Self and Other Course Pairing
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.
Ignatius and the Jesuits: History and Spirituality (TH 216)
A theological and historical investigation of the Society of Jesus, arguably the most influential order in the history of the Catholic Church. From the religious conversion of Saint Ignatius Loyola in Renaissance Spain to the state of the Jesuit order in contemporary America, this course endeavors to clarify and interpret the intellectual, spiritual, and pedagogical vision of Ignatius and his followers. The survey includes an examination of the Spiritual Exercises; a study of the evolution of the Society’s structure and mission from the first Jesuits to the present; analyses of diverse Jesuit writings over the centuries; a survey of the dazzling triumphs and nefarious intrigues imputed to the Society, and an overview of sundry ‘jesuitical’ observations on issues facing Catholics at the end of the twentieth century.
Faculty biography
Fr. Steven Spahn, S.J. - Fr. Stephen Spahn, S.J. was born in Denver Colorado, the youngest of 10 children. He graduated from Georgetown University where he met the Jesuits, entering the Maryland Province in August of 1993. He holds Masters degrees in International Politics and Philosophy from Georgetown and Fordham Universities respectively and the MDiv., ThM and STL degrees from Boston College. Ordained a priest in June of 2014, Fr. Spahn has served as Province Vocation Promoter, Parochial Vicar at Georgetown’s Holy Trinity and Baltimore’s St. Ignatius Parishes and Director of Ignatian Programs at Georgetown University. He presently serves as an Affiliate Faculty member in Loyola University Maryland’s Theology Department and the Associate Director of its Office of Mission Integration.
Mentor biography
Patrick Murnane is a proud Maryland native and an avid baseball fan who co-runs his own baseball podcast. He works in the Messina office as their Assistant Director. He graduated from Salisbury University with a degree in History and then earned his Master's in History at Rowan University in New Jersey. When not at work or at a baseball stadium, Patrick loves to spend time with dog, Griffey.
Virtual Advisor
Both courses in this pairing satisfy core requirements (Literature and an 200-level Theology) for all students. Students will be preregistered for TH 201 - Theology Matters in their fall semester as it is a prerequisite of TH 216.
