Doctoral+Courses


 * Ph.D. in Practical Theology **

Practical Theology is a way of doing theology. It begins with a practical concern that comes out of experience, engages that concern in dialogue with the religious tradition and the culture, and through that dialogue discerns wisdom that leads to transformative action. The Ph.D. in practical theology integrates sound theological research, the skills of social analysis, and lived experience. It employs a collaborative educational approach among a community of learners engaging theological and allied disciplines in critical conversation. Students are expected to produce original research both creative and liberative. A terminal degree in Practical Theology requires an in-depth examination of theological topics through the lens of practical theology.

 **Program Requirements**

A Ph.D. in practical theology requires an in-depth examination of theological topics through the lens of practical theology. This is therefore a full-time program of 8-12 credits per semester, with a minimum residency of two years. The ordinary load is 8 credits per semester during pre-candidacy and 3 credits per semester during post-candidacy. The program is designed to take a minimum of four years.

· The program requires a total of 54 credits.

· A total of 42 credits are required in pre-candidacy. Of these 42 credits, 9 are core courses of 4 credits each, for a total of 36 credits, following a prescribed sequence. The other 6 credits are comprised of electives.

· Candidacy examinations can only be taken by those who have completed the prescribed 36 credits of core courses and 6 credits of elective coursework.

· Candidacy consists of a 12 credit course sequence plus the dissertation. Only candidates may submit a dissertation prospectus. Dissertation research and writing may not formally begin until a dissertation proposal has been submitted and successfully defended before an approved dissertation committee.

· The dissertation partially fulfills the requirements for the Ph.D., which is bestowed on those candidates who have both completed all academic requirements and successfully defended their dissertation before the committee that originally approved their prospectus.

 **Pre-Candidacy**

Pre-candidacy extends from the student’s commencement in the program through the successful completion of candidacy examination. The period of study includes 42 credit hours of doctoral coursework. It is designed to engage the student with the length and breadth of the literature necessary for joining the scholarly conversation and the commencement of the student’s doctoral dissertation. These courses enter into a dialogue with the works that help define contemporary practical theology, its engagement with philosophy and the social sciences, and critical methodological issues, including the relationship with social science methods. The program of study will also examine specific arenas of practical theology while relating them to the student’s practice and experience in a way that builds on and advances practical theological method.

 **Core Pre-Candidacy Coursework (36 credits)**

There are 9 pre-candidacy core courses, all of which are four credits. Two each are taken in the fall and spring semesters of the first two years of study. The final such core course is taken in the summer after all other core courses are completed.

 __Fall I (Odd Numbered Year)__

STM 811 Contemporary Practical Theology (4 credits)

STM 911 Formation and Spirituality in Practical Theology (4 credits)

 __Spring I (Even Numbered Year)__

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">STM 821 Hermeneutics and Methodology in Practical Theology (4 credits)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">STM 921 Community Life and Pastoral Practice for Practical Theology (4 credits)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> __Fall II (Even Numbered Year)__

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">STM 831 Sources of Practical Theology (4 credits)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">STM 931 Public Theology as Practical Theology (4 credits)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> __Spring II (Odd Numbered Year)__

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">STM 841 Social Science for Practical Theology (4 credits)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">STM 941 Culture and Ritual in Practical Theology (4 credits)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> __Summer II (Odd Numbered Year)__

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">STM 851 Advanced Practical Theology (4 credits)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> **Candidacy Examination Preparation**

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Only those who have fully completed all pre-candidacy course or other program requirements may sit for candidacy examinations. These examinations are based on in-depth familiarity within three related areas of study. Students are therefore expected to compile three bibliographies as they conduct their coursework and in preparation for their candidacy examination. These bibliographies consist of critical texts in, (I), foundations of practical theology; (II), practical theological methodology, including hermeneutics and empirical research methods; and (III), the student’s particular field(s) of specialization, ordinarily understood as that area of theological inquiry most related to a student’s dissertation. Doctoral candidacy examinations are based on these bibliographies. The first two bibliographies are ordinarily the same for an entire cohort. All three bibliographies must be approved by program director on behalf of the examining faculty at least three months prior to the administration of candidacy examinations.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> **Candidacy Examinations**

