Requirements

Major/Minor

The theology discipline offers courses designed for and available to all students, as well as courses that serve major and minor programs both in theology and pastoral ministry. In keeping with the heritage and character of the university, courses and programs in this discipline emphasize the Christian, especially Catholic, tradition in conversation with other theological, religious and cultural traditions. The major in theology, undertaken within the context of the liberal arts and sciences, provides students with a solid grounding for study at the graduate level, as well as preparation for various career paths.
Theology courses are offered in distinct yet interrelated areas:
• Area I: Theological Foundations: Theology 130, 384
• Area II: Biblical Literature and Language: Theology 110, 111, 112, 120, 122, 230, 232, 383, 385
• Area III: History and Doctrine: Theology 240, 250, 251, 252, 310, 330, 353, 354, 355, 386
• Area IV: Christian Ethics and Spirituality: Theology 160, 256, 261, 273, 320, 368, 369, 372, 373, 388
• Area V: Theology, Religion and Culture: Theology 270, 272, 276, 277, 278, 279, 282, 342, 360, 362, 370, 381, 382, 389
• Area VI: Advanced Study: Theology 299, 450, 485

Major Requirements
A minimum of 36 semester hours is required including the following:
• Area I: Theology 130
• Area II: Three Scripture courses in consultation with advisor, with at least one in Hebrew Scriptures and one in Christian Scriptures
• Area III: Two courses one of which must be Theology 310
• Area IV: Two courses, at least one of which must be Theology 320
• Area V: Two courses, at least one of which must be intensified or at the 300 level
• Area VI: Theology 485

Four courses in Area II, III, IV or V are required for concentrated study in that area.
Majors are also encouraged to complete two semesters of a language appropriate to the study of theology and, with the aid of an advisor, to complete courses in disciplines that complement the study of theology and its various areas of concentration, such as philosophy and history. Majors will be required to take at least one course that focuses on a non-Christian religious tradition.
Minor Requirements
A minimum of six courses is required, including the following:
• Area I: Theology 130
• Area II: Theology 110 and one other course
• Area III: One course
• Area IV: One course
• Area V: One course

At least three courses must be taken as intensified or at the 300 level.

Double Major in Theology and Pastoral Ministry
In the case of a theology major wishing also to major in pastoral ministry, no more than eighteen semester hours may be double-counted. Therefore, no fewer than 54 semester hours are required for the double major.

Courses

101. NEW TESTAMENT GREEK: INTRODUCTION (3)
This course offers an introduction to the basic elements of the grammar and vocabulary of the New Testament.

102. NEW TESTAMENT GREEK: INTERMEDIATE (3)
This course completes the study of the grammar and vocabulary of the New Testament, and engages the students in the translation and exegesis of selected passages.
Prerequisite: Theology 101

110. UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE (3)
This introductory course surveys the main theological themes of the Bible. The various books of the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and the Christian Scriptures (New Testament) are examined in light of their historical and theological significance.
This course will satisfy the theology core area requirement.

120. HEBREW SCRIPTURES I: FROM GENESIS TO JUDGES (3)
This introductory course engages students in a critical reading of the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament), with special emphasis on Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy and the Historical Books of the Bible.
This course will satisfy the theology core area requirement.

122. NEW TESTAMENT I: THE GOSPELS (3)
Each of the four Gospels paints a distinctive portrait of the person of Jesus, his origins, life and teaching, death and resurrection. This introduction to New Testament writings offers the student an opportunity to understand each gospel writer’s perspective while critically assessing the information about the historical Jesus of Nazareth and the formation of the early Church.
This course will satisfy the theology core area requirement.

130. INTRODUCTION TO THEOLOGY (3)
What is theology? Why does it matter? How do theologians go about their task? This course introduces students to the field and methods of Christian theology, including its origins in the experience of Jesus Christ and the testimony of early Christian scripture, as well as major theological figures and movements, controversies, and contemporary issues and challenges.
This course will satisfy the theology core area requirement.

160. UNDERSTANDING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE (3)
What does it mean to live as a Christian in a complex and pluralistic society? This course explores this question in a critical manner, focusing on the moral and spiritual dimensions of Christian living. Topics include sources of Christian wisdom, such as the Bible and the writings of theologians and spiritual masters; themes such as discipleship, happiness and Christian virtue; and particular challenges in areas such as sexuality, civic involvement, and economic life.
This course will satisfy the theology core area requirement.

230. HEBREW SCRIPTURES II: PROPHETS AND WISDOM (3)
This course focuses on the role and message of the Hebrew prophets, along with the wisdom literature found in the Hebrew Scriptures. The challenge of these traditions to people today will also receive attention.
This course will satisfy the theology core area requirement.

