THEOLOGY (THEO)
College of Arts and Sciences
John Roach Center for the Liberal Arts (JRC 109)
(651) 962-5300
Anthony, Boyle, Brady, Carvalho, DelCogliano (chair), Gavrilyuk, Landry, Levad, McCann, McInroy, McMichael, Myers, Naeem, Niskanen, Pioske, Potter, Rolnick, Sain, Ulrich, Wojda
THEOLOGY IN THE CORE CURRICULUM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS
In every historical period and cultural context, humans engage in a quest for meaning by asking fundamental questions. Does God exist? What does it mean to be human? What is the purpose of human life? Why is there evil and suffering? Is redemption possible?
The Theology Department invites students to enroll in a sequence of courses to assist them in articulating thoughtful responses to these questions that are formulated in light of Catholic tradition and Christian faith, and with a sincere openness to wisdom within the world’s great religious traditions. These courses contribute to the liberal arts mission of the University to educate morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely, and work skillfully to advance the common good.
CORE CORNERSTONE COURSE
THEO 100: Foundations. In architecture, the cornerstone is the foundational stone that determines the structural integrity of a building. It provides a stable foundation for the rest of the stones that will be built upon it. In the theological curriculum at the University of St. Thomas, the cornerstone course is THEO 100: Foundations. This course introduces students to foundational concepts and skills associated with Christian theology. The course reflects critically upon the concepts of God and Christ, scripture, faith and reason, the human being, and the common good, especially in the context of Catholic Intellectual Tradition and Catholic Social Teaching. Students will gain a basic level of theological literacy through introduction to central texts within the Christian tradition, particularly the Bible. Students will also be introduced to connecting fundamental theological questions to the common good in the context of the pressing challenges of today’s world.
CORE KEYSTONE COURSES
THEO 221-229. In the construction of an archway, the keystone is the wedge-shaped stone that is the final piece placed at the apex of the arch to lock all of the other stones in position. The keystone enables the arch to bear the weight of that which is built upon it. Just as there can be many arched windows and doorways in a building or cathedral, so can there be many keystones.
At St. Thomas, the keystone courses in Theology solidify the structure of our students’ educational experience in the liberal arts at a Catholic University. Although none are required in the core curriculum, students are asked to choose between a second course in either Philosophy or Theology, and if chosen in Theology, this could be considered one theological keystone. Students are also required to take two “Integrations in the Humanities” courses, and Theology offers dozens each semester.
A student is able to complete a minor in Theology with only three keystone courses beyond the cornerstone course, and a student can major in Theology with the cornerstone, six keystones, and a capstone.
The keystone courses invite students to practice theology by engaging at a deeper level in the discipline of “faith seeking understanding.” Courses at this level focus on a particular subdiscipline within Theology, namely, Bible, historical theology, systematic theology, moral theology, or comparative theology. Some of these courses focus on Christian spirituality, interdisciplinary topics, or theological concerns emerging out of particular cultural or professional contexts. Students critically examine core elements of the tradition, such as classic texts, concepts, persons, and/or events, while remaining mindful of the contemporary context and questions emerging from particular social locations and identities.
Theology keystone courses are:
THEO 221: Bible: [Select Topic]: topics include:
- Old Testament
- New Testament
- Historical Literature of Old Testament
- Pentateuch
- Wisdom Literature
- Prophetic Literature
- Apocalyptic Literature
- Gospels
- Letters of St. Paul
- Sex Love Friendship
- Garden of Eden
THEO 222: History: [Select Topic]: topics include:
- Early Christian Theology
- Medieval Theology
- Reformation
- Catholicism and Modernity
- Religion in America
- Second Vatican Council
THEO 223: Belief: [Select Topic]: topics include:
- Ancient & Contemporary
- Jesus Christ
- Sin & Salvation
- Grace, Hope, Eschatology
- Church & Sacramentality
- Contemporary Catholic Theologians
- Atheists & Apologists
- Thomas Aquinas
- Evil & Suffering
THEO 224: Bridges: [Select Topic]: topics include:
- Theology & Politics
- Theology & Art
- Theology & Literature
- Theology & Film
- Theology & Music
- Theology & Science
- Theology & Psychology
- Theology & Beauty
- Theology & Environment
- Theology & Mass Media
- Theology & Consumerism
- Theology & Discourse
- Theology & Technology
- Death & Afterlife
THEO 225: Faith & Ethics: [Select Topic]: topics include:
- Love & Justice
- Social Thought
- Bioethics
- Morality of War
- Incarceration
- Immigration
THEO 226: Spirituality: [Select Topic]: topics include:
- Christian Spirituality
- Christian Worship
- Christian Marriage
- Christian Formation
- Internship
- Pilgrimage in Italy
- Christian Spirituality in Rome
- Mysticism
THEO 227: Contexts: [Select Topic]: topics include:
- God
- Nazism & Apartheid
- Global Christianity
- Liberation Theology
- Church in Latin America
- Feminist Theology
- Bible & Culture
- Bible & Justice
- Women & Hebrew Bible
- Women & New Testament
- Bible & Women
- Women & Early Church
- Women & Christianity
- Justice & Peace
- Pope John Paul II in Poland
THEO 228: Comparative: [Select Topic]: topics include:
- World Religions
- Interfaith Encounter
- Interfaith Leadership
- Judaism
- Islam
- Buddhism & Hinduism
- Qur’an & Prophet
- Lived Religion
- Interreligious Dialogue
- New Norway/New Minnesota
THEO 229: Professions: [Select Topic]: topics include:
- Faith & Entrepreneurship
- Faith & Management
- Faith & Law
- Faith & Education
- Faith & Engineering
- Faith & Health Care
- Faith & Public Health
- Faith & Social Work
CORE CAPSTONE COURSE
THEO 300. In masonry, the capstone is the final stone that is laid at the top of a wall or structure. It is the highest achievement in construction. At the University of St. Thomas, all students are required to do signature work, a capstone experience that attempts to integrate the entire undergraduate career. THEO 300: Signature Work in Theology is open to students in all major fields. It is especially well suited to those who are looking for a capstone experience in the core curriculum that will help them integrate their entire experience at our Catholic University. Serving as a culminating point in the core curriculum, the signature course prepares students to build connections between their studies in the liberal arts and the broader world for which their St. Thomas education has prepared them. A principal concern of THEO 300: Signature Work in Theology is to invite students to focus on a pressing challenge in the modern world in conversation with systems of faith and meaning. Some sections are designed to guide the student in meaningful reflection about a sense of vocation in their professional, social, and familial lives. THEO 100 is a prerequisite for all courses at this level.
The three levels of courses form an integrated sequence in theological reasoning. The cornerstone foundations course (THEO 100) introduces biblical and theological foundations of the Christian tradition. The second-level keystone courses (THEO 221-229) invite students “to do” theology, whether as the second course in either Philosophy or Theology, or as “Integrations in the Humanities” courses. These courses ask students to engage in reasoning about faith even while integrating across disciplines or communities. In the “signature work” course (THEO 300), students bring theological concepts and methods into conversation with their chosen professions, or with pressing challenges in the modern world.
