ST THOMAS AQUINAS’ MAJOR SEMINARY, BAMBUI PROGRAMME OF STUDIES PHILOSOPHY DEPARTMENT This Provincial Seminary, Saint Thomas Aquinas’ Major Seminary, Bambui, was established on Saturday, 15 th September, 1973, on the initiative of the Bishops of what is now the Ecclesiastical Province of Bamenda, with the prior authorization of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples; but it was not until 14 th October, 1977, that by decree Prot. No. 4684/77, the same Congregation declared this Seminary canonically and definitely approved and erected. The importance of intellectual formation of future priests as one of those major pillars of priestly training cannot be over-emphasized. In his Apostolic Exhortation on the Formation of Priests, (Pastores Dabo Vobis, no. 51), Pope John Paul II emphasizing on the importance of intellectual formation for Seminarians said: The intellectual formation of candidates for the priesthood finds its specific justification in the very nature of the ordained ministry, and the challenge of the “new evangelization” to which our Lord is calling the Church on the threshold of the third millennium shows just how important this formation is. …The present situation is heavily marked by religious indifference, by a widespread mistrust regarding the real capacity of reason to reach objective and universal truth, and by fresh problems and questions brought up by scientific and technological discoveries. It strongly demands a high level of intellectual formation, such as will enable priests to proclaim, in a context like this, the changeless Gospel of Christ and to make it credible to the legitimate demands of human reason. Moreover, there is the present phenomenon of pluralism which is very marked in the field not only of human society but also of the community of the Church herself. It demands special attention to critical discernment: it is further reason showing the need for an extremely rigorous intellectual formation. It is certainly for the above reasons too that the Bishops of the Ecclesiastical Province of Bamenda, who are so concerned about the solid intellectual formation of their priests, together with the team of formators of this seminary, saw the need of an affiliation to a Catholic University that is faithful to the directives of the Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education. They therefore took the initiative to
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ST THOMAS AQUINAS’ MAJOR SEMINARY, BAMBUI
PROGRAMME OF STUDIES
PHILOSOPHY DEPARTMENT This Provincial Seminary, Saint Thomas Aquinas’ Major Seminary, Bambui, was established on Saturday, 15th September, 1973, on the initiative of the Bishops of what is now the Ecclesiastical Province of Bamenda, with the prior authorization of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples; but it was not until 14th October, 1977, that by decree Prot. No. 4684/77, the same Congregation declared this Seminary canonically and definitely approved and erected. The importance of intellectual formation of future priests as one of those major pillars of priestly training cannot be over-emphasized. In his Apostolic Exhortation on the Formation of Priests, (Pastores Dabo Vobis, no. 51), Pope John Paul II emphasizing on the importance of intellectual formation for Seminarians said:
The intellectual formation of candidates for the priesthood finds its specific justification in the very nature of the ordained ministry, and the challenge of the “new evangelization” to which our Lord is calling the Church on the threshold of the third millennium shows just how important this formation is. …The present situation is heavily marked by religious indifference, by a widespread mistrust regarding the real capacity of reason to reach objective and universal truth, and by fresh problems and questions brought up by scientific and technological discoveries. It strongly demands a high level of intellectual formation, such as will enable priests to proclaim, in a context like this, the changeless Gospel of Christ and to make it credible to the legitimate demands of human reason. Moreover, there is the present phenomenon of pluralism which is very marked in the field not only of human society but also of the community of the Church herself. It demands special attention to critical discernment: it is further reason showing the need for an extremely rigorous intellectual formation.
It is certainly for the above reasons too that the Bishops of the Ecclesiastical Province of Bamenda, who are so concerned about the solid intellectual formation of their priests, together with the team of formators of this seminary, saw the need of an affiliation to a Catholic University that is faithful to the directives of the Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education. They therefore took the initiative to
apply for an affiliation to the Pontifical Urban University, Rome, and by decree No. 902/78/2 issued at Rome on December 1st, 1978, the Congregation for Catholic Education declared the Philosophy Department of St. Thomas Aquinas’ Major Seminary, Bambui, to be an Affiliate of the Philosophy Faculty of the Pontifical Urban University, Rome. This Programme of Studies for Philosophy Department in STAMS, has been prepared taking into consideration the directives of the Sacred Constitutions of the Second Vatican Council on The Decree on the Training of Priests (Optatam Totius,no. 14-15) which states that:
In the revision of ecclesiastical studies the main object to be kept in mind is a more effective coordination of philosophy and theology so that they supplement one another in revealing to the minds of the students with ever increasing clarity the Mystery of Christ, which affects the whole course of human history, exercises an unceasing influence on the Church, and operates mainly through the ministry of the priest. Philosophical subjects should be taught in such a way as to lead the students gradually to a solid and consistent knowledge of man, the world and God. The students should rely on that philosophical patrimony which is forever valid, but should also take account of modern philosophical studies, especially those which have greater influence in their own country, as well as recent progress in the sciences. Thus, by correctly understanding the modern mind, students will be prepared to enter into dialogue with their contemporaries…while being able to detect and refute those that are false.
It is in the light of what The Decree on the Training of Priests (O.T.) says above and with the awareness that the study of philosophy as a crucial stage of the intellectual formation of future priests that our Seminary tries as much as possible to have the students well grounded in philosophy so as to better prepare their minds for theological studies and to deepen their understanding and interpretation of the person, and of the person’s freedom and relationships with the world and with God, and also to enrich their intellectual formation in the “cult of truth”.(Cf. Pastores Dabo Vobis, no 52). It is our ardent hope that the team of formators and the Seminarians of STAMS will find this revised Programme of Studies for Philosophy useful. STAGES AND METHOD OF INTELLECTUAL FORMATION.
There are two major stages in the seminarian’s intellectual formation. During the first three years the teaching of philosophy and its kindred disciplines is the focus of attention. The last four years are taken up by the theology and its related sciences. Being present during lectures, and personal research are the main methods the seminarian shall avail himself of in the course of his formation. He may not absent himself from lectures without the knowledge of his class co-ordinator, who will, in turn, inform the professors concern. The seminarian will be required to acquire for himself a copy of the Programme of Studies. Research takes two forms. The seminarian is required to make research for seminar papers and at the end of each of the two major stages, write a dissertation of not more than 40 typed pages. The Seminary Library is at the disposal of the seminarian in this regard. He shall maintain silence whenever he is in the Library and treat the books and magazines therein with due consideration for posterity. The school year is divided into two semesters. At the end of every semester, the seminarian shall present himself for examinations. There shall be two sessions: January and June. 60% is the pass mark in any given subject. There will be sessions in February and October for referred candidates of the January and June sessions respectively. A candidate who scores less than 40% at both the Ordinary and referred sessions shall be advised to withdraw. At the end of each major stage of intellectual formation, the candidate shall be required to write the B. Phil., B.D., or Diploma examinations. A student who scores less than 60% in the February/October sessions automatically qualifies for the Diploma. Entry conditions are to be found elsewhere in this Programme of Studies. Candidates who qualify for, write and are successful in the degree examinations will be awarded certificates by the Pontifical Urban University, Rome, to which the Seminary is affiliated.
1. GENERAL ORIENTATION 1.1. AIM The department aims at promoting a comprehensive study of philosophy with a view to having the student acquaint himself with the general philosophical culture but paying particular attention to the systematic philosophy of the Aristotelico-Thomistic tradition and the history of philosophy in general. 1.2. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS 1.2.1. The candidate shall have completed at least the curriculum of studies and obtained the certificates and credits required in Cameroon as a condition for admission into a duly approved university;
1.2.2. A pass in the English and French Languages at the Ordinary Level and Religious Knowledge at the Advanced Level in the General Certificate of Education or its equivalent. 1.3. INTERNAL DEPARTMENTAL EXAMINATIONS: The academic year is divided into two semesters. At the end of every semester, the student shall present himself for examinations. There shall be two sessions: January and June. 60% is the pass mark in any given subject. There will be sessions in February and October for referred candidates of the January and June sessions respectively.
1.4. DEGREE EXAMINATIONS: The Department of Philosophy of this institution is affiliated to the Faculty of Philosophy of the Pontifical Urban University in Rome. At the end of his philosophical studies, each student is required to sit for a Bachelor of Philosophy Examination or a Diploma of Philosophy Examination. To qualify for these Examinations the following conditions are necessary:
a) Research work in Philosophy presented in the form of a dissertation of not more than 40 typed pages:
b) An average mark of 60% or above in all the Main Courses offered in philosophy for those going in for the B.Phil. or between 40% - 60% for those going in for the Diploma in Philosophy.
c) A successful defence before a panel of three professors, of the dissertation presented by the candidate;
d) A comprehensive written examination in all the Main Courses offered in Philosophy. To obtain a pass, the candidate must score 60% and above, in all the sections of Philosophy he is examined on.
e) All the scripts and results of the written examination as well as the defence results are sent to the Urban University for validation.