232. NEW TESTAMENT II: ACTS, PAUL, AND OTHER WRITINGS (3)
This course examines the development of the Christian community and its beliefs following the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus as recorded in the New Testament. Major attention will be given to the Acts of the Apostles, the letters of Paul, the Pastoral Epistles, and the “Catholic” Epistles.
This course will satisfy the theology core area requirement.

240. THE CHURCH (3)
Drawing on Biblical and other sources (Vatican II documents, individual theologians, etc.), this course examines theologically the nature, structure and mission of the Church and helps students develop a sound and compelling vision of the Church as it moves into the 21st century.
This course will satisfy the theology core area requirement.

250. HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY I: FROM ITS ORIGINS TO THE EVE OF THE REFORMATION (3)
This course traces the development of Christianity from the earliest communities through the era of persecution, to the emergence of new forms of leadership and explicit theology from the fourth to the ninth centuries. Finally, it explores the tension between competing interpretations of Christian doctrine and practice that led to the disruption of Christendom in the violence of the Crusades, the suppression of dissent, and political compromise, which culminated in the Reformation movement.
This course will satisfy the theology core area requirement.

251. HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY II: FROM THE REFORMATION TO THE PRESENT (3)
A survey of major figures, events, movements and theological developments since the “breakdown of the medieval synthesis.” Topics include the Protestant and Catholic Reformations, the expansion of Christianity into the New World, the encounter with Enlightenment thought and the First and Second Vatican Councils. Theology 250 is not a prerequisite for this course.
This course will satisfy the theology core area requirement.

252. SACRAMENTS IN THE CATHOLIC TRADITION (3)
An in-depth consideration of the history and theology of the Catholic sacramental system. Special emphasis on how and why the sacraments developed, how they assumed their contemporary form and their relation to Catholic life and thought. Attention is also given to the general concepts of sacramentality, ritual and symbol.
This course will satisfy the theology core area requirement.

256. MARRIAGE AND FAMILY LIFE (3)
Everyone, in some way, has been formed by marriage and family life. Using texts, articles, movies and projects, students will integrate the tradition of the Catholic Church, the culture, and their lived experience to think critically about marriage and family life. The theology of marriage, rooted in scripture, will provide a starting point for exploration. We will study communication and conflict resolution, faith development and ritual within this most critical sphere of life.
This course will satisfy the theology core area requirement.

261. CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING AND MOVEMENTS (3)
This course seeks to reveal Catholicism’s “best kept secret,” the long and still developing tradition of social teaching, as it is found in various Church documents, prominent writers and social movements.
This course will satisfy the theology core area requirement.

270. CHRISTIANITY AMONG THE WORLD’S RELIGIONS (3)
While some attention will be paid to diversity within the Christian tradition, the major focus of this course will be on Christianity’s response to and interaction with other religions. Christianity’s evangelical world mission will be explored, in terms of its emergence, historical development and evolving rationale. Christianity’s more recent emphasis on inter-religious dialogue and cooperative action will also be explored, again in terms of both theoretical foundations and practical implementations. Are these twin concerns—mission and dialogue—contradictory or complementary? What does the future hold for Christian identity amid religious diversity?
This course will satisfy the theology core area requirement.

272. MYSTICAL TRADITIONS IN WORLD
RELIGIONS (3)
A study of the tradition of mysticism in the major world religions. Using the Catholic mystical traditions as a paradigm, we will compare parallel mystical paths in Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Similarities and differences among mystical “paths” will provide the basis for our analysis of these traditions.
This course will satisfy the theology core area requirement.

273. GREAT WOMEN MYSTICS (3)
This course explores the lives, activity, and writings of seven outstanding women whose reforming impact on the Church continues to inspire and guide Christians and non-Christians today. Although primary concern will focus on Hildegard of Bingen, Mechtild of Magdeburg, Gertrude the Great, Catherine of Siena, Julian of Norwich, Joan of Arc and Theresa of Avila, other important figures will be considered as well, including artists, writers and political figures.
This course will satisfy the theology core area requirement.

276. ASIAN RELIGIONS (3)
This course examines the central beliefs and distinctive practices of the major religious traditions of India, China, Japan and Thailand. Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Taoism and Shinto receive extended attention. Other traditions (i.e., Zoroastrianism, Sikhism, New Religious Movements) will receive consideration as interest and time permit. Students will explore aspects of inter-religious dialogue and conflict among Asian traditions and also with Western faiths.
This course will satisfy the multicultural core requirement.