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Candidacy examinations contain both written and oral components. Each student is examined by no fewer than two faculty members. Eligible students may formally request that a peer-reviewed journal article be substituted for one of the three candidacy examinations. Similarly, eligible students may formally request that a fully executed and original course design be substituted for one of these examinations. Such a course design much include a fully constructed syllabus, set of lecture notes and/or design of discussion for each class meeting, relevant handouts, and other related materials. A journal article substitution or course design substitution must include an oral defense before a committee of two or more faculty members. Students are evaluated on the sum total of their performance and receive a pass with distinction, a pass, or a fail. Students who fail their candidacy examinations may petition permission to retake candidacy examinations. Those who pass their candidacy examinations become candidates for the degree, with all the rights and privileges pertaining to candidacy status.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> **Dissertation Writing and Defense**

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">The capstone of the Ph.D. program is the proposal, writing, and successful defense of a doctoral dissertation worthy of the name. Candidacy examinations and seminars are oriented to this end.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> **Candidacy Seminar Sequence (12 credits)**

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Candidacy seminars take place during the final two years of enrollment, one per semester. They are designed to create a supportive environment for the writing of the dissertation and completion of the degree. These seminars are also designed to provide for professional socialization for scholarly research, writing, and presentation skills. It is anticipated that a candidate’s prospectus defense will occur toward the conclusion of the Prospectus Seminar or toward the beginning of Dissertation Seminar I. All those enrolled in Dissertation Seminar II must be candidates who have successfully defended their dissertation prospectus.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> **Doctoral Course Titles and Descriptions**

