Theology

• FACULTY
• MAJOR IN THEOLOGY
• INTERDISCIPLINARY MAJOR IN THEOLOGY
• MINOR IN THEOLOGY
• COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

FACULTY

Chair: Frederick Bauerschmidt, Associate Professor

Professors: James J. Buckley; Angela Christman; John J. Conley, S.J.; Stephen E. Fowl; Vigen Guroian; Brian F. Linnane, S.J.; Claire Mathews-McGinnis
Associate Professors: Frederick Bauerschmidt; John Renner Betz; R. Trent Pomplun; Joseph S. Rossi, S.J.; Arthur M. Sutherland; Wilhelmus G.B.M. Valkenberg
Assistant Professor: Chad Pecknold (visiting)
Affiliate Faculty: Christopher M. Barczak; Rose M. Beal; John Buchner; Will Cohen; John R. Donahue, S.J.; Adam Gregerman; Edwin C. Hostetter; Robert Koerpel; Brian McDermott, S.J.; James F. Salmon, S.J.; Anne Seville; Theodora J.M. van Gaal; Joel Zaiman

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The practice of theology in a Catholic context requires study of the origins and uses of Jewish and Christian Scriptures, the history of Christianity (Eastern and Western, Catholic and Protestant), contemporary theologies, and theological ethics. It also requires studying the multiple relationships between theology and contemporary philosophies, religions, and cultures. Thus, all students take an introduction to theology aimed at learning to interpret the Bible, understand history of Christianity, and become people who can respond intelligently, in thought and life, to the way these texts and traditions challenge (and are challenged by) our contemporary cultures.

The second theology course focuses these aims on one of four general areas: Jewish and Christian Scriptures, the History of Christianity, Christian Theology, Theology and Culture (including world religions). Core ethics courses are either case-oriented or theme-oriented explorations of theological ethics. Our electives aim to introduce students (including majors and minors) to the way scholarly research is conducted in the various divisions of theology. These diverse aims are ultimately in the service of reading about, writing about, thinking about, and otherwise engaging the triune God. Our theology courses are addressed to all Loyola students--Catholic and Christian, Jewish or members of other religions, doubters, and nonbelievers.

MAJOR IN THEOLOGY

Beginning with the Class of 2012 and beyond, requirements for the major and an example of a typical program of courses are as follows:

• Introduction to Theology (TH201)
• Second Theology Core (TH202-299)
• Ethics Core (TH300-319)
• Ten (10) additional courses in theology, including at least: two courses from Bible (TH221-239, TH341-360); two courses from History (TH202-220, TH321-340); one course from Christian Theology (TH240-260, TH361-380); one course from Theology, Ethics and Culture (TH261-280, TH381-399); and Senior Seminar (TH400). Note: Selected students may also take Senior Honors Thesis (TH401).

Normally, majors take courses at the 300-level. Up to three courses beyond the core may be taken at the 200-level to complete the major.

Bachelor of Arts

Freshman Year

Fall Term

    PL201 Foundations of Philosophy*
    TH201 Introduction to Theology or
    Elective
    WR100 Effective Writing**
    Language Core
    Math/Science Core

Spring Term

    HS101 History of Modern Western Civilization**
    PL200-Level Philosophical Perspectives Course*
    Language Core or
    Elective
    Theology Core or
    Elective
    Elective

Sophomore Year

Fall Term

    EN101 Understanding Literature
    History Core**
    Math/Science Core
    Social Science Core
    Elective**

Spring Term

    English Core
    Math/Science Core
    Social Science Core
    Theology Elective*
    Elective**

Junior Year

Fall Term

    Ethics Core
    Fine Arts Core
    Theology Elective*
    Elective*
    Elective**

Spring Term

    Theology Elective*
    Theology Elective or
    Elective
    Nondepartmental Elective
    Elective
    Elective**

Senior Year

Fall Term

    Theology Senior Seminar
    Theology Elective*
    Theology Elective**
    Nondepartmental Elective
    Elective

Spring Term

    Theology Elective*
    Theology Elective*
    Theology Elective**
    Nondepartmental Elective
    Elective

* Required for major.
** Terms may be interchanged.

1. Core Requirements: All students are required to take two courses in Theology: Introduction to theology (TH201), followed by a second theology core course (TH202-299).
2. TH201 is the prerequisite for all courses TH200-level and above.
3. Ethics Core Requirement: Each student must take one course in ethics or Christian ethics, preferably in junior or senior year. This course may be elected from those offered by the Philosophy (PL300-319) or Theology Departments (TH300-319). Organically related to TH201, the ethics courses offered by the Theology Department focus on the crucial struggle of our time: the struggle for faith and that struggle for justice which it includes.
4. Honors students take a course in the Honors historical sequence, taught by a theology instructor, in place of TH201, a TH300-level elective in place of TH202-299, and HN300 in place of the core ethics course.
5. Students must complete the diversity requirement through a designated diversity core, major, or elective course (see Diversity Requirement under Curriculum and Policies).

INTERDISCIPLINARY MAJOR IN THEOLOGY

Theology requirements for the interdisciplinary major are as follows:

• Introduction to Theology (TH201)
• Second Theology Core (TH202-299)
• Ethics Core (TH300-319)
• Four (4) additional theology courses, as follows: one course from Bible (TH221-239, TH341-360); one course from History (TH202-220, TH321-340); one course from Christian Theology (TH240-260, TH361-380); one course from Theology, Ethics and Culture (TH261-280, TH381-399)
• Two Theology Electives

Up to two of these courses can be taken at the 200-level. Students pursuing an Interdisciplinary Major in Theology should plan their course of study in consultation with a major advisor in theology and a major advisor in the other relevant department. Students with an Interdisciplinary Major in Theology who are interested in graduate work in theology may also consider taking TH401 as one of their electives.

MINOR IN THEOLOGY

• Introduction to Theology (TH201)
• Second Theology Core (TH202-299)
• Ethics Core (TH300-319)
• Four (4) additional theology courses, as follows: one course from Bible (TH221-239, TH341-360); one course from History (TH202-220, TH321-340); one course from Christian Theology (TH240-260, TH361-380); one course from Theology, Ethics and Culture (TH261-280, TH381-399)
• Two Theology Electives

Up to two of these courses can be taken at the 200-level. Students with a Minor in Theology who are interested in graduate work in theology may also consider taking TH401 as one of their electives.