Sr. Marianne Farina, C.S.C.
Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Theology
Office phone: (510) 883-2081
E-mail:
A.A.S., Art History, Rockland County Community College; B.F.A., Graphic Arts and Communication, Parsons School of Design/New School for Social Research University; M.A., Pastoral Theology, Santa Clara University; Ph.D., Theological Ethics, Boston College.
"The joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the men of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ." (Gaudium et spes.1)
Sr. Marianne inspires students to engage in theological/philosophical study and discourse on the critical topics facing today’s global communities. She guides them to find resources for further explorations and to develop the skills necessary to share knowledge with others. Her teaching style includes lectures and seminar discussion.
The courses Sr. Marianne Farina teaches are:
- Catholic Social Justice Teachings
- Theology of Peace in the Roman Catholic Tradition
- Philosophical Ethics
- Introduction to Islam
- Islamic Philosophy
- Human Rights
- Theological Virtues
- Fundamental Moral Theology
- Roman Catholic Sexual Ethics
- Christian-Muslim Dialogue
Sr. Marianne's current research focuses on the Church's social justice teaching, comparative religions, interfaith dialogue and philosophical studies in Islam. In these projects she brings Aquinas' virtue theory into dialogue with other religious and philosophical traditions. Sr. Marianne has also participated and organized national and international symposia on topics such as "Religion and Democracy," "Methods for Cross-Cultural Understanding," "Interfaith Dialogue," and "Human Rights."
Select Presentations and Consultations:
Intercultural/Interfaith Understanding in African Context, Cape Cast Ghana, Jinja Uganda; Fort Portal Uganda, June 1-29, 2008. Sponsored by the Catholic Diocese and Congregation of Holy Cross. Lectures on "Islam in Africa," "Interfaith Dialogue," and "Cross-Cultural Understanding as Compassionate Listening."
"Virtues for Interfaith Dialogue," Lecture for the Future of Catholic Peacebuilding, Catholic Peacebuilding Network, University of Notre Dame, April 13-15, 2008.
Religion and Democracy: A Dialogue: U.S. and Indonesia, Palembang, Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, January 2-14, 2008. Lectures on "Social Justice and Moral Theology: Contributions to the Development of Islamic Studies," "Religious Diversity: Challenges for the Society," "Sacred Practices from an Intercultural Perspective," and "Religion and Gender: Freeing Theology."
Select Publications:
"Indonesia: Living Pancasila" in Religion and Democracy in Indonesia: Recent Developments (forthcoming).
"Muslims and The Gospel" (book review) in Mission Studies: Journal of The International Association for Mission Studies Magazine, (February) 2007.
"Participant Reading and Methods for Interfaith Dialogue: A Response to Terry Muck" in Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology, (January) 2007.
"God's Presence and the Moral Life: Shared Resources from the Writings of Thomas Aquinas and Abu Hamid Muhammad al-Ghazali," Jarboeek Thomas Instituut te Utretcht, Annual Publication, 2005.
Moral Goodness and Friendship with God: The Moral Teachings of Thomas Aquinas and Hamid al-Ghazali, Dissertation, August 2004.
Developing National Catechetical Plans. Jessore, Bangladesh: National Center for Catechetical and Social Development, December 2003.
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