Theology and Religious Studies

Degrees and Certificates

Classes

THL 1000 : Faith, Reason, and Culture

Introduction to sources and major thinkers that have shaped responses to fundamental human questions that underlie all religions and shape the human search for meaning. Engagement of religious truth claims, themes, values, and witness as resources for analyzing and critically evaluating contemporary cultural challenges.

Credits

Credits 3

THL 1500 : Spirituality & Healing Arts

Discovery of practical spirituality through engaging select contemplative practices; deepening of individual spirituality and the discovery of the presence of God in practicing healing arts; exploration of connections with self, and patient, care; particular attention given to Christian contemplative traditions.

Credits

Credits 3

THL 2460 : Bible and Environment

Exploration of biblical perspectives on the environment through a variety of key characters and their relation to the land and other creatures. Attention to historical treatment of the ecology in Christian and Jewish theology and engagement of contemporary ecological issues.

Credits

Credits 3

Prerequisites

THL 1050
THL 1000
HON 1003
HON 1053
THL 1051

THL 1050 :D- or THL 1000 :D- or HON 1003 :D- or HON 1053 :D- or THL 1051 :D- or HON 1825 :D- or HON 1827 :D- or HON 1850 :D-

THL 2490 : THM Biblical Studies

Critical analysis of biblical themes, biblical theology, spirituality and ethics as well as their reception in history and in culture. Attention in theory and practice of exegesis and biblical interpretation. See department website for announcement of particular themes.

Credits

Credits 3

Prerequisites

THL 1050
THL 1000
HON 1003
HON 1053
THL 1051

THL 1050 :D- or THL 1000 :D- or HON 1825 :D- or HON 1003 :D- or HON 1053 :D- or THL 1051 :D- or HON 1827 :D- or HON 1850 :D-

THL 2590 : THM Historical Theology

Historical development of theology by topical or chronological arrangement. See department website for announcement of particular themes.

Credits

Credits 3

Prerequisites

THL 1050
THL 1000
HON 1003
HON 1053
THL 1051

THL 1050 :D- or THL 1000 :D- or HON 1825 :D- or HON 1003 :D- or HON 1053 :D- or THL 1051 :D- or HON 1827 :D- or HON 1850 :D-

THL 2750 : Augustine: Then and Now

Exploration of connections between our time and culture and Augustine's time and culture; study of select sermons and letters of St. Augustine; comparison and contrast of 'snapshots' of moments in Augustine's experience with 'snapshots' from the 3rd millennium.

Credits

Credits 3

Prerequisites

THL 1050
THL 1000
HON 1003
HON 1053
THL 1051

THL 1050 :D- or THL 1000 :D- or HON 1825 :D- or HON 1003 :D- or HON 1053 :D- or THL 1051 :D- or HON 1827 :D- or HON 1850 :D-

THL 2760 : Augustine's Influence & Legacy

Exploration of Augustine's influence on western theology - the nature of the human being, the existence of human freewill, the nature of human sexuality, the nature of grace, the role of Christ as Savior, the extent of God's salvific will for humanity.

Credits

Credits 3

Prerequisites

THL 1050
THL 1000
HON 1003
HON 1053
THL 1051

THL 1050 :D- or THL 1000 :D- or HON 1825 :D- or HON 1003 :D- or HON 1053 :D- or THL 1051 :D- or HON 1827 :D- or HON 1850 :D-

THL 2780 : THM Christianity in History

Emergence, growth, and transformation of Christianity from its origins in the eastern Mediterranean to its worldwide expansion. Ways in which Christian symbolism and ritural have shaped the lives of ordinary people. Major writings, controversies, and events. See department website for announcement of particular themes.

Credits

Credits 3

Prerequisites

THL 1050
THL 1000
HON 1003
HON 1053
THL 1051

THL 1050 :D- or THL 1000 :D- or HON 1003 :D- or HON 1053 :D- or THL 1051 :D- or HON 1825 :D- or HON 1827 :D- or HON 1850 :D-

THL 3200 : Understanding Jesus

The historical Jesus and questions of method; christologies of the early Christian sources and councils; the later tradition of Christological reflection; comtemporary trajectories.