1.5. THE DEPARTMENTAL ACADEMIC STAFF: The Philosophy Department is staffed in accordance with the requirements of a higher institute of ecclesiastical studies. It is the responsibility of the Bishops of the Ecclesiastical Province of Bamenda to provide the academic staff. Since members of staff may be changed, a list containing the names and qualifications of faculty shall be made available to all interested at the beginning of each academic year. (Inserire in formato pdf) 2. COURSES 2.1. MAIN COURSES
PM 100 – African Philosophy (Afr.Phil)
PM 101 – African Traditional Religion (ATR) PM 102 – Cosmology (Cosmo) PM 103 – Epistemology (Epist) PM 104 – Ethics (Ethics) PM 105 – History of Ancient Philosophy (Anc.Phil) PM 106 – History of Medieval Philosophy (Med.Phil) PM 107 – History of Modern Philosophy (Mod.Phil) PM 108 – History of Contemporary Philosophy (Con.Phil) PM 109 – Introduction to Philosophy (Int.Phil) PM 110 – Logic (Logic) PM 111 – Metaphysics (Metaph) PM 112 – Modern Psychology (Mod.Psy) PM 113 – Philosophical Anthropology (Phil.Ant) PM 114 – Philosophy of Religion (Phil.Rel) PM 115 – Political Philosophy (Pol.Phil) PM 116 – Science and Religion (Sci&Rel) PM 117 – Scientific Methodology (Method) PM 118 – Social Anthropology (Soc.Anth) PM 119 – Theodicy (Theod) 2.2. SEMINARS PM 120 – Ethics Seminar PM 121 – History of Contemporary Philosophy Seminar PM 122 – Metaphysics Seminar 2.3. SUBSIDIARY COURSES PS 200 – Introduction to Scripture (SS) PS 201 – History of Israel (SS) PS 202 – Introduction to Spirituality (Spirit) PS 203 – Scripture (SS) PS 204 – Mystery of Christ (Myst.Xt) PS 205 – English (Eng) PS 206 – French (Fren) PS 207 – Greek (Greek) PS 208 – Latin (Latin) PS 209 – Calligraphy (Callig) 3. CLASS DISTRIBUTION OF COURSES 3.1. PHILOSOPHY ONE PM 105 – History of Ancient Philosophy (Sem. I)1 PM 106 – History of Medieval Philosophy (Sem. II)2 1 (Sem. I) stands for the First Semester.
PM 110 – Logic (Sem. I & II) PM 109 – Introduction to Philosophy (Sem. I) PM 117 – Scientific Methodology (Sem. I & II) PS 200 – History of Israel (Sem. I & II) PS 202 – Introduction to Spirituality (Sem. I & II) PS 204 – Mystery of Christ (Sem. I & II) PS 205 – English (Sem. I & II) PS 206 – French (Sem. I & II) PS 207 – Greek (Sem. I & II) PS 208 – Latin (Sem. I & II) PS 209 – Calligraphy (Sem. I & II) 3.2. PHILOSOPHY TWO PM 103 – Epistemology (Sem. II) PM 104 – Ethics (Sem. I & II) PM 107 – History of Modern Philosophy (Sem. I & II) PM 111 – Metaphysics (Sem. I) PM 113 – Philosophical Anthropology (Sem. II) PM 115 – Political Philosophy (Sem. II) PM 102 – Cosmology (Sem. I) PM 120 – Ethics Seminar (Sem. I) PM 122 – Metaphysics Seminar (Sem. II) PS 201 – History of Israel (Sem. I & II) PS 202 – Introduction to Spirituality (Sem. I & II) PS 205 – English (Sem. I & II) PS 206 – French (Sem. I & II) PS 207 – Greek (Sem. I & II) PS 208 – Latin (Sem. I & II) PS 209 – Calligraphy (Sem. I & II) 3.3. PHILOSOPHY THREE PM 100 – African Philosophy (Sem. I) PM 101 – African Traditional Religion (Sem. II) PM 108 – History of Contemporary Philosophy (Sem. I) PM 119 – Theodicy (Sem. I) PM 112 – Modern Psychology (Sem. II) PM 114 – Philosophy of Religion (Sem. I) PM 116 – Science and Religion (Sem. II) PM 118 – Social Anthropology (Sem. I)
2 (Sem. II) stands for the Second Semester.
PM 121 – History of Contemporary Philosophy Seminar (Sem. I) PS 203 – Scripture (Sem. I & II) PS 205 – English (Sem. I & II) PS 206 – French (Sem. I & II) PS 208 – Latin (Sem. I & II) PS 209 – Calligraphy (Sem. I & II)
4. SCHEMES OF WORK:
4.1. PHILOSOPHY ONE
PM 109 – Introduction to Philosophy (Sem. 1) 1. General Introduction: Pre-scientific/Spontaneous Philosophy; Philosophy as Wisdom; Philosophy and Philosophy of. 2. Definition and Characteristics; Object of Philosophy; Science and Philosophy. 3. The Sources of Philosophy. 4. The Beginnings and Emergence of Philosophy. 5. The Value/Importance of Philosophy. 6. The Questions/Division/Difficulty of Philosophy 7. The Subjective Factor in Philosophy. 8. Philosophy and Faith.
Bibliography:
Russell, B., The Problems of Philosophy, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991; Jaspers, K., Way to Wisdom, New Haven: Yale University Press, 1975; Brody, B. A., Beginning Philosophy, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall Inc., 1977; Emmet, E. R., Learning to Philosophize, London: Penguin Books, 1968; Glenn. P.J., An Introduction to Philosophy, London: B. Herder Book Co., 1966; Maritain, J., An Introduction to Philosophy, trans., Watkin, E. I., London: Sheed & Ward, London, 1979.
PM 105 – History of Ancient Philosophy (Sem. I)
1. Introduction: The question of the origins of Ancient Philosophy; the state of
documentation. 2. The Presocratic Philosophers: The lonian thinkers. Pythagoras and the
Pythagoreans; Parmenides of Elea; Zeno of Elea; Empedocles of Acragas. The Ionian response: Anaxagoras of Clazomenae; the Atomists.
3. The Sophists and Socrates: The Sophists: Gorgias, Protagoras of Abdera, Prodicus, second generation Sophists in Athens. The Socratic problem; the Socratic Method; Socratic philosophy: Challenge of Scepticism and Relativism, met by Socrates; The Apology: Socrates’ mission; self- knowledge and virtue.
4. Plato: Sources of Plato’s philosophy: Socrates, Pythagoras and the Pythagoreans; Heraclitus and Parmenides. Dialogues and the Academy; the Theory of Ideas, the Nature of the Soul; Sources of Evil; the Theory of Knowledge in the Meno, Phaedo and Republic. Justice and Happiness in the Republic. Plato’s Physics, Forms of Government and Letter VII.
5. Aristotle: Life and Works, Relationship to Plato; Experience, Art and Knowledge; Change and its Explanation and the First Mover [Physics I-III & VIII]. Living bodies and the Body and Soul [De Anima II]. The Object and Method of Ethical Science [Nicomachean Ethics I]. The Project of a Metaphysical Science [Metaphysics I, II, IV & VI]. Happiness in the Nicomachean Ethics X. Moral Excellence [Nicomechean Ethics II]. Intellectual Virtues and Happiness (Nicomachean Ethics VI). The Immobile Substance (Metaphysics XII).
6. Hellenism: Historical background; New Movements in Philosophy: Epicureanism, Stoicism and Scepticism: their interaction and popular appeal.
7. Plotinus and Neoplatonism: The Platonic tradition; Plotinus: the generation of the world in the Enneads. Matter and Evil in Plotinus. Pagan and Christian Neoplatonism.
Bibliography:
Along with the relevant primary sources, see also: Armstrong, A. H., An Introduction to Ancient Philosophy, (London, 1957); ________.,
(ed.), The Cambridge History of Later Greek and Early Medieval Philosophy, (Cambridge, 1967); Barnes, J., The Toils of Scepticism, (Cambridge, 1990); Composta, D., History of Ancient Philosophy, (Rome, 1990); Conford, F. M., Before and After Socrates (London, 1976); Copleston, F., History of Philosophy, Vol. I, (London, 1976); Guthrie, W. K. C.,
A History of Ancient Philosophy, Vol. I (Cambridge, 1971); Long, A. A., Hellenistic Philosophy, (London, 1974); O’Meara, D. J., Plotinus: An Introduction to the Enneads (Oxford, 1993); Rist, J. M., Plotinus: The Road to Reality, (Cambridge, 1967);
Stace, W. T., A Critical History of Greek Philosophy, (London, 1962); YARZA, I., History of Ancient Philosophy, Signa-Tala Publishers, Inc., Manila. 1994.
PM 106 – History of Medieval Philosophy (Sem. II)
1. Greek Philosophy and Christianity: First encounters and earliest attitudes: the Apologists, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, Neoplatonism and Origen.
