Welcome to PCS 701: Marriage, Sexuality and Just Love

This course provides an overview of the development of the sacrament of marriage, and presents Christian sexual ethics within a just-love framework. It integrates theological reflection, spirituality and ministerial experience in order to support pastoral leaders in developing contemporary marriage rituals for their Christian communities that reflect the heart of their call to live the Gospel as mystics, prophets and sacramental celebrators of life.

Principal Texts

Margaret Farley (2008) Just Love: A Framework for Christian Sexual Ethics. New York, NY: The Continuum International Publishing Group Inc. (Purchase)

Pope Francis (2015) The Joy of Love: On Love in the Family (Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia). New York, NY: Paulist Press. (In PDF on google drive)

Course Format

This course is offered as an independent study or in a cohort model. Cohorts use a blog format (www.blogger.com) to foster an interactive learning community. Students post assignments every two weeks over a period of 12 weeks and are encouraged to comment on each other’s posts. They are also invited to participate in bi-weekly, 1-hour conference calls with the facilitator and other course participants in order to share and to expand learning. Dates to be announced.

Assignments

Students complete six, 1-2 page, single-spaced reflections. In each reflection include the following: theological dimensions with scripture references (where appropriate), experiential wisdom and pastoral application related to past, present and/or future ministries. Feel free to incorporate creative expression in your responses i.e. visual art, film, poetry, dance, music. Whenever possible, reference your ideas, especially direct quotes using your preferred method of citation (e.g., MLA, APA, Chicago) as well as scripture citations (e.g., John 4:1-12 or when chapter has been previously cited v. 13, vv. 16-19).

Barbara Billey, M.Ed., M.A. (Counseling), D.Min. is the course facilitator for this on-line course. She is available to you throughout the course through email at peoplescatholicseminary@gmail.com

For more information, visit our Faculty page.

Interested in taking this course, please fill out the “Contact Us” form below and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Course Cost: $100

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