Credits

Credits 3

Prerequisites

THL 1050
THL 1000
HON 1003
HON 1053
THL 1051

THL 1050 :D- or THL 1000 :D- or HON 1825 :D- or HON 1003 :D- or HON 1053 :D- or THL 1051 :D- or HON 1827 :D- or HON 1850 :D-

THL 3250 : THM Problem of Evil

Formulations of the problem and historical attempts to solve it. See department website for announcement of particular themes.

Credits

Credits 3

Prerequisites

THL 1050
THL 1000
HON 1003
HON 1053
THL 1051

THL 1050 :D- or THL 1000 :D- or HON 1003 :D- or HON 1053 :D- or THL 1051 :D- or HON 1825 :D- or HON 1827 :D- or HON 1850 :D-

THL 3400 : Sacraments

History of Christian sacraments; sacraments as celebrations of life in God; theology of worship as fulfillment of being human; present and future shapes of Christian liturgy; applications to particular sacraments, e.g., baptism, reconciliation, eucharist.

Credits

Credits 3

Prerequisites

THL 1050
THL 1000
HON 1003
HON 1053
THL 1051

THL 1050 :D- or THL 1000 :D- or HON 1825 :D- or HON 1003 :D- or HON 1053 :D- or THL 1051 :D- or HON 1827 :D- or HON 1850 :D-

THL 3450 : Pastoral Care of the Sick

Treatment of theological understanding of the sacrament, anointing of the sick. Examination of primary texts on pastoral care from the Roman Catholic Church, and of the spirituality of caregivers. Pastoral-theological exploration of entire range of care provided to the ill and dying.

Credits

Credits 3

Prerequisites

THL 1050
THL 1000
HON 1003
HON 1053
THL 1051

THL 1050 :D- or THL 1000 :D- or HON 1825 :D- or HON 1003 :D- or HON 1053 :D- or THL 1051 :D- or HON 1827 :D- or HON 1850 :D-

THL 3600 : Liturgy, Cultures, and Justice

Study of historical development of Christian worship and prayer, from its roots in Jewish and early Church thought and practice to liturgical reforms of the twentieth century. Attention to cultural influences on liturgy and Christian understanding of connection between worship and justice.

Credits

Credits 3

Prerequisites

THL 1050
THL 1000
HON 1003
HON 1053
THL 1051

THL 1050 :D- or THL 1000 :D- or HON 1825 :D- or HON 1003 :D- or HON 1053 :D- or THL 1051 :D- or HON 1827 :D- or HON 1850 :D-

THL 3740 : THM Liberation Theologies

Theologies emerging from specific struggles for liberation in Latin American, Africa, Asia, and North America; their context, content, and critique. See department website for announcement of particular themes;

Credits

Credits 3

Prerequisites

THL 1051
THL 1000
THL 1050
HON 1053
HON 1003

THL 1051 :D- or THL 1000 :D- or THL 1050 :D- or HON 1827 :D- or HON 1053 :D- or HON 1003 :D- or HON 1850 :D- or HON 1825 :D-

THL 3760 : Faith, Identity, and Calling

Systematic reflection on "big questions" about discovering life as journey and "work" as calling in conversation with writings in the Western traditions - ancient Greek poetry, Christian wisdom, contemporary fiction, memoirs. Requires sharing faith experiences - or their absence and doubt.

Credits

Credits 3

Prerequisites

THL 1050
THL 1000
HON 1003
HON 1053
THL 1051

THL 1050 :D- or THL 1000 :D- or HON 1825 :D- or HON 1003 :D- or HON 1053 :D- or THL 1051 :D- or HON 1827 :D- or HON 1850 :D-

THL 4100 : THM Catholic Ethics

Contemporary Catholic ethics. Foci include economic justice, solodarity, poverty, racism, environmentalism, technology, agriculture, and Catholic social thought. See department website for announcment of particular themes.

