MPS/MBA

This initial course in ministry education introduces students to a process of “pastoral praxis,” through a method of keeping theological reflection in constant dialogue with action. Students explore the interplay of the Christian tradition and the dynamics of living out that tradition through the sociocultural, personal, and institutional contexts of their ministries. The method of theological reflection is based upon the work of the Rev. Bernard Lonergan, S.J., and David Tracy.

This course introduces students to the literature, history, and theology of ancient Israel as embodied in the ancient Hebrew scriptures commonly known as the Old Testament. It examines the major themes of Exodus, promise-fulfillment, and covenant in Israel’s history from the time of the patriarchs to the period of late Second Temple Judaism, which was the context of Jesus’ life and teachings. The texts, events, and beliefs of ancient Israel, which form an indispensable background for understanding the New Testament, are highlighted.

This course introduces students to the literature, history, and theology of the early Christian scriptures commonly known as the New Testament. It examines the historical context of Jesus’ teachings, his parables and preaching of the “reign of God,” and the theology of Paul and the Gospels. Particular attention is given to the experience of faith that was engendered by Jesus among his first disciples and the lived faith of the earliest Christians.

This course introduces students to the rich Christian tradition of theological reflection and teaching on the person of Jesus Christ, the Trinity, and grace, as well as the role of the Holy Spirit in Christian life. In the context of this tradition, students are invited to a deeper understanding of the meaning of salvation in their lives and in their ministry. Contemporary theologies of Christ and salvation are also explored, using Karl Rahner’s writings as an example of a modern theology of grace.
Prerequisite: LIM 703

This course presents the experience and theology of church, sacraments, and liturgy as they have unfolded throughout Christian history. A major part of the course is dedicated to a deeper understanding of the meaning of sacramentality and the theology of the individual sacraments in the Catholic tradition. Special emphasis is given to Vatican II and post-conciliar developments in the church’s self-understanding and in the theology and practice of ministry, sacraments, and liturgy.

Traditional Catholic ethics are examined in the light of Vatican II. Students study the nature of the human person and the meaning of freedom and sin. They also explore the role of Scripture, reason and the natural law, norms, conscience, and Church authority in making moral decisions. Throughout the course, Christian living is placed in the context of personal spirituality and the call to discipleship. Sexual ethics and Catholic social teaching are discussed at length in the course.

Oriented to those students who understand their ministry as primarily taking place outside of parish or other explicit ecclesial communities, this course investigates work and profession from the standpoints of vocation and community. Vocation is considered as a transformation of toil into creative work, and profession is viewed as an expression of the way one professes commitment to a particular community. Creativity, redemption, and collaboration are explored in light of workplace systems and the difference that Christians can make in the world.

This course helps students discern practical approaches to working toward mutually respectful, caring, and just communities in diverse and pluralistic work and community settings. The course will explore how images of collective life rooted in the biblical image of the reign of God can be translated into contemporary societies and community life with respect for persons of varying backgrounds and traditions.

The aim of this course is to help participants reflect on today’s experience of the parish in its many shapes and forms. Pastoral practice and canon law are used during the course as reference points for discussion of the pastoral and canonical issues raised by the student and the course content.

This course examines a number of challenges facing parishes and pastoral leaders in a variety of ministry settings. Topics include issues related to evangelization, collaborative ministry, parish mergers and transitions, and the spirituality of lay ecclesial ministers, among others. Course participants also examine in more depth the needs and models of ministry related to a particular population (for example, ministry to homebound elderly) in their faith community.

The course introduces students to professional business communication style, as well as professional dress and conduct. The course also focuses on the strategic aspects of communication and concludes with a communication strategy audit of a real-world firm with the goal of improving team, listening, or communication environments.

The course develops qualitative and quantitative approaches for problem-solving and decision-making in the field of management. Students will learn how to use theoretical and analytical tools from the fields of economics and statistics to enhance their ability to understand real world problems, identify possible solutions, and make the right managerial decisions to achieve organizational performance excellence.

This course provides an overview of how financial data can be used by managers, entrepreneurs, and executives to improve the decision-making process, as well as organizational productivity and performance. The financial accounting portion of the course develops student skills in reading and understanding financial statements, analyzing investments, and measuring and assessing financial performance. The managerial accounting portion of the course develops student skills in budgeting, cost accounting, cash flow analysis, and the analysis and interpretation of internal financial reports.

This course focuses on the roles and activities of general managers, executives, leaders, entrepreneurs, and other executives who run businesses. Students develop skills in competitive analysis and the analysis of industry structure, as well as in formulating or executing strategy in small, diverse, or multinational firms. The course focuses on case analysis to analyze ambiguous problems, develop strategic-thinking skills, and apply analytical models to solve complex problems.

The course introduces fundamental quantitative approaches for decision-making in the field of operations and process management. Students will develop skills in analyzing how logistical and operations decisions impact the performance of the firm, as well as the entire supply chain. In the latter half of class, students will develop skills that will enable them to analyze processes, ensure quality, create value, and manage flow of information, products, and services across a network of customers, enterprises, and supply chain partners.

The course emphasizes the application of financial theory by giving the student a framework for analyzing and recommending alternative solutions to business financial problems. Special emphasis will be on financial decision-making that requires integrating the core finance areas of corporate finance, investments, portfolio management, and multinational finance. The course combines application to real life cases with theoretical concepts. The course provides the tools needed for fundamental as well as technical analysis of selected publicly traded companies.

This course enables students to develop the skills necessary to make intelligent strategic marketing decisions for an organization. The course addresses how marketing activities and customer orientations impact all aspects of an organization’s strategy, especially: (1) identifying customer value; (2) prioritizing customer value segments; and (3) aligning organizational processes in order to maximize customer value as a means of achieving excellence in firm performance. The purpose of this course is to prepare leaders who understand the need for a customer-centered organization and use marketing skills and expertise in creating overall performance excellence in an organization.

This course provides students with a fundamental understanding of the basic functional areas of management, organizational behavior, and strategic decision-making from a manager’s point-of-view. The course helps students develop the skills to analyze and address management/leadership challenges and opportunities, and the knowledge to create a sustainable organization with world-class performance.

Ethics & Social Justice Week introduces students to issues related to ethical behavior and social justice and applies them to real business cases and dilemmas. In addition, it introduces students to the Jesuit value system and how Jesuit values apply to ethical issues in business. Students will become more self-conscious and constructively self-critical of their ethical preconceptions. Students will be better able to identify ethical challenges and be aware of the strategies and resources available to deal with them.