Course Author: Antoinette Collins

This unit introduces the alphabet, elementary grammar, syntax and vocabulary of Biblical Hebrew. Will enable students with reading and translation of sentences and short passages from the Hebrew Bible.

Course Author: Helen Ruth Dicker

This unit introduces the Koine Greek alphabet, elementary grammar, syntax and vocabulary. Will enable students with reading and translation of sentences and short passages from the New Testament text.

Course Author: Helen Ruth Dicker

This unit builds upon the introductory course by expanding elementary knowledge and skills to achieve a facility in the exegesis of the Greek text.

Course Author: Clare Dempsey

On the central role played by story in the presentation, transmission and interpretations of the biblical teachings in Judaism and Christianity. Study of the nature of story; the Bible as literature; narrative genres and literary devices in the Bible; Talmudic and New Testament parables; the infancy narratives in Matthew and Luke.

Supervisor: Member of The Humanities Department

The Research Project will allow students to pursue at greater depth a topic or issue raised in the area of study and to present the finding of their research in an extended written paper.

Supervisor: Member of Humanities Department

The topic of independent guided study is arranged in consultation with a course tutor and approved by the Department Coordinator.

Supervisor: Member of Humanities Department

Issues in the Humanities allows students to pursue focused research in an area of topical or contemporary interest within the subject area.

Course Author: Michael Giffin

The principles of hermeneutics are applied to an interpretation of three novels, to introduce the literary and theological dimensions of neoclassicism, romanticism, and early-modernism: Sense and Sensibility (Jane Austen), Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte), and Middlemarch (George Elliott).

Course Author: Michael Giffin

The principles of hermeneutics are applied to an interpretation of three novels, to introduce the literary and theological dimensions of high-modernism and anti-modernism: Heart of Darkness (Joseph Conrad), A Passage to India (E.M. Forster), and Brighton Rock (Graham Greene).

Course Author: Michael Giffin

The principles of hermeneutics are applied to an interpretation of three novels, to introduce the literary and theological dimensions of post-modernism: The Bell (Iris Murdoch), The Takeover (Muriel Spark), and Alias Grace (Margaret Atwood).

Supervisor: Member of Humanities Department

The topic of the Research Essay is arranged in consultation with the Department Head and approved by the Academic Dean.

Course Author: Tony Corcoran

The Bible as ‘the word of God in human words’; literary and other introductory questions; the nature and significance of “the Law and the prophets”; the nature and contents of the New Testament books, especially the Gospels and the Pauline corpus; modern literary approaches to biblical interpretation; method of exegesis. This unit will be offered in intensive mode in 2007, see Academic Calendar.

Course Author: Margaret Beirne

History, geography, religion and culture of Israel and her neighbours from the period “before Abraham”to 4 BCE; the contribution of archaeology; the literature of the Bible with special reference to the Pentateuch and Prophets; the Bible as expression of religious belief; exegetical method applied to selected passages.

Course Author: Tony Corcoran

The context of the New Testament: Judaism and the Greco-Roman world; Messianism and apocalyptic eschatology; the aims of Jesus; the centrality of the Resurrection; the communities and literature of the NT with particular reference to the Gospels and Paul; historical and narrative criticisms; exegesis of selected NT passages. This unit will be offered in intensive mode in 2007, see Academic Calendar.

Course Author: Freda Webb

An overview of the phenomenon of prophecy in Israel; the former prophets in the context of the historical books; the call, function and message of the major pre-exilic, exilic and post-exilic prophets; features and books of the Wisdom tradition.

Course Author: Margaret Beirne

This unit completes the introductory survey of the New Testament library by investigating the principal literary and historical and theological features of the four Gospels, together with the Acts of the Apostles.

Course Author: Freda Webb

Traditions and their importance; literary forms in the Torah; the Documentary theory; Pentateuchal theology; structure and content of the five books; exegetical method; application to selected passages.

Course Authors: Moira O’Sullivan and Antoinette Collins

Introduction to the Psalms, the prayer of a people; hymns of praise – holistic approach to religion, the cosmos, the individual; psalms of lament – individual and communal lament; liturgical and historical psalms – the psalms and liturgy; wisdom psalms – the listening heart; royal psalms – authority in the psalms applied to leadership today.