2. St. Augustine: His development: African-Roman setting; Manichaeism, Scepticism, Neoplatonism and Christianity. The soul’s search for God: Faith seeking understanding, grace and truth; seeking happiness and truth and finding God. Faith, authority and reason. Free will and sin: The City of God.
3. Neoplatonism after Augustine: Boethius: Plato and Aristotle translations, Porphyry’s Isagoge. Pseudo-Dionysius and John Scotus Erigena.
4. Historical Background to Scholasticiam: Thee Carolingian Renaissance, Monastic and Cathedral Schools, the making of Scholasticism, revival of Dialectic.
5. St. Anselm: Positive and fruitful development of dialectic in the service of the Augustinian tradition in theology. Example: the ontological argument, (Proslogion 1-4).
6. Peter Abelard: The debate about universals. Controversy concerning his application of Dialectic to theology: opposition of St. Bernard. Continuing development toward systematizing theology: Peter Lombard’s Sentences; the growth of universities.
7. Aristotle re-discovered: The Islamic connection. Importance of Alfarabi, Avicenna, Averroes and Maimonides. The impact of new texts on the young universities, especially Paris. Attitude of the Church.
8. St. Bonaventure: Attitude to the new Aristotelianism. Further development of an Augustinian synthesis; soul’s journey to God; exemplarism; ontological argument.
9. St. Thomas Aquinas: The development of Christian Aristotelianism. The scope of natural reason vis-à-vis faith; knowledge of God, that He is and what He is. His response to the challenge of Averroism. The opposition confuses Siger’s Averroism and the Aristotelianism of Aquinas: Condemnations of 1270 and 1277.
10. Subsequent developments: Disengagement of faith and reason; initiated by Duns Scotus, extreme development in the Via Moderna by Ockham and Nominalists Movement.
11. Renaissance Philosophies: Nicholas of Cusa. New turns to Plato and Aristotle.
Bibliography:
Chervin, R., et al., Love of Wisdom, Ignatius Press, San Francisco, 1988; Copleston, F., History of Philosophy, Vols. II & III, Search Press, Ltd., London, 1974; Gilson, E.,
History of Christian Philosophy in the Middle Ages, Sheed & Ward, London, 1955; Knowles, D., The Evolution of Medieval Thought, 2nd ed., Longman Group, U.K.,
1988; Leff, G., Medieval Thought, Pelican books, 1958; Mclnemy R.M., (ed.), New Themes in Chistian Philosophy, University of Notre Dame Press, Indiana, 1968;
Mondin, B., A History of Medieval Philosophy, tr. by Myroslaw A. Cizdyn, Urbaniana University Press, Rome, 1991; Pegis, A. C.,The Middle Ages and
Philosophy, Henry Regney Company, Chicago, 1963; YARZA, I., History of Medieval Philosophy, Signa-Tala Publishers, Inc., Manila. 1996.
PM 110 - Logic (Sem I & II) 1. Introduction: Logic as a Science: Spontaneous Logic; the art of Logic; the
science of Logic; the sefulness of Logic. Logic and other philosophical
disciplines: Logic and psychology; Logic and gnoseology; Logic and Metaphysics. Brief historical survey.
2. The operations of the mind: The mind; fundamental operations of the mind; the grasp of knowledge.
3. The uses of Language. 4. Ideas and terms: The idea; the expression of ideas; the clarification of
ideas; definitions. 5. Judgements and propositions: The judgement; the proposition; properties
of propositions. 6. Reasoning and argument:
Reasoning; expression and logical reasoning; the laws of argument; the categorical syllogism and its eight laws; the figure of the categorical
syllogism; moods of the categorical syllogism; establishing the validity of a categorical syllogism; establishing the validity of a categorical syllogism by
reduction of the first figure. 7. The Hypothetical Syllogism: the conditional syllogism; the conjunctive
syllogism; the disjunctive syllogism. Other forms of syllogistic arguments: the enthymeme; the epicherema; the polysyllogism; sorites; the dilemna.
8. Laws of thought. 9. Fallacies. 10. Symbolic Logic.
Bibliography: Aprangler, M. M., Logic: An Aristotelian Approach, University Press of America, 1986; Copi, I. M., Introduction to Logic, Collier-MacMillan Co., London, Seventh Edition, 1986; Ennis, R. H., Ordinary Logic, Prentice-Hall Inc., New Jersey, 1969;
Lemmon, E. J., Beginning Logic, Thomas Nelson and Sons, London, 1965; Mitchell, D., An Introduction to Logic, Hutchinson & Co., London, 1967; Toulmin, S. E., The
Uses of Argument, University Press, Cambridge, 1969.
PM 117 – Scientific Methodology (Sem I & II) 1. What is Methodology? 2. Its usefulness. 3. Study: Aim at personal work in study. Dispositions for effective studies.
Conditions for effective studies. 4. Classes or lectures: Their usefulness. Limitations and dangers of classes.
Conditions for effective classes. 5. Scientific work proper: Sources and subsidiary works. Dispositions for
scientific work; taking notes. Examples of scientific works: Term papers, Seminars, Dissertations and Theses. Choice of subjects. Basic tools for scientific work.
6. Introduction to the use of the Library and different arrangements in a Library.
Bibliography:
Albaugh, R. M., Thesis Writing: A Guide to Scholarly Style, Littlefield, Adams and Co., Totowa, N.J. 1968; Alexis, A. J., Methodology for Research: Guide for Writing
Dissertations, Theses and Scientific Papers, Bangalore, 1986; Fr. Dominic of St. Teresa, O.C.D., Methodology of Study and Scientific Work, 2nd ed., Alwaye-3, India, 1965;
Meynet, R., Norme Tipografiche per la Composizione dei Testi con il Computer, Editrice Pontificia Università Gregoriana, Roma, 2000;
PS 200 – Introduction to Scripture (Sem. 1 & II) This is an introductory course in Sacred Scripture; however, it is presumed
that at this stage the Seminarians already have a good knowledge of what the Bible is, with regard to authorship, inspiration, canon, divisions. A quick
revision could be done, but the main thrust will be to introduce them to the various traditions behind the Old Testament writings and to enable them come
to grips with how and when the New Testament was composed and written. 1. The Bible. 2. The Books of the Bible. 3. How to read the Bible. 4. The Bible – the Word of God. 5. The Old Testament analysed (Sources – (L), J, E, P, D, (B, H)). 6. Inspiration. 7. The Biblical Canon. 8. Hermeneutics.
In the second semester, the Seminarians will be introduced specifically to the
Book of the Psalms as the prayer book of God’s people, then and now. The various types of psalms will be studied together with the life situations that
occasioned them. Selected psalms will be read as part of the course. 1. Introduction. 2. Numbering the Psalms. 3. Division of the Psalter. 4. The Psalter – A Prayer Book. 5. Psalm Types. 6. Christ in the Psalms. 7. General Survey of the Psalter. 8. Explanation of selected Psalms.
Bibliography - Main Texts:
Childs, B. S., Introduction to the Old Testament as Scripture, London: SCM Press, 3rd Impr., 1987; Harrington, W. J., Key to the Bible, 3 vols., Makati, Philippines: 1987;
Jaki, S. I., Praying the Psalms (A Commentary), Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2001; Stuhlmueller, C., Psalms, 2 vols., Wilmington,
Delaware: Michael Glazier, Inc., 1983.
Complementary Books: Anderson, A. A., Psalms, 2 Vols., in The New Century Bible-Commentary, Grand
PS 202 – Introduction to Spirituality (Sem I & II) 1. Spirituality: Notion. The nature and importance of Spirituality.
Spirituality and Christianity. Spirituality and Religion. 1. Prayer, Meditation/Mental Prayer: Notion and Origin of Meditation.
Meditation in the Old Testament: Ps. 103; Gen. 24:63; etc. Meditation in the New Testament: Mk. 10; Rom. 8:26; etc. Obstacles beginners may encounter in the practice of meditation or mental prayer.
2. Some Spiritual Masters and Meditation. 3. Some Methods of Meditation: St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Francis of Sales,
St. Sulpice, St. Peter of Alcantara, etc. 4. The Goal of Meditation. 5. The Effects of meditation.
Bibliography:
Bloom, A., Meditations: A Journey Through the Parables, Dimension Books, New Jersey 1972; Bloom, A., Meditations On A Theme, Mowbrays, London, 1973; Merton,
A., Spiritual Direction and Meditation, The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, 1960; Rohrbach, P. T., O.C.D., Conversation with Christ, Geoffrey Chapman, London,
1966; Tilman, K., The Practice of Meditation, Search Press, London, 1977.
