Religious Studies

A study of critical theological issues such as faith, creation, redemption, resurrection, sin, grace, eschatology and the doctrine of God and the Trinity, will be examined through the lens of the Creed, other Church documents, and theologians. Approaches to teaching these foundational articles of faith will be investigated.

Through a historical study of the Church, Religious Educators will have a context in which to explore the theological, devotional, sociological and political aspects of the Catholic tradition. In addition, an understanding of the heritage of the Catholic Church enables the religious educator to participate more intelligently within the life and ministry of the Church.

This course will analyze both the content and context of Biblical themes, images, and personalities as they apply to the life of a Christian. Strategies to teach and use the Bible in developmentally appropriate ways will be stressed. 

Course content will focus on essential elements, distinct methodologies and overall purpose of morality to the life of a Christian. Included will be ethical models, conscience formation, the role of Scripture and the nature of Church norms. A focus will be on religious methods that help shape a moral life. 

This course will examine the theme of social wisdom in the Church – arising from biblical insights, Church writings and various philosophies, and recent experiences of the People of God animating their faith in justice. Principles of Catholic Social Teaching and their application to contemporary issues will be analyzed. Students will be challenged to think globally but to act locally via the application of Catholic Social Teaching within the local church and parochial structures. 

This course will investigate the psychological, philosophical and historical constructs involved in religious education/faith formation. Specifically, current research in educational and developmental psychology will be introduced to help create optimal and developmentally appropriate religious education/faith formation learning environments across the life span. 

This course will study the history and theology of ecumenism and inter-religious dialogue in the Catholic Church. In response to trends such as religious pluralism and inter-faith marriages, Religious Education programs that promote respect, understanding and focus on common values will be explored Credits 3

This course is the capstone course for the MARE Program. It provides an overview and experience of a variety of technologies and their application for education ministry. Students will explore and use technological resources, particularly Computer Mediated Instruction (CMI) and the Internet, to supplement or to provide alternate delivery systems for Religious Education/Faith Formation activities across the life span. As a capstone
course, the student will incorporate research, application, and material from all previous courses. The student will create projects that demonstrate competence using technology to enhance and enrich education ministry culminating in scholarly project presentation.

Prerequisites: Completion of all required MARE courses or permission of the Executive
Director of MARE.

The focus of this course will be sacramental preparation and meaningful rituals based on biblical, theological, and liturgical foundations. Attention will be given to the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) as a core perspective for community, conversion and growth.

This course will explore the organizational and theological decision-making tools and principles for leadership in personal and organizational contexts. The first half of the course will examine personal theological development and decision-making focusing on the personal character of the leader and their ability to make decisions and take actions. The second half of the course will explore a variety of moral dilemmas that exist in organizations and societies. The course will explore such moral dilemmas and how they might be addressed through critical analysis and application of theological and ethical principles.

Recognizing specific competencies for lay ministry, the document, Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord, determines the necessity for lay ecclesial ministers to be cultivated in leadership qualities. Through the facilitation of a variety of faculty, this course will allow the education minister to study leadership qualities based on the example of Jesus the Christ in order that they may inspire and enable others to fulfill their baptismal calling. 

This course will explore diversity and its connection to developing into a servant leader. The first half of the course will explore ways in which racial, ethnic, gender, and class identities are socially constructed in the United States and implications of this for and organization. The course will explore intercultural communication as a tool for bridging differences and learning about identities, practices, and cultures. The second half of the course will examine principles and practice of servant-leadership. Servant-leadership is explored with an emphasis on reviewing the original writings, and on conceptualizing and articulating the philosophy through a clarification of what it is, and why servant-leadership is relevant in a diverse world.

This course will provide an overview of hate studies and conflict resolution.  The first half of the course will help students identify important theological concepts involved in hate studies. The second half of the course will use
real-life situations and case studies that will help students practice skills and strategies for dialogue, decision-making, and ultimately negotiating conflict for transformational leadership.