THEO 300: Signature Work: [Select Topic]; topics include:
- Faith & Management
- Faith & Law
- Faith & Education
- Faith & Engineering
- Faith & Health
- Faith & Public Health
- Faith & Social Work
- God
- Theology & Beauty
- Theology & Environment
- Theology & Immigration
- Theology & Incarceration
- Theology & Politics
- Theology & Art
- Theology & Film
- Theology & Science
- Justice & Peace
- Internship
National Honor Society for Religious Studies and Theology
Theta Alpha Kappa is devoted to encouraging and rewarding excellence in theology and the study of religion. The Greek letters stand for theos (God), anthropos (humans), and koinonia (community). In addition to recognizing excellence through induction into TAK, the Society also sponsors an essay contest, the winners of which are published in the TAK journal. An induction ceremony is held at St. Thomas each spring. Those invited to join must meet academic criteria based on the number of theology courses taken, their GPA in theology courses, and their overall GPA.
Study Abroad
Theology majors and minors are encouraged to study abroad. Specific courses taken abroad may substitute for St. Thomas requirements. The exchange with Australian Catholic University in Melbourne, Australia, is particularly suitable. See the associate chair of the Theology Department (Dr. Mark McInroy) or a study abroad advisor in the International Education Center for program options.
Major in Theology
- THEO 100: Foundations (4 credits)
Plus the following two courses:
- THEO 221: Bible: Old Testament … (4 credits)
- THEO 221: Bible: New Testament … (4 credits)
Plus three courses from the following nine categories (more than one course may be taken in the same category):
- THEO 221: Bible: … (4 credits)
- THEO 222: History: … (4 credits)
- THEO 223: Belief: … (4 credits)
- THEO 224: Bridges: … (4 credits)
- THEO 225: Faith & Ethics: … (4 credits)
- THEO 226: Spirituality:… (4 credits)
- THEO 227: Contexts: ... (4 credits)
- THEO 228: Comparative: … (4 credits)
- THEO 229: Professions:… (4 credits)
Plus:
- THEO 227: Contexts: God (4 credits)
- THEO 300: Signature Work: … (4 credits)
Minor in Theology
This minor allows students to create a course of study to deepen their engagement in theological reflection, methods, and topics. The following courses are required for a general theology minor:
The following four courses are required for a minor in theology:
- THEO 100: Foundations (4 credits)
- Plus 12 additional credits in Theology
*This minor is only available for non‐Theology majors.
**Students may earn only one minor in Theology.
Minor in Biblical Studies
A minor in biblical studies allows students to deepen their knowledge of sacred scripture. The minor is designed to build upon the skills of contemporary biblical exegesis introduced in THEO 100. The following courses are required for a minor in biblical studies:
- THEO 100: Foundations (4 credits)
- THEO 221: Bible: Old Testament (4 credits)
- THEO 221: Bible: New Testament (4 credits)
- THEO 221: Bible: [Choose Topic] (4 credits)
*This minor is only available for non‐Theology majors.
**Students may earn only one minor in Theology.
Minor in Catholic Health Care Ethics
A minor in Heath Care Ethics gives students the basic competencies required for entry-level positions in ethics and/or mission integration units within both faith-based and secular health-care organizations.
- THEO 100 Foundations
- THEO 225 Faith & Ethics: Social Thought
- THEO 225 Faith & Ethics: Bioethics
- THEO 229 Professions: Faith & Health
*This minor is only available for non‐Theology majors.
**Students may earn only one minor in Theology.
Minor in Theology and the Common Good
A minor in Theology and the Common Good engages the Catholic intellectual tradition, particularly Catholic social thought, to explore robust civil discourse, faithful citizenship, and the common good. It will enable students to examine the relationship of Christian faith and practice to moral, social, cultural, and economic issues of our times and to explore the meaning of faithful citizenship while advancing the common good. The following courses are required for a minor in theology and the common good:
- THEO 100: Foundations (4 credits)
- THEO 225: Faith & Ethics: Catholic Social Thought (4 credits)
- Plus any 225: Faith & Ethics: [Elective]
—or— any 227: Contexts: [Elective] - Plus 4 additional credits in theology
*This minor is only available for non‐Theology majors.
**Students may earn only one minor in Theology.
Minor Interfaith Leadership
Emphasizing practitioner and pre-professional preparation, the undergraduate minor in Interfaith Leadership examines contemporary and historical encounters between, among, and within religious communities, traditions, and individuals with various religious identities (including secular, nonreligious, and spiritual worldviews and ways of life), and prepares students to navigate and lead with a commitment to the common good at home, in community, and places of work. Designed to prepare students as leaders in a world increasing in religious diversity, this minor provides a skillset to analyze the dynamics of interreligious encounter and assess critically the efficacy of interfaith bridgebuilding initiatives. It can be uniquely tailored to complement a student’s vocational and occupational aspirations and primary fields of study through the completion of a practical interfaith internship and/or faculty-mentored research project. The following courses are required for a minor in interfaith leadership:
- THEO 100: Foundations (4 credits)
- THEO 228: Comparative: Interreligious Encounter (4 credits)
- THEO 227: Contexts: Justice & Peace (4 credits)
- THEO 228: Comparative: [Select Topic] (4 credits);
—or— directed internship or research
*This minor is only available for non‐Theology majors.
**Students may earn only one minor in Theology.
Minor in Comparative Theology
The minor in Comparative Theology invites students to reflect critically on their home religious tradition by engaging with traditions, texts, and practices outside their own religious tradition and community. In so doing, students not only generate new questions and insights about their own theological tradition and identity, but also increase their religious literacy and knowledge of one or more traditions outside their own. The following courses are required for a minor in comparative theology:
- THEO 100: Foundations (4 credits)
- THEO 228: Comparative: [Choose Topic] (4 credits)
- THEO 228: Comparative: [Choose Topic] (4 credits)
- THEO 228: Comparative: [Choose Topic] (4 credits)
*This minor is only available for non‐Theology majors.
**Students may earn only one minor in Theology.
Minor or Certificate in Faith & Praxis
An Interdisciplinary Minor in Faith & Praxis requires four courses (or 16 credits); an interdisciplinary Certificate in Faith & Praxis requires three courses (or 12 credits).
Required to take:
- JPST 250: Introduction to Justice and Peace
—OR— THEO 227: Contexts: Justice & Peace
Plus twelve credits (for the minor) or eight credits (for the certificate) chosen from two of the following competency areas:
If JPST 250 is the foundation, four credits must be in THEO;
If THEO 227 is the foundation, four credits must be in JPST.
