Courses

The listing of a course description here does not guarantee a course’s being offered in a particular semester. Please refer to the published schedule of classes on the Student Link for confirmation a class is actually being taught and for specific course meeting dates and times.

• STH TS 950: History of the Social Teachings of the Church
  This seminar will explore the development of the social teachings of the Church from the time of Jesus through the 20th century. The works of E. Troeltsch and H.R. Niebuhr will be relied upon, with a focus on the development of the early Christian social teachings, the medieval synthesis, the Reformation era, and especially the rise of urban-industrial capitalism and its impact on the social teachings of the Churches. Special emphasis will be given to the major events of the 19th century such as the abolition of slavery as well as the beginnings of the women's suffrage movement and other dimensions of the liberation of women.
• STH TS 951: Contemporary Social Teachings for the Christian Church
  An in-depth study of major contemporary social issues, utilizing the works of key Christian social ethicists, as expressed in the Protestant, Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, and Roman Catholic traditions and in theologies of liberation. Issues such as sexuality and human reproduction, war and peace, economic and social justice, racism, gender, social class, and the use/misuse and protection of natural resources, will be viewed through the perspective of different religious traditions. Special emphasis will be placed on ecumenical and interfaith social ethics, the rise and significance of the Christian Right, and development of the tools needed to do social ethics in different social and cultural contexts.
• STH TS 957: Seminar: the Church and Human Rights
  Philosophical, religious, and social problems of defining human rights and the related ideas of human dignity, justice, and the common good. Special attention to comparative understanding of human rights in Confucianism, Christianity, and Islam, exploring an alternative economic order and society that would serve the human person.
• STH TS 961: History of Western Ethics and Social Philosophy
  This seminar focuses on the ways Greek philosophy (Plato, Aristotle, Stoics) influenced Christian theology and ethics (Augustine and Aquinas), and how that Christian theological and ethical tradition influenced Luther, Calvin and other Reformers. There will also be a look at the key figures in philosophy (Hume, Kant, Grotius, and others) who shaped modern Western ethics. Emphasis will also be placed on the development of Western social and political philosophy which led to the modern democratic state (Locke, Bentham, J.S. Mill, A. Smith), utilitarianism and cost-benefit analysis, as well as the works of revolutionary thinkers (Nietzsche and Marx) and also the seminal feminist thinkers (C. DePizan, M. Wollstonecraft, H. Taylor). In addition, there will be efforts to explore the social and philosophical roots of the movements that led to the abolition of slavery as well as to the promotion of gender equality. Consideration will be given to the social/political/economic context that influenced the thinking of the writers, as well as a look at some of the readings from a feminist and multicultural standpoint. Particular emphasis will be placed on the relevance of these thinkers in our society. We should be aware of their shortcomings (class, cultural, racial and gender biases), but also be appreciative of their contributions to modern thinking.
• STH TS 962: Global Ethics in Cultural Contexts
  An in-depth study of distinctive approaches to economic, ethnic, gender and political justice in diverse regions: North America, Latin America, Africa, Asia and Israel/Palestine. Liberation theology perspectives - African American, Feminist, Womanist, Mujerista, Latin American, Native American, Asian, African, Jewish and Palestinian - will provide bases for developing transcultural social ethics.
• STH TS 967: Christianity and Ecology in Community Contexts
  A study of Christian and Native American spiritual insights related to ecological perspectives, principles, and practices. Student classroom sessions, research, and analysis will be complemented by field work: engagement with members of faith traditions and environmental organizations in the Boston area. Writings of theologians and ecologists, statements from individual denominations and ecumenical associations, teachings of native elders, and the relationship of the proposed Earth Charter to religious teachings and current ecological issues will be discussed. Economics, ethics, and ecology will be integrated with the evolving School of Theology Green Vision statement, its implementation on campus, and its engagement in projects with community organizations and faith communities off-campus.
• STH TS 999: The Continuing Relevance of Aristotle's Ethics and Politics
  This seminar will undertake a close reading and a critical inquiry into Aristotle's Nicomacheon Ethics and Politics in order to discern how his thought can be a helpful resource for the study and practice of ethics and politics in our day.
• STH TT 731: Theology & World Religions
  As students, scholars, spiritual seekers and religious leaders we live in a modern world manifesting many forms of diversity. One key form of this diversity is religious pluralism. We become more and more aware that that, for instance, all the historical religions of the world now comprise the spiritual mosaic of spiritual life in North America. This course provides an overview of the historical development of the world's religions in order to better understand the current spiritual pluralism of North America. While the history of world religions does not explain everything that is happening in the lives of modern religious people, informed understanding of these religions is still essential for anyone who seeks to dialogue in a meaningful fashion with a person of another faith tradition. The course will focus on both the emic (inner dimensions) and etic (outer dimensions) of the historical and spiritual development of the world's religions. We will stress the differences as well as the similar features of the religions. We will also ask genuine theological questions because we live, work, communicate and minister in diverse religious communities of faith. (Requires TF 701/TF 702 as prerequisite.) (Cluster 1)
• STH TT 732: History of Christian Theology in Philosophical Perspective
  In its nearly two-millennium long history, Christian theology has been shaped by its dynamic engagements with (and in) various traditions of philosophical reflection. In this course, students will examine how four such traditions--Platonic, Aristotelian, Kantian/Phenomenological, and Marxist/Critical--have influenced (and been influenced by) theological questions, concepts, and modes of discourse. Thinkers from ancient, medieval, Reformation, modern, and postmodern periods will be studied, with emphasis on historical and social settings. (Requires TF 701/TF 702 as prerequisite.) (Cluster 1)
• STH TT 733: Constructive Theology
  This course introduces students to the major themes of Christian theology with the aim of providing them with a framework for effective and faithful theological reflection. Beginning with revelation and ending with eschatology, we follow a familiar progression in the study of systematic theology, examining modern and postmodern theological perspectives on God, creation, human nature, sin, Christology, ecclesiology and other doctrinal loci. The methodological approach is constructive, in that emphasis is placed on helping students integrate central issues of faith in response to contemporary issues. (Requires TF 701/TF 702 as prerequisite.) (Cluster 1)
• STH TT 803: Resurrection: Eschatology for the 21st Century
  TBA
• STH TT 805: Process and Relational Theology
  This course engages students with the textures of process-relational theology, probing the work of philosophers and theologians who interpret God and the God-cosmos relationship and who develop theological constructions that resonate or contrast with texts and interpretations of the ancient and recent past and the present moment. The class will wrestle with significant theological questions, and will have opportunities to reflect with particular depth on a question of special meaning to them, explicating their perspective in dialogue with complexities of process-relational thought (but not necessarily in agreement). The class will engage in conceptual analysis and in theological expressions embodied in liturgical and art forms, seeking to discover and critically engage with theological complexities through diverse expressions.
• STH TT 806: Theology and Literature
  This course explores the theological relevance of literature through an examination of contemporary fiction and examines the benefits and limitations of writing theology in the form of fiction. (Requires TF 701/702 or equivalent) (Cluster 1)
• STH TT 811: Mysticism & Philosophy: Jewish and Islamic Perspectives
  Thematic introduction to mysticism and philosophy, with a focus on dynamics of religious experience. Readings from medieval Jewish and Islamic philosophy; Sufi mysticism and philosophy; Kabbalah, Biblical interpretation, Sufi poetry, Hebrew poetry from the Golden Age of Muslim Spain.
• STH TT 812: Eastern Religions
  
