THEO 236 — The Old Testament (3)
This course studies the principal themes, historical framework, geographical setting, and literary background of the Old Testament. The development of the faith of Israel, from its beginnings in the earliest tribal migrations to the emergence of Judaism just prior to the time of Jesus will be discussed. Cross-listed as CORE 251.

THEO 237 — The New Testament (3)
This course studies the principal themes, historical framework, geographical setting, and literary background of the New Testament. Both text-critical and theological themes will be explored. Cross-listed as CORE 252.

THEO 238 — Catholicism (3)
What does it mean to live in the world as a Christian and as a Catholic? How does it make sense to believe in a creator God, in Jesus Christ who suffered and died for us, and in the church as the living body of Christ? Especially in this day and age, how does it make sense to hope for the coming of the kingdom of God--a world in which justice and righteousness reign and there is no more suffering and no more tears? This course examines central Catholic hopes and beliefs and explores how to engage them in the joys and sorrows of the contemporary world. in this work, the common ground between Catholicism and other Christian communions is highlighted. Cross-listed as CORE 250.

THEO 239 — Key Biblical Themes (3)
The Bible tells the story of the beginnings of the relationship between God and human beings, but it does so by telling many different stories from many different times. This course provides an introduction to the Bible by examining central theological themes that connect these stories, such as creation, covenant, sin, prophecy, and salvation, as well as the historical roots of these stories, such as the Exodus, the Davidic Monarchy, the Exile, and the life and death of Jesus of Nazareth. Cross-listed as CORE 253.

THEO 241 — The Church (3)
This COURSE studies the origin and development of the church; its doctrinal struggles, sacramental practices, and a variety of the contemporary challenges it faces. Particular attention will be given to the theology of the Church (and its ecumenical implications) expressed in the thought of the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) and by contemporary theologians and Christian churches. Cross-listed as CORE 255.

THEO 242 — Who is Jesus? (3)
This course explores the many answers to the question Jesus asks his disciples: “Who do you say that I am?” Christians call Jesus the Christ, the Son of God, the King, and the Savior of the World, among many other titles. Jesus is also a figure of enduring fascination in cultural history. To gain a fuller theological understanding of Jesus, students will study such topics as Jewish Messianism, New Testament depictions of Jesus, theological understandings of the Son as the second person of the Trinity, Jesus’ two natures as God and human, explanations of how Jesus saves humanity from sin, and the historical Jesus. Other topics could include non-Christian perspectives of Jesus or Jesus in art, literature, and music. Cross-listed as CORE 257.

THEO 246 — Christian Worship (3)
This COURSE studies the Christian worship in terms of its foundations in human experience and the Christian theological tradition. Special attention will be focused on the renewed rituals of Christian initiation, Reconciliation and Eucharist as they have developed from their theological and historical traditions.

THEO 295 — Volunteer community Service (1)
This course is a practical investigation of the experience of poverty and suffering that exists all around us, and the responsibility these ills place upon us to serve those in need. Selections from the Church’s social teaching will be studied in the very early part of the COURSE. But the major learning will come from ten weeks of actual service to the poor in the local field placement. Grading: Pass/Fail.

THEO 311 — Christian Ethics (3)
Christian Ethics is the discipline of thinking critically about how best to embody the Christian way of life in particular places and times. This course investigates concepts such as narrative, practice, character, virtue, law, and liturgy and the ways they inform the Christian moral life. These notions will be applied to concrete moral questions of contemporary relevance. Cross-listed as CORE 260.

THEO 321 — Faith, Morality and the Person (3)
This course addresses the ways Christian and other religious and moral traditions interact with personality and socio-historical conditions to form identity and shape character over time. Special attention is given to the way religious practices and community memberships foster and sustain moral convictions and actions, with a focus on the ways lives of faith can challenge and transform the societies within which they are lived out. Cross-listed as CORE 261.

THEO 331 — Issues in Christian Social Ethics (3)
The course will present a general view of how the Christian tradition understands and approaches moral issues that relate to social and political life. Both theoretical and practical questions will be confronted. The course features an ecumenical approach to Christian social ethics, but will attend in particular to Catholic social teaching beginning with Rerum Novarum. Cross-listed as CORE 264.

THEO 335 — Christian Ethics and the Environment (3)
This course studies how Christian theological perspectives have and should shape personal and social responses to “nature” and to problems arising from the human-nature interaction. Biblically based religious traditions will be compared with other religions in order to clarify the religious dimensions of our ecological dependencies. Current environmental problems and policy debates will be selectively treated to establish the relevance of Christian reflection on the environment. Cross-listed as CORE 265.

