Theology

Theology courses at College of Saint Mary (CSM) explore faith and meaning within all our life experiences. The Theology Program is not exclusively confined to academic activity, but also provides students with concrete opportunities to grow in understanding and appreciation of faith. CSM is committed to the development of body, mind, and spirit, which includes a solid foundation in faith and prepares one to serve others with compassion.

The Theology Program approaches the study of theology as an academic discipline with its own methodology, and it challenges students to apply critical analysis and reflection to the events, people, and issues that have shaped our world in the past and in the present. In addition, theology courses intentionally seek to foster competencies in the areas of women’s issues and multiculturalism. The Theology Program integrates religious experience, meaning, openness to truth, and the search for God into the students’ personal lives as well as their professional/career paths.

In addition to providing a degree in the humanities, a major in theology can prepare a student with a theological background helpful to the following professions: religious education, campus or youth ministry, theology/religion instructor in a parochial/ private school system, pastoral/Church work, Catholic journalism, etc. In addition, a major provides a strong academic background for graduate studies in theology as well as other fields.

Religious Identity:

While College of Saint Mary affirms its Roman Catholic and Mercy tradition and identity, students need not be Catholic in order to take or succeed in a theology course and/or pursue a major or minor in theology. The Theology Program honors and engages other religious traditions in conversation with the Catholic tradition. A spirit of respect and interfaith openness characterize each course in the Theology Program.

Theology Requirements

To satisfy General Education Curriculum requirements, Bachelor degree-seeking students are required to take 6 credit hours (two courses) in theology. Students should verify that a particular course fulfills the General Education requirement and that they have taken any required prerequisites. Theology credits must be taken at CSM or transfer of credits is allowed if credits were taken at another Catholic institution. CSM will accept up to 3 credits in Theology earned through Dual Credit from a Catholic high school.

Theology Major Requirements

In order to graduate with theology as a major, students are required to maintain a GPA of 2.5 or above in all theology courses as well as successfully complete:

  • 36 credit hours, including a minimum of one course in each of the four areas of theology: Scripture, Systematics, Spirituality, and Moral
  • The senior theology research project completed under the supervision of an assigned member of the Theology Program*
  • A minor of one’s choice (or a double major)

Theology Minor Requirements

In order to graduate with theology as a minor, students must successfully complete 18 credit hours. Students are encouraged to consult with a member of the Theology Program in order to most effectively choose courses that pertain to their interests and purposes. Requirements:

  • 18 credit hours of theology courses with a minimum of C- in each course
  • including a minimum of one course in three of the four areas of theology: Scripture, Systematics, Spirituality, and Moral

Theology Major with Teaching Endorsement Requirements

Theology majors seeking a teaching endorsement are required to maintain a GPA of 2.5 or above in all theology and supporting courses as well as successfully complete:

  • 36 credit hours, including a minimum of one course in each of the four areas of theology: Scripture, Systematics, Spirituality, and Moral
  • The senior theology research project completed under the supervision of an assigned member of the Theology Program*
  • Theology majors seeking a teaching endorsement are also subject to all the requirements of the Education Program. During registration such students are required to consult with the Education Program in addition to consultation with the Theology Program. The supporting course for theology majors seeking a teaching endorsement is PSY 203.

*Students with a double major may be required to successfully complete a separate theology senior research project under the direction of assigned faculty from the Theology Program if they are not able to combine the project with one from their other major.

Degrees and Certificates

Courses

THL 101: Introduction to Christianity

This course will study the origins of Christianity from its Jewish roots to its beginnings as a religion based on faith in Jesus Christ and its historical development to the present day. It will also cover the development of beliefs, religious worship, and moral codes as Christianity evolved throughout its history.

THL 103: Introduction to Christianity

This course will study the origins of Christianity from its Jewish roots to its beginnings as a religion based on faith in Jesus Christ and its historical development to the present day with a focus on the contemporary context in the United States. It will also cover the development of beliefs, religious worship, and moral codes as Christianity evolved throughout its history. It will primarily explore the question: What do Christians do and how do they live in the modern world?

THL 120: Church and Social Justice

The social teachings of the Church have often been depicted as its best kept secret. Church and Social Justice explores the social teachings of the Church and their application to the concrete economic, social, and political problems of the contemporary world. The course focuses on social issues such as poverty, hunger, racism, immigration, war, the environment, and workers' and human rights.

THL 160: Women in the Christian Tradition

The course examines some of the major doctrines of Christian theology in light of women's experiences and theological reflection. These major doctrines include Christology, creation, sin, redemption, theological anthropology, and the church.

THL 190/290/390: Topics in Theology

These courses are designed to provide the opportunity for students and faculty to explore topics of special interest in Theology. Examples of topics include the following: the Protestant and Catholic Reformations, Spirituality of Justice, Theology of Suffering, and Theology and Literature. These courses also include study abroad independent study as well as internships. Faculty will determine the course number of the Topic in Theology based upon the topic and method of inquiry.

