THEO
524/324 -- Mary and the Saints in Liturgy, Doctrine,
and Life
Spring Semester 2000
Course Description
This course explores the evolution
and theology of Mary and the saints in their liturgical
and doctrinal expressions
in an attempt to discern, evaluate, and articulate their
proper place within Christian liturgy, doctrine, and life
today in relationship to the central mediatorial role of
Christ. Issues of popular piety, "models of holiness," and
ecumenical division, dialogue, convergence, the feminist
critique, and liturgical renewal will also be examined.
Goals and Objectives
Through this course students will demonstrate
- a knowledge
of the historical development of the place of Mary
and the Saints in the Christian liturgical/theological
tradition;
- a grasp of the basic theological principles
involved in the question of prayer to and invocation
of Mary and
the Saints in relationship to the central mediatorial
role of Christ in liturgical prayer, doctrine, and life;
- an ability to critique
theologically various manifestations of piety related
to Mary and the Saints;
- an ecumenical sensitivity related to this issue;
and
- greater facility in writing and discussion on
the graduate and upper-undergraduate theological
levels
Requirements
The above goals and objectives will be
met by:
- Three short (5 page) papers on ASSIGNED topics
selected from topics assigned on the syllabus and three
sets of
responses/questions prepared in advance to
elicit conversation. Both papers and responses will receive a letter grade.
- Daily preparation of assigned readings
- "Full, conscious, and active" participation
in discussions
- A research paper (10-12 pages) chosen
from a list of topics (to be supplied later) or in
consultation with Professor Johnson. Topic is to be
chosen by mid-term and the principal conclusions of
the paper are to be presented orally to the class (a
ten minute presentation) during the last two weeks
of the course as indicated on the syllabus. There will
be no final exam.
Grading (for graduate students primarily)
Grades will
be determined on the basis of the Requirements listed
above and are to be interpreted as follows:
- The grades
A and A- are reserved for what is considered to be
exceptional work;
- a B+ means that work is at a
level of solid and very high quality, a level
above what is necessary to successfully complete the course requirements;
- a B is a good solid work -- a "normal" grade
indicating that the average and minimum required (and
expected) for work has been met succesfully;
- a C+ is a passing grade for
graduate-level study indicating that an assignment
was completed but in need of improvement and considerable
development/clarification; and
- a C,
although a passing grade, indicates serious problems
with graduate-level study.
The Position Papers
The assigned papers should contain
the following:
- A summary of the principal argument(s)
in question;
- A critical theological evaluation of the
author's position; and
- A concluding section in which
either agreement or disagreement with the author
(and why or why not) is clearly stated (hence, a position).
Class
Format
Primarily Discussion of assigned Topics
and Readings. Role of the instructor is more one of facilitator
(and
referee?) than content-provider. Students will
play a primary role in facilitating discussion for the topics assigned by the
presentation of three (3) position papers summarizing and evaluating the topic/readings
for a given day in response to the questions/topics provided under each day
in the syllabus. Each class session will begin with the presentation of at
least two of the assigned/chosen papers, either as read or summarized by the
student. When no specific papers are assigned it is expected that all students
will have prepared the materials in advance for class discussion. Such preparation
will be evidenced by the informed discussion of class participants and will
be included as part of individual student work in the determination of the
final grade.
Required Texts
NOTE: References to these works appear
according to abbreviations in reading assignments below
- K.
Woodward, Making Saints (MS)
- G. Tavard, The Thousand
Faces of the Virgin Mary (TFVM)
- The One Mediator,
the Saints, and Mary (Luths-Caths in Dialogue VIII,
OMSM)
- P. Brown, The Cult of the Saints (CS)
- John Paul II,
Mother of the Redeemer (MR)
- Paul VI, Marialis cultus (MC)
Additional Readings in the
Course Packet
- Mary and the Saints in Liturgy, Doctrine,
and Life
On Library Reserve
- J. MacQuarrie, Mary for All Christians (MAC)