+ Theological Competency
- THEO 221: Bible: Prophetic Literature
- THEO 221: Bible: Gospels
- THEO 224: Bridges: Theology and the Environment
- THEO 224: Bridges: Theology and Politics
- THEO 225: Faith & Ethics: Love and Justice
- THEO 225: Faith & Ethics: Social Thought
- THEO 225: Faith & Ethics: Incarceration
- THEO 225: Faith & Ethics: Morality & War
- THEO 225: Faith & Ethics: Immigration
- THEO 227: Contexts: Justice and Peace
- THEO 227: Contexts: Global Christianity
- THEO 227: Contexts: Liberation Theology
- THEO 227: Contexts: The Church in Latin America
- THEO 227: Contexts: Culture & Bible
- THEO 227: Contexts: Justice & Bible
- THEO 227: Contexts: Women & Bible
- THEO 227: Contexts: Women & Christianity
- THEO 227: Contexts: Women & Early Church
+ Interreligious Competency
- THEO 228: Comparative: World Religions
- THEO 228: Comparative: Islam
- THEO 228: Comparative: Judaism
- THEO 228: Comparative: Hinduism and Buddhism
- THEO 228: Comparative: Interreligious Encounter
- THEO 228: Comparative: Qur’an & the Prophet
- THEO 228: Comparative: Interreligious Dialogue
+ Justice and Peace Competency
- JPST 275 Qualitative Methods: Research for Social Justice
- JPST 280: Active Nonviolence
- JPST 355: Public Policy Analysis and Advocacy
- JPST 365: Leadership for Social Justice
- JPST 375: Conflict Analysis and Transformation
+ Communication Competency
- ARTH 106: Global Photography
- COMM 100: Public Speaking
- COMM 212: Communication Criticism
- COMM 328: Comm. of Race, Class, and Gender
- COMM 326: Communication & Leadership
- COMM 370: Intercultural Communication
- ENGL 315: Topics in Professional Writing
- ENGL 304: Analytical and Persuasive Writing
- STCM 234: Principles of Strategic Comm.
+ Policy and Advocacy Competency
- JPST 355: Public Policy Analysis and Advocacy
- POLS 205: Citizen Participation and Public Policy
- POLS 301: Political Identity and Participation
- POLS 309: Environmental Policy
- SOCI 200: Introduction to Criminal Justice and Juvenile Delinquency
- SOWK 391: Social Policy for Social Change
+ Intercultural Competency
- ACST 200: American Culture: Power/Identity
- ARTH 1xx: Art and Resistance (GP)
- ARTH 2xx: Art and Social Justice in the Americas (DISJ)
- ENGL 202: Reading Black Resistance
- ENGL 202: Fictions of Nature
- ENGL 217: Multicultural Literature
- ENGL 218: Literature by Women: Critical History
- ENGL 337: The Literature of Human Diversity
- ENGL 341: Lit. by Women: Critical Questions
- POLS 302: Women and Politics
- SOCI 251: Race and Ethnicity
- SOCI 315: Gender, Culture, and Society
- SOCI 354: Sex in Society
- WGSS 205 Foundations in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (4 credits)
+ Sustainability Competency
- ENVR 151: Environmental Challenges & Sustainable Solutions
- ENVR 212: Society and Sustainability
- COMM 372: Communication and the Environment
- ECON 370: Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
- ENTR 330: Sustainability and Innovation
- GEOG 331: Conservation Geography
- HIST 228: Environmental History
- JOUR 372: Environmental Journalism
- PHIL 258: Environmental Ethics
- PSYC 334: Psychology of Sustainability
**A student cannot qualify for both the certificate and the minor in Faith & Praxis.
Certificate In Lay Ministry
The Certificate in Ministry will consist of six (6) four-credit undergraduate courses:
- THEO 100: Foundations
- THEO 221: Bible: Old Testament
- THEO 221: Bible: New Testament
- THEO 223: Belief: Jesus
- THEO 223: Belief: Church and Sacramentality
- THEO 225: Faith & Ethics: Love & Justice
All of the courses in the Certificate program are part of the standard offerings of the Theology department. These courses are taught by St. Thomas faculty at the same level and with the same standards as the coursework for a major in Theology. Thus, the coursework for the Certificate in Lay Ministry would be applicable toward a Baccalaureate of Arts degree, should the student decide to complete his or her studies at that level. Because they will be applicable toward the Theology major, all program standards will be the same as for the major. This means that students must maintain a grade point average of 2.0 within the program. No course can be taken on a Pass/Fail basis. If the department passes any other regulations for the major, these would automatically apply to the certificate program as well.
Because the students for which this program is designed likely will come with very different educational backgrounds and ministerial experiences, an advisor will work with each individual student to ensure the student’s success. Insofar as their coursework will typically be taken within a cohort, students will attain a common educational experience by the time they have concluded the program.
Applicants for the Lay Ministry Certificate program should have at least 12 months of full-time or part-time professional ministry experience prior to admission. Prospective students will provide official high school transcript(s) or GED and official college transcript(s) (if any). They will also submit a writing sample, in which they reflect on their understanding of the vocation or theology of ministry, and a letter of recommendation from one of their supervisors in ministry. Students can transfer up to three courses into the certificate, if approved by the program director.
Theology Undergraduate Courses
| Course Number | Title | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| THEO 100 | Foundations | 4 | |
| Description of course Foundations : | This course introduces students to foundational concepts and skills associated with Christian theology. The course reflects critically upon the concepts of God and Christ, Scripture, Faith and Reason, the Human Being, and the Common Good, especially in the context of Catholic Intellectual Tradition and Catholic Social Teaching. Students will gain a basic level of theological literacy through introduction to central texts within Christian tradition, particularly the Bible. Students will also be introduced to connecting fundamental theological questions to the common good in the context of the pressing challenges of today’s world. | ||
| THEO 221 | Bible | 4 | |
| Description of course Bible : | This course involves the student in a literary, historical, and theological reading of major portions of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) or New Testament. All sections explore the Bible as a foundational document for the Jewish and Christian traditions (both ancient and modern), examining to varying degrees how the texts have been used in the development of doctrine, in the expressions of worship, and in the articulation of moral principles. The course also examines elements of power and privilege, both with respect to the social and political positions of the authors and the settings in which the texts were written, and also with respect to how the biblical texts have been appropriated in different time periods and by different communities (in history and today), and used as vehicles of both oppression and liberation. The course investigates the literature and theologies of the Israelite people in their ancient Near Eastern context, or in their Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts, applying modern methods of biblical interpretation. Students may examine a specialized biblical topic of the instructor’s choosing such as the Pentateuch, historical literature, wisdom literature, prophetic literature, or apocalyptic literature in the Hebrew Bible; or the Gospels, the Letters of Paul, or apocalyptic literature in the New Testament. Courses might focus on a particular theme, such as justice in the Bible, or how Jesus approached forgiveness or nonviolence. | ||
| THEO 222 | History | 4 | |
| Description of course History : | This course introduces students to a historical examination of a particular period or periods of Christian history, such as the emergence and development of the Christian Church in the early centuries, the Middle Ages, or the period of the Reformation, or students may delve into a specialized topic in Christian history with a focus on a topic of the instructor’s choosing, such as Christianity and Nazism, the Second Vatican Council, contemporary Catholic theologians, etc. | ||
| THEO 223 | Belief | 4 | |
| Description of course Belief : | This course either introduces systematic theology, a discipline that tries to understand how Christian teachings relate to each other and to other beliefs about the world, or it focuses on a particular teaching of the Church, such as Christ, salvation, or death and the afterlife. It explores both traditional and contemporary interpretations of the most significant teachings in Catholic and Protestant traditions, emphasizing the relationship of scripture, tradition, experience, and reason as sources for Christian theology. Special emphasis is given to the role of grace in history and human experience. All sections explore the ways in which Christian doctrine has influenced and been influenced by the culture in which it is lived, and the role that Christian teachings play in responding to social need. | ||
| THEO 224 | Bridges | 4 | |
| Description of course Bridges : | In this course, students will conduct a theological examination of a topic of the instructor’s choosing that is held in conversation with another area of study, such as theology and aesthetics, art, literature film, music, science, psychology, politics, mass media, consumerism, public discourse, technology, or the environment. | ||
| THEO 225 | Faith & Ethics | 4 | |
