THEOLOGY
Chair:
John Cavadini, Ph.D.
Summer
M.A. Director:
Matthew Zyniewicz, Ph.D.
Coordinator
of
Biblical Studies:
Gregory Sterling, Ph.D.
Coordinator
of
Liturgical Studies:
Michael Driscoll, Ph.D.
Coordinator
of
Spirituality Studies and General M.A. Studies:
Matthew Ashley Ph.D.
Coordinator
of
Theological Studies, History of Christianity Studies, and Moral
Theology
Studies:
Randall Zachman, Ph.D.
Dept.
Tel. (574) 631-7811
In the summer session, the Department of Theology
offers courses for undergraduate and graduate students, including a
program
leading to the master of arts degree. Nondegree students are welcome.
The Master of Arts Program
The M.A. (theology) degree a terminal degree for
individuals who desire advanced theological training. Graduates of this
program
should be able to serve as theological resources in a variety of
settings.
Recipients of this degree will have received instruction in the
classical areas
of theological inquiry while acquiring a level of expertise in one.
The M.A. (theology) degree program seeks to serve
the following constituencies:
those teaching theology at the high school level, those seeking to
serve the
church or diocese in an enhanced capacity, those seeking theological
training
to augment their work in other professional contexts (i.e., hospitals,
social
work, etc.), and those desiring personal enrichment.
Those seeking to do further doctoral work in
theology are encouraged to apply to the M.T.S. degree program.
Applicants must have a cumulative GRE score of
1000 or better in both the verbal and analytic sections or 4/6 in the
new
analytic section, and at least two three credit courses in theology or
religious studies on their official transcript.
Program Description
The M.A. (Theology) degree is a 42-credit-hour degree,
consisting of classes in consecutive summer sessions. Summer M.A.
(theology)
students may take courses during the academic year for credit towards
their
degree. However, no academic-year tuition scholarships will be provided
for
such work.
There are six areas of concentration for the M.A.
in theology:
biblical studies, history of Christianity, liturgical studies, moral
theology,
spirituality, and systematic theology.
Apart from liturgical studies, an area of
concentration is normally constituted by:
six courses in the area of concentration, one course each in five other
areas,
and three free electives.
The liturgical studies concentration includes 21
credits of basic requirements:
liturgical history, liturgical theology, ritual studies, Eucharist,
Christian
initiation, liturgical prayer, and liturgical year. Students in
liturgical
studies will also pursue one course each in five other areas (15
credits), and
two free elective (6 credits). Under normal circumstances, new
degree-seeking
students should plan on attending the first module in their first
summer of
residence. This will allow students in liturgical studies to take
Liturgical
History, Liturgical Prayer, Liturgical Theology, or Liturgical Year.
Those needing a more general and flexible program
of studies may pursue a general M.A., in which the course of study is
worked
out in consultation with the director of the M.A. program or an area
advisor,
with the sole requirement being at least one course in each area of
study. This
may be of particular interest to those teaching theology in high school
who
wish to use the summer M.A. to enhance their effectiveness in teaching
a number
of different areas.
Prerequisites for Admission
(1) A bachelor’s degree
(2) At least 6 hours of course work in theology or
religious studies
(3) All applicable transcripts
(4) Three letters of recommendation
(5) Statement of intent
(6)
The Graduate Record Examination (with minimum scores of 500 in both the
verbal
and quantitative sections, or 4/6 in the new analytic section)
Certification
For those who wish to take advantage of course
offerings in the M.A. program without pursuing the degree itself, a
certificate
option is available. This enables students to take courses for credit
without
being liable to specific degree requirements or comprehensive
examinations.
Upon completion of a minimum of 24 credit hours, the Department of
Theology
will issue a testimonial certificate.
Application to the M.A.
(Theology) Degree Program
Applications to the summer M.A. (theology)
program must include an application form, a statement of intent,
transcripts of
degrees and course work, three letters of recommendation, and GRE
scores.
Applications are due May 1. All application materials should be
directed to the
Graduate School.
Online Application
Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit
the application for graduate admission online. The application is
available at
graduateschool.nd.edu.
Further Information
For additional information about the M.A. (theology) degree program,
please contact:
Director of the M.A. (Theology) Program
Department of Theology 130 Malloy Hall Notre Dame, Indiana 46556-4619
Telephone:
(574) 631-4254
E-mail: theo.1@nd.edu
Additional Information for the
Master of Arts Program:
Applying Online:
The application deadline as a degree-seeking student to the M.A.
(theology)
degree program is May 1. When applying online, be sure to complete the
“Graduate School Degree Seeking” section.
