Block 1 (June 18-29, 2007)

NT2277, The Johannine Corpus (3 units) Tatum,
June 18-29, 2007 - M-F/ 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
(Syllabus - PDF)

This lecture course will examine the historical particularity and theological specificity of the Gospel of John, the Johannine Epistles, and the Apocalypse of John. In particular, the student will read the commentaries of Thomas Aquinas and John Calvin for the pericopae of the Gospel treated in their literary, historical, and theological context by the instructor. The lectures on the Apocalypse will be treated in light of both historical-criticism and the history of interpretation. There will be two short writing assignments for evaluation. NO AUDITORS.
Prerequisites:  A course in the Introduction to New Testament. (top of page)

RA1674, Icon-Sacred Image (1.5 units) McAnerney
June 18-22: M-F/ 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

This course will examine the history, theology, spirituality and tradition of icons as sacred Eastern Christian images, established on the doctrine of the Incarnation.  It will demonstrate that iconography is a sacred craft and prayer form.  The format will be slide-lectures.  The evaluation method will be a reflection paper.  This course is a prerequisite for “Introduction to Icon Painting.”
Text: Martin, Linette. Sacred Doorways. Brewster, MA: Paraclete Press, 2002. (top of page)

RA1672, Introduction To Icon Painting (1.5 units) McAnerney
June 25-29: M-F/ 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

In his course each student (maximum 20) will be instructed and aided in the painting (writing) of an icon of the Holy Mandylion in the Byzantine tradition using acrylic paints, gold leaf, ancient and contemporary techniques.  No previous artistic experience is necessary, only a desire to encounter the Creator God in the exercise of the sacred craft.  All materials and instruments will be supplied for a $55 materials fee, as the instruction demands a uniformity of media and instruments. Note:  This course requires 24 hours of painting, so it will meet 4.5 hours each of the five assigned days. (top of page)

Block 2 (July 2-13, 2007)

ST3035, In Search Of The Church (3 units) Boenzi,
July 2-13, 2007 - M-F/ 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
(Syllabus - PDF)

Beginning with Scriptural passages that highlight the Church of the Origins, we examine the rising of the Christian community and the progressive self-awareness of the community as it organized to respond to the call of the Gospel and the needs of the times. We then continue by surveying the "quest for ecclesiology" in the movement from the Reformation and the Council of Trent to the 20th century and what went into creating a "Vatican II mentality." In the final portion of the course we attempt to highlight tasks confronting the Church in the contemporary world: Church as mystery; prophetic and pilgrim People sent to announce and celebrate salvation; community of disciples that witnesses and serves. Format: lecture, group discussion; Evaluation: 1 book review; final exam. (top of page)

RAST2213, Epics, Faith, and Celluloid (3 units) Rainof,
July 2-13, 2007 - M-F/ 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
(Syllabus - PDF)

The Bible in Film. To what extent is our knowledge of the Bible mediated through film? Students in this course will develop and learn to impart critical skills for analyzing the role of religion in popular culture—and specifically, in one of popular culture’s most emblematic forms, the Hollywood movie. Together we will explore how the Bible has shaped cinematic history from early silent films like Cecil B. DeMille’s The King of Kings (1927) to Mel Gibson’s recent The Passion of the Christ (2004). To engage with these films critically, students will have the opportunity to learn about filmic techniques in greater depth, to explore about how film-makers handled issues of historical and textual authenticity, and to gain knowledge about each film’s reception. In class, we will perform a close analysis of the selected film as a group, and will discuss how the assigned secondary readings may complicate or conflict our own personal interpretations. Our discussions will be framed by a variety of questions: How were these films received? How have representations of Jesus changed over time and what do these changes tell us about changes in our society? What attitudes did filmmakers adopt in approaching sacred texts, and how can their individual acts of creative interpretation be analyzed on the level of dialogue, setting, lighting, camera technique, musical score and other aspects of film production? At the end of the course, students will have an expanded vocabulary for analyzing films, frame by frame as well as on the wider scope of themes, history, and theological content. (top of page)

Block 3 (July 16-27, 2007)

NT2210, New Testament Ecclesiology (3 units) Tatum,
July 16-27, 2007 - M-F/ 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
(Syllabus - PDF)

This lecture course will examine the various ways in which the life of the church is envisioned in the New Testament. The student will acquire working knowledge of major theological and hermeneutical issues surrounding the church in the New Testament. Particular attention shall be paid to ways in which portrayals and performances of Christian community interact with eschatology, Trinitarian spirituality, and practical politics. The Church is an eschatological community with various relations to the world and to Israel. The Church is the locus of the presence and activity of Christ and the Spirit. The Church is a set of institutions which manifests particular uses of authority and money. We shall discuss the differing ways in which the principal texts of the New Testament express these realities in three sets of reading. The final examinations will be written; two questions will be chosen from the study questions provided in the syllabus. NO AUDITORS.
Prerequisites:  A course in the Introduction to New Testament (top of page)