Non-Credit Courses
FALL 2023
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS ON LAW, MORALITY, AND POLITICS
Fall Term, Second and Fourth Fridays, 12:00-1:15 PM
Begins September 15
St. Paul's/Harvard Catholic Center, Harvard Square
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Brian FitzGerald, D. Phil., Lecturer on Medieval Studies and the Study of Religion, Harvard University
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Open to all, but pre-registration required. What role should law play in governing individual morality? How can we discern the proper use of power by politicians and lawgivers? What is the relationship between our human laws and divine law? Reflecting on these questions and others, each class session will undertake a close reading of several selected questions from the Treatise on Law in the Second Part of the Summa Theologica by St. Thomas Aquinas, in English translation.
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No special background is required, just a willingness to read carefully and work at following the argument.
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A light lunch will be served.
This course is made possible through the support of grant #62372 from the John Templeton Foundation, “In Lumine: Promoting the Catholic Intellectual Tradition on Campuses Nationwide.”
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This course is made possible through the support of grant #62372 from the John Templeton Foundation, “In Lumine: Promoting the Catholic Intellectual Tradition on Campuses Nationwide.”
GENDER AND THE CHRISTIAN INTELLECTUAL TRADITION: METAPHYSICS, BIOLOGY, AND PSYCHOLOGY
Fall Term, Second and Fourth Saturdays, 3:45-4:45 PM
Begins September 16
St. Paul's/Harvard Catholic Center, Harvard Square
Sarah Byers, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Philosophy,
Boston College
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For current undergraduate or graduate students at Harvard or other area institutions. A study group on topics pertaining to human nature and human experience as sexually embodied. Issues examined will include: the biology of sexual dimorphism; the metaphysics of soul, body, essence, and accidents; data from biochemistry, psychology, and sociology; and the virtues of charity, honesty, and justice in interpersonal relations.
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Readings in-meeting (no preparation required). Participants are invited, but not required, to stay for the 5:00 pm Vigil Mass at St. Paul’s and an optional dinner out in Harvard Square.
Full year courses
FALL semester registration
CHRISTIAN LATIN
READING GROUP
1st and 3rd Mondays,
Begins September 18, 2023
7:00 - 8:00 PM (Eastern Time)
Zoom
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Open to all; participants should have completed and have some recollection of one year or more of Latin. Reading and translation of inspiring examples of Christian Latin prose and poetry. Taught by Classical languages instructor Michael O’Brien and patristics scholar Christopher McLaughlin.
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NEW TESTAMENT GREEK
READING GROUP
1st and 3rd Tuesdays,
Begins September 19, 2023
7:00 - 8:00 PM (Eastern Time)
Zoom
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Open to all; participants should have completed and have some recollection of one year or more of Classical or Koine Greek. Reading and translation of texts from the Greek New Testament. Taught by Classical languages instructor Michael O’Brien and Deacon Tim O'Donnell.
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Summer 2023
SEMINAR: RELIGION AND HUMAN FLOURISHING
August 7-11, 2023
Harvard Square, Location TBA
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Co-Presented by the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard and the Lumen Christi Institute
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This weeklong seminar will be lead by Brendan Case, ThD, Associate Direction for Research at the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard, and will include instruction by Tyler VanderWeele, Professor of Epidemiology at Harvard and Director of the Human Flourishing Program, and Jennifer Frey, Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of South Carolina.
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Topics to be considered include 1) the nature and interrelation of theology and the social sciences; 2) the nature of human flourishing, and especially the relationship of temporal and eternal goods; 3) the nature of “religion” as a sociological category, and its relationship both to Christianity and to flourishing; 4) the significance of death and suffering for a flourishing life; 5) the nature and distribution of the moral virtues and vices; and 6) the role of interpersonal love in a flourishing life.
For doctoral students in theology, philosophy, psychology, sociology, anthropology, public health, or related fields.
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Admitted students receive lodging and meals for the duration of the seminar and a $350 travel stipend. This course is currently full.
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This seminar is made possible through the support of grant #62372 from the John Templeton Foundation, “In Lumine: Promoting the Catholic Intellectual Tradition on Campuses Nationwide.”