James Dechant
James Dechant defended his doctoral dissertation in Systematic Theology in Fall 2023. The project marries critical pedagogy with patristic Christian claims about anthropology and the natural world in order to advance liberative eco-praxis and cultivate solidarity. In collaboration with his colleagues in the Department, James launched Open Windows, an online publication devoted to theological pedagogy from the perspective of graduate students who teach. A native Kansan and a former English teacher in the Bronx and Japan, he currently lives in Westchester County with his incredible wife and three beautiful children.
Dissertation
“An Ecological Education: Theological Paths to Liberative Praxis”
Specialization: Systematic Theology
Director: Bradford Hinze
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B.A. - University of Notre Dame, 2008
M.S. - Hunter College, 2010
M.T.S. - Boston College School of Theology and Ministry, 2017
Ph.D. - Fordham University, 2023
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Ecological theology
Critical pedagogy
Liberationist thought
Hermeneutics and philosophy of language
Theology and literature -
Introduction to Theology
Introduction to World Religions
Catholic Intellectual Tradition
Ecological Theology
Latin American Liberation Theology
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As instructor of record (at Fordham University unless otherwise noted)
- Faith and Critical Reason: Spring 2024
- Great Books in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition - Sacred Heart University: Spring 2024
- Latin American Liberation Theology: Fall 2023
- Great Books in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition - Sacred Heart University: Fall 2023
- Latin American Liberation Theology: Spring 2022
- Faith and Critical Reason, online: Summer 2021
- Faith and Critical Reason, hybrid: Spring 2021
- Faith and Critical Reason, hybrid EP seminar: Fall 2020
- Faith and Critical Reason, EP seminar I: Spring 2020
- Faith and Critical Reason: Fall 2019
As assistant
- Faith and Critical Reason, EP seminar: Spring 2019
- Introduction to the Old Testament: Fall 2018
- Christ in World Cultures: Fall 2017