Teaching

As an Instructor of Record at the University of Notre Dame, I taught a course entitled "Foundations of Theology." This course provides an introduction to theology as the rational discussion (logos) about God (theos). The course begins with the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), continues through the New Testament, and concludes with the early church. Each division of the course comprises approximately one-third of the syllabus, structured in two-day blocks of single-topic learning with a third day devoted to group discussion. While students are introduced to both historical-contextual criticism and rigorous hermeneutical questioning techniques, they are also asked to engage in diachronic thinking on relevant thematic issues for their daily lives. Please see a copy of my syllabus below.

Previously, I was a Teaching Assistant in a mixed undergraduate/master's seminar on ecotheology entitled "Theology for a Fragile Earth." This course brought Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’ into dialogue with other ecologically concerned Christian texts. I took the picture at the header of this page during an October class trip to Warren Woods, Michigan, which is one of the few remaining virgin forests in the North Eastern United States. Theologian and ecologist Fr. Terry Ehrman, C.S.C., guided the class as they learned about the variety of plant species in the region and the broader human impact on creation. This trip was followed two weeks later by a presentation on cosmology and climate change, given in Notre Dame's Digital Visualization Theater by former NASA spokesperson, Dr. Phil Sakimoto. The resources used to differentiate teaching methods, integrate learning styles and concepts, and generate novelty in student outcomes, broadened my pedagogical approach to the dialogue between theology and science in (and out of) the classroom.

While this site is currently a work-in-progress, I will soon include sample syllabi, sample assignments, my teaching philosophy statement, and my statement on diversity and inclusion. Please check back for these in the near future!

Sample Syllabi

Foundations of Theology

This course provides students with a broad set of skills for future theological work, including the ability to:

  1. Identify principal biblical figures, summarize major biblical narratives, and locate biblical geographies
  2. Use key theological terminology appropriately in academic and personal writing and speech
  3. Articulate sophisticated readings and interpretations of biblical texts, differentiating between exegesis and eisegesis.
  4. Explain the foundations of the tenets of the Christian faith, as found in the Apostle’s creed.
  5. Apply thematic concepts from the foundations of Christian faith to discussions about present day social and ecological concerns.

Thematically, I've chosen Micah 6:8 as the thread that weaves consistently through the course, highlighting the themes of justice, mercy, and humility in the human-divine relationship. This particular text is read during the introduction to justice and the prophets in the Hebrew Bible section, and helps to generate discussion on sacrifice, identity, hypocrisy, and social structure within context. Additionally, it serves as a point of comparison and dialogue for similar passages on justice and mercy in the New Testament and during the formation of the early church. Likewise, these themes feed into the theological analyses of our contemporary context.


M.Marvin - Foundations Syllabus 2018.pdf

Theological Anthropology

Course description and documents coming soon.

Theological Anthropology Syllabus.pdf

Ecotheology

Course description and documents coming soon.

Theology and Science

Course description and documents coming soon.