277. AFRICAN-AMERICAN RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE AND THEOLOGY (3)
Beginning with African roots and attentive to historical and cultural factors, this course examines the varieties of religious experience and theology distinctive of the African-American community.
Listed also as African/African-American Studies 277.
This course will satisfy the theology core area and multicultural core requirements.

278. RELIGIONS OF THE BOOK: JUDAISM, CHRISTIANITY, ISLAM (3)
This course explores the three great monotheistic religions that claim descent from Abraham. Sharing many of the same beliefs and traditions, Jews, Christians, and Muslims nevertheless differ theologically and politically. What are the common bonds that tie them together and the forces that create conflict and mistrust both within and among these faiths?
This course will satisfy the theology core area requirement.

279. ART, BEAUTY AND CONTEMPLATION: AN INTRODUCTION TO THEOLOGICAL AESTHETICS (3)
This course explores the intersection of art and theology through a consideration of the major themes and issues that inform a theological aesthetics. The focus of investigation will be on the nature of symbolic seeing that permits one to go beyond mere appearances so as to discern God’s presence in works of art and in all creation. Students will investigate the spiritual dimension of art with particular reference to the meaning of beauty, of light, space, time and creativity and their relation to nature, the senses, the imagination and contemplation.
This course will satisfy the theology core area requirement.

282. SCIENCE, RELIGION AND THEOLOGY (3)
Controversies concerning the existence of God, the place of religion, cosmic and human evolution, and the pursuit of truth continue to pit many scientists against religious leaders, theologians, and ordinary believer. This course explores the lively tension between scientific and theological approaches to understanding the origin and destiny of the universe, the phenomenon of life, the role of human existence, culture, and society, the challenge of evil, and the task of living meaningfully and purposefully in today’s changing world.
This course will satisfy the theology core area requirement.

299. SERVICE LEARNING (1)
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor

310. JESUS THE CHRIST (3)
This course explores what Christians mean when they proclaim Jesus “the Christ.” Through Scriptural, historical and theological perspectives, students will gain an understanding of the current state of research on the historical Jesus, Christian reflection on Jesus’ person and work, and contemporary Christological models (I.E. liberation, feminist).
Prerequisite: One course in theology
This course will satisfy the theology core area requirement.

320. THEOLOGICAL ETHICS (3)
How ought one live? The Catholic tradition has a particularly rich and often controversial legacy of reflection on moral matters. This course will introduce the student to the theological sources and methods of that tradition in dialogue with other traditions and currents of thought. Topics include Biblical roots of moral reflection and action, discipleship, moral norms, conscience, the virtues, natural law, and the role of ecclesial authority in changing the life of the individual and community.

330. THE MYSTERY OF GOD (3)
Study of the doctrine of God in the Hebrew Scriptures, the New Testament and the history of Christian theology, with special attention to the issues of Trinitarian doctrine, creation, providence, evil and revelation, and theological perspectives on the understanding of God in the modern world.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor
This course will satisfy the theology core area requirement.

342. THE MYSTERY OF EVIL IN RELIGION AND LITERATURE (3)
The enigma (mystery, problem) of suffering and evil has been expressed historically through various mythologies: tragedy, original sin, alienation, etc. This course will take an in-depth look at these themes from the perspective both of religion and of literature.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor
This course will satisfy the theology core area requirement.

343. FREUD, JUNG, AND RELIGION (3)
What have psychologists discovered about religion? Is it a crutch, the “obsessional neurosis of humanity”? Is God an illusion of the weak? Or is religion good for us, and is location in the presence of the divine essential for human well-being? This course will focus on the psychologies of religion espoused by Sigmund Freud and C. G. Jung, and will consider some of the challenges that their theories present to Christian theology.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor

354. GREAT CHRISTIAN THINKERS (3)
This course provides an opportunity to reach up to and engage the minds of outstanding figures in the Christian tradition. The focus may be the writings of a single figure (e.g. Origen, Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Catherine of Siena, Karl Barth, Karl Rahner or Gustavo Gutierrez) or the engagement of two or more theologians in dialogue, often on a single problem or theme (e.g. sin and grace, eschatology, revelation, ethics, Biblical interpretation or religious pluralism).
This course will satisfy the theology core area requirement.

355. THE MYSTERY OF DEATH (3)
Why do we die? What is death? How should we respond to death? This course considers such questions from various theological perspectives. Special attention is given to ethical issues surrounding death, as well as such topics as grief and concepts of an afterlife.
This course will satisfy the theology core area requirement.