THL 201: Introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures

This course introduces students to the Hebrew Bible as well as the extra books found in the Catholic Old Testament. There will be emphasis on the content of the scriptures as well as on the study of the ancient world in which they were produced. Such a study will be done through modern methods of biblical interpretation.

THL 202: Introduction to the New Testament

This course will introduce the student to the content of the New Testament as well as the 1st century Middle East world which produced it. There will be historical analysis and an exploration of the text as a document of the Christian faith.

THL 209: Ways of Faith

Intended as an introduction to religion, this course will explore topics such as the reality of God, universal forms of religious experience, the implications of evil, the nature of ritual and religious symbolism, and the goals of salvation as evidenced in a variety of different religious traditions in the world.

THL 215: Christian Life and Service

This course engages the student in active theological reflection on everyday Christian life and service in light of Christian scripture, human experience, church tradition, and the contemporary expression of service in the church and the world. Focus will also include the application of these perspectives in light of students' current or vocational careers.

THL 223: Jesus: Yesterday and Today

This course will focus on the basic and traditional Christian beliefs about Jesus. Central to this endeavor will be the exploration of the person of Jesus as reflected in the early Christian Church as well as the examination of early heresies and the development of Christian doctrine. Select discussion will take place on contemporary perspectives.

THL 227: Christian Ritual and Sacrament

This course will focus on the study of the nature of religious symbols and ritual, in particular Christian rituals and sacraments, in terms of their foundations in human experience and in their history within the Church. This course will also include a comparative study of Christian rituals with other multi-cultural rituals or those of other religions.

THL 260: Spirituality & Peacebuilding

This course will provide an introduction and overview of peacebuilding for contemporary Western society. It will challenge the "myth of redemptive violence" that is common throughout the West and offer alternatives for addressing conflicts. Students will explore theological foundations for a spirituality of peacebuilding and they will be introduced to practical peacebuilding skills for different arenas of their own life and our world.

THL 305: Bodies in Christian Theology

This course explores the varied ways that Christians have responded to the reality of human embodiment, especially the human experiences of sexuality and illness or disability. This course draws upon the mystery of the Incarnation to explore the questions, "How do Christians demonstrate care or concern for the body as well as the soul? What happens when Christians devalue or overvalue particular bodies?"

THL 310: Approaches to God

This course on prayer in the area of spirituality will be divided into three segments: various ways to approach God; the God who is approached; and the individual who approaches God. The first part of the course will examine different classical and contemporary types of prayer. Each class will provide an experiential dimension of these prayer forms. The second part will study the language, images and metaphors used to speak of God. The third part of the course will utilize a variety of ways that can indicate prayer forms best suited to an individual.

THL 320: Church and Social Justice

The social teachings of the Church have often been depicted as its best kept secret. Church and Social Justice explores the social teachings of the Church and their application to the concrete economic, social, and political problems of the contemporary world. The course focuses on social issues such as poverty, hunger, racism, immigration, war, the environment, and workers' and human rights.

THL 327: Women in the Bible

This course is about women in the Bible and women and the Bible. It will be based on the study of the rich heritage of the stories of women in the biblical narrative which range from the strong leadership of women to "terror-filled" stories about women. In addition, the course will explore the following questions: What were the general attitudes towards women based on the biblical texts that emerged in a patriarchal world? Through the use of biblical critical methods, what are the modern day attitudes towards women based on biblical texts? And finally, how do we explain the attitudes that women have towards the bible which range from complete rejection to unconditional acceptance?

THL 330: Faith, Politics and Social Concerns

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops state that "responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation" (Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship). Faith, Politics and Social Concerns applies the wisdom of Catholic theology and ethics to advocacy for social issues identified as Critical Concerns by the Sisters of Mercy. Through collaboration with religious nonprofits, students learn and practice advocacy skills.

THL 354: Christian Spirituality

This course is an academic study of the nature of Christian spirituality as both religious and lived experience. The student will be exposed to the biblical and theological foundations of Christian spirituality, its overall origins and development, and the varieties of Christian spiritualties that have appeared throughout history in both groups and in specific individuals who have been viewed as exemplary of Christian spiritual life.

THL 360: Women in the Christian Tradition

The course examines some of the major doctrines of Christian theology in light of women's experiences and theological reflection. These major doctrines include Christology, creation, sin, redemption, theological anthropology, and the church.

THL 365: Theology and the Environment

This course takes as its starting point an acknowledgment that the planet, a gift from God, is in a state of grave peril because of climate change and other threats. The course draws upon interpretation of central biblical texts on creation, as well as historical and contemporary theology, to construct a contemporary theology and ethics of the environment.

THL 495: Theology Research Seminar

Through focused and extensive study on an approved topic of interest, students demonstrate their cumulative ability to research, reflect critically, and think theologically. Presentation of research to faculty members and the public is required.