THEO 339 — Science, Theology and Culture (3)
This course explores how the methods and findings of the natural sciences bear on several major Christian doctrines, including creation, natural theology, Christology, miracles, morality, and theology of the end times. Some attention may also be given to non-Christian religions. Readings will come from leading authors in theology, philosophy, biology, astronomy, physics, psychology, and neuroscience. in addition, the course will consider how science and religion inform and are shaped by culture. The course will move beyond the simplistic view that religion and science are always in conflict and will locate conceptual parallels and points of convergence between them. Cross-listed as CORE 256.

 

THEO 341 — Christian Marriage (3)
This class is an exploration of the Christian tradition on the issues of sexuality, gender, marriage and the family. Cross-listed as CORE 263.

THEO 345 — Bioethics (3)
This course is a critical examination of developments in medicine and the other applied biological sciences in light of the Christian tradition and especially the Christian way of life. Questions to be discussed might include the effects on human health of industrialism and environmental degradation, food manufacturing and distribution, assisted reproductive technologies, abortion, the care of severely handicapped newborns, human experimentation, and care for persons at the end of life. Cross-listed as CORE 288.

THEO 346 — War and Christian Tradition (3)
This course is an examination of the phenomenon of war from political and theological perspectives. in particular, we will consider the long history of Christian attempts to discipline the conduct of warfare, with particular attention to the possible relevance of those efforts to the contemporary context. The course will be organized around four questions: 1) What is war? 2) What are its causes?; 3) What rules ought to govern the conduct of war?; 4) What does Christianity have to say about war? Cross-listed as CORE 269.

THEO 351 — History of Christian Thought (3)
This course is a survey of Christian thought from the post-biblical period to the present. it aims to show the student the ways in which Christian doctrines are in part products of the specific historical circumstances in which they were formulated, revised, and, in some cases, rejected. Among the issues students in this COURSE will explore are: How have Christian doctrines changed over time? How have doctrines been affected by geographic and linguistic differences and by interaction with non-Christian religions? What has been the relationship between doctrine and political power? How have social, cultural and other intellectual forces affected Christian thought? Students will be able to answer these questions through reading and discussing primary sources, and writing exam answers and research papers.

THEO 356 — Protestant Christianity (3)
This course is an introduction to Protestant Christian thought and practice. Both historic and contemporary forms of Protestant thought, organization and activity will be examined. The dialogue between Protestantism and Catholicism will be a featured topic in the study.

THEO 361 — Eastern Christianity (3)
This course studies the history, spirituality, worship and distinctive customs of the Eastern Christian churches. Recent ecumenical developments are discussed. This COURSE offers insight into the richness and variety of Christian faith.

THEO 371 — Jewish Thought and life (3)
This course investigates the beliefs and practices that constitute the historic Jewish faith: e.g., God, Torah, Israel. Modern trends, including the orthodox, Conservative and Reformed movements are studied, as well as the Jewish festivals and institutions. The course will attend in particular to the ongoing dialogue between Judaism and Christianity.

THEO 447 — Belief and Unbelief (3)
This COURSE addresses the serious option facing modern people: to believe in God or not. it addresses a number of questions: Can we know if God exists? What is the difference between “the God of the philosophers” and the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? is it reasonable to believe in God? is belief the product of psychological factors in the individual? What is the relationship between God and morality? does believing benefit the person in any way? Students will both study answers given by major philosophers, theologians, and novelists and develop their own answers. Cross-listed as CORE 254.

THEO 450 -- Research Seminar in Theology (3)
This directed independent study for Theology majors is to be undertaken in the second semester of the junior year of the fall semester of the senior year. Students will learn the basic methods of theological research and writing while examining a topic to be determined in consultation with faculty.

THEO 451/452/453 — Seminars in Biblical Studies (3-6)
These seminars are topical studies of current biblical scholarship attending to particular books or portions of scripture. The specific topic is announced at pre-registration.

THEO 470 —Moral Theology Seminar (3)
This seminar is a topical study of some area of moral theology and/or certain moral questions, with particular emphasis on their relation- ship to public and professional life. Specific topics will be announced at pre-registration. Cross-listed as PHIL 470.

THEO 489/490/491 — Seminars in Systematic Theology (3)
These seminars are detailed studies of the scriptural, patristic, and conciliar sources of particular Christian doctrines such as Christology, Trinitarian theology, and the theology of grace. Specific topics will be announced at pre-registration.

THEO 499 — Theology Internship (3-6)
A one or two semester supervised experience in an area related to church activities and ministries. Placement can be in youth ministry, religious education, social justice and other similar experiences. Supervisory sessions and topic meetings will be arranged.