Department of Theology

Spring 2023 Course Highlights

• THEO 335: African Religions: This class will use multidisciplinary approaches to introduce students to the study of religion and theology by examining the religious traditions of African peoples. In the first part of the course, we will explore major concepts, ideas and values of Africa’s religious and ethical traditions and discuss the major theoretical and methodological issues that emerge. The second part of the course will be devoted to examining African and African derived traditions in the New World. We will focus on the revival of ancient Egyptian traditions, Yoruba and Voodoo and discuss how they respond to the problem of evil in the modern world.
• THEO 354: Race, Gender and Islam: Using theological, historical, and anthropological perspectives, students will explore how gender and race have been constructed, negotiated, challenged, and policed by Muslims.
• THEO 385: Earth, Matter, Bodies, Theology: Must theology be concerned solely with the otherworldly? Or might theology have something to offer to terrestrial life—here and now? This course introduces interdisciplinary approaches to the question of "materiality," exploring contemporary critical theories—such as new materialisms, quantum mechanics, & process metaphysics—and their relevance to constructive theologies in service of environmental justice. Students will have the opportunity to engage and analyze questions related to longstanding theological binaries (e.g. spirit/flesh, heaven/earth, soul/body, et. al.) and their consequences. In short, this course will investigate the intersections between theology and notions of matter, embodiment, land, environment, & beyond.
• THEO 363: Comparative Theology: An introduction to the study and practice of engaging and learning from "Other" religions for the benefit of one's own "home" religious faith and practice. Issues of central concern for this course include: inter-religious encounters/dialogue, religious diversity and pluralism, theologies of religious diversity, globalization, and religious violence and war. The course will focus on a specific theme, for example, asceticism or sexuality."

Upcoming Events

RHINO DAYS - MARCH 28 AND 30, 2023

Join Xavier Expeditions for RHINO DAYS, helping to support Namibia's rhino orphans! Tuesday, March 28 from 2-8 pm on the south lawn by Justice Hall, we'll have food, games, prizes and a raffle. All proceeds go to Rhino Orphanage and Rhino Security. Then on Thursday, March 30 from 6-9 pm come to Kennedy Auditorium in the CLC for our Keynote Speaker Event! Several speakers including Annette Oelofse from Mt. Etjo Rhino Orphanage, Elgin Ritter from Ritter Safaris, Dan Marsh from the Cincinnati Zoo and Dr. Leon Chartrand, founding director of Xavier Expeditions, among others. Snacks and refreshments will be served! ALL ARE WELCOME! Questions? Contact Dr. Leon at chartrandl@aquasystematique.com

Recent News

DR. MARTIN MADAR PRESENTS A PAPER AT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

In March, 2023, Dr. Martin Madar presented a paper “Pope Francis Gives New Life to the ‘spirit of Vatican II’” at an international conference at St. Ambrose University commemorating 10 years of Francis’ pontificate.

 

DR. MARCUS MESCHER AND DR. ASHLEY THEURING MEASURE THE MORAL INJURY CAUSED BY CLERGY SEXUAL ABUSE

Dr. Ashley Theuring and Dr. Marcus Mescher were among four Xavier University faculty awarded a $40,000 grant from Fordham University to create a new instrument to measure the psychological, spiritual, moral, and social fallout caused by clergy sexual abuse and its concealment. They joined a network of scholars at Jesuit universities across the country to help better understand the root causes of this crisis, its effects, and how to bring about greater transparency, accountability, healing, and prevention. The grant was sponsored by Fordham's Taking Responsibility project, which can found here. Xavier University's research project report on moral injury can be found here. It garnered national coverage from NCR here and local coverage from the Enquirer here.

 

DR. O'NEIL VAN HORN PRESENTS AT A CONFERENCE OF THE CENTER FOR PROCESS STUDIES FEBRUARY 2023

Dr. O’neil Van Horn is an invited presenter at the international “50th Anniversary Conference of the Center for Process Studies.” Part of “a new generation of process thinkers” invited by the organizers, Dr. Van Horn’s work will be featured in a panel on “New Materialism, Poststructuralism, and Process Philosophy.”

 

DR. MARTIN MADAR PRESENTING AT AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SYNODALITY

Dr. Madar will be presenting a paper at an international conference on synodality in Slovakia on March 10, 2022. He is also a co-organizer of the conference. The conference will be live streamed on YouTube. All presentations in the afternoon will be translated into English simultaneously. The times on the program are in Central European Time (six hours ahead of EST). Feel free to join in.

 

DR. MARCUS MESCHER ON BUILDING THE "CULTURE OF ENCOUNTER"

In November 2021, Dr. Mescher contributed to a forum at Georgetown University, highlighting how Pope Francis' vision of encounter is shaped by his experience of Ignatius' Spiritual Exercises.

 

DR. WALKER GOLLAR REPORTS ON SLAVERY FOR THE XAVIER NEWSWIRE

Dr. Gollar was recently interviewed on Xavier's historical ties to slavery for the November 10, 2021 edition of the Newswire.