Pre-Theology

Pre-theologians take the following courses in the undergraduate department of philosophy: PHIL 101 Logic; PHIL 301 Moral Philosophy (Ethics); PHIL 311 Ancient Philosophy; PHIL 312 Medieval Philosophy; PHIL 313 Modern Philosophy; PHIL 314 Contemporary Philosophy; PHIL 318 Philosophy of Knowledge (Epistemology); PHIL 321 Metaphysics. Click here for the course descriptions.

• PPHL 005  Natural Theology (3)
  This course examines the truths about God that can be known through reason. It focuses principally on the natural theology of St. Thomas Aquinas and concludes with a discussion of contemporary approaches to natural theology.
• PPHL 006  Philosophical Anthropology (3)
  This course introduces students to the philosophy of the human person, tracing the development of philosophical anthropology through the writings of major philosophers, and culminating in the personalism of Pope John Paul II.
• PTHL 001  Catechism of the Catholic Church I (3)
  This course seeks to introduce students, who may or may not lack any developed comprehension of Catholic doctrine and tradition, to a systematic presentation of the major articles of faith, and to a detailed commentary on the history and foundations of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Parts I and II.
• PTHL 002  Catechism of the Catholic Church II (3)
  This course, building on the foundation of Christian faith (Part I) and of the sacramental system of the church (Part II), will study the moral life worthy of the dignity of a Christian called to live the Gospel of Christ (Part III) and study Christian prayer as the living out of the mystery of our faith in relationship with God (Part IV).
• PTHL 003  Pre-theology Formation Seminar (3)
  A study of the Church’s vision of priestly formation as presented in Pastores Dabo Vobis and The Program of Priestly Formation as implemented at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary.  The course will focus on the various theological and philosophical issues associated with the four major areas of priestly formation:  human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral formation.
• PTHL 004  Prayer According to the Scriptures (2)
  A study of the selected prayers and instructions for prayer in both the Old and New Testaments with special attention to the Psalms and to the prayers of Jesus. Examples of the Christian use of the Bible for various forms of meditative prayer will also be studied. The course provides the opportunity to consider helping others to use the Bible for prayer.
• PTHL 005  Vocation, Discernment, and the Spiritual Exercises (2)
  An introduction to the concepts of personal vocation, the dynamics of discernment, and key elements of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola.
• PTHL 006  Introduction to the Documents of the Second Vatican Council (2)
  Overview of the historical and theological context of the Second Vatican Council; survey of its documents and their continuing implementation in the life of the Church.