Course Author: Tony Corcoran

The influence of Paul’s own formation; occasional nature and literary structure of his letters; context, purpose and theological concerns of first Corinthians; Paul’s relationship with the Corinthian community; exegetical method as adapted to the letters of Paul.

Supervisor: Member of Biblical Studies Department

The Research Project allows students to pursue at greater depth a topic or issue raised in the area of study and to present the finding of their research in an extended written paper.

Supervisor: Member of Biblical Studies Department

The topic and methodology of the independent guided study is arranged in consultation with the Department Head and approved by the Academic Dean.

Supervisor: Member of Biblical Studies Department

Issues in Biblical Studies allows students to pursue focused research in an area of topical or contemporary interest within the subject area.

Course Author: Tony Corcoran

This unit provides an advanced study of Israelite prophets and prophecy, by focusing on the Isaiah corpus in general, together with a detailed interpretation of Deutero-Isaiah.

Course Author: Tony Corcoran

This unit provides an advanced study of the text of the two-volume work Luke-Acts and the author’s unique theological view of history.

Course Author: Margaret Beirne

This unit provides an advanced study of the text of the Fourth Gospel and the Johannine community whose situation and values are reflected in the Gospel and in 1 John.

Course Author: James Harrison

This unit provides an advanced exegetical and thematic study of the Letter to the Romans, together with an appreciation of the contribution of Romans to Theology and Jewish-Christian dialogue. Students are required to provide themselves with set books.

Supervisor: Member of Biblical Studies Department

The Research Essay is arranged in consultation with the Department Head and approved by the Academic Dean.

Course Author: Frances Baker

The Christian moral life: foundation and focus; moral and faith development; our individual and human story; freedom and primacy of conscience; informed conscience; sin; reconciliation; discipleship; the development of moral Theology in the Church.

Course Author: Sandie Cornish

A basic introduction to Catholic Social Teaching. The course examines the historical development of the modern social teachings, their sources, methodology and key themes. It demonstrates the role of CST in the social mission of the Church and in addressing contemporary social issues.

Course Author: Bruce Duncan

An exploration of Catholic and other Christian traditions on questions of war and peace, and their relevance for international relations and conflict resolution, especially in the changing context of terrorism and religious fundamentalism. It will address moral dilemmas concerning the nuclear arms race, disarmament, weapons of mass destruction, humanitarian interventions, and the ‘right to preemptive strike’.

Course Author: Yuri Koszarycz

This unit builds on the foundational course in Christian Ethics by addressing the theological dimensions of life and personhood in the context of a range of current medical and health care issues related to critical points in the human life cycle. This is a web-based unit.

Supervisor: Member of Ethical Studies Department

The Research Project allows students to pursue at greater depth a topic or issue raised in the area of study and to present the finding of their research in an extended written paper.

Supervisor: Member of Ethical Studies Department

The topic and methodology of the independent guided study is arranged in consultation with the Department Head and approved by the Academic Dean.

Supervisor: Member of Ethical Studies Department

Issues in Ethics allows students to pursue focused research in an area of topical or contemporary interest within the subject area.

Supervisor: Member of Ethical Studies Department

The Research Essay is arranged in consultation with the Department Head and approved by the Academic Dean.

Course Author: John Luttrell

This unit surveys the development of the Christian Church from its beginnings in Jewish Christianity through to the early Middle Ages. Main areas: transition from insecurity and persecution to Roman patronage; hierarchical development; the Church Fathers and the beginnings of Theology and spirituality; beginnings of monasticism in East and West; East-West divisions; tribal invasions; Islam.

Course Author: John Luttrell

Looking at the history of Christianity in the period 700-1450 AD. Main areas: history of the Catholic Church in Western Europe; social and political change and effects on the Church; development of papal monarchy; growth of religious orders; spirituality.

Course Author: John Luttrell

An introductory survey of the history of the Catholic Church in Australia. Main areas: foundations to c.1830; Benedictinism; the Irish influence; ‘Australianising’ the Church after c.1920; Aborigines, later migrants and the Church; changing spirituality; education for Catholics.

Course Author: John Luttrell

This unit surveys the history of the Catholic Church from 1450 to 1815. Main areas: Protestant and Catholic Reformations; Christian evangelisation of the New World; new movements of the Catholic Church; Church responses to the Enlightenment.