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">STM 801 Propadeutic Doctoral Course in Christian Theology (1-4 credits)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Presents seminal works within Christian theology. This course provides theological background necessary for approaching doctoral work in practical theology. It will be made available for beginning doctoral students as faculty determines necessary.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">STM 811 Contemporary Practical Theology (4 credits)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Introduces major works within practical theology worldwide since the 1960s together with an exploration of practical theological method. Relates developments within practical theology to those within the larger discipline of theology. Students will develop a synthesis of contemporary practical theology suitable for work toward an eventual dissertation topic.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">STM 821 Hermeneutics and Methodology in Practical Theology (4 credits)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Presents hermeneutical philosophy and related interpretive fields central to contemporary practical theology, integrating methodological topics with a diversity of perspectives including deconstructionist, critical and postmodern theory. Students will develop philosophical and methodological criticism necessary to advance the contemporary construction of theology in a direction that restores focus on //phronesis// <span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> and recovers the primacy of praxis.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">STM 831 Sources of Contemporary Practical Theology (4 credits)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Explores practical theological sources in the Old and New Testament as well as the experience of Second Temple Judaism and the first Christian communities. Focuses on the practical theological conversation throughout Christian history, with emphasis on the formal development of practical theology in the early 19th century and subsequent advances through the mid-20th century. Students will acquire an understanding of how scripture, practice, and theological reflection over the centuries provide the foundation on which contemporary practical theology rests.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">STM 841 Social Science for Practical Theology (4 credits)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Examines social research methods and theory as related to the work of practical theology. Includes strong emphasis on social scientific research method and the social scientific study of religion. Students will learn to critically appropriate the resources social science offers contemporary practical theology.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">STM 851 Advanced Practical Theology (4 credits)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Integrates major contemporary topics across all practical theology, including method, related religious studies topics, and major fields of Christian practice. Serves as a capstone course that brings together previous study of the practical theological literature in a single advanced course. This course is designed for students preparing for the candidacy examination and is to be taken just before candidacy examinations.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">STM 861 Special Topics in Practical Theology (2-4 credits)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Offered on an occasional basis for special topics within particular subfields and specializations of practical theology. May include such topics as scriptural basis of practical theology; pneumatology and practical theology; religious studies theory and method; empirical theology as practical theology; advanced studies in religious education; a practical theological exploration of theological education.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">STM 891 Supervised Teaching for Practical Theologians (1 credit)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Required of all Ph.D. in practical theology students formally assigned to teach or mentor St. Thomas University undergraduate or master’s level students. Provides supervision in teaching; addresses pedagogical issues in theological education and university teaching in general. The course is designated as 891a for the first semester in which a student is registered for the course, with the course number assigned sequentially on an alphabetical basis for each subsequent semester.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">STM 892-895 Directed Doctoral Reading in Practical Theology (1-3 credits)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Students will pursue readings in advanced topics of particular interest in practical theology on a tutorial basis. To be arranged between the professor and student or students in advance. Course numbers 892-895 are used sequentially for each time a student registers for a directed doctoral reading course.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">STM 896-899 Directed Doctoral Research in Practical Theology (1-3 credits)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Students will pursue pre-dissertation research in practical theology on a tutorial basis. To be arranged between the professor and student or students in advance. Course numbers 896-899 are used sequentially for each time a student registers for a directed doctoral research course.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">STM 901 Propadeutic Doctoral Course in Christian Practice (1-4 credits)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Presents seminal works in Christian practice, including pastoral practice and public witness. This course provides background necessary for approaching doctoral work in practical theology. It will be made available for beginning doctoral students as faculty determines necessary.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">STM 911 Formation and Spirituality in Practical Theology (4 credits)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Examines critical areas of Christian formational practice, including religious education and proclamation, including preaching (//didache, kergyma//); spiritual theology; theological reflection; spiritual direction; and theological education. Students will be trained to collectively undertake a practical theological examination of their experience of formational practice.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">STM 921 Community Life and Pastoral Practice for Practical Theology (4 credits)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Presents congregational studies and Christian community life (//koinonia//) in light of a practical ecclesiology, including organizational theory, leadership styles, and pastoral care practices. Students will be trained to collectively undertake a practical theological examination of their experience of such practices.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">STM 931 Public Theology as Practical Theology (4 credits)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Explores forms of public theology, including contemporary political and liberation theologies, in the context of theological ethics and moral theology; social teaching; and service (//diakonia//). Students will be trained to collectively undertake a practical theological examination of their experience of public theological practice.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">STM 941 Culture and Ritual in Practical Theology (4 credits)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Examines contextual theologies and the theology of culture, including intercultural and postcolonial studies, with particular attention to ritual studies in light of the praxis of worship (//leiturgia//) and the role of symbol in practical theology. Students will be trained to collectively undertake a practical theological examination of their experience of such practices.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">STM 961 Prospectus Seminar (3 credits)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Trains doctoral candidates to undertake and complete the writing of a dissertation prospectus in practical theology, including the creation of an appropriate literature review for their intended dissertation topic. Supports the process of integrating theological, philosophical social scientific, and other appropriate methods within a unified practical theological method suitable for dissertation work in practical theology. The goal of the course is a successfully defended prospectus.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">STM 971 Dissertation Seminar I (3 credits)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Trains dissertation writers in the art of practical theological writing and presentation while providing a collegial environment to facilitate and advance work on the dissertation. This course is designed to be the sole course taken during the second semester of candidacy.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">STM 981 Dissertation Seminar II (3 credits)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Trains dissertation writers in the art of practical theological writing and presentation while providing a collegial environment to facilitate and advance work on the dissertation. This course is designed to be the sole course taken during the third semester of candidacy.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">STM 991 Dissertation Seminar III (3 credits)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Trains dissertation writers in the art of practical theological writing and presentation while providing a collegial environment to facilitate and advance work on the dissertation. This course is designed to be the sole course taken during the fourth semester of candidacy.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">STM 999 Dissertation Writing (1-3 credits)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">For all degree candidates who have completed STM 991. All those who continue in the program and have not yet completed a successful dissertation defense are required to register for this in the fall and spring, but not summer, terms.