PS 204 – The Mystery of Christ (Sem I & II) 1. Introduction: The Mystery of Jesus Christ; different approaches to the
mystery of Christ. 2. The historical Jesus and biblical research. The quest of the historical Jesus;
an emerging consensus within biblical research. 3. Rediscovering the historical Jesus. An historical minimum in the life of
Jesus; the closing stages in the life of Jesus. 4. The resurrection: a survey of the evidence. The Pauline evidence; the
evangelists; what really happened? 5. The mystery of the resurrection: a theological response. The biblical
background to the resurrection; the overall impact of the resurrection experience; different christological responses to the Easter Event.
Bibliography: Galot, J., Who is Christ? A Theology of the Incarnation, Gregorian University Press,
Rome, 1980; Kasper, W., Jesus the Christ, Burns and Oates, London, 1976; Lane, D. A., The Reality of Jesus, An Essay in Christology, Veritas Publications, Dublin, 1975;
John Paul II, Redemptor Hominis, Typis Polyglottis Vaticanis, Roma, 1979; O’Collins, G., Interpreting Jesus, Paulist Press, Ramsey, 1983.
PS 205 – English (Sem I & II) The Basics of Traditional Grammar
a. PARTS OF SPEECH 1. Verbs 2. Nouns 3. The Adjective 3.1. Kinds of Objectives 3.2. Comparison of Adjectives 4. Adverbs 4.1. Kinds of Adverbs 4.2. Comparison of Adverbs 5. Pronouns 5.1. Definition and Identification of pronouns and their antecedents. 5.2. Classification of Pronouns 6. Prepositions 7. Conjunctions 8. Interjections.
b. ENGLISH TENSES
1. Classification of tenses 2. The Continuous Tenses 3. The Perfect Tenses 4. The Perfect Continuous Tenses 5. Other Tenses
c. SENTENCE STRUCTURE
1. The Sentence 2. Classification of Sentences 2.1. Classification by Type 2.2. Classification by Structure
d. Clause Analysis e. Phrases f. Basic Sentence Faults g. Faulty Agreement h. Active/Passive Voice i. Participles j. The Paragraph
Bibliography:
Allen A. Stannard, Living English Structure, Essex: Longman, 1974, Crystal, D., The English Language, London: Penguin, 1988; Etherton, A. R. B., Mastering Modern
English, Essex: Longman, 1986; Greenbaum, S. and Quirk, R., A Student’s Grammar of English Language, Essex: Longman, 1990; Greenbaum, S., An Introduction to
English Grammar, Essex: London, 1991; Hewings, M., Advanced Grammar in Use, Cambridge: CUP, 1999; Hilton, C. and Hyder, M., Punctuation and Grammar,
London: Staples Printers, 1993; Ndongmanji, J. N., Effective Communication in English: A Review of Traditional Grammar and the Problem Areas of Non-native Speakers,
Limbe: Vision Educational Publications, 2005; Palmer, F., Grammar, Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1992; Pryse, B. E., English Without Tears, Glasgow:
Collins, 1984.
PS 206 – French (Sem. I & II) Objectif:
Donner aux séminaristes les moyens de communiquer naturellement dans des situations quotidiennes en relation avec une publique francophone. Leur
fournir des structures de base de la langue française et des exemples de l’utilisation de ces structures dans la vie de tous les jours.
L’accent est mis sur la prononciation, sur les structures de base visant la compréhension d’un passage en français préparant ainsi les séminaristes à une
technique de synthèse si nécessaire aux prêches des sermons. Au niveau peu avancé: les tournures et les connaissances qui permettent aux séminaristes
apprenants une plus grande variété stylistique.
Bibliographie: Mauger, G., Cours de langue et de civilisation françaises: Hachette & Didier;
Guberina, P., et Rivenc, P., Voix et images de France: Hachette & Didier; Bulger, A., French With Ease: Assimil S.A; Whitmarsh, A Simpler French Course: Longman
Group Limited.
PS 207 – Greek (Sem. I & II) The purpose of the New Testament Greek Course is to introduce the
Seminarians to the Greek Language as it is used in the New Testament, with a view to:
1. Mastery of the basic morphology of NT Greek. 2. Command of a fundamental vocabulary.
3. Ability to translate simple exercises from Greek into English and from English into Greek.
4. Facility in reading Greek out loud.
Bibliography:
Wenham J.W., The Elements of New Testament Greek, Cambridge University Press, 1965. Reprinted with corrections, 1993; Aland, K., et al., eds., The Greek New
Testament, 3rd Edition, United Bible Societies, 1975; Swetnam J., An Introduction to the Study of New Testament Greek. Part One: Morphology, Editrice Pontificio Istituto
Biblico, 1992.
PS 208 – Latin (Sem. I & II) Group I
1. The Five Declensions. 2. The Four Conjugations of the Verb: Moods; Tenses; Voices. 3. Deponent and Irregular Verbs; Impersonal Verbs. 4. Adjectives: The two groups. 5. Pronouns: Personal; Relative; Demonstrative. 6. The Comparison of Adjectives and Adverbs. 7. The Ablative Absolute. 8. Indirect Discourse.
Group II 1. The Passive voice. 2. Adverbs. 3. The Gerund. 4. Conjunctions: Quia, quod, quoniam; dum; donec; quoad; antequam,
priusquam. 5. The Subjunctive in various usages. 6. Some Prepositions. 7. The Enclitic. 8. Numerals. 9. Verbs expressing various Dispositions.
Group III The translation of the texts indicated below.
Bibliography:
R. D. Wormald, R. D., Longmans’ Latin Course: Grammar and Exercises, Part 1 & II, New Edition, University Press, Aberdeen, Great Britain, 1964.
Group III Latin Text for Translations: Codex Iuris Canonici, Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Roma, 1983 (Canons on the
Eucharist and the other Sacraments; Aquinas, T., Summa Theologiae, 1, q. 1-10, trans., McDermott, T., Blackfriars, London, 1964.
PS 209 – Calligraphy (Sem. I & II) The aim of the course is corrective: to render legible the handwriting of students whose handwriting poses problems to readers. General principles of
what constitutes good handwriting are given. Particular attention is paid to each student depending on the level of illegibility of the handwriting.
4.2. PHILOSOPHY TWO
PM 103 –Epistemology (Sem. II) 1. Introduction: The Question of the Extent and Reliability of Human
Knowledge. The Question of the Possibility and Method of achieving Truth and Certitude.
2. The Nature and Method of the Critical Problem. Object of the Problem. Method of the Critical Question.
3. Truth and Certitude: The Nature of Truth. States of the Mind with Respect to Truth: Ignorance, Doubt, Suspicion, Opinion, Certitude, Error.
4. Various Doctrines of Certitude and the History of the Critical Problem: Skepticism, Idealism, Sensism, Traditionalism, Dogmatism, Error.
5. The Sources of Certitude: Evidence of the Senses, Evidence of the Mind, Authority.
6. Scientific Certitude and its Acquisition: Science, Method, Induction.
Bibliography: Llano, A., Gnoseology, trans., David L. Sands, Manila: Sinag-Tala Publishers, 2001; Gardeil, H. D., Introduction to the Philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas. IV. Metaphysics,
trans., John A. Otto, London: B. Herder Book Co., 1967; Sanguineti, J. J., Logic and Gnoseology, trans., Myroslaw A. Cizdyn, Bangalore: Theological Publications in
India, 1987; Steenberghen, F. V., Epistemology, trans., Lawrence Moonan, Louvain: Publications Universitaires, 1970.
PM 104 – Ethics (Sem. I & II) 1. The Nature of Ethics: definition, method, scope, division, postulates. Ethics
and other moral sciences. Types of Ethics: absolute, relative, subjective, naturalistic etc.
2. Human Acts and Moral Responsibility. The Human act. Psychological background. Voluntary Acts. Free will and determinism. Levels of willing and not willing. Modifiers of responsibility. Responsibility for the acts of others.
3. Conscience and Moral Goodness. The development of morality. Morality at the level of instinct, custom, and conscience. Comparison of Morality at the level of custom and the level of conscience: Historical development of Conscience. The meaning of Conscience. Kinds of conscience. Theories and formation of conscience. Nature of the Moral Judgement.
Moral Goodness. Ontological, Physical and Moral Good. The problem of defining moral good. Good as end, ought and value. The moral Ideal. The
naturalistic fallacy.
4. Human Act morally considered. Morality. Rules of morals. Moral species. Moral determinants. Situation Ethics.
5. Ethical Theory and Ethical Standards. The development of Ethical theory: Greek, Medieval and Modern Ethics.
Classification of theories of Moral Standards. Ethical Standards. The standard as given by intuition: Types of intuition (individual, general, universal), the Moral Sense School, the theory of
Butler. Pleasure as Standard: Ethical Hedonism Types (Egoistic, Universalistic, Utilitarianism), the theory of J. S. Mill, Psychological Hedonism. Standard as determined by Evolution. Moral Standard as
Perfection. Moral Standard as Value. Situation Ethics: Joseph Fletcher. 6. Law. Freedom and Law. The Law: ‘Meaning. Types (scientific, political,
natural, positive, divine and human). Natural Law: Theory, Knowledge of natural law, Immutability of natural law. The Eternal law. The Moral law as a political law, as law of nature, as a law of reason. I. Kant’s Imperatives (hypothetical, assertorial, categorical).
