Theology and Religious Studies, BA

The Theology and Religious Studies major provides its students with a broad but significant introduction to theology, history, controversies, and diverse issues within the field as well as the study of religious textual tradition.  This major requires a broad range of courses in Biblical Studies, Systematic/Moral Theology, History, and World Religions.  But a unique feature of this program is that it also requires theological courses related to Culture and Spirituality.  An additional distinctive feature of this major is that of experiential learning.  These opportunities outside of the classroom include a required service experience and a broad range of other opportunities such as internships and retreats.

Degree Requirements

The T/RS major requires 30 credits of coursework plus 3 credits senior seminar.  In addition, two experiential learning projects. It requires 9 credits of Philosophy: Intro, General Ethics, and an Aquinas course to be created. It requires a History elective of World or Western History. 

Philosophy of Thomas Aquinas:  This course introduces the philosophical principles which guide Thomas’ natural theology, anthropology, ethics, metaphysics, anthropology, and epistemology.  This course will be important for understanding theological principles.

Senior Seminar: The senior seminar is 3 credits across two semesters in senior year.  Two credits in the fall semester consists of directed readings and research.  The 1 credit spring semester includes the writing and presentation of the final project.

Electives

9 credits of electives needed

Required Courses

REL 1011INTRODUCTION TO THEOLOGY

3

REL 1300INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS

3

REL 1050INTRODUCTION TO BIBLICAL STUDY

3

REL 2010HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY

3

REL 2001EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING I

0

REL 2002EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING II

0

REL 4800SENIOR SEMINAR I

2

REL 4801SENIOR SEMINAR II

1

REL 2001EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING I

0

REL 2002EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING II

0

Culture Requirement (Must Choose One)

REL 2005THEOLOGY, IMAGINIATION & ART

3

REL 3000THEOLOGY OF BEAUTY

3

REL 3175SPORTS AND RELIGION

3

REL 3220BEYOND NARNIA: THE FAITH & FICTION OF C.S. LEWIS

3

REL 4100THEOLOGY OF FILM

3

Scripture Requirement Must choose one

REL 1150INTRODUCTION TO OLD TESTAMENT

3

REL 1250INTRODUCTION NEW TESTAMENT

3

REL 2062GOSPELS OF MATTHEW, MARK & LUKE

3

REL 3056THE PSALMS & WISDOM LITERATURE

3

REL 3095PARABLES OF JESUS

3

REL 3096NEW TESTAMENT: GOSPEL OF JOHN

3

REL 3183BOOK OF APOCALYPSE

3

Spirituality Requirement (Must Choose One)

REL 2070RELIGIOUS MOVEMENT IN AMERICA

3

REL 3182RELIGION & PERSONAL GROWTH

3

REL 3186DOMINICAN SPIRITUALITY

3

3192INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY

REL 4074CHRISTIAN PRAYER

3

REL 4076EARLY CHRISTIAN WRITERS

3

Systematics Requirement (Must Choose One)

REL 3030CONTEMPORARY MORAL PROBLEMS

3

REL 3031THE INCARNATION & CHRISTOLOGY

3

REL 3069LITURGICAL RENEWAL

3

REL 3161CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE

3

REL 3460RELIGION & JUSTICE

3