Credits

Credits 3

Prerequisites

THL 1050
THL 1000
HON 1003
HON 1053
THL 1051

THL 1050 :D- or THL 1000 :D- or HON 1825 :D- or HON 1003 :D- or HON 1053 :D- or THL 1051 :D- or HON 1827 :D- or HON 1850 :D-

THL 4320 : Markets and Morality

Analysis of market economies - do they promote or stifle human welfare, freedom, and the common good? What does Christian discipleship require in the marketplace? Use of sources in Christian ethics, Catholic social thought, economics, and other disciplines to answer these questions.

Credits

Credits 3

Prerequisites

THL 1050
THL 1000
HON 1003
HON 1053
THL 1051

THL 1050 :D- or THL 1000 :D- or HON 1825 :D- or HON 1003 :D- or HON 1053 :D- or THL 1051 :D- or HON 1827 :D- or HON 1850 :D-

THL 4330 : Christian Environmental Ethics

Examine foundational theological issues and major christian thinkers on the environment; in-depth study of synthetic chemical, agriculture, and treatment of animals; and weekly class discussions on various practical topics in environmental ethics.

Credits

Credits 3

Prerequisites

THL 1050
THL 1000
THL 1051
HON 1003
HON 1053

THL 1050 :D- or THL 1000 :D- or THL 1051 :D- or HON 1003 :D- or HON 1053 :D- or HON 1825 :D- or HON 1850 :D- or HON 1827 :D-

THL 4480 : Introduction Biomedical Ethics

Development of tools for critical analysis of biomedical ethical issues. Reflection on ethical issues in society and personal lives. Focus on a distinctively Catholic Christian approach to these matters.

Credits

Credits 3

Prerequisites

THL 1050
THL 1000
HON 1003
HON 1053
THL 1051

THL 1050 or THL 1000 or HON 1825 or HON 1003 or HON 1053 or THL 1051 or HON 1827 or HON 1850

THL 4550 : The Contemplative Tradition

Exploration of classical Christian teachings on silent prayer and meditation. Focus on both the theoretical understanding of the ancient practice of contemplation and its practice in daily life. Interdisciplinary approach through reading ancient Christian and contemporary authors.

Credits

Credits 3

Prerequisites

THL 1050
THL 1000
HON 1003
HON 1053
THL 1051

THL 1050 :D- or THL 1000 :D- or HON 1825 :D- or HON 1003 :D- or HON 1053 :D- or THL 1051 :D- or HON 1827 :D- or HON 1850 :D-

THL 4990 : THM Spirituality Studies

Study of Christian and/or non-Christian spiritual voices, movements, traditions, or themes (western or non-western, local or global) in ancient, medieval, early modern, modern, or contemporary times. Exploration of relationship to theology, faith, culture, and practice. See department website for announcment of particular themes.

Credits

Credits 3

Prerequisites

THL 1050
THL 1000
HON 1003
HON 1053
THL 1051

THL 1050 :D- or THL 1000 :D- or HON 1003 :D- or HON 1053 :D- or THL 1051 :D- or HON 1825 :D- or HON 1827 :D- or HON 1850 :D-

THL 5000 : THM Religion

Evolution and development of central themes or concepts in the academic study of religion such as visual culture; violence and conflict; politics; law; myth and/or ritual; interreligious dialogue. See department website for announcment of particular themes.

Credits

Credits 3

Prerequisites

THL 1050
THL 1000
HON 1003
HON 1053
THL 1051

THL 1050 :D- or THL 1000 :D- or HON 1825 :D- or HON 1003 :D- or HON 1053 :D- or THL 1051 :D- or HON 1827 :D- or HON 1850 :D-

THL 5001 : THM Presence/Absence of God

Major seminar. Theism and the atheistic critiques of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries; the problem of God in western culture; contemporary retrieval of the doctrine of God as Trinity.

Credits

Credits 3

Prerequisites

THL 1050
THL 1000
HON 1003
HON 1053
THL 1051

THL 1050 :D- or THL 1000 :D- or HON 1825 :D- or HON 1003 :D- or HON 1053 :D- or THL 1051 :D- or HON 1827 :D- or HON 1850 :D-

THL 5003 : THM Catholic Studies

Investigation of distinctive elements of Catholicism: ecclesiological, historical, sociological, moral, spiritual, theological, biblical, liturgical, among others.

