Theology/Religious Studies

Faculty

Charles R. Pinches, Ph.D., Chair
I. Michael Bellafiore, S.J., S.T.L.
James Brian Benestad, Ph.D.
William T. Cohen, M.Div.
Daniel K. Darko, Ph.D.
Mary Anne Foley, C.N.D., Ph.D.
Brigid C. Frein, Ph.D.
Maria Poggi Johnson, Ph.D.
Christian S. Krokus, M.A.
Nathan S. Lefler, Ph.D.
Susan F. Mathews, Ph.D.
Cyrus Olsen, Ph.D.
Eric A. Plumer, Ph.D.
Thomas F. Sable, S.J., Ph.D.
Marc B. Shapiro, Ph.D.
John C. Sivalon, Ph.D.

Overview

As “faith seeking understanding,” theology plays an essential role in the quest for God, wisdom, and human fulfillment. Catholic education recognizes that theology addresses certain basic human questions in ways that speak to the heart and mind as no other discipline can. Theology approaches such questions not in isolation, but as a partner in a living exchange between the Church and the diverse traditions of the world. Theology/Religious Studies courses seek to form conscience and character, helping our students address contemporary questions of good and evil, freedom and truth, life and death. In addition to courses with a primarily Christian focus, the department offers courses in non-Christian religious traditions. The General Education requirement of 6 Theology credits for all students is fulfilled by T/RS 121-122, a two-semester introductory sequence. These courses must be completed before students take upper-division courses in Theology.

Major in Theology/Religious Studies

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology/ Religious Studies requires 30 credits in the major (including the two introductory courses), allowing for a second major and/or minor or concentration in many fields. Theology majors must take at least four courses at the 300 or 400 level, including at least one semester of the Theology Capstone Seminar, T/RS 490. To ensure a well-rounded background in the discipline, each major must take at least one course from each of the following categories:

Theology/Religious Studies Minor

The minor in Theology/Religious Studies requires 18 credits: T/RS 121 and 122 plus four more courses. In choosing courses for a minor, students may concentrate in one area of theology or they may select courses from several areas.

Theology/Religious Studies Curriculum
Dept. and No.				Descriptive Title of Course	Credits
FIRST YEAR					FALL	SPRING
MAJOR (GE T/RS)		T/RS 121-122		Theology I - Theology II	3	3
GE WRTG-SPCH		WRTG 107-COMM 100		Composition - Public Speaking	3	3
GE C/IL		C/IL 102		Computing & Information Literacy	3
GE PHIL		PHIL 120		Introduction to Philosophy	3
GE HUMN		HUMN ELECT		Humanities Electives	3	3
GE QUAN		MATH ELECT		Quantitative Reasoning Elective		3
GE S/BH		S/BH ELECT		Social/Behavioral Electives		3
GE FSEM		INTD 100		Freshman Seminar	1
GE PHED		PHED ELECT		Physical Education		1
					16	16
SECOND YEAR
MAJOR		T/RS ELECT		Theology Electives	3	3
COGNATE		COGNATE ELECT		Cognate Electives	3
GE NSCI		NSCI ELECT		Natural Science Electives	3	3
GE S/BH		S/BH ELECT		Social/Behavioral Electives		3
GE PHIL		PHIL 210 - ELECT		Ethics - Phil. Electives	3	3
GE HUMN		HUMN ELECT		Humanities Electives	3	3
GE PHED		PHED ELECT		Physical Education	1	1
					16	16
THIRD YEAR
MAJOR		T/RS ELECT		Theology Electives	3	6
COGNATE		COGNATE ELECT		Cognate Electives	9	9
GE ELECT		FREE ELECT		Free Electives	3	3
					15	18
FOURTH YEAR
MAJOR		T/RS 490		Theology Capstone Seminar		3
MAJOR		T/RS ELECT		Theology Electives	6
COGNATE		COGNATE ELECT		Cognate Electives	9	9
GE FREE		FREE ELECT		Free Electives	3	3
					18	15
					Total: 130 Credits