Course Descriptions

CATE 601/CATE 621 Foundational Catholic Themes (2 credit hrs) This course focuses on theological themes essential for the practice of evangelization and catechesis within our current culture. The presentation of these themes will occur through lectures from each of our faculty members. The goal of the course is to provide adequate background for understanding the need for contemporary evangelization and catechesis and ways to approach this need.

CATE 602 Practicum I (1 credit hr) The practica at the Augustine Institute provide intern experiences to graduate students in an area of particular interest in a catechetical or other apostolate. These are undertaken under the supervision of a mentor who reports to the Institute faculty on the competence and conduct of the student intern. Arrangements for and approval of the practicum assignment should be made with the faculty member assigned as Program Coordinator for Evangelization and Catechesis, currently Professor Sean Innerst.

CATE 604/CATE 624 History of Evangelization & Catechesis (2 credit hrs) This course provides an overview of the history of methods for evangelization and catechesis beginning with the principles found in the scriptural narratives and advancing to theories prevalent today. It covers figures and events of influence in the Patristic, medieval, and modern eras. This course also focuses on catechesis and initiatory rites as practiced in the early Church and as presented today in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) and as adapted for children.

CATE 605 Practicum II (1 credit hr) The practica at the Augustine Institute provide intern experiences to graduate students in an area of particular interest in a catechetical or other apostolate. These are undertaken under the supervision of a mentor who reports to the Institute faculty on the competence and conduct of the student intern. Arrangements for and approval of the practicum assignment should be made with the faculty member assigned as Program Coordinator for Evangelization and Catechesis, currently Professor Sean Innerst.

CATE 606/CATE 626 Principles & Methods of Evangelization & Catechesis (2 credit hrs) This course investigates the principles laid down by the Magisterium of the Church to govern and guide the practice of evangelization and catechesis. It will also explore the various methods used to implement these directives. The content and arrangement of the Catechism of the Catholic Church will be proposed as a synthesis of past catechetical practice and a sure norm for teaching the faith in the present and the future. Attention will also be given to pedagogical methods and the pastoral strategies needed for parish, school, and diocesan ministry.

CATE 610 Evangelization and Catechesis Thesis (2 credit hrs) In the last semester of the student’s graduate program the practicum assignment is coupled with completion of the thesis project which is executed under the supervision of a faculty director, chosen at the end of the second full semester of the first year or at the end of the academic year prior to the final year of a student’s program of studies. The formal proposal process for the 25-30 page thesis must be followed as outlined in the Bulletin.

CATE 614 Evangelization and Catechesis Thesis (2 credit hrs) In particular cases, such as when a student is engaged in an ongoing full time apostolic or ministry commitment, or when a student demonstrates a need for a more strictly academic program in Evangelization and Catechesis, the thesis, which might be of a more rigorously academic character or involve a project tied to one's ministry commitment, should be of a greater length or depth to justify the number of hours credited for the thesis and the focused intent of the student. The thesis is executed under the supervision of a faculty director chosen at the end of the spring semester of the first year or at the end of the academic year prior to the final year of a student's program of studies. The formal proposal process for the thesis must be followed as outlined in the Bulletin.

CAYM 601 History and Principles of Catholic Youth Ministry (2 credit hrs) This course traces the history and development of youth ministry in this country, and studies the pattern of models and approaches that have emerged over time, with a particular emphasis to assessing the effectiveness of youth ministry endeavors. It will also investigate the specific principles given by the Magisterium of the Church to guide the evangelization and catechesis of young people. The course also examines the broad foundations necessary for a thriving youth ministry with both younger and older adolescents, with an aim to fulfill the driving goals of Catholic Youth Ministry: to empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today, to draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the Catholic faith community, and to foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person. (Renewing the Vision, USCCB)

CAYM 602 Youth Ministry Discipleship and Leadership (2 credit hrs) This course will investigate the history of discipleship, looking back to Scriptural times and the early Church, to explore the foundations of a discipleship model as the cornerstone to effective evangelization and formation. There will also be a research of adolescent spirituality and the unique stages of development young people go through during this time of their lives. Applying this study to Catholic Youth ministry, the course will further explore unique methodological approaches that can effectively reach modern young people, as is urged in the GDC, “the necessary adaptation of catechesis to young people, in order to translate into their terms the message of Jesus with patience and wisdom and without betrayal.” (GDC, 185)

