TH112 History of the Bible 3 credits
The Christian Bible inspires faith for billions of persons worldwide and is a best-seller every year. In this course the Bible is studied as a product of God and of people. Students will consider how the Bible actually emerged in the lives of Jews and Christians as well as how it sustains Christianity today. Typical areas of study are the Bible’s literary expressions, differing beliefs and inspirational prayers.
TH113 Bible and Belief 3 credits
The Christian Bible inspires faith for billions of persons worldwide and is a best-seller every year. In this course the Bible is studied as a means of God’s revelation. Special focus is given to how different denominations vary in their respective use of the book as a source of divine revelation. Also considered is how broad assumptions about the nature of the text shape various theologies and how issues like inspiration, myth and ethics are determined both from and for the reading of the Bible.
TH114 Religions of the Book 3 credits
The Christian Bible inspires faith for billions of persons worldwide and is a best-seller every year. In this course the Bible is studied as an example of the world’s Scriptures. Comparisons and contrasts are drawn between both the content and the use of Scripture in Jewish, Christian and Muslim denominations. Attention can be given to some of the uses of Scripture in eastern worldviews, for example, Hinduism and Buddhism.
TH115 The Mystery of Salvation 3 credits
The Christian Bible inspires faith for billions of persons worldwide and is a best-seller every year. The Bible leads to Christ, the mystery of salvation. This course is divided into four parts corresponding to the Catechism of the Catholic Church: professing our faith, celebrating our faith, living our faith, and praying our faith. The primary sources are Sacred Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Prerequisite: IHM seminarian.
TH209 Introduction to Catholic Theology and Doctrine 3 credits
This course explores the tenets and practices of theology through the study of the interpretations of Christian doctrines noted in the Nicene Creed and select catechetical texts. Issues of method, authority, and the interface of faith with modern culture will be highlighted. Prerequisite or concurrent with one of the following: TH112, TH113, TH114, or TH115.
TH210 Introduction to the Old Testament 3 credits
Students survey examples from the Pentateuch, Prophetic, Historical and Wisdom texts, their forms, settings and theology. This survey incorporates an appreciation for some basic contemporary interpretive methods. Methods encouraged by Vatican II’s Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation are studied. Prerequisite: TH112, TH113, TH114, or TH115.
TH220 Introduction to the New Testament 3 credits
Students survey examples of texts from the Pauline, Catholic and Pastoral Epistles, the Gospels and Acts; Hebrews and Revelation are also introduced. Working with the interpretive strategies gained in TH210 Introduction to Old Testament, students begin to assess the dynamics of interpretation through the completion of an exegetical paper. Prerequisite: TH210.
TH230 Principles of Sacraments and Liturgy 3 credits
Students will consider the history, theology, and practice of the Christian sacraments as they address the questions of ritual, celebration, worship, and initiation. The course will also examine general principles of liturgy and ritual, as well as guidelines for planning and implementing pastorally effective liturgy.
TH250 Christian View of the Human Person 3 credits
This course explores the set of Catholic Christian doctrines and interpretation surrounding the question “what does it mean to be a human person?”: for example, the creation to the image of God, sin, redemption, sacramentality, and vocation. There will be a focus on modern questions of the mind, conscience, embodiment, gender, and sexuality. Prerequisite: TH112, TH113, TH114, or TH115.
TH260 Catholic Doctrine and Interpretation 3 credits
This course is an introduction to Catholic theology that explores fundamental doctrines, e.g., the Triune of God, the creation of the cosmos and humanity, sin, grace, salvation, sanctification, and sacramental imagination. Students will attend to the development of these creedal doctrines building on their biblical understanding of how these doctrines frame the human experience through a coherent system of thought, which addresses the challenges that modernity and post-modernity pose to the Christian world view. Students who have taken TH209 should not take this course. Prerequisite: TH112, TH113, TH114, or TH115.
TH298 Field Exploration 1-3 credits
Field exploration experiences offer students who are considering a major in the department the opportunity to explore a variety of pastoral and theological ministries in a supervised setting. More limited in scope and time than an internship, field exploration involves mainly observation of ministry and is coordinated through the Internship office. Sophomore status and permission of the department are required. Graded pass/no credit.
