Courses

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

• STH TS 830: Ethics, Philosophy, and Social Theory
  This course is designed to explore and critically discuss the role of social theory and philosophy in contemporary social ethical thought. Arguably, the leading social ethicists of our time consider theology, philosophy, and social theory as the foundational pillars of social ethics. This course will train master's level in the art (rigors) of weaving together modern social theories, cutting-edge philosophical thoughts, and leading systematic/constructive theologies to critically engage moral problems, institutions, and structures that thwart human flourishing in their communities. Of particular interest is the way in which social science and philosophy inform and structure social ethics.
• STH TS 833: Social Justice
  This course seeks to probe the internal debates and contemporary promise of major social movements for the marginalized and dispossessed. We will first survey Aristotelian, biblical, classical liberal, Marxist, and Rawlsian formulations of justice. We then read some foundational texts redressing injustices based on class, race, gender, sexuality, education, disability, indigeneity, and environmental placement. Finally, we examine three prominent religious voices for social justice: the Levellers, Ranters, and Diggers for radical egalitarianism; the Black social gospel for racial equality; and Catholic Worker movement for labor rights. (Cluster 1&2)
• STH TS 835: What's in a Text'
  A detailed examination of one formative text in Black religious thought to explore a thinker's ideas and how he or she states a theme, develops an argument, and is able to argue his or her case in a persuasive manner. Attention to consistency, reasoning, style, and rhetoric are also a part of the course. Finally, we consider the book in relation to the renewal of the church, its implication for ministry, and its place in enriching scholarly debate and thought. Students may repeat the course as different texts are studied. The text we consider this time is by historian of religion Charles H. Long, Significations: Signs, Symbols, and Images in the Interpretation of Religion.
• STH TS 842: Watershed Discipleship: Practicing Place in the Boston Watershed
  Lives of faith are lived in particular places. This course explores place-based spiritual practices and theological perspectives in order both to connect you to the Boston watershed and to equip you with the skills needed to build relationships and live responsibly in other watersheds you might inhabit in the future. Through readings, case studies, discussion, site visits, writing, and short assignments, we will deepen our knowledge of the Boston bioregion and explore a range of spiritual practices to deepen human relations to the places we inhabit. By the end of this course, you will have developed a portfolio about your current watershed and toolkits for getting to know other places in the future and for deepening your own and others' spiritual connections to the places you inhabit.
• STH TS 845: Christian Social Ethics
  Comparative study of historical and contemporary Christian approaches to the nature, sources, methods, and concepts of ethics in diverse contexts. The course is in two parts: an historical overview of the development of Christian social ethics from biblical times to the twenty-first century; an in-depth exploration of approaches to specific contemporary social issues including war and peace, ecology, economic justice, and equality. Clusters 1 and 2)
• STH TS 848: Global Pentacostalism
  The last 50 years have seen the explosion of Pentecostal-Charismatic type churches in the world, becoming not only the fastest growing segment of Christianity, but also the vanguard of the global Christian movement. This is a basic course on the theology, ethics, and history of the worldwide Pentecostal-Charismatic renewal movements. It offers a historical-descriptive approach of the movements in various countries, theological analyses of their doctrines and beliefs, a sociological investigation of their religious techniques, and an ethical study of their social actions and political spiritualities. Students will learn how Pentecostal-Charismatic movements are transforming themselves to be a major positive force for social justice in this- worldly realm. Drawing on readings from religious studies, theology, politics, sociology, and anthropology, this course seeks to transcend disciplinary boundaries to enable students to better understand Pentecostal and Charismatic movements, their recent histories, and their potentials for renewal of Christianity across denominational lines and across the Catholic- Protestant divide. Clusters 1 and 2)
• STH TS 849: The Political Economy of Misery
  This course is an examination of the ways in which the intersection of various forms of oppression - such as racism, sexism, ageism, heterosexism, and classism - coalesce to form lifestyles of misery that produce social patterns of domination and subordination. Consideration of how conversations between Christian ethics and other disciplines help frame possible trajectories of justice and justice making.
• STH TS 857: Ethics, Spirituality & Technology
  This class concerns the ethics of emerging technologies of spiritual enhancement. There is a lot more going on than you may realize, from brain stimulation to neurofeedback-guided meditation, and from psychedelics to technodelics, and it is all complicated -- technologically, medically, economically, theologically, and especially ethically. Religious leaders, chaplains, journalists, and just about everyone needs to know about technologies of spiritual enhancement. By moving through the array of new and emerging technologies systematically, analyzing the science, practice, and ethics of each offering, we can come to grips with these profound changes in the worlds of religion and spirituality. This class is recommended for STH masters students heading into positions of religious leadership, COM students working in religion or science journalism, and anyone working in ethics seeking a basic understanding of the brave new world of consciousness hacking and enlightenment engineering, and what it means for all of us. (Cluster 1)
• STH TS 872: Metaphors of Evil
  This course is an examination of the ways in which metaphors function at the intersections of various forms of oppression in the work of selected African diaspora writers from the West. These writers will be conversation partners with Christian social ethics and theology as well as other disciplines to help frame possible trajectories of freedom and justice by using an interstructured/intersectional methodology to explore the matrix formed by social structural evil.
• STH TS 875: Comparative Religious Ethics
  Comparative religious ethics, as a burgeoning academic field, strives to pursue moral wisdom across religious boundaries. In this course, we first juxtapose the ethical teaching of Christianity with another tradition to probe some perennial moral questions: ultimate end, exemplary virtue, social hierarchy, sexuality and marriage, war and peace, as well as political liberation. We then examine some contemporary issues comparatively in feminist, environmental, and postcolonial ethics. Finally, we study the moral significance of religious traditions as "spiritual exercises" (in the senses given by St. Ignatius and Pierre Hadot). There, we explore how bodily practices such as yogic movements, breathing exercises, Benedictine liturgical prayers, meditation of the cosmos, and contemplation of divine love might have far-reaching ethical consequences. (Cluster 1 & 2)
• STH TS 877: Restorative Justice
  A study of the fundamental principles and practices of restorative justice. The course outlines the basic principles and values of restorative justice, introduces some of the primary models of practice, and identifies challenges to restorative justice and strategies to respond to them. The course is organized around three key themes: the role of religious ethics and Indigenous traditions in the development of restorative justice, the major models of restorative justice practice, and the relationship of restorative justice to racial justice. Attention is given to restorative justice as practiced in criminal legal settings, in contexts of political transition and historical trauma, and in racial justice organizing.
• STH TS 881: Environmental Justice
  This course explores the ways in which injustices are mediated through our physical environment, and how academics, artists, ordinary citizens, organizers, and religious leaders are addressing those injustices. Through articles, case studies, discussion, writing, and excursions to encounter the the work of the environmental justice movement in Boston, we will explore how communities engage (or avoid engaging) the connection between environmental and public health. We will explore how environmental justice activists navigate the complex webs of different stakeholders and analyze the ways that power and voice relate to environmental health. By the end of this course, you will have developed your own creative response to an instance of environmental injustice and have joined the other academics and activists at work in this vital field. (Cluster 2 or 3)
• 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) (Fulfills Theology II requirement)
• 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 807: Christian Eschatology in Post-Apocalyptic Times
  This course explores the Christian eschatological imagination through engagements with pre-modern and contemporary texts dealing with the theological category of the future. Students will be encouraged to reflect how visions of the future inform particular (and often ambiguous) social and political dispositions and sensibilities. The course will further offer resources for constructive readings of Christian eschatology and invite students to develop creative appropriations of the vocabulary of Christian eschatology. Course will include an overview of biblical, Patristic, and medieval sources as a basis from which the vocabulary of Christian eschatology was constructed. It then moves to contemporary sources and a section on contemporary fiction dealing with the post-apocalyptic imagination.
• STH TT 810: Christian Theology
  
• STH TT 813: Religion and Science
  This course examines the foundations of the field of Religion and Science (R&S) and ways of construing the R&S relation today. It then applies this examination to specific issues 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) (Requires TF 701/702 or equivalent) (Clusters 1 and 2)
• STH TT 818: Spirit
  The course shifts focus from studies of the Holy Spirit in Christian teachings to examine what it means to tend to the human spirit, especially under conditions of threat, struggle, and oppression. It features the writings and teachings of three figures -- Howard Thurman, Julian of Norwich, and Gloria Anzald'a -- and positions them as spiritual guides for exploring our capacities: 1) for connection and care; 2) for living with intention and purpose; and 3) for reimagining collective life. With primary focus on the works of Thurman, this course is an invitation to think with him about what makes religious/spiritual teachings about the human spirit distinctive and compelling. It also invites students, through readings and assignments, to engage with their own spiritual lineages and the spiritual traditions of the communities whom you serve. (Cluster 1) (Pre-req STH TF 701 & 702)
• STH TT 826: Political Theology
  Recent developments across a variety of disciplines have led to deep and widespread interest in "political theology" -- a diverse range of approaches to interrogating, (re)imagining, and (de)constructing the intersection of politics, religion, and theology, present and past. Scholars have argued that dominant paradigms of sovereignty, the secular, modernity, and liberalism are themselves secularized, corrupted, or otherwise transformed versions of Jewish and Christian theology. Others contend that modern political practices and paradigms represent not the legacy of early modern secularization but the trail of an early modern reinjection of theology in political and social theory. Others still find in the practices of contemporary communities lived political theologies that subvert existing power structures and cast doubt on common conceptions of contemporary political life and possibilities. This course examines these competing developments, readings, and proposals; their interactions; and the contested histories, theories, and values that underwrite them. Considering political theology as both a historical and contemporary phenomenon and engaging a range of perspectives and figures, the course also considers relations and interactions between political theology and other approaches to questions of "religion and politics." (Cluster 1)
• STH TT 830: Readings in Marx
  This course will engage in close readings of Karl Marx's political and philosophical work and trace his critique of capitalism as formulated in Capital. Students will be introduced to Marx's intellectual context, his key texts and concepts, and reflect on the legacy of his philosophical and political contributions, particularly in critical studies in religion and theology. The course will also engage with texts that expand the Marxian contribution to the realm of postcolonial studies and critical theory. (Cluster 1)