An analysis of the Church as a community of believers and a social institution, and a study of Church liturgy and sacraments.

This course will center around three key areas, namely:

• ANTHROPOLOGY: As human persons, why do we express ourselves and our relationship to God through ritual activity?

 
• THEOLOGY: What are the Christological and ecclesiological underpinnings for the sacraments?

 
• HISTORY: What is the historical development of each of the seven sacraments? What has remained constant inspite of the historical mutations?

 Required Books:
    1. Joseph Martos, Doors to the Sacred (Triumph Books, 2001). ISBN 0-8007-3020 pbk

    2. Ray Noll, Sacraments: A New Understanding for a New Generation  (Mystic, CT: Twenty-Third
        Publications, 1999). ISBN 0-89622-993-9 pbk

    3. Josef Pieper, In Tune with the World: A Theory of Festivity (St. Augustine’s Press, 1999). ISBN        
        1-890318-33-7 pbk

    4. Course Packet - Available in the Copy Shop (O'Shaughnessy Hall, third floor)

 Grading: The grade will be determined by the following three considerations:

• 1/3 of the grade will be determined by attendance and class participation. If for any reason you cannot make it to class, as an academic courtesy, please call my office (631-7152) and leave a message on my voicemail prior to the class meeting.

 
• 1/3 of the grade will be determined by two brief papers of 4-5 pages. Topics to be disucussed in class. See suggested topics for paper II.

 
• 1/3 of the grade determined by mid-term and final exams, each one counting equally.