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SICS Mobile Course Descriptions

SICS Mobile course schedules, descriptions, & textbook list

Session I: May 30 - June 5, 2010

Morning:
Monday - Friday 8:30-10:30 a.m. & Saturday Merge Session

SPT553/453 (Moral) - 1 credit hour
The Spirituality of Peacemaking
Dr. Matthew Bagot

We hear a great deal in the news about the way in which religion is a cause of conflict and even terrorism in the world. Less well known are the resources within  the world's religions for forgiveness, conflict resolution, and peacemaking. This course will study peacemakers in various parts of the world--Europe, Africa, and the Middle East-- who take these resources to heart and act upon them.

Afternoon:
Monday - Friday 2:00-4:00 p.m. & Saturday Merge Session

SPT571/471 (Pastoral / Historical) - 1 credit hour
Christ and Krishna:  An Experience of Comparative Theology
Dr. John Switzer

If theology is faith seeking understanding, then comparative theology is faith seeking understanding in the context of other faiths.  Although their terminology and categories may differ from our own, believers of all faiths are engaged in a process of theologizing whenever they apply their reasoning skills to their beliefs.  In this class we'll accomplish what theologian John Dunne refers to as "border crossing."  Together we will "cross over" to read a sacred text about the Hindu deity known as Krishna and then we'll return "home" to our own tradition to ask how our understanding of Christ can be enriched by what we've discovered about Krishna and those who are devoted to God through his mediation.

Evening:
Sunday - Thursday 6:30-8:30 p.m. & Saturday Merge Session

SPT525/425 (Pastoral) - 1 credit hour
Prayer & Discernment I
Rev. Christopher Viscardi, S.J.

Prayerful discernment plays a central role in the spirituality of St. Ignatius, especially in the Spiritual Exercises.  This course will examine the theology of prayer and the practice and theory of discernment as they have developed in the Christian tradition over the centuries.  Part I will focus on prayer; while Part II will focus primarily on discernment.

SPT582/482 (Moral / Pastoral) - 1-3 credit hours
See course description for details - all credits can be earned online
The Tears of Humanity and the Heart of God:  Faith Perspectives on Human Suffering
Dr. Katherine Abernathy

Whether it is the September 11 attacks or the earthquake in Haiti, or the many tragedies in between, the world seems inundated with man-made suffering and natural disasters.  In this one-hour course, we will take a brief look at how suffering is explained by five major faith perspectives: atheism, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, and Christianity.  We will explore selections from religious texts such as The Buddha's First Sermon, Job, and Salvifici Doloris. We will also read short literary selections such as Holocaust accounts and Dostoevsky's Grand Inquisitor to bring the theoretical discussions to life.  By considering several faith perspectives, participants will be challenged to clarify their own understanding of God and suffering, as well as find a deeper appreciation for the way others may understand the trials of humanity. Students who wish to pursue the question further are invited to continue the course online for two additional hours of credit.  The extended course will allow for more substantive reading within the faith perspectives, as well as consideration of one longer literary work.  An online discussion forum will also allow conversation to continue and encourage participants to more fully investigate questions raised in class.

 

Variable Credit Options: This course may be done as 1, 2 or 3 credits (3 separate units), either totally online or the frist credit onsite and the other 1 or 2 credits online.  All students must take Unit 1 (either onsite or online); in addition, they may choose to do either Unit 2 or Unit 3 (for a total of 2 credits) or both Units 2 & 3 (for a total of 3 credits). Credit 1, (the first credit) is required before taking any additional credits for this course.  It may be completed either onsite or online.

 

Credit 1 - Onsite option -  May 30 - June 5 (Sunday - Thursday class plus Saturday Merge Session)

 

Online option for credit 1:  May 30 - June 19, 2010

 

Credit 2 - Online option only - June 21 - July 10, 2010

 

Credit 3 - Online option only - July 12 - 31, 2010.

Session II: June 6-12, 2010

Morning:
Monday - Friday 8:30-10:30 a.m. & Saturday Merge Session

SPT531/431 (Biblical) - 1 credit hour
Prayer in Luke-Acts
Dr. Timothy Carmody

An important theme and activity in Luke-Acts, prayer occurs more often in Luke than in any of the other Gospels, and Acts uses the word even more.  The great hymns in Luke’s Infancy Narrative are part of the prayer of the Church every day (Zechariah’s Canticle at Morning Prayer, Mary’s Canticle at Evening Prayer, and Simeon’s Canticle at Night Prayer).  In Luke, Jesus teaches about prayer (the Our Father) and models praying, while in Acts, the Early Church and individual disciples are characterized as persons of prayer.  This course will examine the role of prayer in the life of Jesus and of the Church and discuss how our study of Luke-Acts can encourage our growth as persons and communities of prayer.