Freedom and Law. Kinds of freedom. Relationship between law and freedom. Existentialist Ethics.
7. Rights and Duties. Meaning of right. Components of right. Natural rights. Positive view of rights. Right and Might. Duties. Conflict of rights and duties. Human Rights. Duty and virtue. Duty as a moral obligation.
8. Virtue and Vice. Meaning. Habit. Intellectual, Moral and Cardinal Virtues (prudence, temperance, courage, justice). Growth in virtue.
9. Happiness. Ethical. Pessimism. Ethical Optimism. Pursuit of happiness. Eudaemonism.
10. Health and Life (Bioethics). Care of human life. First moments of human life: Normal Conception and Technologically Assisted Conception. Suffering and Illness. Terminal illness, e.g. Cancer, HIV/AIDS, etc. Risk to human life. Suicide, murder, euthanasia, abortion, mutilation, organ transplants, sterilization. Self-defense. Genetic Engineering.
11. Truthfulness. Truth. Lie. Mental restriction. Secrets. Some Structures of Lying and Dis-information in Contemporary World.
12. Society. Types. Common good. Authority in society. Capitalist and Socialist societies.
13. Marriage and Family. Marriage. Types: Monogamy, Polygamy, “Free-Unions”. Separations and Divorces. Family and Marriage Enrichment Movements in Contemporary Society.
14. Sexual Ethics and Love. Human sexuality: Basic notions and Orientations. Love: Definition and Types. Love and Responsible Friendship. Sex as an expression of genuine Love. Ethical issues related with Premarital sex, Extramarital sex, Contraception, Birth control, Prostitution, and various forms of Pornography in Contemporary Society. Movements geared towards the upholding of the dignity of the human person and the value of sex.
15. Property, Ownership. Theft. Distribution of wealth. Private ownership. Property titles: Occupancy, Labour, Gift, Trade, Inheritance, Accession, Prescription.
16. Work. Work and Just Wages. Employment and Unemployment. Strikes. 17. Justice, Peace and War. Theories of justice. Types of justice. Justice and
Peace. Justice and war. Just war theory and its justification. Refugees. 18. Sanctions and Punishments. Types of Sanctions. Justifications for
punishments. Capital punishments and related ethical issues. Ethical problems caused by Economic and related embargoes on whole nations or peoples. The international debt issue as a form of sanctions.
Bibliography:
Bourke, V. G., History of Ethics, 2 vols., Image Books, New York, 1968; Brennan, J. S., Ethics and Morals, Harper and Row Publishers, London, 1973; Composta, D., Moral Philosophy and Social Ethics, Theological Publications in India, Bangalore, 1989; Czerny, M. F., AIDS and the African Church, Pauline Publ. Africa, Nairobi, 2005; Gonsalves, M. A., Fagothey’s Right and Reason, C. V. Mosby Co., St. Louis,
1981; Cosstick, V., et al., AIDS: Meeting the Community Challenge, St. Paul Publications, 1987; Fletcher, J., Situation Ethics, Middlegreem, 1987; Higgins, J. J., Man as Man: The Science and Art of Ethics, The Bruce Publishing Co., Milwaukee, 1958; Lillie, W., An Introduction to Ethics, Methuen and Co., Ltd., London, 1984;
Mackie, J. L., Ethics, Inventing Right and Wrong, Cox & Wyman, Great Britian, 1974; Omorehbe, J. I., Ethics, 2nd Ed., Cepeo Communication Systems Ltd., Lagos, 1989; Orme, J. M., ed., Justice, Peace and Dominicans, Dominican Publications, Dublin, 2001; Rosmini, A., The Philosophy of Rights, Rosmini House, Durham, 1995; Varga
A. C., Main Issues in Bioethics, Rev. Ed., Paulist Press, New York/Ramsey, 1984.
PM 107 – History of Modern Philosophy (Sem. I & II) 1. Rise of Modern Science and new problems for philosophy. Moderns
versus Aristotelians; Bacon, Galileo, Hobbes. 2. Descartes. The right method of reason. Doubt and certainty: The idea of
God. Cartesian dualism: mind and body. Cartesianism and rationalism. Reaction of Pascal.
3. Spinoza. The geometric method. Ethics: adequate ideas and happiness. 4. Leibniz: Logic and metaphysics: truths of reason and turhts of fact;
principle of sufficient reason. Monadology. 5. Locke: The Essay, first statement of empiricist position. Experience, the
source of all ideas: comment of Leibniz. Simple and complex ideas. Special difficulty with the idea of substance.
6. Berkeley: The insight of the Principles. Meaning of Esse est percipi. Immaterialism: critique of Locke, rejection of Newtonian mechanism.
7. Hume: Strict empiricism: impression and ideas. Connections between ideas: the causal connection, foundation of causal reasoning; custom and belief. Mitigated scepticism, religious agnosticism.
8. The Enlightenment: Historical Background: The influence of British empiricism on French thought; Voltaire, the Encyclopaedists.
9. Kant: Background: Leibniz, enlightenment, Hume, Rousseau. The critical problem and the first critique: synthetic a priori propositions, the Copernican revolution, a priori forms of sense and understanding, the ideas of reason, their legitimate and illegitimate uses, phenomena and noumena. The primacy of practical reason: freedom, immortality and God.
10. French revolution and German idealism. Fichte’s transformation of Kant: elimination of the noumenal, primacy and creativity of the ego. Revolution and the sovereignty of reason. Enthusiasms of Schelling, Hölderlin, Hegel.
11. Hegel: Early theological writings: their relevance to his philosophy. Understanding, dialectical and speculative reason. The real and the rational: spirit in process, through nature and history, coming to self consciousness and freedom. Subjective and absolute spirit. Reason in history: readings in the Philosophy of History, Introduction. The dialectic of self-consciousness in history: master-slave relationship.
12. Left-wing Hegelianism: Feuerbach’s critique of Hegel and the idea of God: its influence on Marx and engels.
13. Marx: The early writings: Hegelianism, French socialism, English political economy. Alienation: religious, philosophical, political and economic. Materialist conception of history: forces of production, class consciousness and ideological superstructure. The communist Manifesto: class struggle, proletariat, the communist Party and the revolution. Dictatorship of the proletariat and the classless society. Communism, Neo-Marxism and Christianity.
14. Pragmatism: The importance of Pierce: thought, belief and action, meaning and practice. James the popularizer of pragmatism: the will to believe, the pragmatic theory of truth. The originality of James: psychologist, phenomenologist. Dewey: science, morals and religion.
15. Neo-Hegelianism: Bradley. Reaction of Moore and Russell: beginning of analytical philosophy.
16. Moore: Appeal to common sense; reduction of philosophical problems to ordinary language.
17. Russell: Philosophy as logical analysis. The theory of descriptions: as explained by Russell; illustrated by Ryle in Systematically Misleading expressions.
18. Russell and Wittgenstein: Logical atomism and the Tractatus. 19. Logical positivism: Vienna circle and the Tractatus. Hume’s empiricism
(Mill and Mach) armed with the new logic. The principle of verification: Carnap and Ayer.
Bibliography:
Collins, J., Interpreting Modern Philosophy, Princeton University Press, New Jersey, 1975; Copleston, F., History of Philosophy, Vols. IV-IX, Search Press, Ltd.,
London, 1972; Keaney, K., Modern Movements in European Philosophy, Manchester
University Press, U.K., 1986; Lacey, A, R., Modern Philosophy, Routledge & Kegan Paul, London, 1982; Russell, B., History of Western Philosophy, George allen &
Unwin Ltd., London, 1961; Scott-Kakures, D., et al., History of Philosophy, HarperCollins Publishers Inc. New York, 1993.
PM 111 - Metaphysics (Sem. I) 1. Introduction: Names; Science of Being as Being; History. 2. Being: Notions of; Esse; Actus Essendi; Essence; Analogy. 3. The Structure of Being: Substance and Accidents; The Categories; Act and
Potency; Esse and Essence; The Suppositum; The Person. 4. The Transcendentals: Meaning and Derivation; Unity; Truth; Goodness
(Perfection and Value); Beauty (The Unity of Truth and Goodness). 5. Causality: Experience, Nature, Principle and Critical Justification of
Causality; The Intrinsic Causes: Material and Formal Causes; The Extrinsic Causes: Efficient and Final Causes; Activity; Interrelation of Causes; Principle of Finality.