| Description of course Faith & Ethics : | This course explores principles, methods, and topics of Christian theological ethics. It addresses the relation of Christian faith to moral reflection and decision making (both individual and social); the contribution of the Christian tradition to understanding the human person; the significance of love, justice, and commitment to the common good in Christian moral life; and the role of the believing community in its relation to culture. Topics might include sex, marriage, and family; crime, justice, and forgiveness; war, peace, and revolution; immigration; environmental sustainability and animal rights; poverty and economic justice, among others. | ||
| THEO 226 | Spirituality | 4 | |
| Description of course Spirituality : | This course either introduces diverse expressions of Christian spirituality or focuses on topics within a distinctly Christian spirituality according to the discretion of the instructor such as Christian styles of worship, Christian understandings of sacramentality (especially Christian marriage), or stages of spiritual formation. Students will consider methodological issues in the academic study of spirituality. Emphasis is placed on a wide reading in the Christian tradition of both primary and secondary literature in order to assist the student in grasping the integral link between the lived faith of Christians and the theological articulation of that faith. | ||
| THEO 227 | Contexts | 4 | |
| Description of course Contexts : | In this course, students will explore approaches to theology that emerge out of diverse cultural contexts. Sections may focus on biblical interpretation, dynamics of church life, mission work, or transnational solidarity through the eyes of the marginalized, or they may focus on efforts to articulate and bear witness to the gospel amid new cultures and historical challenges, according to the instructor’s discretion. Sections may focus on experiences of marginalization and oppression as a source for theological reflection for women (giving rise to feminist/womanist/mujerista theologies, for example), or for people of color or indigenous peoples (giving rise to Latin American, African-American, Minjung, and South African liberation theologies, for example), or for economically exploited classes (also giving rise to liberation theologies). This course will thus provide an opportunity to learn how the global Christian community is gaining fresh insights into the gospel that were missed when the dominant perspective on theology reflected primarily the experience of European men, or to learn how claims by Christians have at various times served both to challenge and to reinforce systems of power and privilege. | ||
| THEO 228 | Comparative | 4 | |
| Description of course Comparative : | This course invites students to explore Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Indigenous worldviews, or other traditions, in relation to Christianity. They may also examine distinctions within a single religious tradition (between Sunni and Shia sects within Islam, for example). Classes may focus on lived practice, modes of inter- and intrareligious dialogue, theologies of religious pluralism, or sacred texts. Students will critically and creatively reflect on the theological opportunities and challenges posed by the reality of religious pluralism in our contemporary world. | ||
| THEO 229 | Professions | 4 | |
| Description of course Professions : | In this course, students will conduct a theological examination of vocation or professional life in conversation with a chosen profession, such as management, law, education, engineering, medicine, healthcare, public health, or social work. | ||
| THEO 300 | Signature Work in Theology | 4 | |
| Description of course Signature Work in Theology : | Open to all students, not only theology majors, the signature work in theology course is designed as a capstone experience to integrate a student’s entire college career, bringing fullness of expression to the University’s efforts through the liberal arts core to educate morally responsible leaders who, grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition, think critically, act wisely, and work skillfully to advance the common good. There are two types of signature work in theology: signature work that is focused on contemporary challenges, or signature work that is focused on faith and the professions. Signature work that is focused on contemporary challenges will invite students to conduct research and/or experiential learning around matters of pressing concern according to the instructor’s discretion, such as fostering understanding across lines of religious difference; cultivating interfaith leadership; searching for beauty; establishing justice and peace; or responding to contemporary challenges such as environmental sustainability, immigration, or mass incarceration. Signature work that is focused on vocation may explore the integration of theology with a profession of the instructor’s choosing, such as the management professions, the legal professions, the medical professions, the public health professions, the psychological professions, or the engineering professions. Prerequisites: THEO 100 and a student must have at least 80 credits completed. | ||
| THEO 403 | Theology and Genetics | 4 | |
| Description of course Theology and Genetics : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. In the half-century since Watson and Crick first deduced the structure of DNA (1953), our knowledge of the fundamental properties of organic life has grown exponentially. So too has our ability to manipulate those properties for the relief of suffering and the improvement of human life. Our continued pursuit of genetic knowledge and the application of that knowledge to human life have sparked vigorous debate on a variety of distinct but related levels of inquiry: scientific, practical, moral, political, philosophical, and theological. This course aims to introduce students to a representative sampling of these debates. It emphasizes the inescapably theological dimension underlying them all. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course | ||
| THEO 405 | Spiritual Formation | 0 | |
| Description of course Spiritual Formation : | Person involved in lay ministry can provide appropriate spiritual leadership only if they themselves pursue a vibrant, adult faith life. This zero credit course introduces student to resources and religious practices from a variety of faith traditions that will contribute to their own spiritual development. Through group discussion and reflective assignments, they will also have opportunities to reflect upon their gifts, strengths and limitations for lay ministry. Required of all students completing the ministry concentration. Enrollment in the lay ministry program or permission of instructor required. Prerequisite: Enrollment in lay ministry program or permission of instructor. | ||
| THEO 407 | Catechesis & Faith Formation | 4 | |
| Description of course Catechesis & Faith Formation : | Ecumenical in nature, this course is designed to help students connect the knowledge and skills they have gained in previous theology courses to the practice of catechetical ministry and adult faith formation in a parish or church setting. Students will investigate various strategies for evangelization, particularly for outreach to people of diverse backgrounds. They will learn how one's faith development is related to the various stages of events in one's life and investigate ways to relate church teachings and Christian scriptures to the faith development and formation of both youth and adults. To this end, they will study relevant catechal documents and learn how to assess catechetical and faith formation programs for their appropriateness to a particular community of faith. Emphasis will be placed on the Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults as paradigmatic for Christian formation across the life span. This course is intended for students pursuing the concentration in lay ministry. Field observation is required Prerequisites: Four college-level courses in theology. | ||
| THEO 411 | Catholicism and Modernity | 4 | |
| Description of course Catholicism and Modernity : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. The course addresses the development of the Catholic Church and Catholic theology from the medieval age to contemporary times. A key theme in this history is an understanding of the "political culture" of Catholicism, that is to say, its developing theology of government, power, rights, revolution, geopolitics, and globalization. The course relies on history, canon law, and political science as sources of its theological evaluation of the continuing encounter of Catholicism and modernity. Prerequisites: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course | ||
| THEO 417 | Internship in Ministry | 4 | |
| Description of course Internship in Ministry : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. This internship complements the student's academic work by providing a supervised ministerial experience. Working with an on-site ministry staff person, the student will apply their academic training to their chosen area of ministry. A minimum of 10 hours per week at the selected agency or church is required, as well as a weekly seminar session led by a UST Theology faculty member. Prerequisite: Completion of 24 credits in theology, including 215 | ||
| THEO 420 | Theology & Biomedical Revol | 4 | |
| Description of course Theology & Biomedical Revol : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. This course examines the contributions of Christian faith to reflecting upon, understanding, and resolving issues and ethical questions raised by revolutionary developments in the life sciences, e.g. innovation birth technologies, genetic manipulation and control, human experimentation, the prolonging of life and allocation of scarce medical resources. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course | ||
| THEO 421 | Theologies of Justice & Peace | 4 | |
