Course Listings
Institute Theme: Vatican II - Fifty Years Later
Preliminary Schedule
Session I: June 2 - June 7, 2013
Evening: Sunday - Thursday, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
SPT532/432 – (Biblical) – 1 credit hour
God Will Be All in All: Universal Salvation (Apokatastasis)
Dr. Timothy Carmody
Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians, the Acts of the Apostles, and the Letter to the Hebrews have offered Christians through the ages images of God’s universal saving will. In reflecting on these biblical passages, theologians past and present have offered varied insights into the final and full conclusion of God’s salvation. Belief in apokatastasis (universal salvation) inspired some of the greatest of the early Church theologians – Origen and Gregory of Nyssa have offered great insight into the value of this belief. In her spiritual writings, Therese of Lisieux reflects some of these ideas, and the contemporary Catholic Theologians Karl Rahner and Urs von Balthasar have also wrestled with these ideas. The course will examine the New Testament texts that are the source and foundation of these ideas, the Platonic philosophy that influenced early Church reflection on these ideas, and some figures of the contemporary Church as it wrestles with salvation as the universal will of God.
Afternoon: Monday - Friday, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
SPT565/465 – (Historical) – 1, 2 or 3 credit hours
Communion: The Spirituality of Vatican II
Dr. John Switzer
A dominant and inspiring theme that runs through the documents of the Second Vatican Council is that of communion. It informs the reshaping of Catholic understanding with regard to the college of bishops, the relationship between laity and clergy, ecumenical endeavors and even believers of the other great religions. In this course we’ll endeavor to discover and appreciate this fact more fully—and boldly suggest that such a theological understanding be the foundation for a life-giving Christian spirituality that is greatly needed in the contemporary world.
Hybrid course – Students must complete the first credit in the classroom to be eligible to participate in credits 2 and 3. Credits 2 and 3 will be offered online.
Session II: June 9-14, 2013
Evening: Sunday -Thursday, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
SPT553/453 – (Moral) – 1 credit hour
Church/World, Church/State: The Social and Political Vision of Vatican II
Dr. Matthew Bagot
This class will explore the lines between religion and politics in light of the Church’s teachings at Vatican II. We will read two documents from the Council: Gaudium et Spes, also known as the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World; and Dignitatis Humanae, the Church’s Declaration on Religious Liberty. We will focus on how the two documents complement one another and may thus be read in tandem.
Afternoon: Monday - Friday, 3:00-5:00 p.m.
SPT542/442 – (Historical) – 1 credit hour
The Spirituality of Thérèse of Lisieux: Doctor of the Church
Rev. Stephen Campbell, S.J.
Thérèse of Lisieux was declared a doctor of the church in 1997 by John Paul II. She was the third woman to receive that title. The fourth was Hildegard of Bingen. This course will explore Thérèse’s life and teaching, how she responded to the spirituality of her time, how she anticipated several key themes of the Second Vatican Council, and how we might respond today and incorporate her “little way” into our own lives.
Registration
(New students taking courses for credit must apply for admission prior to registering)
Note
Students admitted to the College in a degree-seeking program can register online through Badgerweb after requesting registration clearance from their advisor.