CAYM 604 Catholic Youth Ministry Practicum I (1 credit hr) The practica at the Augustine Institute provide intern experiences to graduate students in an area of particular interest in a catechetical or other apostolate. For the degree concentration in Catholic Youth Ministry, these experiences would be geared towards ministry with young people or their families. These are undertaken under the supervision of a mentor who reports to the Institute faculty on the competence and conduct of the student intern. Arrangements for and approval of the practicum assignment should be made with the practicum director, who will consult with the Director of Youth Leadership and Evangelization.

CAYM 605 Catholic Youth Ministry Practicum II (1 credit hr) The practica at the Augustine Institute provide intern experiences to graduate students in an area of particular interest in a catechetical or other apostolate. For the degree concentration in Catholic Youth Ministry, these experiences would be geared towards ministry with young people or their families. These are undertaken under the supervision of a mentor who reports to the Institute faculty on the competence and conduct of the student intern. Arrangements for and approval of the practicum assignment should be made with the practicum director, who will consult with the Director of Youth Leadership and Evangelization.

CAYM 606 Youth Culture and Pastoral Ministry (2 credit hrs) This course will research the history, development and unique qualities of the phenomena of youth culture, with a particular focus on the early threads of secularism that have become the widespread post-modern thinking of today.   These cultural developments have lead to a generation of young people who can be very broken and hurting, and ministry to modern teens inherently involves unique pastoral concerns. CAYM 606 will explore such concerns with the aim to develop practical and tangible pastoral response strategies for effective ministry with youth.

CAYM 607 Youth and Family Ministry (2 credit hrs) This course will emphasize the critical and primary role of parents and family life in the evangelization and catechesis of young people. Youth Ministry can inadvertently have a tendency to fragment families and pull young people even further away from personal engagement with their families. Participants will come to understand how deeply family relationships affect all of our interpersonal relationships.   The course will place the role of Catholic youth ministry as a servant of family life, expanding the vision of ministry efforts beyond just the evangelization of young people to encompass a more holistic approach for the whole family. A youth minister’s greatest achievement could be equipping and empowering parents to live out their own faith, and instill that faith in the lives of their children.

CAYM 610 Catholic Youth Ministry Thesis (2 credit hrs) In the last semester of the student’s graduate program the practicum assignment is coupled with completion of the thesis project which is executed under the supervision of a faculty director, chosen at the end of the second full semester of the first year or at the end of the academic year prior to the final year of a student’s program of studies. The thesis should reflect either research on a topic related to youth ministry or a youth ministry practicum project. The formal proposal process for the 30-35 page thesis must be followed as outlined in the Bulletin.

HIST 501/HIST 521 Evangelization of the Ancient World and the Formation of Christian Culture (3 credit hrs) The light of Christ came into the world at a time when the ancient world was yearning for the fulfillment of its deepest aspirations. This course will examine how the historical fact of the Incarnation and the founding of the Church transformed Greco-Roman culture and eventually gave birth to a new civilization that arose from the ashes of the Roman Empire. Through the lens of St. Augustine's City of God, this course will consider the rise of Christian civilization until its flourishing in the Hight Middle ages. Among the texts students will read are: selections from Augustine's City of God, Plato's Apology, Cicero's On Duties, Plutarch's Lives, The Didache, selections from the Apostolic Fathers, Gregory the Great, St. Ambrose, and St. Thomas Aquinas.

HIST 504/HIST 524 Crisis of Modernity and the Renewal of Christian Culture (3 credits hrs) In the wake of the Protestant Revolution and the French Revolution, Christians in the West observed the increasing secularization of society and culture. For many years these efforts took the form of a resistance to an increasing secularization. In more recent times, in the midst of a secularized Culture, many men and women of faith have worked to develop strategies for the renewal of Christian culture. This course will consider the process of secularization and the efforts of Christians to renew Christian life in the modern world. Some of the key texts are by John Henry Cardinal Newman, Christopher Dawson, G.K. Chesterton, C.S. Lewis, John Paul II and Benedict XVI.