Nondegree
credit hours:
Students may apply up to 12 hours of coursework taken at Notre Dame
before
admission to their degree program. Hours taken beyond 12 hours as a
nondegree
student will not count towards the 42 hours of degree program
coursework. All
students are responsible for monitoring their respective hours of
course work.
Degree
Eligibility:
A master’s program that is pursued during the summer and the academic
year must
be completed within five years. A student attending summer session only
must
complete all requirements within seven years.
Comprehensive
Examinations/Bibliographies
The M.A. exams are designed to allow students to
explore specific theological issues in more depth than may have been
possible
during course work. The M.A. exams are based on five topics developed
by the
student, in light of her or his unique theological interests. Each
topic is
phrased as a topic that is then used as the criterion by which to
choose four
books and one recent article that most directly address and explore
each
topical topic. No more than three topics should be in your area of
concentration.
The best way to approach the formulation of your
exam topics is to think about the theological issues that have most
engaged you
during your time in the masters program, and then to think of the
theologians
who most directly address these issues. The topics can address either
theological topics, or specific theologians. For instance, one topic
might
address the way the doctrine of the Trinity influences our
understanding of the
relational nature of human life, looking at Augustine, Juergen
Moltmann, Catherine
Tanner, and Catherine LaCugna; whereas another topic might look at the
relationship between men and women in the Church, looking at the
writings of
Hans Urs von Balthasar. One topic might look at the theological
understanding
of symbols, looking at Augustine, Louis Marie Chauvet, Karl Rahner, and
Roger
Haight; whereas another topic might look at the relationship between
spirituality and liberation in the writings of Gustavo Gutierrez. One
topic
might examine the understanding of contemplative prayer in Bernard of
Clairvaux, Julian of Norwich, Theresa of Avila, and Thomas Merton,
while
another topic might examine the understanding of theological language
in the
writings of Elizabeth Johnson. Topics might also compare the positions
of two
theologians on a specific theological topic, such as the understanding
of the
redemptive death of Christ in Rahner and von Balthasar, or of the role
of the
historical Jesus in the writings of E.P. Sanders and Luke Timothy
Johnson. An
excellent example of a final form of a topic is the following:
Since
the revelatory nature of the text is experienced in and through human
language,
how can a better understanding and appreciation of how human language
works
(particularly its metaphorical capacity) enhance our ability to
interpret and
appropriate scripture in a way that takes it seriously but not
literally with
regard to revelation?
Books:
(1) Sandra M. Schneiders—The Revelatory Text:
Interpreting the New
Testament as Sacred Scripture (2nd ed.)
(2) Paul Ricoeur—Interpretation
Theory: Discourse and the Surplus of Meaning
(3) Walter Brueggemann—Theology
of the Old Testament: Testimony, Dispute, Advocacy (parts
one and
two—pages 115–403)
(4)
Janet Martin Soskice—Metaphor and
Religious Language
Journal Article:
Diane
Bergant, “The Challenge of Hermeneutics:
Lamentations1:1-11:
A Test Case,” Catholic Biblical Quarterly
64, No.1 (2002): 1–16.
All of these examples are meant to be suggestive,
not prescriptive. Your own theological interests should generate the
formulation of the topics, which will be unique to you. These examples
are
given simply to stimulate your own thinking, and to show the different
ways
that topics and bibliographies may be formulated.
You are encouraged to begin the process of
formulating your topics and bibliographies as early as possible.
However, the
topics and bibliographies should be clearly formulated during your
final year
of course work. You may certainly consult with your area advisor during
the
formulation of these topics, as well as with faculty who have expertise
in the
issues you are exploring. However, the formulation of the topics, and
the
development of the bibliography of four books and one recent article
related to
each topic, is entirely your responsibility.
The bibliographies must be approved by the area
advisor (and/or the summer M.A. director) no later than one month
before the
student hopes to take exams. M.A. exams are given in the first week of
November
and April, and in the last week of July. Students must be enrolled and
registered for a comprehensive review class during the session or
semester in
which they plan to take their exam. It is a very good idea for students
to sit
in on the comprehensive review class in their area of concentration the
summer
before they are scheduled to take their exams, to gain a clearer idea
of the
exam process.
The exam board, to be chosen by the advisor
(and/or the M.A. director), will be made up of two faculty from the
area of
concentration, and one faculty from another area. Students pursuing the
general
M.A. degree may have an exam board chosen from three different areas.
The
student may confidentially choose the inclusion of one member of the
board
(subject to availability), and the exclusion of one faculty member.