| Description of course Theologies of Justice & Peace : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. An examination of the views of various religions and ideologies on issues of justice and peace, with special attention to the Catholic and other Christian teachings on such issues as war and peace, violence, economic justice, the environment, criminal justice, and social justice. Special attention is given to how fundamental presuppositions and principles of each group studied affect their views on justice and peace, and contribute to or hinder dialogue and peaceful interaction with other groups. In addition to Christianity, students will study (at least) one far eastern worldview (e.g. Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism), one tribal religion (Native American, African Tribal), Islam, and one secular worldview (e.g. Marxism, capitalism, secular humanism). Students are required to investigate one worldview in depth through a semester-long research project. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course | ||
| THEO 422 | Christ Faith & Mgmt Profesn | 4 | |
| Description of course Christ Faith & Mgmt Profesn : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. What is a good manager and how does he or she contribute to the common good? This course pursues these questions within the Christian social tradition broadly understood through an exploration of the theological relationship between work as a vocation and leisure as contemplation. Within this theological context, the course examines the financial, organizational, technological, and cultural forces that managers and organizations encounter daily. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course | ||
| THEO 423 | Christian Marriage | 4 | |
| Description of course Christian Marriage : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. This course is designed to acquaint students with the theology of Christian marriage, understood as covenant relationship and as sacrament, that is, an effective sign of God's love in our world. Primary though not exclusive emphasis will be on the Roman Catholic tradition. Students will also examine contemporary cultural attitudes toward sexuality, marriage, and the family in the light of Christian theology. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course | ||
| THEO 424 | Christianity/World Religion | 4 | |
| Description of course Christianity/World Religion : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. This course is a comparison of the teachings and practices of Christianity with the teachings and practices of selected non-Christian religions, for example, American Indian (Lakota), Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. The aim of the course will be to clarify similarities and differences between Christianity and other religions, to reflect on the problem posed by religious pluralism in modern culture, and to develop a Christian theology of world religions. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course | ||
| THEO 425 | Judaism | 4 | |
| Description of course Judaism : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. An examination of Judaism, its history, literature, religious concepts, practices and personalities. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course | ||
| THEO 426 | Islam | 4 | |
| Description of course Islam : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. This course is designed to familiarize students with the basic beliefs and practices of Islam in its diverse cultural expressions worldwide, including worship, family life, and intellectual and artistic traditions. Through a close reading of Qur'anic and biblical texts, students will consider how Islam is both similar to and different from the other two major monotheistic faiths, Judaism and Christianity. Finally, the course will examine how both Islam and Christianity are meeting the challenges of modern culture. This course fulfills the Human Diversity requirement in the core curriculum. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course | ||
| THEO 427 | Evil & Suffering | 4 | |
| Description of course Evil & Suffering : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. This course analyzes some of the most profound evils of the modern era, and attempts to relate them to traditional and contemporary discussions of divine and human responsibility. It is especially concerned with the unique features of modern evils, including their presence in certain social structures, political systems and scientific technologies. Specific subjects for study, which will vary from year to year, may include, the Holocaust; slave trade; genocidal colonization in Africa, Asia, and the Americas; the threat of nuclear annihilation. This course investigates how religious faith might be re-interpreted in light of these evils, and whether the notion of a suffering deity is theologically appropriate for Christian faith. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course | ||
| THEO 428 | Women & the Old Testament | 4 | |
| Description of course Women & the Old Testament : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. This course explores the topic of women and the Old Testament from several different vantage points. In the first place, it will try to reconstruct the status and roles of women during the biblical periods at various points in their ancient Near Eastern context. This reconstruction will involve an examination of the legal and narrative material of the Old Testament and cross-cultural studies on women and family life in non-industrial countries. Secondly, the course investigates the conceptions of gender in the Old Testament, including key texts such as the creation stories, the stories about the ancestors, the stories about family honor, the female characters of the historical books of the Bible, the books named after women (Ruth, Esther, Judith), the texts symbolizing women as evil (e.g., the foreign woman, the adulterous wife, the whore of Babylon). Finally, the course studies the interpretive work of biblical scholars and how they utilize various historical and literary-critical methodologies in order to bring issues of gender, race, and class to bear upon the biblical text. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course | ||
| THEO 429 | Women & Christian Tradition | 4 | |
| Description of course Women & Christian Tradition : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. This course explores the ways in which the Judeo-Christian religious tradition has profoundly influenced our society's definition of women. It will focus on what some of the major works of this tradition assert about the nature and place of women in their particular historical communities. Students will also read religious literature by women in order to acquire a sense of women's religious experience both throughout history and in the present day. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course | ||
| THEO 430 | Music & the Bible | 4 | |
| Description of course Music & the Bible : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. This course explores the social, cultural and religious contexts for music-making among biblical peoples and the primitive Christian communities. Students will learn to do detailed analysis of psalm and canticle texts in the Old Testament and acclamations, infancy canticles, God-hymns, Christ-hymns and psalmody in the New Testament. Implications for present-day worship and spirituality will also be addressed. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course | ||
| THEO 431 | Women in the Early Church | 4 | |
| Description of course Women in the Early Church : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. The literature of early Christianity is filled with ambiguity concerning women's role in the churches and in the story of salvation. Women's subordination was justified on the basis of Eve's role in bringing evil and sin into the world. At the same time, women were presented as heroines and models of the ideal Christian life. They held roles of leadership within early church communities, even while early church writers argued against their right to do so. This course will examine a wide range of primary texts by and about women in the early Christian churches in order to explore the relationship between faith and culture as the context for understanding women's role and status in the early church. It will also look at ways in which these texts might be relevant for the modern context. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course | ||
| THEO 432 | Black Religious Experience | 4 | |
| Description of course Black Religious Experience : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. This course explore Black theological development as a cultural, functional and cognitive dimension of traditional Afro-American society, including belief, worship, expression, symbol, spirituality and God. Attention will be given to the meaning and roots of the notions of culture, nationalism and racism as they appear as questions in Black theological though, including African religions, Islam and The Nation of Islam, along with Afro-American Christian theologies. African as well as Afro-American religious experience combined with the affirmation of the Christian creed are identified in order to evaluate the questions of Black Catholic theology in America today. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course | ||
| THEO 433 | Theology & Politics | 4 | |