HIST 512/HIST 612 Directed Study (1-3 credit hrs) A specially designed course of readings in a specific area of history for those in the Evangelization & Catechesis Scholar’s Track. This can be taken twice, once as 512 and then as 612.

LEAD 601/LEAD 621 Leadership for the New Evangelization (2 credit hrs) Part of the mission of the Augustine Institute is to provide graduates with the leadership skills necessary to be effective “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Cor 5:20), ambassadors who can, in turn, form others in the faith. These leadership skills include the ability to speak, write, and lead well. All of these skills will be practiced within the context of the Church’s mission of evangelization.

LEAD 603/LEAD 623 The New Evangelization and Culture (2 credit hours) This course begins by looking at the nature of evangelization and culture. It then examines in particular how the New Evangelization seeks to address and transform modern culture. This response entails spiritual, educational, and pastoral approaches that will equip leaders for the New Evangelization. The course concludes with a consideration of methods to build a Christian culture.

NTGR 501 New Testament Greek I (3 credit hrs) This is an introductory grammar course in Greek which assumes no prior acquaintance with the language and begins with the Greek alphabet. By the end of the course, students will understand some basic principles of Greek syntax and have studied first and second declension nouns and adjectives; personal, intensive and demonstrative pronouns; the present, imperfect, future and aorist indicative tenses of verbs; the use of prepositions. They will also have begun to acquire a Greek vocabulary relevant to the New Testament. This course is the first step towards a reading competency in Greek.

NTGR 502 New Testament Greek II (3 credit hrs) In this course, students continue their study of Greek grammar and apply their knowledge by translating sentences drawn directly from the New Testament. By the end of the course, students will have covered most of the basics of the Greek grammar, including third declension nouns and adjectives, the remaining tenses of the indicative mood; the subjunctive mood and its uses. They will be ready to begin reading easy continuous passages from the New Testament.

NTGR 503 New Testament Greek III (3 credit hrs) This course involves less grammar and more reading of the New Testament. Special attention will be paid to syntactical points of interest and difficulties in the text. Students will be introduced to the apparatus criticus and to the notion of textual criticism.

NTGR 504 Greek: New Testament Topics (1 credit hr) This course serves as a complement to SCRP 606: New Testament: Romans. It focuses on reading Romans in the original Greek. Attention will be given to style and grammar as well as theological issues relating to them. (Prerequisites NTGR 501, 502 & 503)

SCRP 501/SCRP 521 Salvation History (2 credit hrs) Paul teaches that the Father's plan of salvation is fully revealed in Christ (Ephesians 1:9-10). Thus, God's revelation of himself found in the Old Testament follows a carefully wrought plan, the understanding of which is the goal of this course. This course will focus on the big picture of salvation history to better understand how the story of Adam and Israel find their resolution in the story of Jesus. The series of covenants and the development of God's plan for his people will be traced through the various stages of salvation that culminate in Christ.

SCRP 502/SCRP 522 Synoptic Gospels & Acts (2 credit hrs) At the center of history is the person and mission of Jesus Christ. This course examines the purpose and meaning of Jesus' life and mission in the Synoptic Gospels. This course will examine the quest for the historical Jesus, highlighting the importance of historical study for grounding our knowledge and faith in Jesus. The literary and theological nature of the Gospel stories will also be a focus of this class. Finally, the early Church's understanding of Jesus and its relationship to him will be explored through a careful study of Acts of the Apostles.

SCRP 503/SCRP 523 Johannine Literature (2 credit hrs) This course will study the rich theology and literary structure of both the Gospel of John and the book of Revelation, with a brief review of the Johannine epistles. This course will trace the many theological themes that compose the profound portrait of Jesus in the Gospel of John. The challenges of understanding the Book of Revelation will be taken up by a study of its literary genre, literary structure, rhetorical patterns, and use of the Old Testament. This will provide a basis to evaluate the many issues surrounding this complex and often controversial book.