Each member
of the exam board will submit three questions, framed in light of the
five
topics proposed by the student, to the area advisor, who will then
formulate
five questions.
The comprehensive exams themselves are made up of
written and oral exams. The student will be asked to answer three of
the five
questions during the four-hour written exams, given on the Monday of
exam week.
These written answers will then be distributed to the board, and will
form the
basis of the forty-minute oral exam on Wednesday or Thursday of the
same week.
During the oral exams, questions not answered by the student on the
written
exams may be addressed, as may books on the bibliography and courses
taken by
the student. Evaluation of the student’s performance will be made on
the basis
of both the written and oral exams.
Reminders:
(1)
If you are planning to complete the degree program, please keep in mind
the
basic process for preparing for comprehensive exams. You may find it
helpful to
note interesting issues, books or articles while pursuing coursework
but do not
have time to pursue. The exam process allows you the opportunity to
read such
books or articles.
(2)
Some of you are nondegree students. If you are planning to become a
degree-seeking student, then please complete the proper paperwork in a
timely
manner to become a degree-seeking student. Further, please keep track
of how
many credits you accumulate.
Liturgical Celebration
During the summer session, an important part of
student life is liturgical celebration. Morning and Evening Prayer are
celebrated each day. Students are encouraged to join in these common
prayers
and to participate in various ministerial roles, including joining the
choir,
playing the organ or another instrument, or becoming a cantor.
Summer Session Intensive
Course
Each summer a selected topic will serve as the
theme of a special two-week course. Usually, these topics will be
historical
and/or theological, and should prove especially attractive to teachers
and
parish employees. Because of its intensive nature, it is expected that
the
student will not take additional courses during that module. For
additional
information, see the description in the list of courses.
Class Schedule
Graduate-level courses are arranged within two
three-week modules (Module 1:
June 16–July 4, 2008; Module 2:
July 7–July 25, 2008). Students may choose to attend either or both of
these,
but may not take more than two courses for credit within any given
module.
Requests to audit courses in excess of this limit need the approval of
the area
coordinator. Degree-seeking students should normally plan to take no
more than
nine or ten credits in any summer.
Normally all graduate courses will meet daily for
2 hours and 20 minutes. For further details, see the individual course
description.
Course
Descriptions. The following course descriptions give the
number
and title of each course. Lecture hours per week, laboratory and/or
tutorial
hours per week, and semester credit hours are in parentheses. The
University
reserves the right to withdraw any course without sufficient
registration.
CRNs
for independent study courses may be obtained from the department
office, from
the Summer Session office, or from insideND.
THE INTENSIVE
COURSE
Each summer, the Department of Theology offers at
least one intensive course for students who wish to reflect on a
significant
Catholic theologian, or a historical event which has significantly
shaped the
contemporary Catholic tradition. In 2008, one such course will be
offered: “The Intensive
Course: Hans Urs von
Balthasar.”
THEO 63203. The Intensive Course:
Hans Urs von Balthasar
4 credits, Cyril O’Regan
9:45–12:00
and
2:00–4:15 MTWRF 7/7–7/18
CRN 3761; ID #
THEO 63203 01
Last
“add” date: 7/8
“Drop”
dates: refund,
7/10; last, 7/13
This intensive course serves as an introduction
to the wide-ranging thought of the Swiss Catholic theologian, Hans Urs
von
Balthasar. It has three major foci:
(1) His attempt to relink theology and spirituality, a link that has
been
broken in the modern period, including his reflections on the intrinsic
relation of holiness and theology, on the non-scientific practice of
biblical
interpretation, and on prayer; (2) his fundamental option for an
essentially
christocentric rather than anthropocentric point of view. Here his
difference
in fundamental starting point from much of modern and contemporary
Catholic
theology will be examined; (3) his innovative concentration on the
centrality
of beauty to theology, and the necessity for thinking of God as
beautiful as
well as good and true. Although it will not be a specific focus, the
ecumenical
context and orientation of von Balthasar’s work, and specifically its
relation
to Protestantism and the Eastern Orthodoxy, will be kept to the fore.
Information about the Department of Theology is available over the
World Wide Web. Point your browser to:
http://theology.nd.edu
For additional information concerning any of the theology programs,
please write:
Director, M.A. Program
Department of Theology
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana 46556
Tel: (574) 631-7811
Fax: (574) 631-4291
E-Mail: theo1@nd.edu
Web:
http://theology.nd.edu
For information concerning fees, registration requirements, and
applications, please write:
Director of the Summer Session
111 Earth Sciences Building
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana 46556