Bibliography:
Bogliolo, L., Metaphysics, trans., Myroslaw A. Cizdyn, Bangalore: Theological Publications of India, 1985; Coreth, E., Metaphysics, New York: Herder and
Herder, 1967; Gardeil, H. D., Introduction to the Philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas. IV. Metaphysics, trans., John A. Otto, London: B. Herder Book Co., 1967;
Steenberghen, F. V., Ontology, trans., Lawrence Moonan, Louvain: Publications Universitaires, 1970; Reith, H., The Metaphysics of St. Thomas Aquinas,
Milwaukee: The Bruce Publishing Company, 1958; Tomas Alvira et al., Metaphysics, trans., Luis Supan, Manila: Sinag – Tala Publishers, Inc., 1991.
PM 113 – Philosophical Anthropology (Sem. II) 1. Introduction: Stating the question; methodology and prominent moments
in the History of Philosophical Anthropology. 2. Life: Mechanism and Evolution.
Vitalism and Evaluation. Origin Scientific Information and Philosophical Deepening of the
Phenomenon of life. 3. Knowledge: Sensitive Knowledge.
External and Internal senses. Intellectual knowledge.
Origin, Abstraction, Properties. 4. Freedom: Status Quaestionis, History, Existence.
Nature, Limits and Principal solutions.
5. The Human Soul: Nature, Origin and Destiny, Relation with the Body. Functions of the body.
6. The Human Person: Uniqueness, Ontological Global and Psychological Concepts, Absolute Value of the Person.
7. Survival After Death: Importance of Argument; Drama of Death; Principal Theories of Immortality.
8. Evolution: Scientific and Philosophic Aspects.
Bibliography: Azar, L., Man: Computer, Ape and Angel?, Hanover, 1989; Armstrong, A. H., The
Cambridge History of Greek and Early Medieval Philosophy, Cambridge, 1967; Brown, P., The World of Late Antiquity, London, 1971; Donceel, J. F., Philosophical
Anthropology, New York, 1967; Groethuysen, B., Anthropologie philosophique, Paris, 1987; Hadot, P., Plotin ou la simplicité du regard, Paris, 1987; Holte, R., Béatitude et
Sagesse: S. Augustin et le problème de la fin de l’homme, Paris, 1962; Long, A., & Sedley, D., (eds.), The Hellenistic Philosophers, 2 vols., Cambridge, 1987; Maurer, A.
A., Medieval Philosophy, Toronto, 1982; Mondin, B., Philosophical Anthropology, Rome, 1985; Reesor, M., The Nature of Man in Early Stoic Philosophy, London, 1989.
PM 115 – Political Philosophy (Sem. II) 1. Introduction to Political Philosophy.
2. From Political Philosophy to Political Science. 3. Political Philosophy in the History of Philosophy.
4. The State and the Government. 4.1. The State and the Nation. 4.2. The Government. 4.3. The Common Good. 4.4. The Law.
4.4.1. Natural Law and Civil law. 4.4.2. Natural rights.
Bibliography:
Ake, C., Political Economy of Africa, Longman, 1981; Alfred A. Knopf, The Political System: An Inquiry into the State of Political Science, Easton D., 1971; Aristotle, The
Politics of Aristotle or A Treatise on Government, J.H. Den L and Sons, 1952; Bakker, E., ed., The Politics of Aristotle, Oxford University Press, 1962; Coleman, F.,
Nigeria: Background to Nationalism, University of California Press, 1972; Copleston, F., Medieval Philosophy, Harper Torch Books, 1961; Fester, N. B., Masters of Political Thought, Vol. I, Plato to Machiavelli, C. Harrag, 1971; Quinton A., Political Philosophy,
Oxford University Press, 1977; Morall, J. P., Political Thought in Medieval Times, New York, 1958; Riondan P., A Politics of the Common Good, Institute of Public
Administration, Dublin, 1996;
PM 102 – Cosmology (Sem. I) A. Philosophy of Nature.
1. Notion 2. Subject 3. Procedure
B. Matter and Form. 1. Change 2. Kinds 3. Matter 4. Form 5. Privation 6. Final Cause, Nature. 7. Principles and Causes.
C. Nature. 1. Notion 2. Matter as Nature 3. Form as Nature 4. Nature and End 5. Chance 6. Violence 7. Mathematics 8. Demonstrations 9. Properties
D. Motion. 1. Notion 2. Kinds 3. Local Notion 4. Alteration 5. Argumentation 6. Action and Passion 7. Continuum
8. Infinity E. Place and Time.
1. Measures 2. Place 3. Space 4. Time 5. The Instant 6. Individuation
F. The First Unmoved Mover. 1. The Problem 2. Motor Causality Principle 3. Conditions for Motions 4. Existence of the First Cause 5. Its Nature 6. Prelude and Metaphysics.
Bibliography:
Collingwood, R.G., The Idea of Nature, Oxford University Press, London, 1976; Duhem, P., Medieval Cosmology, Aview, R., ed., & trans., University of Chicago
Press, Chicago, 1985; Glenn, P. J., Cosmology, B. Herder Book Co., London, 1957; Jaki, S. L., Science and Creation, Scottish Academic Press, Edinburgh, 1986;
Whitehead, A. N., Process and Reality: An Essay in Cosmology, Harper Torchbooks, New York, 1960; Whitehead, A. N., The Concept of Nature, University of Michigan
Press, USA, 1957.
PM 120 – Ethics Seminar (Sem. II) Aim: To practise how to go about scientific research on specific ethical issues and to present the findings in ways that are intelligible and understandable, using all
the tools learnt in methodology. Method of Work:
a. Searching for a Searching for a good and topical ethical issue, guided by the programme of studies for Ethics. (Cf. PM. 104 – Ethics).
b. Open discussion of the topic in class and approval as a workable topic.
c. Research and writing of the paper, paying particular attention to the rules of scientific methodology, use of sources, arguments for and against, etc.
d. Handing in of paper to the professor and presentation in class again with particular attention paid to good public speaking, logical presentation and intelligent answering of questions from the class.
PM 122 – Metaphysics Seminar (Sem. I) The general orientation of the Seminar in Metaphysics is at once historical and
systematic. The central thrust is to see the contribution of some important names
in the history of philosophy, to the understanding of what metaphysics is, and also to deepen knowledge of the most important metaphysical concepts. The
seminar is also the first paper the student writes after completing the course on Scientific Methodology. It serves as a test of how far the student has mastered
the rules and how he applies them practically in the course of research on a topic assigned to him by the subject master. He works alone or as one of a pair.
Depending on how many students there are in the class, of the total time allotted, a third of it is dedicated to a summary of the paper. During the rest of time, to
show how much he has mastered his material, he takes questions from his fellows.
PS 201 – History of Israel (Sem. I & II) The Purpose of this course is to bring the Seminarians to terms with the history of Israel. The course concentrates on the formative period of Israel, starting with the patriarchs, going through the sojourn in Egypt to the exodus and conquest. Particular attention will be paid to the plague narratives and to the Covenant at Sinai by which Israel became “a people”. Once the people settle in the land of
promise, special attention will be given to the institution of kingship and to both the external and internal conflicts that plagued the nation. The appropriate
scriptural texts will be read and explained as part of the course. Course Outline:
Introduction: The Purpose of the Course and its Extent 1. The Book of Genesis; Prehistory: Genesis 1-11
1. The Formative Period of Israel: The Patriarchs: Genesis 12-50; Abraham: The move from Ur of the Chaldeans to Haran; The Call of Abraham: the promises of progeny and of land; The first sojourn in Egypt (and the sojourn in Gerar); The Abraham’s relationship with Lot.
2. Isaac: The son of the promise: The purchase of Machpelah; Isaac’s Marriage 3. Jacob and Esau: Jacob’s relationship with Esau; Jacob’s relationship with
Laban. 4. The sons of Jacob (Israel): The prominence of Joseph. 5. The great famine: Israel goes to Egypt. 6. The Books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers: What became of Israel in Egypt?
Moses; The God of the Ancestors: Divine intervention; The Plague Narratives; The journey through the desert; The Covenant at Sinai: Israel becomes a People; The Decalogue and the Book of the Covenant.
7. At the Threshold of the Land of Promise: Canaan Reconnoitred; The Book of Deuteronomy: Moses’ farewell and the induction of Joshua.
8. Joshua and the Great Conquest: The Book of Joshua; The Assembly at Schechem: Review and Renewal of the Covenant.
9. Yahweh continues to guide and lead his people: The Books of Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel 1-7; Special attention to Samuel, the prophet of Yahweh.
10. The Institution of the Monarchy: 1 Samuel 8-31, 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings; The rise and fall of Saul; The people prefer David; David, King of Judah and of
Israel; The place of Nathan, the prophet of Yahweh: David’s sin; David’s relationship with his son Absalom; Davidic Succession: David’s nomination of Solomon.
11. Solomon’s Reign. 12. External and Internal Conflicts: Political and Religious Schism after
Solomon. 13. The Role of Elijah, the Prophet of Yahweh.