Afternoon:
Monday - Friday 2:00-4:00 p.m. & Saturday Merge Session

SPT543/443 (Historical / Pastoral) - 1-3 credit hours
See course description for details - all credits can be earned online
Mysticism for Today: Spiritual Teachings of Early French Jesuits
Rev. Stephen Campbell, S.J.

The French School was perhaps the most influential movement in Catholic spirituality from the mid-seventeenth to mid-twentieth century.  Several French Jesuits, including Louis Lallemant, Jean-Pierre de Caussade and Claude de la Colombière, developed guides to mystical prayer for ordinary Christians.  Inspired by the Spiritual Exercises, they gave special focus to surrender, confidence and loving union with God.  This course will serve as an introduction to the spiritual writings of these three early seventeenth-century Jesuits: Lallemant’s theoretical and practical approach to discerning God’s will in daily life, de Caussade’s Prayer of the Heart, and de la Colombière’s analysis of the workings of the soul

Variable Credit Options: This course may be done as 1, 2 or 3 credits (3 separate units), either totally online or the frist credit onsite and the other 1 or 2 credits online.  All students must take Unit 1 (either onsite or online); in addition, they may choose to do either Unite 2 or Unit 3 (for a total of 2 credits) or both Units 2 & 3 (for a total of 3 credits). Credit 1, (the first credit) is required before taking any additional credits for this course.  It may be completed either onsite or online. 

 

Credit 1 - Onsite option -  June 7 - 12  (Monday thru Friday class plus Saturday Merge Session)
Online option for credit 1:  June 7 - 19, 2010

 

Credit 2 - Online option only - June 21 - July 10, 2010

 

Credit 3 - Online option only - July 12 - 31, 2010.

 

Evening:
Sunday -Thursday 6:30-8:30 p.m. & Saturday Merge Session

SPT526/426 (Pastoral) - 1 credit hour
Prayer & Discernment
Rev. Christopher Viscardi, S.J.

Prayerful discernment plays a central role in the spirituality of St. Ignatius, especially in the Spiritual Exercises.  This course will examine the theology of prayer and the practice and theory of discernment as they have developed in the Christian tradition over the centuries.  Part I will focus on prayer; while Part II will focus primarily on discernment.

 

Summer Colloquium on Spirituality 

June 6-8, 2010, 7:00 - 9:00 pm  - Byrne Memorial Hall

Thomas Merton & Interreligious Friendship
During this three-part Colloquium guest speakers will identify significant aspects of Merton as a leader in recognizing the importance of interreligious relationships.  The Colloquium is a great opportunity for personal enrichment or continuing education.  Participation requires no readings, papers, or tests.
Dr. Victor Kramer - June 6
Thomas Merton's "Hidden" Agenda in Interfaith Dialogue
Dr. David King - June 7
Thomas Merton & Ecumenisn
Dr. Sidney Griffith - June 8
Thomas Merton:  Pioneer in Interrelgious Dialogue 

Taking the Colloquium for credit: The Colloquium may be taken as a one-credit course, with further readings & assignments under the direction of Dr. Switzer. Register for SPT542/442, not the Colloquium.

SPT542/442 (Pastoral / Historical) - 1 credit hour
Christ & Interreligious Friendship
Dr. John Switzer

For those attending all three sessions of the Merton colloquium, a one-credit course option is available by participating in a two-hour class session on the following two nights and by completing course requirements for reading and writing assignments.  This course fits well as a continuation of the themes from the course entitled Christ and Krishna (offered in the previous week), although each course can stand alone.  Building upon the insights of Merton and interreligious friendship, the course will explore one particular model for understanding Christology in the context of immediate religious plurality.  Questions to be explored include the following:  How is our understanding of Christ changed by interreligious friendships?  How should the significance of Christ be explained in the context of other religious mediators?  Does Christ influence the adherents of other religions?  Is Christianity influenced by other religions?  (Please note that students seeking academic credit will be required to complete reading assignments prior to the first class meeting.)

 

Register Now for the Colloquium

 

Merge Session (For all courses)

Each Saturday of the Institute all classes and all faculty meet together in a joint session, from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. This session is open to all Institute participants but is REQUIRED of all students taking courses for credit. Exceptional cases will be reviewed by the Director of the Institute. The purpose of this session is to provide students and faculty a time for synthesis and for making connections with insights from the other classes.

Textbook List

Registration

Apply Now
(new students taking courses for credit must apply for admission prior to registering)

Register Now
(for returning students or students informally auditing a course)

Note:  Students admitted to the College in a degree-seeking program can register online through Badgerweb after requesting registration clearance from their advisor.

 
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