Course Author: John Luttrell

This unit surveys the history of the Catholic Church from 1815 to 1980. Main areas: responses to liberalism and nationalism; evangelisation and empires; responses to World Wars, totalitarianism and Cold War; Vatican II and its reception.

Supervisor: Member of Church History Department

The Research Project allows students to pursue at greater depth a topic or issue raised in the area of study and to present the finding of their research in an extended written paper.

Supervisor: Member of Church History Department

The topic of independent guided study is arranged in consultation with a course tutor and approved by the Department Coordinator.

Supervisor: Member of Biblical Studies Department

Issues in Church History allows students to pursue focused research in an area of topical or contemporary interest within the subject area.

Course Author: Rosa MacGinley

This unit provides an advanced study of the history of the Australian Church: its foundation; mission to the Aborigines; education; sectarianism; Catholic intellectual progress; migration and multi-culturalism; growth and changes since Vatican II.

Course Author: Rosa MacGinley

An examination of the situation of the Church on the eve of the Reformation era; a brief analysis of the Renaissance; the movement of reformations, both Catholic and Protestant and the consequent counter-Reformation in continental Europe and England during the sixteenth century. Further issues include: women and the Reformation; Reformation and the New World.

Supervisor: Member of Church History Department

The topic of the Research Essay is arranged in consultation with a course tutor and approved by the Department Coordinator.

Course Author: Gerard Moore; Revised: John Frauenfelder

The origins, development and key principles of the Roman liturgy; the 20th century liturgical reform from the liturgical movement to Vatican II to the present; Theology of liturgy; liturgical documents for Eucharist, baptism and funerals; Liturgy of the Hours; popular religious practices; contemporary questions. This unit will be offered in intensive mode in 2007, see Academic Calendar.

Course Author: John Frauenfelder

This unit studies the nature and history of liturgical spirituality and examines the trinitarian basis of liturgical prayer. The Prayer of the Church and the liturgical year, both of which serve the spiritual needs of contemporary Christians, are explored to build a bridge between liturgy and contemporary culture. The unit discerns the pastoral implications of a liturgical spirituality.

Supervisor: Member of Liturgy Department

The Research Project allows students to pursue at greater depth a topic or issue raised in the area of study and to present the finding of their research in an extended written paper.

Supervisor: Member of Liturgy Department

The topic and methodology of the independent guided study is arranged in consultation with the Department Head and approved by the Academic Dean.

Supervisor: Member of Liturgy Department

Issues in Liturgy allows students to pursue focused research in an area of topical or contemporary interest within the subject area. This unit will be offered in intensive mode in 2007, see Academic Calendar.

Supervisor: Member of Liturgy Department

The topic of the Research Essay is arranged in consultation with a course tutor and approved by the Department Coordinator.

Pastoral Theology & Practice

Course Author: Noel Connolly

This unit is a basic introduction to missiology. It shows how the understanding and practice of mission has evolved throughout the centuries in response to the changing needs of the world. The unit will look at the "signs of the times", the context of mission and the role of the church. Also examined are the theological foundations of proclamation, liberation, dialogue as other modern entry points for mission

Course Author: Joan Healy, Colleen O'Sullivan

A residential unit run by the Josephite sisters. It covers the Theology and spirituality of mission; practical aspects of culture and inculturation; inter-religious dialogue, concepts of development; history of mission; psychology; eucharist, justice and liberation. Special fees for summer school residential apply, consult BBI Office.

Supervisor: Member of Missiology Department

This option is available for well-motivated, academically competent students who can rise to the challenge of research under supervision. The Research Project will allow students to pursue at greater depth a topic or issue raised in the area of study and to present the finding of their research in an extended written paper. Only those students approved by the BBI Academic Committee will be enrolled in this unit - upon the recommendation of the Academic Advisor.

Supervisor: Member of Missiology Department

This option is available for well-motivated, academically competent students who can rise to the challenge of independent study under supervision. The topic of independent guided study is arranged in consultation with a course tutor and approved by the Department Coordinator. Only those students approved by the BBI Academic Committee will be enrolled in this unit - upon the recommendation of the Academic Advisor.

