CATALOG OF COURSES: THEOLOGY

TH 101 Religion: Experience and Tradition (3)
Reflects on the religious dimension of human experience, explores the nature and function of religion, addresses the issues of God, salvation, evil, ritual, scriptures and community in major religious traditions.

TH 201 Christian Responsibility (3)
Introduces moral foundations and selective ethical issues in individual and social morality on the basis of Christian revelation.

TH 209 Christian Social Conscience (3)
Examines the history and development of Christian social teaching from the last decade of the nineteenth century to the present with special emphasis on its application to the American Scene.

TH 215 Christian Biomedical Ethics (3)
Studies the complex moral dilemmas resulting from developments in biomedical research, the practice of medicine and the delivery of health care from a contemporary Catholic perspective.

TH 303 The American Catholic Experience (3)
Studies the sociological and cultural process whereby the Catholic Church began and developed historically in the United States from colonial to modern times.

TH 305 Twentieth Century Theologians (3)
Acquaints students with the theological giants of the twentieth century.

TH 308 Religious Dimensions of Peace (3)
This course studies Christian perspectives on war and peace through examination of Scripture, just war theory, Church documents, the Christian pacifist movement and the concept of Pax Christi.

TH 312 Sacraments in Contemporary Life (3)
Presents scriptural, theological and liturgical study of the nature of the sacraments, both communal and personal. Special attention is given to the meaning of sacraments for our time.

TH 316 The History of Christian Thought (3)
Traces the history of the Roman Catholic Church, emphasizing its institutional development and doctrinal tradition from the advent of Jesus to the modern era.

TH 317 Marriage and Catholic Theology (3)
Explores the reality of the vocation of marriage and the various aspects of the husband-wife relationship in the light of Catholic theology and related sciences.

TH 318 The Old Testament (3)
Examines the Hebrew Scriptures in the light of literary-historical scholarship. Explores the message and meaning of the biblical text and notes its relevance for contemporary people.

TH 319 The New Testament (3)
Explores the major themes, composition and literature of the Bible together with an interpretation of selected passages in light of contemporary scriptural scholarship.

TH 321 The Church and the Churches (3)
Studies the nature and mission of the Catholic Church. Special emphasis is given the Decree on Ecumenism of Vatican II and the Church’s relationship to other Christian Churches.

TH 326 Theological Perspectives on Women (3)
This course studies the Christian vision of women, the role of women in the church, and women in the history of Christian thought and practice. It examines both feminist theological scholarship and Roman Catholic documents pertaining to women.

TH 328 Ecotheology (3)
The current ecological crisis has prompted biblical scholars, theologians, and ethicists to explore ways of thinking about and acting more compatibly within the community of diverse beings that constitute the earth. In the context of the Judeo-Christian Tradition, particularly Roman Catholic, with a sensitivity to other faith traditions, this course provides: (1) a summary of the current state of the environmental health of the planet; (2) a theological response to examine the current ecological crises; (3) tools for critical analysis and ethical action; and (4) a new understanding of justice and “right relationship,” one that embraces both a social and ecological vision rooted in and flowing from an awareness of the Divine Presence at the center of all being and transcending it.

TH 334 Christology (3)
Studies the person and mission of Christ as found in the New Testament, church doctrines, and the writings of theologians down to the present.

TH 371 Christian Spirituality (3)
A study of the richness and depth of Christian spirituality in its biblical, liturgical, moral, ascetical and mystical dimensions. It will address the practical ways of living the Christian life.

TH 414 Reflections on Ministry (3)
Offers the student the opportunity of experiencing a theological dimension of life by service in a particular ministry of choice. 33 semester hrs. in service; 12 in seminar.

TH 420 History of Judaism (3)
Explores the development of ideas and doctrines of Judaism through literature, the Halachah, lives of the molders of Judaism and contemporary movements.

TH 421 Contemporary Jewish Thought (3)
Examines Judaism as a religion, a culture, a civilization, and an ethnic group.

TH 422 Death: Issues and Experience (3)
Examines the religious answers to the questions most often asked about death and dying. It also considers the answers set forth in selected works of contemporary literature, philosophy and psychology.

TH 424 Ways of Meditation (3)
A variety of meditation techniques will be experienced during class sessions. The forms to be examined include awareness of mind and body, mantra and centering prayer. Analytical meditations will use the psalms and the parables of Jesus.

TH 428 Ministry in the Church (3)
Examines the spirituality of ministry, the history and role of lay ministers in the Christian community, and specific skills for leadership in parish ministry.

TH 475 Curriculum Program and Planning (3)
Provides a basic preparation for teaching religion. Special attention is given to course planning and the use of multimedia in religious education.

TH 479 Cooperative Education (3)
Provides for the integration of classroom study with specific, planned periods of supervised learning through paid work experience related to a student’s career goals.

TH 499 Independent Study (3)
Offers qualified students the opportunity to pursue independent study in selected areas under the guidance of individual teachers. By permission only.