An
expanded selection of STEP eCourses will be offered in 2001-02
by the Institute for Church Life (ICL) at the University
of Notre Dame, beginning Oct. 22 (Monday) with "The
American Catholic Experience," taught by Jay Dolan,
professor of history, and "Introduction to Sacraments,"
taught by Rev. Joseph Weiss, S.J., acting director of the
University's Center for Pastoral Liturgy.
STEP
(Satellite Theological Education Program) is a distance-learning
initiative that provides quality instruction to pastoral
ministers and other adult Catholics across the United States.
The six-week courses are available through the ICL's Web
site and feature Notre Dame faculty who provide instruction,
reading materials,syllabi, and course study requirements.
Participants receive a certificate of completion upon the
conclusion of each course.
"This
is an exciting initiative that furthers the mission of Notre
Dame," said STEP director Thomas Cummings. "By
placing the theological, pedagogical, and technological
resources of Notre Dame at service to the broader Church,
we are able to assist in the faith formation of adults from
dioceses and parishes across the country."
After
a successful pilot year in which three eCourses were offered
during 2000-01, STEP has expanded to six courses this year.
In addition to the two starting in October, two courses
will begin in January - "An Introduction to the Letters
of St. Paul," taught by Rev. Jerome Neyrey, S.J., professor
of theology, and "Eucharist: Source and Summit of the
Christian Life," to be taught by Father Weiss - and
two more will begin in March - "The Christian Conscience
and Ethical Dilemmas: Guidance from the Catholic Tradition,"
to be taught by Maura Ryan, associate professor of theology,
and "From Proclamation to Scripture: An Introduction
to Biblical Literary Forms in the Gospels," taught
by Rev. Michael Driscoll, C.S.C., associate professor of
theology.
In
the future, STEP organizers plan to offer multiple course
components in different theological subjects that students
may use as continuing education for their ministry or as
adult education for their edification and faith development.
References
http://www.nd.edu/cgi-bin/news.cgi?preview=NO&article=200110121449
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