Supervisor: Member of Missiology Department

"Issues in Missiology" allows a student to pursue focused research in an area of topical or contemporary interest within the subject area. This unit will be offered in intensive mode in 2008, see Academic Calendar.

Course Author: Peter Lynch

This unit provides an introduction to the meaning and practice of pastoral care, in preparation for later advanced units. It allows the conceptual learning undertaken in scripture and Theology to be placed and applied in the pastoral context.

Course Author: David Ranson

This unit explores the dynamic relation between the Christian tradition and contemporary social experience, local, and contextual. The unit inducts students into the arts of experiential learning and theological reflection. (by intestive mode only)

Course Authors: Alex Nelson, Evelyn Crotty

In this Intensive unit participants learn the principles and practices of Transformative Learning as an appropriate model for pastoral practice; social analysis research skills for pastoral theological reflection; pastoral role and identity; setting pastoral boundaries; individual and peer pastoral supervision for practice. This unit will be offered in intensive mode in 2007, see Academic Calendar.

Course Author: Carlo Notaro

A spirituality of joy, Christian coping, and humour. Suffering seen in and through Christ; its redemptive dimensions; avenues of compassion; Christian coping in everyday ways; role and uses of humour as a means of coping with suffering and pain. Unit comes with videos of Fr. Carlo’s talks on these subjects. Fr. Carlo belongs to the order of St. Camillus that is dedicated to ministering to the seriously sick and dying.

Course Author: David Walker

This selective intensive unit is designed and delivered by Bishop David Walker. It advances the thinking of Catholic school teachers about their profession and the Catholic school setting with respect to spirituality, pastoral care, spiritual leadership, liturgical foundations, personal prayer and spiritual growth. This unit will be offered in intensive mode in 2007, see Academic Calendar.

Course Authors: Alex Nelson, Evelyn Crotty

This selective Intensive two unit course deepens understanding and skills gained in Foundations for Transformative Pastoral Practice. This unit may be offered in intensive mode in 2007, see Academic Calendar.

Course Author: Alex Nelson, Evelyn Crotty

Reflective practitioners develop appropriate pastoral care responses to contextual urban and rural issues; systems analysis, networking skills; individual and peer pastoral supervision for practice.

Course Authors: Alex Nelson, Evelyn Crotty

This selective Intensive two unit course involves participants in understanding ways in which culture, pastoral experience, personal perspective, values and assumptions affect their pastoral care responses to issues in a chosen specialised pastoral context. Leadership skills, skills for research, ethical practice, theological reflection. Individual and peer pastoral supervision for practice. Special fees apply. This unit may be offered in intensive mode in 2007, see Academic Calendar.

Course Authors: Graham Neist, Christine Carlton

This units focuses on faith development and spiritual formation for different age groups, especially young people; theories of good retreat design and evaluation of retreat models; presentation skills; creative strategies and use of resources; prayer, liturgical forms of worship and rituals. This unit is offered as a live-in intensive. This unit will be offered in intensive mode in 2007, see Academic Calendar.

Course Authors: Joan Healy, Colleen O’Sullivan

A residential unit run by the Josephite sisters. It covers the Theology and spirituality of mission; practical aspects of culture and inculturation; inter-religious dialogue, concepts of development; history of mission; psychology; eucharist, justice and liberation. Special fees for summer school residential apply, consult BBI Office.

Course Author: Alex Nelson

This selective Intensive unit explores transformative adult learning that has been formed through critical self-reflection and imagination; artistic composition of memoirs and autobiographical narratives of formation and transformation; theological reflection on personal and pastoral identity; ethics and agency through memoirs of personal and social transformative practice. This unit will be offered in intensive mode in 2007, see Academic Calendar.

Course Authors: Charlotte McCorquodale, Leigh Sterten, Victoria Ann Shepp

This on-line course unit reviews theories of adolescent development (emotional, physical, spiritual, faith, etc.). It provides an in-depth review of the research on the current generation of youth in their cultural context. Theoretical and research information is utilized to develop strategies and approaches for enabling the healthy development of adolescents in youth ministry.

