Canon Law A (DC9011Y)

Postgraduate, 24.0 points

Content

This unit serves as an introduction to the canon law of the Catholic Church. Emphasis will be placed on the historical development of the Canon Law and its relationship with theology. The basic content of the unit will be found in the 1983 Code of Canon Law and the unit is designed to provide an overview of this document with particular attention being paid to the basic principles of interpretation of the law and their pastoral application in areas of general relevance such as the People of God and the Sacraments. Topics covered will include General Norms, Persons in the Code of Canon Law, Consecrated Life and the Sacraments, except Orders.

Unit code: DC9011Y

Unit status: Approved (Major revision)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Canon Law

Delivery Mode: Blended

Proposing College: Yarra Theological Union

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Learning outcomes

1.

Demonstrate an advanced critical knowledge and understanding of the history and development of law in the Church
2.

Analyse the inter-relationship between theology and canon law
3.

Critically apply the principles of interpretation of canon law to concrete situations
4.

Analyse the structure and content of the 1983 Code of Canon Law
5.

Evaluate and critically apply the major aspects of the laws relating to the People of God and the sacraments

Pedagogy

Synchronous and asynchronous lectures and tutorials

Indicative Bibliography

  • Beal, J.P. et al. New Commentary on the Code of Canon Law. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 2000.
  • Canon Law Society of Great Britain and Ireland. The Code of Canon Law in English Translation. New revised edition. London: Collins, 1997.
  • Canon Law Society of Great Britain and Ireland. The Canon Law: Letter and Spirit. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1995.
  • Coriden, J.A. An Introduction to Canon Law. Revised ed. London: Burns & Oates, 2004.
  • Flannery, Austin, ed. Vatican Council II: The Conciliar and Post-Conciliar Documents. Northport, NY: Costello Publishing Company, 1998.
  • Flannery, Austin, ed. Vatican Council II: More Conciliar and Post-Conciliar Documents. Northport, NY: Costello Publishing Company, 1998.
  • Huels, J. The Pastoral Companion: a Canon Law Handbook for Catholic Ministry. Quincy, IL: Franciscan Press, 2009.
  • Peters, Edward N. The 1917 or Pio-Benedictine Code of Canon Law: in English Translation with Extensive Scholarly Apparatus. San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 2001.
  • Studia Canonica. Ottawa: Saint Paul University.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Portfolio

Tutorial presentation 1000 words

 7000 100.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 25 Jun, 2026

Unit record last updated: 2026-06-25 09:16:22 +1000