TMHC 7166 Popes and the Papacy: From Peter to the Present

A survey course on the papacy from St Peter to Francis I with attention to spiritual, theological, and institutional contexts. We will explore issues such as papal primacy, ground-breaking teachings and councils, influential women, controversies including the crusades, Protestant Reformation, church expansion in the global South, infallibility, the Holocaust, racial and social justice concerns, the role of the laity, womens ministries, and gender topics. Papal relations with the Jesuits receive special attention. Lectures with regular opportunities to discuss primary source readings and their relevance today.

Course overview

Department
Theology and Ministry
School
STM
Credits
3
Level
Graduate
Offered
Periodically

Course evaluations

Response-weighted averages from Boston College’s official course evaluations (Avalanche/Blue).

Course rating
5.00 / 5 · Excellent
6 responses
Instructor rating
5.00 / 5 · Excellent
6 responses
Terms evaluated
1
Most recent: Fall 2022

Scales: overall ratings run from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent); agreement questions from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree).

Evaluations by term and instructor
TermInstructorCourse overallInstructor overallWell organizedClear learning objectivesIntellectually challengingHelpful assignmentsApplicable beyond courseAttendance necessaryResponses
Fall 2022Catherine Mooney5.05.05.04.85.04.74.74.86 of 7

Data freshness

Course and evaluation data last updated 2026-10-09. Source details and limitations are documented in Data Sources and Methodology.

Instructors