St. Ambrose University 518 West Locust Davenport Iowa 52803 admit

Graduate Curricula
Course Descriptions
MPS 501. Jesus Christ: Pastoral
Perspectives
3 credits
An examination of the questions arising from the
historical/critical approach to the person and mission
of Jesus and how the answers offered by
contemporary theologians impact upon pastoral
ministry. Special questions in Christology will be
probed—the virginal conception of Jesus and his
full humanity, his sinlessness, knowledge, and
sexuality—and how responses to these questions
relate to liberation, justice and feminism. The
meaning of Jesus in relation to evolution, the new
cosmology, and quantum physics will be discussed.
MPS 504. Pauline Literature:
Pastoral Themes
3 credits
An exploration of how Paul’s experience and the
experience of the communities to whom he wrote
can clarify and enrich our lives in ministry today.
Through lectures, personal reflection and group
discussion over assigned readings, professor and
students will journey through the Pauline literature
together.
MPS 505. The Pastoral Use of Scripture 3 credits
The use of Old and New Testament biblical
themes and persons and their implications for
contemporary pastoral challenges such as
image/symbol of minister as person, ecumenism,
preaching, authority, worship, prayer, discernment
process, relationship between Church/
world, etc.
MPS 521. Sacramental Theology 3 credits
The life of the Church as expressed in ritual worship
is treated from the historical, theological,
and pastoral viewpoints. It encompasses the
Church’s discipline for the celebration of the
seven sacraments as well as the sources and interpretation
of sign and symbol within the sacramental
system.
MPS 530. Fundamental Moral Theology 3 credits
Moral theology today as seen through an examination
of its roots in human experience reflected
upon in light of relationships within the community
nourished by scripture and living tradition.
MPS 534. Seminar in Social Justice 3 credits
Through the seminar format of reading and discussion,
combined with a practical experience
component, students will investigate the way that
the issues of freedom, justice, peace and environment
are dealt with culturally, socially, politically
and economically. These sets of issues will be
investigated from the perspective of individual
value systems as informed by family, local community,
nation and global membership. We will
study some classic texts in Social Justice and,
with the help of the religious tradition of social
justice teachings, develop a vocabulary and principles
for judging social justice issues. Reflections
on the readings, participation in discussion, and a
final project will be graded.
MPS 537. Graduate Seminar in
Medical Ethics
2 credits
This course offers graduate students an opportunity
to explore key issues in contemporary medical
ethics in the light of resources offered by the
Christian tradition. Students will develop a
vocabulary for the discussion of Christian medical
ethics along with an appreciation of the
dilemmas faced by medical personnel, patients,
and family members who must make critical
decisions for institutions for themselves and/or
for loved ones. They will be challenged to develop
a professional/pastoral approach that is
informed by a faith perspective and by accurate
understanding of the factor involved in medical
questions.
MPS 540. Women Theologians 3 credits
Meets with THEO 340. This course will focus on
selected readings from contemporary women
who are recognized for their contributions in the
field of Christian Theology. It will also look
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