SCRP 504/SCRP 524 Pauline Literature (2 credit hrs) This survey of the letters of Paul will begin with an examination of the historical context of this New Testament corpus, highlighting the challenges faced by the Jewish Paul to appeal to members of the pagan Hellenistic culture that he addressed. Special attention will be paid to Paul's use of Greco-Roman rhetorical devices to make his appeals as a model for the adaptation of methods in the New Evangelization. Other course themes include Paul's understanding of Christ, Israel, the law, enculturation of the gospel, anthropology, and the resurrection.

SCRP 512/SCRP 612 Directed Study (1-3 credit hrs) A specially designed course of readings in a specific area of Sacred Scripture for those in the Evangelization & Catechesis Scholar’s Track. This course can be taken more than once.

SCRP 602/SCRP 622 Old Testament Topics (2 credit hrs) The purpose of this course is to give an in depth introduction to a particular book or section of the Old Testament such as the Pentateuch, the Psalms or the Prophets. Students will engage in careful exegesis of these books and review the related scholarly literature. Pertinent matters relating to history, geography and cultural backgrounds will be drawn in as needed. Questions of authorship, dating and historicity will be given due attention, but emphasis will be given to understanding how these ancient Hebrew narratives work literarily.

SCRP 603 Scripture Practicum (2 credit hrs) The Practicum in Scripture is a course for those who, rather than taking SCRP 608, would like to get practical experience in programming and/or teaching bible studies. To take this practicum a student should contact the Scripture Coordinator, currently Dr. Sri for further information and to make practicum arrangements.

SCRP 605/SCRP 625 Hermeneutics (2 credit hrs) This course will begin with a survey of the history of interpretation. After surveying various approaches to Scripture, the course will examine the philosophical underpinnings of hermeneutics. The challenges of interpretation and the questions surrounding the nature of what a Catholic approach to biblical interpretation means will be particularly emphasized.

SCRP 606/SCRP 626 New Testament Topics (2 credit hrs) This seminar will focus on a particular book or theme of the New Testament, in order to allow careful exegesis and study of the scholarly literature on that specific theme or book.  For example, the study of an individual book like Romans, Hebrews, or Revelation would allow the student to give a careful analysis of the individual literary, historical, and theological aspects at a far deeper level than a regular survey course would allow. This specialized course will also allow for a close exegesis of vital passages in Greek.

SCRP 608 Directed Study (2 credit hrs) This is an independent study course in which the student focuses on a particular biblical book or theme. The topic of study is to be proposed to a member of the Scripture faculty who must agree to supervise the study. A plan of study is drawn up in consultation with the faculty member and submitted to the Academic Dean to serve as the course syllabus.

SCRP 610 Sacred Scripture Thesis (2 credit hrs) The Scripture thesis must be proposed and approved by both its director and the Academic Dean at the end of the spring semester of the first year or at the end of the academic year prior to the final year of a student’s program of studies. The thesis for the Scripture concentration is 30-35 pages in length and typically should engage current Biblical scholarship and incorporate use of Biblical Greek. Although the thesis hours are credited in the final semester of the student’s program of studies, the project should be fully underway at the time of the formal proposal at the end of the spring semester of the first year or at the end of the academic year prior to the final year of a student’s program of studies.

SCRP 614 Biblical Theology Thesis (2 credit hrs) The Biblical Theology thesis must be proposed and approved by both its director and the Academic Dean at the end of the spring semester of the first year or at the end of the academic year prior to the final year of a student’s program of studies.  The Biblical Theology Thesis is 30-35 pages in length. Although the thesis hours are credited in the final semester of the student’s program of studies, the project should be fully underway at the time of the formal proposal at the end of the spring semester of the first year or at the end of the academic year prior to the final year of a student’s program of studies.

THEO 501/THEO 521 Fundamental Theology: Revelation & Faith (2 credit hrs) Fundamental theology is that part of theology, which takes up the study of God's revelation and our response in faith. The traditional curriculum approaches this study in two parts: De revelatione, which takes up the matter of theological reflection, what God has revealed, and De credibilitate, which addresses the reasonableness of the human response to that revelation in faith. Attention will also be given to a Christian anthropology that grounds an understanding of the way in which the human person receives these gifts.

