400
Is available to senior theology majors with a 3.0 QPA. Students may propose to the department chair an internship for 1 to 6 credits, depending on the type of internship and time spent. Arrangements for the internship must be made by the student and approved in advance by the Career Services Office and by the Theology Department chair. The internship must entail an application of theology in a pastoral project or setting. A sponsoring organization and on-going direct supervision of the student's work through- out the internship are required. Internships count as general electives.
Theology senior standing. Internships must be preapproved.
Presents an overview of the history of Christianity in modern times beginning with the Protestant Reformers and proceeding to the present day. It will primarily focus upon the doctrines and belief systems of the Protestant, Catholic, and Eastern Christian churches as they emerged and developed during this period. The contributions of modern Christianity's great saints, thinkers, and leaders will be highlighted. Attention will also be given to the relationship of these churches to each other (from polemics to ecumenism), to the broader society, and to movements of spiritual renewal and spirituality within modern Christianity.
Is an introduction to the study of women in early and medieval Christianity through a reading of primary source materials. Issues examined include women's religious choices, dominant view of the nature and roles of women, women's claims to religious authority, ideals of holiness, and women's spirituality and ascetic practices.
Is designed to open the student to the themes of holiness in Scripture and to point out the different Fathers of the Church and other spiritual masters and the uniqueness in their spirituality. The course will also investigate some modern authors in the spiritual life and provide the principles of growth in holiness, their applications to historical and cultural situations, and their implications concerning life in the modern world.
Focuses on a particular person or group of per- sons who have significantly contributed to our Catholic heritage. The topic chosen for a semester's study may be a particular person such as St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, or Cardinal Newman or it may be a group of thinkers such as third century apologists. This course may be taken more than once if topics are different.
Provides in-depth coverage to a specific Old Testament topic. The topic chosen for a particular semester's study may be a specialized theme such as Old Testament eschatology, a particular corpus of Old Testament writings such as the Pentateuch, or a specific book such as Jeremiah. This course may be taken more than once if topics are different.
Provides in-depth coverage to a specific New Testament topic. The topic chosen for a particular semester's study may be a specialized theme such as the Resurrection, a particular corpus of New Testament writings such as the Letters of Paul, or a specific book such as the Gospel according to John. This course may be taken more than once if topics are different.
Is an in-depth treatment of the historical and theological aspects of Christian worship: the concept of worship; the nature of liturgy; theocentric, Christocentric, and ecclesial dimensions of the liturgy; and consideration of various liturgical reforms in light of the theological and historical evaluation of the liturgy.
Provides an examination of the rich Catholic theological and philosophical tradition of the reality, nature, purpose, hierarchical structure, and mission of the angels. Philosophical and biblical foundations of angelology will be examined, along with patristic, medieval, modern, and contemporary commentaries and development in the study of the angels. Papal and magisterial teachings concerning angelology will likewise be examined.
This course investigates, in light of natural law and revelation, two closely related areas of morality, sexual and medical, that are united in a concern for a proper conduct in and towards the human body. It presents as foundational a fundamentally positive presentation of the moral life, the human body, and human sexuality as beautiful gifts from God, “as an outpouring of God’s eternal wisdom, which we have received in Christ, and as a service to man, to the growth of his freedom and to the attainment of his happiness” (Veritatis Splendor 95). From this foundation, a range of topics will be examined such as contraception, fornication, homosexuality, transgenderism, abortion, euthanasia, reproductive technologies, and organ transplantation. An emphasis will be placed on gaining a thorough understanding of the principles that underlie a sound analysis of these moral issues.
The student's major advisor will suggest to the student either The 434 or The 435 in view of his or her career objectives. Those students choosing a thesis will write a 20 to 25 page research paper on a topic in theology, or a 35-40 page combined thesis for theology and a second major. Each thesis student will find a director in the Theology Department to direct and grade the thesis (or the theological aspects of the combined thesis).
Notes
All theology majors are required to take either THE 434 (Thesis) or THE 435 (Seminar) in their senior year.
The student's major advisor will suggest to the student to either The 434 or The 435 in view of his or her program and career objectives. It will be the task of the members of the seminar to explore topics or discuss readings chosen by the faculty member directing the seminar. Normally, the seniors in the seminar will take turns leading the seminar discussion and will be graded on their leadership and their participation.
Notes
All theology majors are required to take either THE 434 (Thesis) or THE 435 (Seminar) in their senior year.