360. RELIGION AND POLITICS (3)
Whether the context has been the fall of the Roman Empire, European expansion into the “New World,” the rise of Nazism, or recent responses to terrorism, the Christian theological tradition has included diverse and often conflicting views. This course explores theologically such topics as understandings of social order, politics and eschatology, the uses of coercion, and the quest to identify a people’s “common good.”
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor
This course will satisfy the theology core area requirement.

362. THEOLOGY AND ECOLOGY (3)
Global warming, habitat destruction, species extinction, and attempts to respond to these and other ecological crises raise profound theological and ethical issues. This course explores the religious understanding of nature as creation, the biblical tradition of covenant and stewardship as ecological partnership, theological interpretations of human interaction with nature, and the rise of environmental ethics and activism.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor
This course will satisfy the theology core area requirement.

368. BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH CARE ETHICS (3)
This course takes up a number of key ethical issues that emerge from contemporary developments in both biomedicine and health care. The theological dimensions, particularly the Catholic ethical approach to these issues will receive special attention.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor
This course will satisfy the theology core area requirement.

369. CELTIC SPIRITUALITY (3)
This course will explore 1) the formative period of Celtic spirituality in Britain, Ireland, Scotland and the European mainland, especially in the lives of the saints; 2) the impact of Celtic Christianity on both Roman Catholic and Protestant churches before, during and after the Reformation; and 3) the influence on and potential of Celtic spirituality in the modern period and today, particularly in regard to issues of social justice, the role of women in the Church, and environmental redemption.

370. THE WAYS OF WAR AND PEACE IN CHRISTIANITY AND ISLAM (3)
It is sometimes said that the way we think about war tests all our thinking. With attention to the past, and mindful of momentous challenges today, this course examines various and often-conflicting ways in which Christians and Muslims have regarded theologically not only war but also peace. Topics to be explored include sources for theologies of war and peace (the Bible, the Qur’an, and other key texts), “holy war,” Jihad, “just war,” and approaches to non-violence within the two traditions.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor
This course will satisfy the theology core area and multicultural core requirements.

373. CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY (3)
This course considers Christian spirituality holistically, with attention to its biblical foundations, major traditions and schools. Students will explore elements of religious experience, stages of spiritual development, and the role of prayer and meditation in human life. Contemporary issues and applications will be emphasized, including the priority of the body, social action, lay spirituality and spiritual guidance.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor
This course will satisfy the theology core area requirement.

381. NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE AND
SPIRITUALITY (3)
This course explores the history, culture and spirituality of the Native people of the Woodlands and the Plains. Native speakers will share ritual and story to enhance the study. Students taking this course are required to develop a project in collaboration with the reservations they will visit. The project and the service-learning trip are required for the course. This camping trip usually begins during early May and lasts approximately two weeks.
This course will satisfy the multicultural core requirement.

382. SPECIAL TOPICS IN RELIGION AND
CULTURE (3)
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor

383. APOCALYPTIC AND REVELATION (3)
This course will examine the Book of Revelation in its context and ours, with attention to the origin of apocalyptic literature in the late Jewish prophetic tradition, the advent of the Third Millennium, theological eschatology, and the implications of the resurgence of apocalyptic in our time.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor.
This course will satisfy the theology core requirement

384. SPECIAL TOPICS IN THEOLOGICAL
METHODS (3)
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor

385. SPECIAL TOPICS IN ETHICS AND
SPIRITUALITY (3)
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor

389. SPECIAL TOPICS IN BIBLICAL LITERATURE AND LANGUAGE (3)
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor

386. SPECIAL TOPICS IN HISTORY AND
DOCTRINE (3)
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor

450. INDEPENDENT STUDY (2-4)
This course is intended for advanced students working in consultation with an instructor on a topic not covered in available courses. This course may not be used to satisfy the theology core area requirement.

485. THEOLOGY SENIOR INTEGRATING SEMINAR (3)
In order to help students synthesize and advance what they have learned in the course of their studies, all graduating seniors who major in theology are required to complete the senior Integrating Seminar. There are three components to this seminar: The seminar itself, in which students will meet both with other students who are undertaking their senior projects and with a seminar instructor assigned from the department of theology; the written project, either (a) a research paper or (b) a portfolio; and a formal presentation of their research or of their portfolio to the department of theology.

INDEPENDENT RESEARCH OR CREATIVE INVESTIGATION (1-3)
Introductory, Intermediate, Advanced, Senior Thesis Independent Research or Creative Investigation is a course in which students collaborate with faculty
mentors on an ongoing faculty research project or conduct an independent project under the guidance of a faculty member. This directed undergraduate research or creative investigation culminates in a conference presentation, journal article or other creative/scholarly project.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor