Theological Integration - 5513A

Systematic Theology

A. Course Description

An exploration of the unity of Catholic theology and the interdependence of theological disciplines.  The course will include an assignment designed to assist students in integrating what they have learned throughout the program. (3 hours; antirequisite: the former Systematic Theology 513A)

B. Goals

This course will assist students to grow in the following knowledge, skills and attitudes:

• Knowledge:
  • To gain a deeper sense of the unity and inter-relatedness of key theological themes studied in the program.
• Skills:  
  • To learn to recognize and explore the connections between theological themes as a way to deeper understanding and contemplation of Christian truth. 
  • To learn to communicate theological themes effectively by applying the wisdom of the tradition and the fruits of one’s own experience to pastoral and catechetical questions as they arise within contemporary culture.
• Attitudes: 
  • To gain an appreciation of the significance of theological reflection for personal growth and pastoral and catechetical work.
  • To grow in recognition of the benefit of shared dialogue and shared exploration of theological issues.

C. Assessment

• Two reflection papers, 4-5 pages each; due Oct. 8 and Nov. 5 (20% each)
• Seminar presentation (50%)
• Class participation (10%)

D. Readings or Textbooks

• Required:
  
  Francis Schussler Fiorenza and John Galvin, eds. Systematic Theology: Roman Catholic Perspectives.  Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2011. (Available at the UWO bookstore; all readings are from this text unless otherwise indicated; other readings are on reserve in the library).

E. Structure of the Course

Part I: God and Creation

Week 1 (Sept. 8/10):

• The Framework of Salvation History; Theological Reflection
• Culture Today (John Dool, “Authenticity and Ecclesiology: Charles Taylor and the Post-Conciliar Challenge”, pp.1-16; on reserve in the library)

Week 2 (Sept. 15/17):

• Revelation and Faith (Avery Dulles, "Faith and Revelation”)
• Knowing God (David Tracy, “Approaching the Christian Understanding of God”)

Week 3 (Sept. 22/24):

• Exploring and Living the Mystery of the Triune God (Anthony Godzieba, “The Trinitarian Mystery of God: A ‘Theological Theology’”)
• Creation (Anne Clifford, "Creation”)

Week 4 (Sept. 29/Oct 1):
The Human Person (Joseph Ratzinger, “Concerning the Notion of Person in Theology”, Communio, v.17, Fall, 1990; on reserve in the library)

Part II: Redemption

• Sin (Roger Haight, "Sin and Grace", pp.375-401)

Week 5 (Oct. 6/8):

• Grace (Roger Haight, "Sin and Grace", pp.402-430)
• Biblical and Classical Christology (John Galvin, "Jesus Christ", pp. 258-277)

Week 6 (Oct. 13/15):

• Thanksgiving
• The Paschal Mystery and Contemporary Christology (Galvin, "Jesus Christ", pp.278-314)

Week 7 (Oct. 20/22):

• The Nature of the Church (Michael Fahey, “Church”, pp.315-46)
• The Mission of the Church (Michael Fahey, “Church”, pp.347-74)

Part III: Sanctification

Week 8 (Oct. 27/29):

• Mary and the Communion of Saints (Elizabeth Johnson, "Communion of Saints and Mary")
• Study Break

Week 9 (Nov. 3/5):

• Sacraments (David Power, “Sacraments in General”)
• Sacraments of Initiation (David Power, "Baptism and Confirmation")

Week 10 (Nov. 10/12):

• Sacraments of Initiation (David Power, "Eucharist”)
• Liturgy (Mark O’Keefe, “Liturgy and Christian Living”, Becoming Good, Becoming Holy [New York: Paulist Press, 1995], pp.91-109; on reserve in the library)

Week 11 (Nov. 17/19):

• Christian Moral Reflection (Donal Harrington, “Five Ways of Looking at Morality”, What is Morality [Dublin: The Columba Press, 1996], pp. 9-27; on reserve in the library)
• Eschatology (Jeanine Hill Fletcher, "Eschatology")

Part IV: Student Presentations

Week 12 (Nov. 24/26):

Week 13 (Dec.1/3):

F. University Regulations

Students are responsible for knowing the University’s academic policies and regulations and any particularities of their own course of study.  These can all be found at the University’s website (http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/handbook/appeals/scholoff.pdf). Ignorance of these policies is not an excuse for any violation thereof.  The following policies are particularly important to note:

• Submission of Assignments and Tests:  Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the dates as given above.  Assignments may not be dropped off at King’s or submitted electronically. 
• It is the responsibility of the student to organize his or her work so that the assignments are completed on time.  For a serious reason, a student may approach the professor before the due-date, and may be granted an extension at the discretion of the professor.  Any medical reasons will be confirmed by proper documentation as approved by the Dean’s Office.  A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment will be deducted for each day it is overdue without permission.
• No electronic devices will be allowed during tests or the examination, unless approved in advance by Student Services at the University or King’s.
• Students who miss tests will negotiate a “make-up” date with the professor.  Any medical reasons will be confirmed by proper documentation as approved by the Dean’s Office.
• Plagiarism: Students must write their essays and assignments in their own words.  Whenever students take an idea or a passage from another author, they must acknowledge their debt by quotation marks and/or footnotes.  Plagiarism is a major academic offense.  Students may be required to submit their work in electronic form for plagiarism checking.
• Selection and Registration of Courses: Students are responsible for ensuring that their selection of courses is appropriate and accurately recorded, that all prerequisite course(s) have been successfully completed, and that they are aware of any anti-requisite course(s) that they have taken.