Course Authors: Charlotte McCorquodale, Leigh Sterten, Victoria Ann Shepp

This on-line course unit provides an introduction to ministry with youth in a Catholic context through examining key concepts related to ministry to youth in the Catholic Church including a review of the comprehensive youth ministry vision. This introduction includes an explanation of the three goals of youth ministry, and the eight components of youth ministry in the context of ministry to, with, by, and for youth. Theological reflection is explained and utilized as a tool for examining ministry with youth. Note: this course is also being taught as a Quarterly Intensive. Available on-line in 2007.

Course Authors: Charlotte McCorquodale, Leigh Sterten, Victoria Ann Shepp

This on-line course unit enables students to explore the aims, principles, processes, and methods of adolescent catechesis and evangelization, in order to implement effective programs and develop the spirituality of adolescents. Available on-line in 2007.

Supervisor: Member of Pastoral Theology Department

The Research Project allows students to pursue at greater depth a topic or issue raised in the area of study and to present the finding of their research in an extended written paper.

Supervisor: Member of Pastoral Theology Department

The topic and methodology of the independent guided study is arranged in consultation with the Department Head and approved by the Academic Dean.

Supervisor: Member of Pastoral Theology Department

Issues in Pastoral Theology allows students to pursue focused research in an area of topical or contemporary interest within the subject area.

Supervisor: Member of Pastoral Theology Department

The Research Essay is arranged in consultation with the Department Head and approved by the Academic Dean.

Course Author: David Walker

This unit treats of core notions and practice in Christian spirituality and covers the fundamental beliefs that shape it; content includes spirituality in context, the Catholic Theology of holiness, and the means of spiritual growth. This unit will be offered in intensive mode in 2007, see Academic Calendar.

Course Authors: David Walker, Marie Farrell

An introduction to spiritual growth; basic concepts of spirituality, holiness, spiritual growth and formation; approaches to human/spiritual growth; psychological approaches; working with the spiritual classics; principles of growth; structures of spiritual growth.

Course Author: Austin Cooper

Unit content is as follows: The Patristic era: a theological spirituality; Byzantium: apophatic spirituality; the early Western Medieval period: a monastic spirituality; the Later Middle Ages and Renaissance: a developing individualism; Post Reformation period: unity in the Spirit in an age of fragmentation.

Course Author: Matthew Del Nevo

An introduction to Spirituality. It focuses on spiritual classics in which writers attest autobiographically to life in the Holy Spirit. Includes Thomas Merton, Pope John XXIII, Simone Weil, Thérèse of Lisieux, Dostoyevsky, Newman, Brother Lawrence, Teresa of Avila, Ignatius of Loyola, Margery Kempe, Julian of Norwich, Francis of Assisi, Nicholas Cabasilas, Symeon the New Theologian, Augustine.

Course Author: Matthew Del Nevo

A basic introduction to Spirituality. It focuses on spiritual classics in which the Holy Spirit is shown as comforter and counsellor. Reading from Augustine, Symeon the New Theologian, Thomas à Kempis, Francis de Sales, The Cloud of Unknowing, Ruysbroek, William Law, Pascal, Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy, Simone Weil, Lev Gillet.

Course Author: Marie Farrell

This unit presents a number of classic texts of the Western Christian spiritual tradition and enables students to appreciate both the sources and methods of spiritual Theology in the Western church.

Course Author: Matthew Del Nevo

An inspirational examination of this traditional and beloved Catholic devotion and its orthodox antecedents. The unit is based around extracts from some of the best Christian literature on the Rosary and relevant Marian devotion and traces this tradition from patristic times to the present.

Course Author: Matthew Del Nevo

This course comes with a series of talks by Michael Casey on CD. Additional material on the contemplative nature of prayer; prayer in the Bible and tradition; unceasing prayer, monastic prayer, the Jesus prayer, Orthodox prayer; patristic teaching on prayer; conversion of life.

Course Author: Austin Cooper

The later medieval Church; the English scene; an introduction to the writings of Aelred of Rievaulx, Edmund Rich, Julian of Norwich, Walter Hilton, Richard Rolle, Geoffrey Chaucer, William Langland, the author of The Cloud of Unknowing, Margaret Kempe.

