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Description

Mary is a classical figure in the Christian tradition, meaning that as a symbol of the faith she possesses both a permanence and an excess of meaning for our lives. This course is aimed at deepening one’s understanding of Mary’s mystery for Christian faith. Covering the whole of the Church’s history of theological reflection on Mary and the development of Mariological doctrine, this course will build upon previous foundations by inviting the participant to become actively engaged in the process of historical theology—of listening to how the human voices of the past speak to us today. Covering everything from the Gospel narratives and patristic theology, to the development of catholic dogma and devotional practice, this course will challenge the participant with the questions: Who is Mary? And who is she for Christians today?

Course Content

Unit 1: Church’s understanding of Mary; doctrine of Theotokos.

Unit 2: Development of Marian dogmas

Unit 3: Mary in devotional prayers, litanies, poetry, visions, and apparitions

Unit 4: Mary and Second Vatican Council

Unit 5: Mary and the Christian Tradition

Course Format

• Six weeks in duration; first week for orientation.
• Up to 20 students in each course.
• Video lectures with text transcripts available.
• Supplemental readings are provided to encourage further exploration, internet links provided for all readings.
• Written assignments (200-250) required.
• Facilitator-moderated weekly Zoom sessions with participants.

Participation Requirements

• View or read the lecture for each unit.
• Read assigned texts; keep notes, questions, and comments for class discussions.
• Answer weekly discussion question. 
• Respond to weekly unit assignment.
• Attend weekly Zoom for each unit. If you cannot attend, you can still meet the participation requirements.
• Complete the course evaluation.

Time Expectations

3 to 5 hours per week, depending on your learning style and schedule.

Course Certificate

An electronic certificate of completion awarding 30 contact hours will be available in course when completing all course requirements.

Area: Catholic Doctrine 

Course Begins: April 2024