Full course description
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In his biography of Pope John Paul II, Witness to Hope, George Weigel described the theology of the body as a “theological time bomb” and “one of the boldest reconfigurations of Catholic theology in centuries.” It is an approach that will, according to Weigel, exorcize “the Manichaean demon and its deprecation of human sexuality from Catholic moral theology.” Pope John Paul II proposes his “theology of the body” not simply as an innovative approach to sexual ethics but as a way to understand the deepest aspects of our human nature—our capacity for love and interpersonal communion. Far from being a mere biological accident, human sexuality—being human as male and female—is essential to our being in the image of God. The union of man and woman is a kind of icon of God’s love. Marriage is the primordial sacrament of God’s love for creation and his people.
This course will examine the foundations and major conclusions of the theology of the body, as this is manifest in John Paul II’s encyclicals and other writings, as well as his public audiences on the theology of the body. The focus will be on the universal vocation to holiness (expressed by Vatican II) which is realized in love.
Course Content
Unit 1: The Conflict over Humanity
Unit 2: Image of the Trinitarian God
Unit 3: Union of the Two - Marriage
Unit 4: The Dignity and Originality of Woman
Unit 5: Morality and Contraception
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.
- 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.
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.
Area: Catholic Doctrine