Catalogue 2008 Book - Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary

THEOLOGICAL-HISTORICAL DEPARTMENT
functions in one professional fi eld, e.g., ministry, medicine, business, or law. Particular
attention is given to the way one major theologian (e.g., Tillich, Pannenberg, Niebuhr,
Gutiérrez, or Moltmann) does theological ethics. Six credits. Mr. García; Fall
TH.201 FUNDAMENTALISM, COMPARATIVELY SPEAKING
This course explores and challenges various defi nitions of “fundamentalism,” seeking an
understanding of the nature of the phenomenon, questioning how the term is used, and
considering its meaning in various contexts. Students examine movements and trends in
Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, as well as other movements that have
been called fundamentalist. Six credits. Mr. Bodman
TH.204 INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS
In this course students study the origin, history, basic beliefs, practice, and internal diversity
of several of the major religious traditions of the world—Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism,
Islam—as well as two indigenous traditions. Students engage participants in each of these
traditions and visit worship sites for several traditions. This course focuses on the process,
etiquette, and challenges of studying and engaging another religious community, and the
particular theological issues that each of theses traditions raises for Christians. Six credits.
Mr. Bodman; Fall
TH.205 CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY AND CHILDREN
This course explores several dimensions in the Christian theological understanding of children
and childhood. Topics for examination include baptism, childhood and the image of God,
sin, the family, and Christian nurture. Students also pay particular attention to the multiple
threats to children’s lives in the present age—poverty, child labor, war, and the sex trade—and
are challenged to summon theological resources in response to those perils. Readings include
patristic voices in the theological tradition, but focus primarily on understandings of childhood
since the Reformation. Six credits. Mr. Jensen
TH.206 ETHICAL AND THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION ON BIOMEDICAL ISSUES
In this course students examine selected problems and issues in the area of bioethics as well
as basic medical problems and ethical dilemmas in this area of study. Among the issues
considered are: the care of severely handicapped children, questions of death and dying,
research and human experimentation, genetic engineering and genetic policy, allocation of
scarce resources. Special emphasis is given to the way the principles of autonomy, utility,
nonmalefi cence, benefi cence, and justice inform our description of and prescription for the
ethical dilemmas one confronts in this fi eld. Six credits. Mr. García
Dr. Ellen L. Babinsky Dr. Whitney S. Bodman
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