Professors: John Darr, A.B., A.M. Wheaton (Illinois), Ph.D. Vanderbilt; Francis Fallon, A.B., M.Div. St. John, Th.D. Harvard; Richard Keeley, A.B., A.M. Boston College; Peter Kreeft, A.B. Calvin, A.M., Ph.D. Fordham; Stephen Pope, A.B. Gonzaga, A.M., Ph.D. Chicago; Lorenz Reibling, B.A. Munchen-Kolleg Techniche, Cand. Ph.D. Ludwigs-Maximilians, M.S. Boston College; James Weiss, A.B. Loyola of Chicago, A.M., Ph.D. Chicago.

TH 00108  Biblical Heritage: Old Testamen
TH00108 Syllabus
An introduction to the literature, religious ideas and historical setting of the Hebrew Bible. Focus is on major biblical concepts such as creation, election and covenant in the pentateuch, historical and prophetic books.
Spring, Thurs 6:30–9, Jan 19–May 3
Professor Darr

CLOSED TH 01711  Introduction to Christian Theology: Shaping Cultural Traditions
TH01711 Syllabus
What does it mean to be good? Is it possible to be both good and happy, both good an successful? Is morality subjective or are there clear ways to regulate it? How can we balance the individual and the community in our moral struggles? Course examines eight traditions of morality and ethics: existentialist, utilitarian, Catholic, Protestant, Christian feminist, Black theology, rights theories, and Aristotle. Students apply classic and modern thinkers to contemporary ethical problems emphasizing current events and movies. Interactive discussion emphasized so students discover the sources of values that formed their lives and develop a perspective for themselves and their futures.
Spring, Mon 6:30–9, Jan 23–May 7
Professor Weiss

TH 07401  Personal and Social Responsibility
Overview of major Catholic and Christian positions on a variety of pressing social issues: the use of force and problems of war and peace; just distribution of, and access to, resources; poverty; sexuality; and the role and status of women. Readings include selections from Augustine, Aquinas, Luther and the Bible as well as contemporary social ethicists and theologians.
May 14–June 21, Mon & Thurs, 6:30–9:30
Associate Dean Keeley

TH 08301  Explorations in Social Ethics
TH08301 Syllabus
Every culture treasures and transmits stories that graphically convey its values. Some stories, like the Exodus story of liberation and new freedom, resonate across times and cultures. Others are more localized and sometimes at odds with dominant cultural stories. This course examines both kinds of stories in works of literature, film, journalism, social analysis and theology. Readings include a study of Exodus, Jaroslav Pelikan’s Jesus Through the Centuries, Arundhati Roy’s Power Politics and Michael Walzer’s Exodus and Revolution. In the study of clashing stories, we conclude with the story of the universal family as articulated by Pope Paul VI’s On the Development of Peoples.
Spring, Wed 6:30–9, Jan 18–May 2
Associate Dean Keeley

TH 14901  Perspectives on Christian Life: Happiness
TH14901 Syllabus
Happiness is everyone’s end. It is not a means to any other end; other things are desired as means to happiness. But what is happiness? How is it attained? Some people are happy, some are not; what makes the difference? A variety of answers are explored including Socrates, Aristotle, Aquinas, Dostoyveski, Freud, Buddha and C.S. Lewis.
Spring, Tues 6:30-9, Jan 17-May 8
Professor Kreeft

TH 24601  After Death and Dying
An exploration of life after death, including such questions as what difference does confronting death make? How are the meaning of life and death connected? Do we really want to live forever? How do technology and science complicate thinking? What evidence is there for life after death?
May 14-June 20, Mon & Wed, 6:30–9:30 p.m
Professor Peter Kreeft, Ph.D.

CLOSED TH 49101  Resistance: Call to Action
TH49101 Syllabus
Course explores the lives, motivations, and outcomes of individuals who for a myriad of reasons responded to the emerging Nazi catastrophe. It defines resistance from religious, ethical, moral, political as well as military perspectives identifying the main protagonists, their moral or ethical dilemmas and final composite failure. What makes resistance permissible, legitimate or even mandatory? Do the gospels encourage resistance? Looks at religious organizations, political groups, and student movements during this tumultuous time. Analyzing confrontation, adaptation and alternative strategies enriches class insight. Guest speakers.
Spring, Wed 6:30–9, Jan 18–May 2
Professor Reibling