, 18-24; 4:7-16
Rev 1:9-19;
5:11-14; 7:9, 14-17; 21:1-5, 10-14, 22-23; 22:12-20
10/20 What Is Revelation?
McBrien, pp.
227-271
10/22 Introduction to Literary Study of the Gospels
Johnson, pp.
119-128
McBrien, pp.
415-422, 447-455
Assigning of the Take-home Exam (exam due
on 10/29)
IV. Creation and Redemption
10/27 Pauline Literature: Humanity Recreated in Christ
Johnson, pp.
99-115
Bible: Rom 1-8; 12-13
10/29 Take-home exam
due at beginning of class, followed by discussion.
11/3 The Human Condition: Creation and Nature
McBrien, pp.
157-184
11/5 The Human Condition: Grace and Sin
McBrien, pp.
184-199
V. The Canonical Gospels:
Narrative Portraits of Redemption
11/10 Gospel of Mark
Johnson, pp.
129-143
Bible:
Mark 1:1 - 16:8
Paper 2-A due
today.
11/12 Gospel of Matthew
Johnson, pp.
145-158
Bible: Matthew
Paper 2-B due
today.
11/17 Gospel of Luke
Johnson, pp.
159-175
Bible:
Luke-Acts
Paper 2-C due
today.
11/19 Gospel of John
Johnson, pp.
177-194
Bible:
John
Paper 2-D due
today.
VI. The Church’s Trinitarian and
Christological Doctrine: Does Jesus Save as God?
11/24 McBrien, pp. 275-294
12/1 McBrien, pp. 461-477
12/3 McBrien, pp. 316-326
12/8 McBrien, pp. 441-446, 481-489
VII. Final Exam
12/17 9:00 a.m.
Preview for Second Semester
TH02408 Exploring
Catholicism: Tradition and Transition II Spring, 2009
Required Texts
Bodies of Worship
Bruce
Morrill, contributing editor
Catholicism: New Study Edition
Richard McBrien
Evangelium Vitae: The Gospel of Life
Pope John Paul II
Models of the Church
Avery Dulles
Sacraments and Sacramentality
(rev. ed.) Bernard Cooke