THEO 502/THEO 522 Dogmatics: The Creed (2 credit hrs) This course presents a synthetic summary of the symbolum fidei, the Christian Creed, with particular reference to its effective presentation in catechesis. The presentation will follow that of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, making reference to other statements in minor creeds and magisterial statements, with particular emphasis given to the relevant portions of the Summa Theologica of St. Thomas Aquinas. Throughout the course the unity and coherence of the fides quae will be stressed.

THEO 503/THEO 523 Mystagogy: Liturgy and Sacraments (2 credit hrs) Recognizing that "Catechesis is intrinsically linked with the whole of liturgical and sacramental activity" (CT 23), this course aims at a dogmatic and mystagogical analysis of the Church's life of worship. This entails a study of the sacraments as means of grace, but also the way in which they make ritually present God's saving work from biblical history, so that the student will know how to both read and teach the system of symbols that they employ in our acts of worship. Special attention will be given to the seasons of the liturgical year, the sacraments and rites of initiation and those other elements which have particular application for catechists.

THEO 504/THEO 524 Moral and Spiritual Theology (2 credit hrs) This course aims at introducing graduate students to the sources and methodologies of moral and spiritual or mystical theology. In accord with the presentation in Veritatis Splendor and the third and fourth sections of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, particular attention will be focused on the moral and spiritual life of the Christian as a response to the invitation of Christ to a life in conformity with the Beatitudes. Attention will also be given to an elaboration of the natural law and the Ten Commandments, as interpreted by the Church’s moral magisterium. Lastly, the life of prayer, its types and stages, and that mystical evolution which is the common patrimony of every Christian as the subject of grace and bound for glory will be touched upon.

THEO 512/THEO 612 Directed Study (1-3 credit hrs) A specially designed course of readings in a specific area of theology for those in the Evangelization & Catechesis Scholar’s Track. This can be taken twice, once as 512 and then as 612.

THEO 601 Systematic Theology Seminar I (2 credit hrs) The first of three seminars in systematic theology. The systematic theology seminars are reading and writing intensive and focus on various topics in systematic theology. Seminars will focus on doctrinal themes such as Christ and the Trinity (drawing from both traditional and modern theology), key theological figures such as St. Thomas Aquinas and Pope Benedict XVI, or the biblical foundations of doctrine such as Biblical Mariology. 

THEO 602 Systematic Theology Seminar II (2 credit hrs) The second of three seminars in systematic theology. The systematic theology seminars are reading and writing intensive and focus on various topics in systematic theology. Seminars will focus on doctrinal themes such as Christ and the Trinity (drawing from both traditional and modern theology), key theological figures such as St. Thomas Aquinas and Pope Benedict XVI, or the biblical foundations of doctrine such as Biblical Mariology.

THEO 603 Systematic Theology Seminar III (2 credit hrs) The third of three seminars in systematic theology. The systematic theology seminars are reading and writing intensive and focus on various topics in systematic theology. Seminars will focus on doctrinal themes such as Christ and the Trinity (drawing from both traditional and modern theology), key theological figures such as St. Thomas Aquinas and Pope Benedict XVI, or the biblical foundations of doctrine such as Biblical Mariology.

THEO 605 Systematic Theology Research Semester (2 credit hrs) The research semester enables the student to pursue independently a topic of interest under the supervision of a faculty member. The student’s extensive research is presented in a paper at the end of the semester.

THEO 610 Systematic Theology Thesis (2 credits hrs) The Systematic Theology thesis must be proposed and approved by both its director and the Academic Dean at the end of the spring semester of the first year or at the end of the academic year prior to the final year of a student’s program of studies. The thesis for the Systematic Theology concentration is 45-50 pages in length and should explore themes from within systematic theology. It is expected that the thesis engage in serious scholarly research and incorporate research in at least one foreign language. Although the thesis hours are credited in the final semester of the student’s program of studies, the project should be fully underway at the time of the formal proposal at the end of the spring semester of the first year or at the end of the academic year prior to the final year of a student’s program of studies.