• STH TT 813: Religion and Science
  This course examines the relationship between religion and science (R&S) through three main lenses. The first is historical: it surveys antique, medieval, and modern developments in the interaction between R&S in the West. The second is methodological: it focuses on ways of construing the R&S relation today, with an emphasis on dialogue and integration approaches. The third is applied: it concentrates on a specific issue in current R&S research. The course is open to all graduate students. No background in science is necessary. (Requires TF 701/702 or equivalent) (Clusters 1 and 2)
• STH TT 815: Introduction to Chinese Religion
  An introduction to the history of the intellectual and spiritual development of the Confucian tradition from its beginnings to the modern period in China, Korea, and Japan. Special emphasis is placed on the classical and Neo-Confucian phases, as well as on contemporary Confucian-Christian dialogue. (Requires TF 701/702 or equivalent)
• STH TT 816: Atheisms and Theologies
  The general aim of this course is learn about varieties of atheism-older "classic atheism," so- called "new atheism" of recent years, and theologically inspired forms of atheism-and to understand the various theological responses to atheism. Questions of particular importance are: (1) How strong are traditional and new atheistic arguments? (2) Where does or should theology stand in relation to the arguments of atheism? (3) What are the origins of modern atheism? (4) Should postmodern mystical theologies and iconoclastic anti-anthropomorphic theologies that reject a determinate divine being be considered atheistic? If so how does this sort of atheism relate to other types? The class is intended for advanced masters students and doctoral candidates interested in con-temporary theology and its conceptual roots in older theological debates. Meets with STH TT 956. (Requires TF 701/702 or equivalent) (Cluster 1)
• STH TT 818: Development of Christian Thought: The Holy Spirit
  A re-examination of Spirit is essential to post-9/11 Christianity and an understanding of God's presence and activity in our time. This course explores this claim and seeks to provide students with both a historical and constructive study of a doctrine of the Holy Spirit. Tracking the Spirit through the Christian tradition, from the biblical texts in Genesis to the present day, we will focus on the major movements in which a doctrine of the Spirit takes precedence, i.e. the Reformation, Quakerism, the Holiness movement, Pentecostalism, and African-American gospel traditions. Exploring the rich textual imagery and embodied testimonies associated with Spirit, we will explore the connections between Spirit and issues of justice, reconciliation, suffering, and healing. (Requires TF 701/702 or equivalent) (Cluster 1)
• STH TT 819: Institute for Philosophy and Religion
  This course, taught in the fall, runs in tandem with the annual program of the Institute for Philosophy and Religion (www.bu.edu/ipr) and affords students the opportunity for in-depth exploration of the issues and texts related to each year's series. (Cluster 1)

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