Full course description
Partner dioceses receive discounted courses. This link provides a list of partner dioceses and discount codes to use when registering.
Created by Reverend Joseph Weiss, SJ, a former Notre Dame Theology Professor, the purpose of this course is to explore the basic teachings of Christianity as presented in the Church's two classic confessional statements: the Ecumenical Creed promulgated by the Council of Constantinople in 381 A.D., known as the Nicene Creed, and the Apostles' Creed whose roots can be traced back to ancient Rome. The Creed provides a structure for investigating the foundational beliefs of the Catholic Church and the areas of theology that correspond to those beliefs. Participants in the course will gain knowledge of the history and development of the Church's beliefs. They will also obtain a deeper understanding of what we are professing and how the faith stated in the Creed both informs and challenges living the Christian life today.
Course Content
Unit 1: Introduction to creeds
Unit 2: Article One
Unit 3: Article Two (first part)
Unit 4: Article Two (second part)
Unit 5: Article Three
Course Format
- Six weeks in duration; first week for orientation.
- Up to 20 students in each course.
- Video lectures and assigned readings.
- Supplemental readings are provided to encourage further exploration.
- Written assignments (200-250) required.
- Facilitator-moderated weekly Zoom sessions with participants.
Participation Requirements
- Read or view weekly lecture and assigned chapters from The Creed.
- Read assigned texts; keep notes, questions, and comments for class discussions.
- Answer weekly discussion question.
- Respond to each unit assignment.
- Attend weekly Zoom for each unit. If you cannot attend, you can still meet the participation requirements.
- Complete the course evaluation.
Required Text
Participants in this course must have their own copy of Berard Marthaler's The Creed (Mystic, CT: Twenty-Third Publications). Any edition of this text is acceptable.
Time Expectations
4 to 6 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.
Course Begins: August 2024