Course Author: Austin Cooper

A systematic study of The Book of Common Prayer and the monastic tradition; the contribution of Launcelot Andrewes, John Cosin, George Herbert, Jeremy Taylor, Charles and John Wesley, John Henry Newman, Ronald Knox, C. S. Lewis, T. S Eliot, R. S.Thomas, Michael Ramsey.

Course Authors: Mary Cresp, Colleen O’Sullivan

This residential Intensive by the Sydney Sisters of St Joseph takes us into the historical, spiritual and ecclesial world in which Mary MacKillop was born. Mary’s spiritual journey and her own approach to spirituality are the focus of this unit, which also relates this experience and insight to the contemporary Australian milieu.

Course Author: Catherine Thom

This unit provides the opportunity for a particular case study in Spirituality; history and culture of Celtic tribes; religion and belief of the Celts (especially Irish); pre– and post–Christian belief; distinctiveness of Celtic spirituality. This unit is offered in intensive mode in 2006, see Academic Calendar.

Course Authors: Frank Fletcher, Julie Taylor, James Maher

A comprehensive study of the spirituality of the heart, traditional, Scriptural and theological, with focus on contemporary expressions reflective of the congregations devoted to the Sacred Heart. This unit will be offered twice in intensive mode in 2007, see Academic Calendar.

Course Authors: David Walker, Margaret Beirne

Christian leadership in its biblical, traditional and theological expressions; qualities, knowledge and skills necessary for spiritual leadership; needs and expectations of those seeking spiritual leadership; leadership within the context of contemporary Christian community; the influence of culture and society on leadership today.

Course Author: David Ranson

Pre-Christian experience in Australia; the influence of the land itself; the Establishment and Protestant influences; the faith of the Irish; the diversity of experiences across the States; immigration and religious integration, Catholic education; the Roman influence; social justice and aboriginal people; the ‘greening’ of the Church. This unit will be offered in intensive mode in 2007, see Academic Calendar.

Supervisor: Member of the Spirituality Department

The Research Project allows students to pursue at greater depth a topic or issue raised in the area of study and to present the finding of their research in an extended written paper.

Supervisor: Member of the Spirituality Department

The topic and methodology of the independent guided study is arranged in consultation with the Department Head and approved by the Academic Dean.

Supervisor: Member of the Spirituality Department

Issues in Spirituality allows the students to pursue focused research in an area of topical or contemporary interest within the subject area.

Course Author: Matthew Del Nevo

This unit is based around the Beatitudes of Jesus, regarded as the systematic core of a Christian spirituality. It includes a full study of St. Gregory of Nyssa’s commentary on the Beatitudes, regarded by many as one of the greatest spiritual commentaries ever written on them. Other related avenues of spirituality are analysed, the Holy Spirit in the Church and the World, the liturgical soteriological and mystical dimensions of Christian spirituality.

Course Author: Matthew Del Nevo

This unit introduces the Danish philosopher, Kierkegaard, with an eye to his importance for Christian Spirituality. The unit focuses on Kierkegaard’s complex account of the ‘stages of existence’ and the binding of Isaac in Fear and Trembling (1843).

Course Author: Matthew Del Nevo

A study of patristic sources that have a classic status for Christian spirituality. Main areas: methodological and historical approaches; texts by Ambrose, Athanasius, Augustine, Basil, John Chyrsostom, Gregory of Nazianzus, Gregory of Nyssa, Macarius, Greek and Latin poets.

Course Author: David Ranson

Anthropological consideration of prayer; prayer in the New Testament; the prayer of Jesus; Trinitarian basis for prayer; the tension between personal and communal prayer, word and silence; the apophatic and kataphatic traditions of Christian prayer; techniques of prayer; liturgical prayer.

Unit Directors: Staff of the Centre for Religious Development

This selective unit is done in Sydney over the course of two years. Fostering a contemplative stance; paying attention to God and the movement of the Spirit; methods of Prayer; the use of Scripture in prayer; contemplative listening; the purpose and practice of spiritual direction. Not available by distance mode. Contact Sydney Centre for Religious Development Tel: 02 89124881 or e-mail scrd@sosj.org.au for enrolment and fee details.