| Description of course Theology & Politics : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. A theological investigation of changing relationships between Christianity and the political order, principally in religious terms as understood by Christians themselves but also from the vantage point of government. Emphasis in the first half of the course is on the foundational events of the New Testament and the early Christian era, and in the second half on Christianity's experience with secular and democratic modernity in America. The aim of the course is to measure the effect, in changing historical contexts, of persecution, establishment, and disestablishment, on a religion which professes both to be rooted in transcendent reality, and to have direct implications for life in this world. Primary readings from scripture, ancient and modern theology, speeches, sermons, Supreme Court decisions, and political, sociological and religious reflections on the American experiment with democracy and freedom of religion. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course | ||
| THEO 434 | Science & Christian Theo | 4 | |
| Description of course Science & Christian Theo : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. This course is an introduction to the interrelationship between Christian theology (the understanding of the Christian faith), and the natural sciences. It explores the relationship between scientific and theological methods and modes of knowledge, and considers some of the central topics of Christian theology - God, creation, providence, resurrections, and afterlife - in the light of modern scientific evidence and theories. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course and one Science course | ||
| THEO 435 | Atheists & Apologists | 4 | |
| Description of course Atheists & Apologists : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. This course explores the problem of religious beliefs in a secular society by focusing on the effects of the empirical and human sciences on the classical understanding of God. Considering original thinkers, such as Descartes, Kant, Hegel, Marx, Darwin, Nietzsche, and Freud, the course will explore the emergence of several types of atheism and the intellectual defense of religious belief. Students will do a detailed reading of selected texts, which may include theological, philosophical, scientific, and literary works. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course | ||
| THEO 436 | Chrstian Fath & Legal Profes | 4 | |
| Description of course Chrstian Fath & Legal Profes : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. If to work is to share in the creative activity of God, then what specific challenge does this pose for an attorney given the grinding realities of the legal profession? If to be a professional is to live out a tripartite relationship between self, client, and a higher standard, then how does an attorney determine, much less respond to such a standard? Through a close reading of a variety of theological texts, treaties, case studies and rules of professional conduct, this course will address these questions and, in so doing, attempt to fashion a paradigm for the Christian practice of law. Within this paradigm, emphasis will be placed on the meaning of justice, law, rights and responsibilities. An ethic of care that fosters the development of a compassionate world and a common life will be emphasized. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course | ||
| THEO 437 | Chrstn Faith & Hlth Care Prof. | 4 | |
| Description of course Chrstn Faith & Hlth Care Prof. : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. What is a good health care professional? This course pursues this question and possible answers to it, from a historical, moral, and theological point of view. Reading and discussion will be guided by a detailed investigation of the scientific/technological, economic, and cultural forces that are presently complicating our traditional understanding of health care. Emphasis throughout will be on the Christian tradition of moral inquiry as a resource for responding to this question. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course | ||
| THEO 438 | Theo-Crime, Punish, Forgive | 4 | |
| Description of course Theo-Crime, Punish, Forgive : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. This course will (a) explore U.S. criminal justice systems from several theological viewpoints and (b) cultivate a conversation between the resources of theology and criminology in the search for responses to the current issues in these systems. The overlapping themes in criminology and theology of crime and sin, punishment and rehabilitation and redemption, restoration and forgiveness will shape the discussion. Students pursuing vocations in criminal justice will have an opportunity to consider the relationship between their work and Christian theology, while students who are interested in the topic as involved citizens may come to see how they may play a part in addressing this issue. Prerequisite: one THEO course numbered 200-399 | ||
| THEO 439 | History of Religion in America | 4 | |
| Description of course History of Religion in America : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. This course traces the evolution of religion in the territories that constitute the United States of America today. This collection of believers (Native, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim, etc.) initially emerged from the complex encounters between the indigenous Native American residents and triduum of European explorers (Spanish, French, and English). Ultimately it not only incorporated several additional imported communities and belief systems, but also created a unique blend of the sacred and secular. Attention will be given to the social dynamics of these communities, their understanding of God, and the theologies that developed. The polemic and harmonious relationships of these communities will serve as a backdrop to the development of key concepts (religion, culture, belief, common good, values, etc.) as they appear in the religious vocabulary of citizens of the USA. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course | ||
| THEO 440 | Hinduism & Buddhism | 4 | |
| Description of course Hinduism & Buddhism : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. This course investigates Hinduism and Buddhism, two great Asian religions that have had world-wide impact. We will examine the historical and theological foundations of each religion as well as the plurality of expressions within each. Considerable attention will be paid to classical Hindu and Buddhist texts. This course will also attend to issues of comparative religion and interreligious dialogue, particularly with regard to Christianity. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course | ||
| THEO 445 | Theology and Education | 4 | |
| Description of course Theology and Education : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. A study of topics and procedures for teaching religion. Using previously acquired theological knowledge, the course examines the tasks of translating and transmitting that knowledge as a series of insights to elementary and secondary students. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course | ||
| THEO 446 | Theology & Psychology | 4 | |
| Description of course Theology & Psychology : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. This course will investigate the relationship between psychology and theological approaches to human existence. This course will address interfacing issues such as how the human person is variously conceived, the relationship between human flourishing and spiritual development. There is an inherent, creative tension between the assumptions and methods of both disciplines, one typically seeking adjustment and individuation and the other seeking holiness and realizing the reign of God. Through lecture, critical reading, class discussion, and student research this course shall examine how both academic disciplines inform and challenge each other. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course | ||
| THEO 447 | Faith, Social Transform & SOWK | 4 | |
| Description of course Faith, Social Transform & SOWK : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. There are strong ties between the profession of social work and Christian social morality. Social workers promote social change, healthy human relationships and the enhancement of personal well-being. Many social workers see their work as a vocation. They are often moved to join the profession and are motivated in profession by spiritual beliefs. Christian social ethics affirms these goals. This course will explore the ties and the tensions between social work, social transformation and Christian ethics. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course, one SOWK course | ||
| THEO 448 | Theology & Literature | 4 | |
| Description of course Theology & Literature : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. How do various writers explore and convey their understandings or theological categories such as God, humanity, creation, redemption, faith, doubt, good, and evil? How does looking at the interplay of form and content, the elements and purpose of storytelling, and the connections of culture and ideology to artistic expression shed light on key theological questions? This team-taught course will explore these literary and theological questions through critical engagement with texts from a variety of time periods, literary genres, and religious perspectives. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course, and one English course | ||
| THEO 449 | Christian Faith & ENGR Prof | 4 | |
| Description of course Christian Faith & ENGR Prof : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. This course explores the relation of theology and engineering, focusing on how the two disciplines come together in the contemporary profession of engineering. Study of theological topics, such as the nature of the created world, the dignity and vocation of the human person, and a theological understanding of work, provides a foundational Christian vision. Extensive case study analysis assists the integrated comprehension of that vision and its application to the social, moral, and professional obligations of engineers. Emphasis is given to issues encountered by mechanical and electrical engineers, such as product impact on the environment, the social implications of engineering, and engineering for the military. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course, one engineering course | ||