Recommended Books:
Bright, J., A History of Israel. London, SCM Press, Ltd., 1982; Burns, R. J., Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Excuses on Feasts/Ritual and Typology, in Old Testament Message,
Vol. 3. Wilmington, Delaware, Michael Glazier, Inc., 1983; Magnante, A., (I.M.C.), The Message of Exodus. Nairobi, 1987; Whybray R. N., Introduction to the
Pentateuch. Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1995.
Complementary Books: Aharoni, Y., The Land of the Bible. A Historical Geography. London:
Burns & Oates, 2nd, Revised ad., 1979; Van Oostrom, E., (WF), The Message of the Old Testament. Nairobi: St Paul Publications – Africa, 1990.
PS 202 – Introduction to Spirituality (Sem. I & II) 1. Introduction to Spiritual Direction. What is involved in Spiritual
Direction. 2. Spiritual Direction in the life of the Church from early times as taught by
some of the Fathers and Spiritual writers. (Cassian… 4th cent) Francis de Sales (17th Century) …Leo XIII ….19th Century, etc.)
3. The Object of Spiritual Direction and need for cooperation between the director and the directed.
4. The application of spiritual direction in the light of different temperaments and environments, vocations, etc.
5. Duties and Obligations of the Spiritual Director. Certain dangers such as deceit in the process of spiritual direction.
6. Spiritual Direction and the sacrament of reconciliation. Brief history of the practice of confession and spiritual direction in the life of the Church. Revision of the rite of penance in the light of the Second Vatican Council.
7. The nature of the Christian Life. Jesus as the centre of the Christian Life. Spirituality of the diocesan priest in the light of the Pastoral Guide for Diocesan Priests.
Bibliography:
Aumann, J., Spiritual Theology, Sheed and Ward, London, 1979; Laplace, J., The Direction of Conscience, Geoffrey Chapman, London, 1967; Leech, K., Soul Friend. A Study of Spirituality, Sheldom Press, London. 1982; Merton, T., Spiritual Direction
and Meditation, The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, 1960; Pastoral Guide for Diocesan
Priests in the Churches Dependent on the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. Vatican Press, Rome, 1990.
PS 206 - French (Sem I & II) (See Philosophy One)
PS 207 – Greek (Sem. 1 & II) (See Philosophy One)
PS 208 - Latin (Sem I & II) (See Philosophy One)
PS 209 - Calligraphy (Sem I & II) (See Philosophy One)
4.3. PHILOSOPHY THREE
PM 100 –African Philosophy (Sem. II)
1. Introduction: The Problematic of African Philosophy. What is African Philosophy? The African origins of Greek Philosophy. How not to compare African Thought and Western Thought. Philosophy and Post-Colonial Africa.
2. Human Nature and Ethics: The Relation of Soul and Body. The Perspective of an African World-view. The Social Nature of the Self; The individual, the Community and the Moral Order; The Concept of a Good man. Moral-systems and the Value of Human Life.
3. On Knowledge and Science: “Divination”: A Way of Knowing? The Problem of Knowledge in “Divination”. The Concept of Truth: A Perspective in an African Culture.
4. Philosophy of Religion: God, Father and the Nature of Knowledge. African Concepts of evil: an Understanding in a Particular Cosmology.
5. Political Philosophy: Consciencism. Traditions in African/American Thought.
6. Contemporary Moslem Philosophers in North Africa.
Bibliography: Bodunrin, P. O., ed., Philosophy in Africa: Trends and Perspectives, University of Ife Press, 1985; Chukwudi, E. E., African Philosophy: An Anthology, Blackwell, 1998;
Gbadegesin, S., African Philosophy, Peter Lang Publications, 1992; Gyekye, K., An
Essay in African Philosophical Thought, Temple University Press, 1995; Momoh, C. S., ed., Substance of African Philosophy, African Philosophical Projects Publications,
1989; Peek, P. M., African Divination Systems, Indiana University Press, 1991; . Ruch, E. A., et al., African Philosophy, Catholic Book Agency, Rome, 1981;
Westphal, A. Fred, The Activity of Philosophy, Prentice-Hall, INC., 1969; Wiredu, K., Philosophy and an African Culture, Cambridge University Press, 1980.
PM 101 – African Traditional Religion (Sem. I) Introduction to the Study of ATR.
1. Mediation in ATR. 2. Worship in ATR. 3. The Spirituality of ATR. 4. Cross-cultural influences in the modern African perception of God in
African Traditional thought and practices. 5. Influences of ATR and Culture on modern Christianity. 6. Ethics: ATR and Morality. 7. Role of Women in ATR. 8. Lasting values of ATR for a modern nation-building. 9. Critique (evaluation) of ATR from the Christian perspective. 10. Christian Pastoral Approach to the Mystical Forces of ATR. 11. Perspectives of the future of ATR: Interaction between ATR and other
Religions, and the forces of modern change.
Bibliography: Bujo B., African Chrisian Morality at the Age of Inculturation, St. Paul Publications -
Africa, Nairobi, 1990; Gehman R. J., African Traditional Religion in Biblical Perspective, 3rd ed., East African Educ. Publ. Ltd., Nairobi, 1993; Mbiti J. S.,
Introduction to African Traditional Religions, Heinmann, London, 1977; Ndiokwere N. I., The African Church, Today and Tomorrow, Vol. I, Effective Key Publ. Ltd., Onitsha-Nigeria, 1994; Nyamiti, C., Christ as Our Ancestor, Christology from an
African Prespective, Mambo Press, 1984; Parrinder, G., African Traditional Religion, S.P.C.K, London, 1962; Shorter A., Waliggo J. M., et. al., Towards African Christian
Maturity, St. Paul Publ. Africa, Nairobi, 1987.
PM 108 – History of Contemporary Philosophy (Sem. I) A. Life, Idea and Spirit.
1. Contemporary Philosophy. 2. Life Philosophies. 3. Idealism: Bradley, Royce, Personalism: Croce, Actualism: Gentile. 4. Philosophy of Spirit: Blondel.
B. American Philosophy. 1. Pragmatism: Peirce, James. 2. Naturalism: Satayana, Dewey.
3. Process Philosophy: Whitehead. 4. Hartshorne and Realism.
C. Logic and Analysis. 1. Logical Positivism: Ayer. 2. Analytical Philosophy: Moore, Russell. 3. Linguistic Analysis: Wittgenstein. 4. Religious and Ethical Language, Metaethics.
Camus, Bultmann, Tillich. E. Recent French and German Philosophy.
9. French Philosophy: Levi-Strauss, Ricoeur. 10. German Philosophy: Gadamer. 11. Catholic Existentialists.
F. Thomism: Existential and Transcendental. 1. Thomistic Rivival: Maritain, Gilson. 2. Transcendental Thomism: Marechal, Lonergan.
G. Structuralism. Marx, Freud, de Saissure, Foucault, Lacan.
H. After Structuralism. Lévinas, Derrida, and Lyotard.
Bibliography:
Blackham, H. J., Existentialist Thinkers, Routledge and Kegan Paul, London, 1961; Copleston, F., Contemporary Philosophy, Search Press Ltd., London, 1972;
Delftgaauw, B., Twentieth Century Philosophy, trans., Smith, N.D., Magi Books, Inc., New York, 1969; Dondeyne, A., Contemporary European Thought and Christian Faith, trans., McMullin, E., and Burnheim, J., Duquesnes University, Pittsburgh, 1958; Kearney, R., Dialogues with Contemporary Continental Thinkers, Manchester
University Press, Manchester, 1984.
PM 119 – Theodicy (Sem. I) 1. Introduction: Nature of theodicy: theology and theodicy; method of
theodicy. 2. The Existence of God: Notable theories on the theological question.
Demonstrability of God’s existence. Proofs of the existence of God: metaphysical proof, moral proof; historical proof.
3. The Nature of God: Essence and nature. The essence of God. The attributes of God. Absolute divine attributes. Relative divine attributes.
4. The Activity of God: Operations of God. Immanent divine operations: Divine Knowledge and Will. Transient divine operations: creation, conservation, concurrence, governing of the world.
5. God and the world. Distinction of God and the world: pantheism, immanence and transcendence, God as a personal being. Creation, notion of creation, objections against creation. The conservation of the world. Divine Concurrence in Human Acts. Providence: notion of providence, the problem of evil.
Bibliography:
Anderson, J. F., Natural Theology, The Bruce Publishing Co., Milwaukee, 1961; Bogliolo, L., Rational Theology, trans., Cizdyn, M. A., Theological Publications Inc.,
Bangalore, 1987; Gilson, E., God and Philosophy, Yale University Press, U. S. A., 1964; Glenn, P. J., Theodicy, B. Herder Book Co., London, 1962; Phillips, R. P.,
Modern Thomistic Philosophy, Vol. II, Metaphysics, The Newman Press, Westminster (Maryland), 1962.
PM 112 – Modern Psychology (Sem. II)
1. What is Psychology 2. Methods of Study. 3. Schools of Psychology. 4. Individual differences. 5. Heredity. 6. Intelligence. 7. Aptitude: Its nature and origins. 8. Frustration and conflict – consequences. 9. Motivation. 10. Life goals; incentives and effort. 11. Interests and Attitudes. 12. Personality. 13. Learning.
