Theology Courses 

Fall 2026

Graduate Classes FALL 2026

THEO 6676      Sexual Ethics                                                    Massingale     W 5:15-7:45pm

An in-depth examination and critical appraisal of current discussions in Christian theological reflection relating to human sexuality. Specific attention will be given to emerging paradigms for the ethical evaluation of sexual behaviors, identities, and relationships being advanced in light of developments in social mores and ecclesial consciousness.

THEO 6634      Black Theology and the Decolonial Option     Burnett              M 5:15-7:45pm

This course takes up the questions of freedom, democracy, and colonialism, and the ways in which Black American theological imagination is situated within the tensions among these ideas. Deploying a transdisciplinary approach, the course considers these ideas across the disciplines of Black Studies, the historical study of African American Religion and the Atlantic World, and Decolonial theory. These disciplinary frameworks are then placed in conversation with major theological themes taken up in African American Theologies: liberation, Black religious experience as a theological source, salvation, Revelation, Spirit, flesh, and Incarnation. In all, the course engenders a dialogue that allows for consideration of the contemporary state of the field of African American Theology by looking deeply into the contexts from which such a theological project continues to emerge.  

THEO 6038      The Bible and Ethics                                              Hogan                 R 5:15-7:45pm

For Jewish and Christian believers down to the present, the Bible has played an influential role in ethical debates and decision-making. This course examines the use of both Testaments, often on both sides of ethical disputes both historical (e.g., debates about the abolition of slavery) and contemporary (e.g., debates about the morality of same-sex relationships). Students will come to recognize the great variety of approaches to ethical questions within the Bible as well as the variety of hermeneutical approaches to appropriating the Bible in ethical arguments.

THEO 6014      Ancient Theological Controversies                      Fiano                   T 1:00-3:30pm

This course will aim at providing students with a historical understanding of the ancient development of Trinitarian and Christological doctrine while also reflecting on the ancient and modern historiographic constructions of the controversies that surrounded those topics through theoretical and methodological readings in intellectual history, the sociology of scientific knowledge, and discourse analysis. After a survey of some early understandings of Christ’s identity and of crucial early disputes, the seminar will focus on the Trinitarian, Christological, and anthropomorphic controversies. Emphasis will be placed on the philosophical underpinnings of the various theological postures, on the late ancient emergence of theological discourse as a field of knowledge sustained by a new set of intellectual practices, and on the link between theological debates and imperial power. Whenever possible, particular attention will be devoted to Syriac and Coptic sources for the controversies under examination.

THEO 5551      American Theologies                                                Massa               R 2:30-5:00pm

This graduate course will examine what many theologians/historians have called the "classic texts" that have influenced American religion and culture. These texts (the Niebuhr brothers, Elizabeth Johnson, David Tracy, among others) are sources any person studying American religion/theology should know and provide important background for understanding the task of doing theology in the United States today.

THEO 5017      Dissertation Seminar                                                  Peppard            TBA

A colloquium for workshopping dissertation chapters in progress

THEO 0912      (Comps) Requirement Preparation                       N/A                        N/A

 Students who are studying for comprehensive examinations while still completing coursework do not need to register for any special status; however, if they are neither registered for coursework nor taking comprehensive examinations during the semester in question, they must register for Requirement Prep (generally applies to third-year PhD Students)

THEO 0950      Proposal Development                                                  N/A                        N/A

Students who are working on proposals should register for THEO 0950.

THEO 9999      Dissertation Direction                                                    N/A                        N/A

Students with approved proposals should register for THEO 9999.

CEED  6322     Natural Law                                                 Baur                                       R 6-7:50pm

ENGL 5111      Race, Religion, Monstrosity                      Yeager                                  T 11:30-2pm

GERM 5001     Graduate Reading in German                  Hafner                                  TF 11:30-12:45

HIST 5301        Oral History                                                 Huezo-Jefferson                    T 2:30-5pm

HIST 5510        Crisis of European Liberalism                 Hamlin                                 R 2:30-5pm

HIST 6078        The Crusader States                                  Paul                                        T 2:30-5pm

HIST 7026        Classics in the Middle Ages                      Bruce                                    F 2:30-5pm

MVST 5071      Archives and Materials                               Commuzzi                         M 2:30-5:15

PHIL 5012        Introduction to St. Augustine                   Pini                                         M 1-3pm

PHIL 5031        Teaching Classics in Ethics                       Davenport                          T 12:30-2:30pm

PHIL 6130        Animals in Medieval Philosophy            Somma                                W 12:15-2:15pm

PHIL 7016        Hellenistic Philosophy                                Johnson                               M 3:15-5:15pm