Unit Directors: Staff of the Centre for Religious Development

This selective unit is done in Sydney over the course of two years. Exploring relational prayer; fostering a contemplative stance; religious experience and spiritual direction; healthy and disordered sexuality; code of ethics for spiritual directors; the role of supervision in the practice of spiritual direction. Not available by distance mode. Contact Sydney Centre for Religious Development Tel: 02 89124881 or e-mail scrd@sosj.org.au for enrolment and fee details.

Course Author: Ken Parry

The history and context of the icon; iconoclasm; Theology of the icon; Byzantine, Russian and other iconographic traditions; contemplation of icons; John of Damascus On Divine Images; recent developments.

Course Author: Margaret Beirne

This unit provides a detailed study of the life, spiritual experience, teaching and writings of St Ignatius of Loyola, the foundation of the Society of Jesus, and the subsequent developments in Ignatian spirituality and the Jesuit tradition.

Course Author: Matthew Del Nevo

This unit provides an advanced and detailed study of the history and literary sources of Christian spiritual and mystical tradition by studying commentaries on the Song of Songs.

Supervisor: Member of the Spirituality Department

The Research Essay is arranged in consultation with the Department Head and approved by the Academic Dean.

Course Author: Marie Farrell (revised by Judith Keller)

This unit explores the sources, experience and communal dimensions of faith, Theology and revelation, catholic credal affirmations, hierarchy, unity and diversity of truth, definitions of Theology, holiness. This unit will be offered in intensive mode in 2007, see Academic Calendar.

Course Author: John McGrath

This unit is designed for teachers of the NSW Stage 6 courses, Studies of Religion I & II (2005). It is a systematic analysis of the theoretical underpinnings, outcomes and content of the syllabus combined with practical aspects of resourcing, teaching and assessing the subject. This unit will be offered in intensive mode during 2007, see Academic Calendar.

Course Author: Richard Lennan

A study of the foundational aspect of the Catholic tradition. Main areas: foundations of the Church in the mission of Jesus; Church and Spirit; meaning of ‘one, holy, catholic and apostolic’ in the past and the contemporary context; communal identity of the Church; structure and authority of the Church; Church and world; current issues in ecclesiology. This unit will be offered in intensive mode in 2007, see Academic Calendar.

Course Author: Matthew Del Nevo

A study of the key issues in Christology. Contemporary challenge of Christology; theological significance of the quest for the historical Jesus; patristic Christology up to Chalcedon; patristic and medieval soteriology; contemporary Christological debates.

Course Author: John Doherty

This unit, with a pastoral flavour,deals with general norms of canon law; principles and processes of revision; judicial and administrative procedures; various offices, goods, sanctions, structures and ministries of the Church.

Course Author: Gerald Gleeson

This unit provides a theological foundation for an intellectual and practical engagement with the Catholic Church’s teaching on sexuality, marriage and procreation.

Course Author: Bill Connell

Ministry as an ecclesial act; ministry in Scripture and in the first Christian communities; history and Theology of the threefold ordained ministry; ministry and leadership in ecclesial communities; ecumenical perspective on ministry in the Church.

Course Author: John Doherty

The unit complements the unit Introduction to Canon Law. It demonstrates how general canonical principles and concepts apply in the area of the sacraments as these are studied in units in Systematic Theology, Liturgy and Pastoral. This unit will be offered in intensive mode during 2007, see Academic Calendar.

Course Author: Bill Connell

Anthropological basis of sacraments – sacraments in various religious traditions; biblical basis for Christian sacraments; number and nature of sacraments; sacraments of initiation – history and Theology; Catholic sacraments: reconciliation, marriage, anointing.

Course Author: Marie Farrell

Contemporary Theology of creation; the biblical, patristic and later developments of a Theology of creation and its relationship to Christian spirituality. The influence of philosophy and the physical sciences to theologies of creation and eschatology, and issues such as ecology and Christian hope.

Course Author: Neil Ormerod

Being human: body, psyche, reason, freedom; social and historical existence; grace and sin; original sin; eschatological considerations; cosmic dimension of existence.

Course Author: Bill Connell

This unit introduces students to the ways that theological foundations shape a person’s approach to Religious Education. It raises issues such as ecclesiology and missiology in a way that shows how our theological understanding of these areas influence our style of Religious Education. This unit will be offered several times in intensive mode during 2007, see Academic Calendar.

