Canon Law B (DC3002C)

Undergraduate, 18.0 points

Content

This unit, together with DC3001C Canon Law A, builds on foundational principles of canon law by examining key areas of the 1983 Code of Canon Law, including the teaching office of the Catholic Church, the Sacraments of Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Marriage, as well as structures of ecclesial governance.

The unit focuses on the practical application of these areas in ecclesial life. Students will engage with relevant canons and consider their implications for theology, pastoral practice, and Church governance, preparing them to apply canonical principles effectively in ministry.

Unit code: DC3002C

Unit status: Approved (Major revision)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 3

Unit discipline: Canon Law

Proposing College: Catholic Theological College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Explain the role and function of canon law in the life of the Church, particularly in relation to ecclesiology.
2.

Interpret and apply relevant norms to pastoral and ministerial situations, particularly in sacramental contexts.
3.

Analyse the requirements for the valid and lawful administration of the sacraments in detail.
4.

Explain and apply basic canonical principles of Church governance at the universal, diocesan, and parish levels.

Unit sequence

Prerequisites/Corequisites: At least 3 of CT2102C/3102C, CT2121C/3121C, CT2131C/3131C, CT2141C/3141C or equivalent

Pedagogy

Lectures, seminars, tutorials

Indicative Bibliography

Primary Sources

  • Code of Canon Law: Latin-English Edition. New English Translation. 4th printing. Canon Law Society of America, 2023.
  • Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches: Latin-English Edition. New English Translation. 2nd printing. Canon Law Society of America, 2024.
  • Peters, Edward N., trans. The 1917 Pio-Benedictine Code of Canon Law: In English Translation with Extensive Scholarly Apparatus. Ignatius Press, 2001.

Commentaries and Secondary Sources

  • Beal, John P., James A. Coriden, and Thomas J. Green, eds. New Commentary on the Code of Canon Law. Paulist Press, 2000.
  • Canon Law Society of Great Britain and Ireland. The Canon Law: Letter and Spirit. E. J. Dwyer, 1995.
  • Lucas, Brian, Peter Slack, and William d’Apice. Church Administration Handbook. 3rd ed. St Pauls Publications, 2024.
  • Marzoa, Ángel, Jorge Miras, and Rafael Rodríguez-Ocaña, eds. Exegetical Commentary on the Code of Canon Law. Wilson & Lafleur, 2004.

Periodicals and Reference Works

  • Roman Replies and CLSA Advisory Opinions. Canon Law Society of America, 1981–.
  • Studia Canonica. Saint Paul University.
  • The Canonist. Canon Law Society of Australia and New Zealand.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)

Variant 1

Tutorial Paper/Seminar Paper - Seminar Paper 800 15.0
Multiple Choice Quizzes or Tests - Mid-semester test 1000 20.0
Case Study - Case Study 1400 25.0
Oral Examination - Oral Examination

20-minute oral examination

 1300 40.0

Variant 2

Seminar or Tutorial - Tutorial Presentation 1000 20.0
Seminar or Tutorial - Tutorial Presentation 1000 20.0
Essay - Essay 2000 30.0
Written Examination - Written Examination 1000 30.0
Approvals

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

Unit record last updated: 2026-11-04 12:30:00 +1100