Self and Other Course Pairing

Theology Matters (TH 201)

This course explores the basic story of Christianity as told in scripture and the various ways that Christians have lived out this story across the centuries. The course examines how the Christian story influences life today, and how life today influences our telling of that story. Students of any and all religious locations will explore questions at the heart of the human story: Who is God? What is evil? Why is there suffering? What is justice in the Christian tradition? Christian theologians have wrestled with these questions for two millennia. The course will expose you to their responses, but more importantly will challenge you to consider your own position. Throughout the course you will be considering how your responses to these, and other, questions influence your conception "the good life" and the virtues needed to achieve human flourishing.

Faculty biography

Fr. Steven Spahn, S.J.  - Bio Coming soon!

The Art of Reading (EN 101)

For centuries, literary heroes have reflected the morals and values of the cultures that created them. This course exposes students to various types of literary heroes, each with their own characteristics, in fiction. From these examples, students develop their own ideas of what it means to be a hero and apply it to local, national, and international auto/biographical literature as well as their own lives.

Faculty biography

Dr. Brett Butler received his Ph.D. from Morgan State University, researching gender discourse in mid-20th century American literature. Prior to his career as an educator, he was a professional biographer, boxing journalist, and technical writer. He became a part of Loyola University's teaching community in 2020.

Mentor biography

Patrick Durkin is Associate Director of Event Services. A Loyola graduate from the class of 2001, Patrick has been working Full Time at the University in the Event Services department since the Fall of 2001. He is originally from Buffalo, NY (Go Sabres!) where he graduated from Canisius High School. He spends as much time as he can with his two daughters, who are already looking forward to being part of Loyola's Classes of 2031 and 2034!

Virtual Advisor

Both courses in this pairing satisfy core requirements (Literature and Theology) for all students.