TH300 Christianity in a Global Context 3 credits
Through comparison and contrast, students define and articulate how the Christian, especially Roman Catholic, world view relates to those of others. Prior to such comparisons students focus on being able to articulate the basic world view of several mainstream religions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and the religions of the Far East, especially Shinto, Dao and Confucian thought. Prerequisite: TH112, TH113, TH114, or TH115.
TH345 Catholic Social Teaching 3 credits
This course will acquaint students with the modern history and current application of Catholic social teaching, focusing on the themes of economics and work, life and death, and war and peace issues. Students will engage both primary and secondary literature and examine how Christians critically think through social issues. A service learning component is offered. Prerequisite: TH115 or TH209.
TH350 Introduction to Catholic Moral Theology 3 credits
As the foundational class in moral theology, this course addresses the different moral theologies in the Catholic tradition, from Scriptural ethics to natural law. Contemporary issues are addressed as a means of explicating schools of ethical method and applying moral reasoning. Prerequisite: TH112, TH113, TH114, or TH115.
TH360 History of Catholic Thought 3 credits
Defining moments in Catholic tradition from earliest Catholicism up to the First Vatican Council (1869–70) are investigated. Official Catholic teachings, major thinkers and cultural movements are considered for their insights into Christian faith and human development. Prerequisite: TH115 or TH209.
TH375 Contemporary Catholic Thought 3 credits
After establishing familiarity with the history and texts of the Second Vatican Council (1962-65), students will consider theological and pastoral thought from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Special attention will be paid to ecclesiological innovations concerning lay and clerical leadership, the local and universal Church, as well as the universal call to holiness and justice. Prerequisite: TH115 or TH209.
TH398 Catechesis and Faith Formation 3 credits
Students will understand, apply, and evaluate theoretical and practical approaches to catechesis, adult faith formation, and teaching theology. Theoretical and practical elements will be drawn from the disciplines of education, religious education, and theology. While providing a sampling of theoretical frameworks for educating within the Catholic faith tradition, the course will also allow students to develop basic skills according to their interests within the spectrum of faith formation opportunities within the Church. Prerequisite: TH209 or consent of the instructor.
TH400 Christology 3 credits
This writing intensive course studies the development and interpretation of Christian theological doctrine on the person of Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ. We will treat issues from the various interpretations of the Gospel tradition to the development of doctrine (particularly in the councils of Nicaea and Chalcedon) to modern interpretations of the role of Christ in systematic theology. Prerequisite: TH209.
TH410 Theology of Pastoral Ministry 3 credits
Majors and minors will address both the theological and practical dimensions of the tasks of ministering in different contexts, e.g., youth ministry, parish life, hospital chaplaincy, and campus ministry. The course will encourage the development of perspectives and skills necessary for effective ministry in one or more of these settings, and will involve field experience within a variety of pastoral settings. Prerequisite: Ordinarily concurrent with TH496/497.
TH460 Seminar in Youth Ministry 3 credits
Majors will examine the theological and practical dimensions of youth ministry. Particular attention will be given to the specialized issues of ministry to adolescents through an examination of the document “Renewing the Vison: A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry.” As a seminar, student leadership in planning and developing the course is assumed. Prerequisite: TH209.
TH475 Senior Seminar 3 credits
Majors will prepare professional credentials as well as collaborate with a professor to conduct research within an area of their interest and the professor’s expertise. Preparation of credentials may include development of a personal mission statement, resume, and certifications relevant to national standards for Catholic lay ecclesial ministry. Research will approximate graduate-level study of classical and contemporary perspectives that are doctrinal, academic, and/or pastoral. Prerequisite: junior or senior theology majors
TH496/497 Internship in Pastoral Ministry 1-17 credits
Pastoral and youth ministry majors and religious education majors test their aspirations and apply their knowledge in professional and pastoral contexts. Students and the department’s internship coordinator facilitate placement, planning, and assessment through the University’s internship office. The internship usually involves a weekly group theological reflection. This internship is also coded as high school teaching for religious education majors. This course requires the completion of a professional portfolio and is ordinarily graded pass/no credit. Prerequisite: ordinarily concurrent with TH410. |
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