Credits

Credits 3

Prerequisites

THL 1050
THL 1000
HON 1003
HON 1053
THL 1051

THL 1050 :D- or THL 1000 :D- or HON 1825 :D- or HON 1003 :D- or HON 1053 :D- or THL 1051 :D- or HON 1827 :D- or HON 1850 :D-

THL 5004 : THM Theology and Culture

Study of the mutual interplay between theology and culture and the practical ways in which theology and culture interact in various historical, political, social, and economic contexts.

Credits

Credits 3

Prerequisites

THL 1050
THL 1000
HON 1003
HON 1053
THL 1051

THL 1050 :D- or THL 1000 :D- or HON 1825 :D- or HON 1003 :D- or HON 1053 :D- or THL 1051 :D- or HON 1827 :D- or HON 1850 :D-

THL 5005 : THM Global Rel. Experience

Exploration of non-Christian religions, religions in non-Western regions of the world, religious beliefs and practices in a broader global context, or experiences deemed "religious".

Credits

Credits 3

Prerequisites

THL 1050
THL 1000
HON 1003
HON 1053
THL 1051

THL 1050 :D- or THL 1000 :D- or HON 1825 :D- or HON 1003 :D- or HON 1053 :D- or THL 1051 :D- or HON 1827 :D- or HON 1850 :D-

THL 5100 : THM Judaism

Development of the religious tradition of the Jewish people; the Torah, the Talmud and other commentaries; Jewish ideals in ethnic literature. See department website for announcement of particular themes.

Credits

Credits 3

Prerequisites

THL 1050
THL 1000
HON 1003
HON 1053
THL 1051

THL 1050 :D- or THL 1000 :D- or HON 1825 :D- or HON 1003 :D- or HON 1053 :D- or THL 1051 :D- or HON 1827 :D- or HON 1850 :D-

THL 5180 : Islamic Political Thought

Integration of Islamic philosophy, religion, political science and history; the state in pre-Islamic Arabia, the Qur'anic concept of the state, the crisis of succession, Muslim theorists, revival and reform.

Credits

Credits 3

Prerequisites

THL 1050
THL 1000
HON 1003
HON 1053
THL 1051

THL 1050 :D- or THL 1000 :D- or HON 1825 :D- or HON 1003 :D- or HON 1053 :D- or THL 1051 :D- or HON 1827 :D- or HON 1850 :D-

THL 5200 : Religion in Russia

The history, mind, spirit and life of Russia Orthodoxy; its influence in its adherents in the modern, complex and pluralistic world.

Credits

Credits 3

Prerequisites

THL 1050
THL 1000
HON 1003
HON 1053
THL 1051

THL 1050 :D- or THL 1000 :D- or HON 1003 :D- or HON 1053 :D- or THL 1051 :D- or HON 1825 :D- or HON 1827 :D- or HON 1850 :D-

THL 5270 : Religion in India and SE Asia

The doctrinal and social history of the religious traditions of India and Southeast Asia: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Islam and Sikhism; the role of these religious in con- temporary Indian and Southeast Asian societies.

Credits

Credits 3

Prerequisites

THL 1000
THL 1050
HON 1003
HON 1053
THL 1051

HON 1825 :D- or THL 1000 :D- or THL 1050 :D- or HON 1003 :D- or HON 1053 :D- or THL 1051 :D- or HON 1827 :D- or HON 1850 :D-

THL 5280 : Religion in China and Japan

The doctrinal and social history of the religious traditions of East Asia: Confucianism, Taoism, Shinto, Buddhism; popular religion and state cults; the role of these religions in contemporary Asian societies.

Credits

Credits 3

Prerequisites

THL 1000
THL 1050
HON 1003
HON 1053
THL 1051

HON 1825 :D- or THL 1000 :D- or THL 1050 :D- or HON 1003 :D- or HON 1053 :D- or THL 1051 :D- or HON 1827 :D- or HON 1850 :D-

THL 5290 : Hindus and Christians in India

A multi-disciplinary examination of the two-thousand-year history of encounter between Christians and Hindus, highlighting areas of commonality, difference, exchange, interaction and identity formation. Exploration of historical modes of engagement: antagonism and distrust, reciprocity and mutual benefit, dialog, fulfillment, and hybridity.