Bibliography:
Allport, G.W., Pattern and Growth in Personality, New York, 1961; Cleman, F. C., Personality, Dynamics and Effective Behaviour, Chicago, 1960; Feldman, R.S.,
Essentials of Understanding Psychology, (4th ed.) London, 2000; Gross, R., Psychology, (3rd ed), U.K., 1996; Hilgard, E. R., et al., Introduction to Psychology, Oxford, 1975;
Maslow, A. H., Motivation and Personality, Abraham & H. Maslow, 1970; Santrock, F.W., Psychology, (6th ed.) London, 2000.
PM 114 – Philosophy of Religion (Sem. I) 1. Introduction. What is the Philosophy of Religion? 2. Arguments For the Existence of God. Ontological Argument; Cosmological
Argument; Argument from Design; Moral Argument. 3. Arguments Against the Existence of God. Sociological Atheism; The
Freudian Theory of Religion; Scientific Atheism.
4. God and Evil. Stating the Problem; Some Responses (Augustinian, Irenaean and Process Theodicy).
5. Experience and God. Revelation and Faith; Evidentialism; Foundationalism and Rational Belief.
6. Verification and Falsification. 7. Problems and Religious Language. The Peculiarity of Religious Language;
St. Thomas Aquinas and Analogy; Paul Tillich; R. B. Braithwaite; The Language Game Theory.
8. The Conflicting Truth Claims of Different Religions. 9. Life After Death. Immortality; Resurrection; Karma; Reincarnation.
Bibliography: Abraham, W. J., An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion, New
Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1985; Churchill, J., et al., eds., An Introductory Reader in the Philosophy of Religion, London: SPCK, 1979; Copleston, F. C., Religion and
Philosophy, Dublin: Gill and Macmillan, 1974; Corner, M., Does God Exist? Bristol: The Bristol Press, 1991; Davies, B., An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion,
Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1990; Hick, J. H., An Interpretation of Religion, London: Macmillan Press, 1989; Hick, J. H., Philosophy of Religion, New Jersey:
Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1990.
PM 116 – Science and Religion (Sem. II) The objectives of this course are:
- To offer a simple but clear explanation of the latest scientific discoveries on the contents below.
- To understand the correct Biblical meaning of the story of Creation.
- To overcome the idea that considers science and faith as opposed. - To stir up a sense of wonder at the beauty of creation. - To be open-minded and respectful of the scientific
method.
CONTENTS 1. Definition of terms and characteristics: Science. Religion. Characteristics of
Science. Characteristics of Religion. 2. The relationship between Science and Religion. From the Church’s point
of view. From the scientists point of view. 3. The goals of Science and Religion. 4. The effects of Science and Religion on man. 5. Scientific language and religious language. The dawn of the mankind.
Bibliography:
Abrecht, P., et al (eds)., Faith, Science and the Future, Geneva, 1978; Barbour, G. T., Religion in an Age of Science, U.S.A., 1990; Birch, C., et al (eds) Faith, Science and the Future, Cambridge, 1979; Coulson, C.A., Science and Christian Belief, Oxford, 1955;
Flannery, A., ed., Vatican Council II, Vol. II, Collegeville, 1975; Glenn, P. T., An Introduction to Philosophy, London, 1966; Hooy Kass, R., Religion and the Rise of Modern Science, London, 1972; John Paul II, On Science and Religion, Vatican
Observatory Publications, 1990; Omoregbe, A., A Philosophical Look at Religion, Ikeja, 1993; Polkinghorne, F., Scientists as Theologians, Great Britain, 1996;
Whitehead, A., Science and the Modern World, New York, 1926; Wallace, F., The Death of Evolution, Illinois, 2000; Hodgson, P., The Death of Evolution, London, 2002.
PM 118 – Social Anthropology (Sem. I)
1. Introduction to the Subject. Evolution – History over the ages. Why Anthropology?
2. Development of the History continued. Aims of Social Anthropology. 3. Further Development Branches: England – Social Anthropology. America –
Cultural Anthropology. 4. Continent – Germany and France: Ethnology. 5. Methods of Social Anthropology. Ethnology. Categories of Social
Understanding. 6. Philosophy and Anthropology. Phenomenology. 7. Anthropology and the natural sciences. 8. Understanding “human nature”. Inheritance (Biology and social sciences). 9. Social Psychology. 10. Personality – basic culture and personality. 11. Development of human anthropology, ethnography and sociology. 12. Cultural teaching. 13. Language and Values: Norms. 14. The Problem of stability and change in African culture.
Bibliography:
Conrad Philip Kottak, Cultural Anthropology, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1991; Evans – Pritchard, E. E., Social Anthropology, Routledge and Kegan Paul, London, 1972; Max Gluckman, Custom and Conflict in Africa, Basil Blackwell, Oxford, 1970;
Nadel, S. F., The Foundations of Social Anthropology, Lowe and Brydone, London, 1969; Paul Nchoji Nkwi, ed., The Anthropology of Africa: Challenges for the 21st
Century, Wenner-Gren Foundation, New York, 2000; Radcliffe – Brown, A. R., Structure and Function of Primitive Society, Cohen and West, London, 1968;
Radcliffe – Brown, A. R., & Forde Daryll, eds., African Kinship and Marriage, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1970; Talcot Parson et al., eds., Theories of Society,
The Free Press, New York, 1965;
PM 122 – History of Contemporary Philosophy Seminar (Sem. I) The aim of the seminar is to have an approximate evaluation of the personal
work of each student paying attention to his ability to research and
argumentation. The topics vary and are chosen within the programme of Contemporary Philosophy which is given to the students within the semester.
Most of the topics are chosen for the student by the professor while the rest are chosen by the students themselves who work in groups of two and three
depending on the numbers in the class. Each group is given 45 minutes during which it presents the material researched and then takes questions from the
audience. The professor evaluates each presentation at the end, correcting what was not well understood. Marks are awarded following the clarity of
presentation, comprehension of the material, observation of the rules of methodology during research and the contents.
PS 203 – Scripture (Sem I & II)
The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church and St. Mark’s Gospel The purpose of this course is to enable the Seminarians become aware of
the way the Catholic Church interprets the Bible. They will be introduced to the history of interpretation and care will be taken to bring them up to date with
regard to the great encyclicals, “Providentissimus Deus” and “Divino Afflante Spiritu”. They should also look into the Vatican II document “Dei Verbum”.
They will gradually be introduced to the various methods and approaches for interpretation, the hermeneutical questions, the characteristics of Catholic
interpretation and the interpretation of the Bible in the Life of the Church. At the end of the course, they should be ready to test some of the principles learnt in a
close study of the Gospel according to Mark, in the second semester. Course Outline:
Introduction: A brief history of interpretation and its importance for the study of Sacred Scripture – Papal and Conciliar Documents: “Providentissimus Deus”;
“Divino Aflante Spiritu”; “Dei Verbum”. 1. A close study of the 1993 document of the Pontifical Biblical Commission:
The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church. 2. Methods and Approaches for Interpretation.The importance of the
Historical-Critical Method. 3. New Methods of Literary Analysis: Rhetorical Analysis. Narrative
Analysis. Semiotic Analysis. 4. Approaches based on Tradition: The Canon of the Bible: The Canonical
Approach. The Role of Jewish Interpretation in serving Christian Interpretation. The History of the Influence of the Text.
5. Approaches that use the Human Sciences: The Sociological Approach. The Importance of Cultural Anthropology. Psychological and Psychoanalytical Approaches.
6. Insight to Approaches from Modern Day Contexts. A Look at Liberation Theology: What is the stand of the Church? A Look at Feminism and its Approach to the Bible: The position of the Church.
7. The Meaning of Inspired Scripture: The Various Senses of Scripture. 8. Some Basic Characteristics of Catholic Interpretation: The Bible in the Life
of the Church: Liturgy; Lectio Divina; Pastoral Ministry; Ecumenism.
Recommended Book:
Document of the Pontifical Biblical Commission, The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church. Vatican: L.E.V. 1993.
Complementary Books:
Bruce M. Metzger, The Text of the New Testament. Its Transmission, Corruption And Restoration. 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press, reprinted, 1985; Ernst
Würthwein, The Text of the Old Testament. An Introduction to the Biblia Hebraica. Trans., Erroll F. Rhodes. London: SCM Press Ltd., 1979; Vincent Taylor, The
Gospel According to St. Mark 2nd Ed., London: MacMillan Press LTD., 1984.
PS 205 – English (Sem I & II) (See Philosophy One)
PS 206 – French (Sem. I & II) (See Philosophy One)
PS 208 – Latin (Sem. I & II) (See Philosophy One)
PS 209 – Calligraphy (Sem. I & II) (See Philosophy One)
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