| THEO 450 | Theology & Mass Media | 4 | |
| Description of course Theology & Mass Media : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. This course will analyze and evaluate the coverage of religion and religious issues in the mass media (primarily in newspaper and magazines) and analyze religiously-inspired or religiously-themed media products (primarily in films, radio, television programs, and books). This course attempts to develop skills in detecting the religious thread in the tapestry of modern culture, interpreting the theological content in popular culture, critically analyzing the coverage of religion in the news, and appreciating the ways in which the finest examples of religiously-themed popular culture have advanced the theological conversation of which all modern believers are a part. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course | ||
| THEO 451 | Christianity & Nazism | 4 | |
| Description of course Christianity & Nazism : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. This course studies both Catholic and Protestant Christianity in Germany from the First World War to the end of the Second World War. The basic theme is Christianity's relationship with its host culture, and the ways in which the churches, both theologians and lay people, understood that relationship, especially in its political dimension, amidst the crises that convulsed Germany in the twenties, thirties, and forties. Attention is given both to cases that demonstrate the conflict between Christianity and culture, and to cases in which the conflict was not acknowledged, whether through defects of character, theological blind spots, or political miscalculations. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course | ||
| THEO 452 | Theology & Beauty | 4 | |
| Description of course Theology & Beauty : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. Is beauty "in the eye of the beholder"? Are "beauty" and "prettiness" synonymous? Are "beauty" and "ugliness" opposites? Might beauty still be considered a transcendental aspect of being along with the true and the good? Is it possible that Beauty is a name for God, or a means by which God reveals God's self in the created order? This course examines a variety of theological approaches to these questions, both ancient and modern. It also explores the implications of varying answers to these questions for the arts, and for lives of faith. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course | ||
| THEO 453 | Theology & Art | 4 | |
| Description of course Theology & Art : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. Through the ages, the relationship between theology and the arts has been mutually enriching, resulting in some of the world's masterpieces of visual art, architecture, music, and literature. The relationship, too, has been strained by iconoclastic movements which express fear that the arts tempt people with idolatry. In this course, students will consider the theological dimensions of the complex relationship between theology and the arts. Emphasis on historical periods, themes, doctrines, intersections, and types of art will vary according to the expertise of the instructors. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course, one Art History course | ||
| THEO 454 | The Morality of War | 4 | |
| Description of course The Morality of War : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. Against the background of historical debates within the Christian tradition, this course examines circumstances in which military force may be justified and the moral constraints that apply to its conduct. Major attention to concrete case studies will familiarize students with standard just war criteria and develop their capacity to apply them in difficult situations. Students explore emerging debates over questions such as: Who decides whether a war is just? What place does war have in the evolving international system? What prospects has Gandhian nonviolence opened up for transarmament? Is there an obligation for humanitarian intervention even in the absence of national self-interest? Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course | ||
| THEO 455 | Church in Latin America | 4 | |
| Description of course Church in Latin America : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. In this course we will study Christian theology and practice in a context of great suffering and struggle. We analyze the various forms that Christianity has taken in Latin America from the period of the Spanish Conquest to the present. We will study the history of the Church in Latin America, but more importantly we will examine the theological issues raised in each era to see how Christians have lived their faith under different circumstances. As we examine the complex interplay of Church, poverty, and power in Latin American history, we will examine theologies and spiritualties of evangelization, liberation, martyrdom, poverty, and the Church. We will also study and critique specifically Latin American methods and approaches to the theological task itself. Finally, we will examine the coming of the Latin American Church to the United States through immigration. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course | ||
| THEO 456 | Christianity & Consumer Cultr | 4 | |
| Description of course Christianity & Consumer Cultr : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. Consumerism can be defined as the tendency to reduce both the material and the spiritual to commodities. This course is an extended investigation of the dynamics of consumerism in American culture from the perspective of the Christian intellectual tradition. Sources drawn upon will include materials from theology, political theory, philosophy, and economic theory. Attention will be given to the history of consumerism, the theology implicit in consumerism, and different Christian reactions to the phenomenon of consumerism. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course | ||
| THEO 457 | Theology & Public Discourse | 4 | |
| Description of course Theology & Public Discourse : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. This course addresses students as citizen believers, mapping out what role they can play in public life. It first examine the Christian tradition and its teachings on responsible citizenship. It then examines the question using legal and political theory from before our founding as a nation through the debates about the nature of our democracy today. The rest of the course is focused on preparing students as citizen believers to enter the public square with their own theological argument on a contemporary political topic of interest to them, which will make public through varied written formats and class debate. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course | ||
| THEO 458 | The Bible/ Multicltr Perspect | 4 | |
| Description of course The Bible/ Multicltr Perspect : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. This course examines the interaction between biblical interpretation and diverse contemporary cultures. The course defines multiculturalism broadly to include race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, class and/or religion. The course has three goals: a reconstruction of the cultural context of the ancient world; an examination of challenges posed by cultural theories; and the impact diverse readings have for contemporary theologies based on the bible. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO courses | ||
| THEO 459 | Theology & Environment | 4 | |
| Description of course Theology & Environment : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. This course examines Christian theological and moral reflection on the relation between human activity and the natural environment. It will address environmental issues that are of mutual concern to theologians and the natural or social sciences; thus it will study scientific analysis along with theological perspectives. The course will also review contemporary practices and/or policies that address environmental problems. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course | ||
| THEO 460 | Christian Ethics & US Immigrtn | 4 | |
| Description of course Christian Ethics & US Immigrtn : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. This course will bring the tools and the methods of Christian ethics to bear on the issues of economic immigration in the contemporary, U.S. context. The first part of the course examines the economic, political, historical, social and cultural dimensions of transnational migration in the U.S. context. The second part of the course will bring the resources of Christian ethics to the ethical issues of immigration raised in the first part of the course. This second part of the course will examine the centrality of alterity (otherness) in the Bible and the Christian tradition. The course will conclude with the discussion of how Christian ethics can inform the national discourse on these issues and conversely, how the issues of migration must shape Christian ethics. This course will have a service learning component that will bring students into contact with immigrant communities in the Twin Cities. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course | ||
| THEO 461 | Comp. Theo. of Sex/Gender/Body | 4 | |