Credits

Credits 3

THL 5400 : THM Science & Religion

The interaction of science and religion from Galileo to the contemporary period. theological implications of recent developments in the natural sciences. See department website for announcment of particular themes.

Credits

Credits 3

Prerequisites

THL 1050
THL 1000
HON 1003
HON 1053
THL 1051

THL 1050 :D- or THL 1000 :D- or HON 1825 :D- or HON 1003 :D- or HON 1053 :D- or THL 1051 :D- or HON 1850 :D- or HON 1827 :D-

THL 5410 : Theology and Film

Exploration of connection between theology and film and of the ways that filmmakers "do" theology. Survey of the literature on the subject and analysis of films and filmmakers that have demonstrated theological sensitivity and/or interest in theological questions and themes.

Credits

Credits 3

Prerequisites

THL 1050
THL 1000
HON 1003
HON 1053
THL 1051

THL 1050 :D- or THL 1000 :D- or HON 1003 :D- or HON 1053 :D- or THL 1051 :D- or HON 1825 :D- or HON 1827 :D- or HON 1850 :D-

THL 5420 : Modernity and Crisis of Faith

Analysis of so-called "New Atheism" through the lens of Soren Kierkegaard. Exploration of Kierkegaard's diagnosis of this "crisis o faith" and his understanding of the religious life.

Credits

Credits 3

Prerequisites

THL 1050
THL 1000
HON 1003
HON 1053
THL 1051

THL 1050 :D- or THL 1000 :D- or HON 1003 :D- or HON 1053 :D- or THL 1051 :D- or HON 1825 :D- or HON 1827 :D- or HON 1850 :D-

THL 5450 : Religion, Art, and Science

Study of religion, art, and science as aspects of persons and cultures. Exploration of theology and ritual as they relate to societies, cultures or persons; and the artistic (or aesthetic) dimension of religion, the scientific, and the personal.

Credits

Credits 3

Prerequisites

THL 1050
THL 1000
HON 1003
HON 1053
THL 1051

THL 1050 :D- or THL 1000 :D- or HON 1825 :D- or HON 1003 :D- or HON 1053 :D- or THL 1051 :D- or HON 1827 :D- or HON 1850 :D-

THL 5820 : THM Religion in America

Religious thought, institutions, movements, symbols, performances, and lived religious experience in the Americas. See department website for announcment of particular themes.

Credits

Credits 3

Prerequisites

THL 1050
THL 1000
HON 1003
HON 1053
THL 1051

THL 1050 :D- or THL 1000 :D- or HON 1825 :D- or HON 1003 :D- or HON 1053 :D- or THL 1051 :D- or HON 1827 :D- or HON 1850 :D-

THL 6000 : THM Theology or Religion

Exploration of issues in religion or religious studies and theology or theological studies. See department website for announcement of particular themes.

Credits

Credits 3

Prerequisites

THL 1050
THL 1000
HON 1003
HON 1053
THL 1051

THL 1050 :D- or THL 1000 :D- or HON 1825 :D- or HON 1003 :D- or HON 1053 :D- or THL 1051 :D- or HON 1827 :D- or HON 1850 :D-

THL 6050 : Internship

Supervised field experience in an approved setting (e.g., social service, teaching).

Credits

Credits 3

THL 6051 : Internship

Supervised field experience in an approved setting (e.g., social service, teaching).

Credits

Credits 6

THL 6300 : Research Seminar

Research seminar for TRS majors. Individual or group projects that participants design with the help of a faculty facilitator. Emphasis on active role in the learning process. Exploration of fields and topics of interest to students that connect theology /religion with culture.

Credits

Credits 3

Prerequisites

THL 5001
THL 5002

THL 5001 :D- or THL 5002 :D-

THL 6500 : Advanced Seminar

Capstone experience for TRS majors. Consolidation and synthesis of knowledge gained in the research seminar. Preparation and delivery of student-lead conversations. Involves students communicating their explorations or discoveries. Includes a final product.

Credits

Credits 3

Prerequisites

THL 5001
THL 5002

THL 5001 :D- or THL 5002 :D-