Theology Electives

THEL 508 The Early Methodists

An historical and theological examination of the lives and work of John and Charles Wesley, and the inception of Methodism.  In addition to the Wesleys, the contributions of  other early Methodists, like Selina Hastings (the Countess of Huntingdon) and George Whitefield will also be explored. Primary and secondary sources will be studied with a particular concern to apply them in our contemporary context.

THEL 510 History of American Christianity

This course will examine the history of Christian thought and practice from colonial times until the present.  It will address the ways in which the various European Christian traditions planted in the United States flourished and adapted to this new environment, and will trace the development of indigenous forms of the faith.  Particular attention will be paid to the interactions of persons, movements, and theological commitments in each era with an eye to understanding current trends in American Christianity.

THEL 512 Roman Catholicism: Vatican II and Beyond

This course will examine the sources of contemporary Roman Catholicism by way of a detailed exploration of the history, issues, personalities, theologies and results of Vatican II studied against the backdrop of modernity and post-modernity.

THEL 514 Women in the History of Western Christianity

This course will examine the ways in which women have participated in communities of faith in Western Christianity.  Attention will be given to women leaders, women religious, lay women and theologians, as well as to the women who played roles in various grass roots movements in the church.

THEL 515 Contours of Wesleyan Theology

An historical examination of leading exponents of the Wesleyan theology.  Major theologians and writers will be studied to become familiar with the distinctive doctrines and theological methods which emerge when “doing” theology in a Wesleyan mode.  Important primary and secondary sources will be read in historical context, with an eye to contemporary application.

THEL 519 Theology of the Cross

An exegetical, historical and theological exploration of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.   The biblical basis, historical development, and contemporary affirmations of the doctrine will be examined.  Various approaches to the theology of the cross will be considered.  Particular attention will be paid to the task of teaching or preaching the cross in our contemporary context.

THEL 520 Theology and Film

This subject seeks to reflect theologically on the medium of film and explores theological themes in movies and television.  Students are assigned a variety of readings addressing various dimensions of the relation between theology and film (or particular films), engage in discussion of several films shown in class, and present interpretive projects.

THEL 523 Theological Ethics

An introduction to recent debates in theological ethics (within the Christian tradition), with particular emphasis on the overall movement of twentieth and twenty-first century thought.  Attention is given to pre-twentieth century figures who have influenced modern ethical thought, Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, Kant, et.al.  Traditional twentieth century thinkers along with “neo-traditionalists” will be considered including, among others, Bonhoeffer, Nieburh, Ellul. Hauerwas, and Meilander.  Applied arguments on a variety of topics will be uses to illustrate the approaches of various authors.

THEL 522 Feminist Theology

This course will examine the ways in which scholars have approached the theological task with a commitment to highlight the full and equal human dignity of women.  A range of feminist perspectives will be compared and assessed.

THEL 525 Philosophical Theology

This course uses the methods of philosophy to examine a significant question (or set of questions) within Christian Theology while attempting to remain faithful to the foundational scriptural texts of the Faith.  The “issue” may vary from one time the course is taught to another. Possible topics:  The Nature of God, Divine Providence, The Problem of Evil, Prayer, Faith, etc.

THEL 527 Social Holiness: Race, Class, and Gender Justice in the West

A course aimed towards the consideration of the history of social inequalities in the U.S., which will investigate conceptual frameworks for understanding categories of race, class, and gender.  Theological reflection will focus on questions arising from approaches to injustice that have been taken by Christians in the past with a view towards ascertaining helpful models for the present.

THEL 530 Seminar in Aquinas

This course is an introductory seminar on the thought of one of the most influential figures of the medieval period, St. Thomas Aquinas.  Following a short introduction to Aquinas’s life and context, the course will be devoted to a close reading of Aquinas’s most important work, the Summa Theologiae, with occasional supplementation from other relevant primary and secondary literature.

THEL 532 Seminar in Kierkegaard

This course is an introductory seminar on the writings of one of the most influential philosopher/theologians of the nineteenth century—Soren Kierkegaard. Kierkegaard’s elaborate attempt to “reintroduce Christianity into Christendom” are explored in such works as Either/Or, Fear and Trembling, The Sickness Unto Death, Philosophical Fragments, and Concluding Unscientific Postscript.  

THEL 540 Contemporary Theology

This course will examine some of the major trends in contemporary Christian thought.  It will set the background for contemporary theological and philosophical discourse by way of a brief philosophical overview of the major developments in Western philosophy from the Enlightenment to the Holocaust.  Students will become acquainted with a variety of significant 20th century theologians and their influence on a modern Christian self-understanding.

THEL 590 Thesis I

Under the supervision of a faculty advisor, students will craft a thesis topic, generate a working bibliography for the paper, and complete at least one chapter (minimum of ten pages) of writing. Students must be within twelve hours of completing course work to register into this course.

THEL 595 Thesis II

Students will complete and submit theses for oral defense before their faculty advisor and two additional faculty members, or readers specially selected for their expertise in the topic.  Oral defenses may be scheduled when students are within six hours of the completion of course work, and after credit for THEL 590 has been granted.