TH: Courses in Theology
Department of Theology
TH 101 Theological Foundations 3 credit
An introduction to the study of theology in the Roman Catholic tradition.
Core aspects of theological inquiry—the Bible, the Creed, moral
theology—enable students and faculty to jointly explore the nature
of Christian faith and the embodiment of Christian faith in concrete
historical contexts. This course is a prerequisite for all theology
courses. Each semester.
TH 201 Church and Worship 3 credit
An analysis of the Church as a community of believers and a social institution;
a study of church liturgy and sacraments. Spring semester.
TH 202 Christian Spirituality 3 credit
An exploration of the Christian spiritual tradition, with a focus on
Catholic approaches to spiritual experience and practices. Spring
semester.
TH 205 Moral Theology 3 credit
An introduction to moral decision making and moral action in light of
biblical principles and changing contexts. Each semester.
TH 206 Comparative Religion 3 credit
A study of the origins and beliefs of major world religions in historical
contexts. Fall semester.
TH 207 Introduction to the Old Testament 3 credit
An overview of the origins, themes, and continuing relevance of the
books of the Hebrew Scriptures. Fall semester.
TH 208 Introduction to the New Testament 3 credit
An overview of the origins, themes, and continuing relevance of the
books of the Christian Scriptures, with an emphasis on the four Gospels.
Spring semester.
TH 209 Christian Social Teachings 3 credit
An analysis of Christian social thought from biblical times to the present,
including a study of the papal encyclicals and American Catholic
social ethics. Fall semester, even-numbered years.
TH 210 Catholicism: An Exploration of Catholic Identity from Vatican I to the Present 3 credit
This course explores, through ecclesial texts and some Catholic fiction
and film, distinctive themes and issues that mark Catholic identity in
the 20th century, including sacramentality, tradition, the faith and
reason relationship, and Catholic understandings of authority and
community. All interested students are welcome. Spring semester.
TH 211 The Christian Mystery in Film and Fiction 3 credit
An exploration of Christian symbols of revelation as presented in short
fiction and contemporary film. This course will build on the theological,
scriptural, and moral content taught in TH 101. Spring semester,
odd-numbered years.
TH 212 Christian Spirituality: Women Mystics 3 credit
This course explores the historical contexts, writings, and spiritual
legacy of eight women mystics including Perpetua (3rd century); Hildegard
of Bingen (12th century); Mechtild of Magdeburg (13th
century); Julian of Norwich (14th century); Teresa of Avila (16th
century); Therese of Lisieux (20th century). Summer term. Open to
all interested students.
TH 213 Theology and Film 3 credit
In this course students will study the various ways that theology and
film interact with one another; the manner with which film has been
studied for theological themes as well as the influence of the religious
imagination in the cinema. Students will view and analyze a variety of
films from a cross-section of world cinema.
TH 220-229 Ethical Studies 3 credit
Ethical studies courses will explore specific ethical issues that have
confronted Christians.
TH 230-239 Scripture Studies 3 credit
Courses within this category will explore biblical writings and
themes.
TH 255 Theology of the Land 3 credit
A study of the relationship of people and the earth, with a focus on
issues of land stewardship as understood in the Bible, in the religious
traditions of native peoples, and in the U.S. sociopolitical tradition.
Summer session.
TH 303-304 History of Christian Thought 6 credit
A study of major Christian doctrinal developments in their historical
contexts, from the New Testament era to the present. Fall semester,
odd-numbered years, spring semester, even-numbered years.
TH 320-329 Theological Studies 3 credit
This course concerns studies which focus on specific theological issues
that have arisen through the ages.
TH 321 Christology 3 credit
An analysis of interpretations of Jesus Christ’s humanity and divinity,
from biblical statements to contemporary explorations. Prerequisite:
TH 208. Spring semester, even-numbered years.
TH 327 Sin and Grace in Theology and Literature 3 credit
An exploration of the theological questions of sin and grace as raised
in the works of important 20th century novelists. Fall semester, evennumbered
years.
TH 330-339 Historical Studies 3 credit
Courses within this category will explore particular historical eras and
social settings in the development of theological thought.
TH 333 Church and State in Latin America 3 credit
A study of the historical development of the religious, political, and
economic realities of contemporary Latin America and an analysis of
U.S. relationships to those realities in the 20th century. Fall semester,
odd-numbered years.
TH 355 Spirit, Science, and Nature 3 credit
An exploration of perceptions of the environment in the history of
Western ideas, in religious traditions, in ethical thought, and in scientific
theory, with a particular focus on the theme of care for nature
from both scientific and religious perspectives. Spring semester, oddnumbered
years.
TH 377 Cosmos as Creation 3 credit
An exploratory journey into religious and scientific perspectives on
cosmology and evolution and an analysis of the conflicts between and
complementarity of religion and science. Prerequisite: TH 101. Fall
semester.
TH 495 Theology Seminar 3 credit
A discussion of selected theological themes or important theologians,
with contributions by students and faculty. While required of all theology
majors and minors in their junior or senior year, it will also be open
to other upper-level students who are non-majors upon the consent of
the instructor. Spring semester.
TH 496 Theology Research Paper or Theology Research Project 3 credit
Theology majors must develop and present for the Department of
Theology a theology research paper or a theology research project.
The paper or project should provide evidence of scholarship in biblical
studies, moral theology, church history, doctrine, and in another field
of study as appropriate.