| Description of course Comp. Theo. of Sex/Gender/Body : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. This course provides an introduction to theological reflection on sex, gender, and the body in the Christian tradition and the Islamic religious traditions. It is a comparative theological course in that it juxtaposes texts of diverse perspectives from these two religious traditions in order to seek deeper understanding of sex, gender, and the body. This “Bridge 2 course” prompts students to reflect on their vocation as a sexual, gendered, and embodied being, and to do so interreligiously. While the course will take into consideration how theology has collaborated with patriarchal, imperial, ethnic, heteronormative, and socio‐economic powers, the central focus will be on contemporary feminist, queer, and post‐colonial theologies that attempt to undermine oppressive systems in Asian, Latin American, North American, Middle Eastern, and/or other contexts. Crosslisted with Women’s Studies. Prerequisites: THEO 2xx or THEO 3xx | ||
| THEO 462 | Theo and Lit - C.S. Lewis | 4 | |
| Description of course Theo and Lit - C.S. Lewis : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. This is a Bridge Course whose readings will focus primarily on C.S. Lewis's literary works, especially, but not exclusively, on his fiction. The course will also include some critical works, both Lewis's as well as others' work about Lewis. In addition, numerous biblical passages will be examined, including the parables of Jesus, which, as a parallel to Lewis's work, can demonstrate the theological possibility of narrative. Class lectures and readings in and about Lewis will explore Christian theology and its interdisciplinary relations to literature, especially myth. Through the lens of Lewis's literature, historical, philosophical, moral, educational, and global issues will be considered. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course | ||
| THEO 463 | The Bible & American Politics | 4 | |
| Description of course The Bible & American Politics : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. This course examines the use and misuse of the Bible and its political teachings in American political history. Readings and discussions will address the political message of the Bible, the question of whether the Bible played any substantial role in the creation of the American polity, and the way in which particular biblical passages, themes, and schools of interpretation have functioned in American political discourse and have influenced the development of American history. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course | ||
| THEO 464 | Jesus Christ & Intrelg Dialg | 4 | |
| Description of course Jesus Christ & Intrelg Dialg : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. This course will explore the identity and role of Jesus in Christianity in relation to Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. It will show the similarities and differences in the various approaches to Jesus in the context of each of these respective religions and of interfaith dialogue. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course | ||
| THEO 465 | Justice & the Bible | 4 | |
| Description of course Justice & the Bible : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. This course will investigate ways that the Bible has been and can be used to address issues of social justice and peace in today's world, both within Christian faith communities and in public debate. Topics of investigation may include war, poverty, oppression, human rights, world hunger, immigration, ecology, globalization, capital punishment, genocide, euthanasia, and racial, gender and economic inequities. Attention will be given to contemporary approaches to the study of the Bible that lend themselves to exploring these issues. The instructor may opt to focus on the Old Testament or the New Testament of the Christian scriptures. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course | ||
| THEO 466 | The Qur'an and the Bible | 4 | |
| Description of course The Qur'an and the Bible : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. This course will examine the Bible and Qur'an and compare them. Points of comparison might include: competing claims of divine inspiration; creation, Adam and Eve; Joseph; the law; Mary and Jesus; Mohammed and Jesus. This course has three goals. First, to gain an understanding of each broad tradition (Islamic from the Qur'an, and Jewish and Christian from the Bible); second, to develop a method by which to approach sacred texts, a way to see their relevance and power; and third, to appreciate both the differences and similarities in these two sacred texts, both in their literary features, and in their effect upon society. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course | ||
| THEO 467 | Muslim & Christian Dialogue | 4 | |
| Description of course Muslim & Christian Dialogue : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. This course will explore what Christianity and Islam have in common, where they differ, and what are the most fruitful points of dialogue between the two religions. We will examine both Muslim and Christian perspectives on a range of topics, including God, revelation/prophecy, Jesus, Muhammad, scripture, human nature, women and marriage, morality, peace and war, religion and politics, salvation, and eschatology. We will also consider some ongoing examples of Muslim-Christian dialogue, as well as papal statements concerning Islam and Muslim responses to those statements. Prerequisite: one 200-level or 300-level THEO course | ||
| THEO 468 | Interreligious Encounter | 2 OR 4 | |
| Description of course Interreligious Encounter : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. In the last half century religious diversity in the West has rapidly increased, bringing people from different religious traditions into daily contact. This has resulted in new conflicts, sometimes in violence, but also in new collaborations and friendships. Drawing on several approaches to interreligious conflict and relations, this course will examine the dynamic encounters that take place between and among people of different religious identities and ask students to reflect on their own role in religiously complex situations. Students will consider this interreligious reality and their role in it against the backdrop of their own individual relationship to spirituality, faith, and theology. To foster interreligious understanding beyond the classroom, students in this course will spend significant time outside the classroom directly engaging religious diversity. Prerequisites: and one 200-level or 300-level THEO course | ||
| THEO 470 | Happiness, Suffering, and God | 4 | |
| Description of course Happiness, Suffering, and God : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. This seminar addresses the perennial problem of suffering and evil in light of contemporary research on human flourishing and happiness. The central question of the course is whether suffering can play a constructive role in the good life. While some forms of suffering are destructive, other forms of suffering, given the right attitude, can be conducive to the building of character and leading a life that has a richer meaning. The course brings a theological viewpoint to bear on these issues; it also draws on the resources of philosophy, psychology, literature, and history. The written assignments will encourage the students to integrate course material, articulate their own assumptions about suffering and human flourishing, and apply general principles to real-life situations. Prerequisites: one THEO course numbered 200-399 | ||
| THEO 472 | Theology and Public Health | 4 | |
| Description of course Theology and Public Health : | NOTE: This course is for students on the “old core.” Students on the new core should take any THEO 221-229 if they are choosing to take the third required course on philosophical and theological reasoning in Theology. This course will explore the relationship between theology and the public health professions. "Public health" is a term that refers to the art and science of a society's efforts to prevent disease and to promote health and human thriving. Topics will include biblical, theological, ethical, sociological, and epidemiological approaches to gender and economic-based disparities in health care. Special attention will be given to the religious dimension of global responses to crises in public health. Focus of sections will vary depending on the expertise of the faculty. Prerequisites: a 200 or 300 level THEO course | ||
| THEO 488 | Topics | 2 | |
| Description of course Topics : | The subject matter of these courses will vary from year to year, but will not duplicate existing courses. Descriptions of these courses are available in the Searchable Class Schedule on Murphy Online, View Searchable Class Schedule | ||
| THEO 489 | Topics | 4 | |
| Description of course Topics : | The subject matter of these courses will vary from year to year, but will not duplicate existing courses. Descriptions of these courses are available in the Searchable Class Schedule on Murphy Online, View Searchable Class Schedule | ||
| THEO 490 | Topics | 0 OR 4 | |
| Description of course Topics : | The subject matter of these courses will vary from year to year, but will not duplicate existing courses. Descriptions of these courses are available in the Searchable Class Schedule on Murphy Online, View Searchable Class Schedule | ||
| THEO 491 | Research | 2 OR 4 | |
| Description of course Research : | No description is available. | ||
| THEO 495 | Individual Study | 2 OR 4 | |
| Description of course Individual Study : | No description is available. | ||
| THEO 498 | Individual Study | 4 | |
| Description of course Individual Study : | No description is available. | ||