Supervisor: Member of the Theology Department

The Research Project allows students to pursue at greater depth a topic or issue raised in the area of study and to present the finding of their research in an extended written paper.

Supervisor: Member of the Theology Department

The topic and methodology of the independent guided study is arranged in consultation with the Department Head and approved by the Academic Dean.

Supervisor: Member of the Theology Department

Issues in Theology allows students to pursue focused research in an area of topical or contemporary interest within the subject area. The following Issues units will be offered in intensive mode in 2006: Studies in Religion (specifically for HSC Teachers, see Academic Calendar.

Course Author: Neil Ormerod

Revelation; the Triune God; creation; the Incarnation and Redemption; the life of grace; the nature and mission of the Church; the Sacraments.

Course Author: Neil Ormerod

The human experience of faith; communal and individual dimensions of faith; faith as a response to revelation; models of revelation; the nature of Theology; the locus of authority; theological methods; contemporary methodologies: transcendental, historical, liberation, feminist.

Course Author: Jennifer Herrick

The Jesus of the Gospels: the virgin birth, public ministry, death and resurrection; distinctive NT theologies; Pauline Christology; post-apostolic developments; the Arian controversy and Nicea; the Nestorian controversy and Ephesus; the monophysite controversy and Chalcedon.

Course Author: Jennifer Herrick

Emerging historical consciousness; the quest for the historical Jesus; Jesus of history and the Christ of faith; the approaches of key theologians: Schleiermacher, Barth, Rahner, Pannenberg, Moore; liberation and feminist approaches to Christology.

Course Author: Anne Hunt

Biblical foundations of the doctrine of Trinity; doctrinal and theological development in the patristic and medieval periods – the Cappadocians, Augustine, Aquinas; relationship of the doctrine to other theological topics – creation, ecclesiology, inter-faith dialogue, pastoral significance; some contemporary approaches to the Trinity – feminist, political, transcendental.

Course Author: Marie Farrell

This course unit addresses the foundational sources of Marian Theology within an ecclesial context. It explores the influences of history, culture and contemporary hermeneutical approaches on the Theology of Mary, and considers the ecumenical significance of Marian doctrine.

Course Author: Neil Ormerod

The historical context of Lonergan’s work; the integration of history into Theology; Lonergan’s early experiments in method; the eight-fold division of theological tasks; its basis in an analysis of consciousness; utilising Lonergan’s method to understand the approaches of other contemporary theologians.

Supervisor: Member of the Theology Department

The Research Essay is arranged in consultation with the Department Head and approved by the Academic Dean.

Course Author: Greg Moses

This unit treats the history of philosophy from Socrates to about 1200, including the transformation of Greek thought by the medieval Christian West. It is an introductory level course and so inducts students into reading philosophy and participating in philosophical discussion.

Course Author: John Begley

This unit treats the history of philosophy from Albert the Great to Kant (1200-1800), with special attention to the transformation in thought that occurred with the rise of modernity. It complements WRB106/WRG406 both in the subject matter and in the development of philosophical skills and attitudes.

Course Author: Gerald Gleeson

This unit examines the nature of moral reasoning and the chief theories of ethics that have been proposed. Special attention is given to the meaning of human action, the development of moral character, and relationship between virtue and moral judgment.

Course Author: John Begley

This unit explores the philosophical issues and elements which inform a reasoned appreciation of the human person “adequately considered”. Special consideration is given to the emergence and development of the concept of “person”.

Course Author: John Begley

This unit examines the major philosophical issues and concepts which inform the study of being, existence and God. Particular attention is given to primary sources (Aristotle, Aquinas, Kant, Heidegger) as a means of determining the direction, structure and content of metaphysical thinking.

Supervisor: Member of Philosophy Department

The Research Project allows students to pursue at greater depth a topic or issue raised in the area of study and to present the finding of their research in an extended written paper.

Supervisor: Member of Philosophy Department

The topic of independent guided study is arranged in consultation with a course tutor and approved by the Department Coordinator.

Supervisor: Member of the Philosophy Department

Issues in Philosophy allows students to pursue focused research in an area of topical or contemporary interest within the subject area.

Supervisor: Member of Philosophy Department

The Research Essay is arranged in consultation with the Department Head and approved by the Academic Dean.