THEOLOGY
Professors Hinlicky, McDermott,Wisnefske; Associate Professors
Maclean, Zorn; Part-time Lecturers Baas, Benne, Brumberg, Delaney,
Gunsten, Henrickson, Lee, Seeley
The Theology major focuses on the Christian tradition, its
history, the development of its thought, and its transmission. It
is designed to prepare students for seminary, graduate studies,
and other church vocations.
A major in Theology requires the completion of 12 units (at
least one of which must be non-Christian*) These include:
Surveys (none required, and only one may count toward
the major)
RELG 102 Christian Faith and Life
RELG 103* The Jewish Tradition
RELG 104* The World of Islam
RELG 105 Socrates, Jesus, and the Buddha
RELG 130* Living Religions of the World
PHIL 101 Philosophical Inquiry
Scripture (at least two)
RELG 111 Hebrew Scriptures
RELG 112 New Testament
RELG 215 The Life and Teachings of Jesus
RELG 216 The Life and Teaching of Paul
RELG 217* Topics in Israelite and
Jewish Religion
History (at least two)
RELG 210 The Development of Christianity
RELG 211* Religions of the Hellenistic World
RELG 212 The Reformation
(cross-listed with HIST 231)
RELG 214 Religion in America
RELG 246 The Holocaust
(cross-listed with HIST 246)
RELG 250 New Religions in America
Theology (at least two)
RELG 220 Christian Ethics
RELG 230 Introduction to the
Theology of Martin Luther
RELG 270 Explorations in Religion and Society
RELG 280 History of Christian Thought
Advanced (at least two)
RELG 312 Topics in New Testament
and Early Christianity
RELG 317 Systematic Theology
RELG 320 The Theology of Jonathan Edwards
RELG 330* Christianity and the World Religions
Philosophy (at least two)
PHIL 213* Religions and Philosophies of India
or
PHIL 218* Religions and Philosophies of China
PHIL 251 Early Western Philosophy
PHIL 252 Modern Western Philosophy
PHIL 260 Selected Topics in Philosophy
PHIL 265 American Philosophy
PHIL 310 Kant's Critical Philosophy
PHIL 321 Philosophy of Religion
PHIL 330 Nietzsche and Heidegger
on Nihilism
Senior Thesis (one unit)
410, 411, 412 ( 1 / 2 , 1, 1 / 2 ) or
495, 496, 497 ( 1 / 2 , 1, 1 / 2 )
POLI 342, 343, SOCI 327, or some IL courses may be
considered electives with approval of the department.
Minor in Theology
A minor in Theology requires the completion of seven units.
These include:
Surveys (none required, and only one may count toward
the minor)
RELG 102, 105, 130; PHIL 101, 251, 252
Scripture (at least one)
RELG 111, 112, 215, 216, 217
History and Theology (at least two)
RELG 210, 211, 212, 214, 220, 230, 246, 250, 270, 280
Advanced (at least one)
RELG 312, 317, 320, 330
Other units from among those listed above (with no more
than one survey course) to meet the seven units required for
the minor.
POLI 342, SOCI 327 and some IL courses may be considered
electives with the approval of the Department.
CONCENTRATION IN PARISH YOUTH LEADERSHIP
The concentration in Parish Youth Leadership requires
seven units:
RELG 225 The Religious Life of Young Adults
RELG 416 Internship
PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology
PSYC 211 Adolescent Development
One of:
RELG 102 Christian Faith and Life or
RELG 317 Systematic Theology
One of:
RELG 111 The Hebrew Scriptures or
RELG 112 New Testament
One of:
RELG 240 Religious Interpretation of Film or
RELG 250 New Religions in America or
RELG 220 Christian Ethics
102 Christian Faith and Life
An examination of the basis tenets of Christian belief, its
moral teachings, and way of life. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
103 The Jewish Tradition
An overview of the history of Judaism, its teachings,
and its traditions. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
104 The World of Islam
An introduction to the Qur'an, the Muslim faith, and the
fabric of Islamic societies, starting with the life of
Muhammad.(1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
105 Socrates, Jesus, and the Buddha
A survey of the main figures in the religious and
philosophical traditions of the Western world, as well as major
figures in Eastern religion and philosophy. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
111 Hebrew Scriptures
An historical and critical study of the Pentateuch, Prophets,
and Writings in the Hebrew Scriptures. Particular attention
will be given to various ways of interpreting these texts.(1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
112 New Testament
This course studies the early Christian communities: their
literature, their history, their social context, and especially the
life choices made by members of those communities. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
130 Living Religions of the World
The major living religions of the world; their sources, nature,
and attempt to deal with certain human problems. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
210 The Development of Christianity
The development of Christianity from the first century A.D.
through the 15th century A.D. (Religion 210 and History
231 may not both be taken for credit.) (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
211 Religions of the Hellenistic World
An examination of the diversity of religions in the Greco-
Roman world following the conquests of Alexander the
Great.The course will examine individual, familial, and civic
religious expression as well as the rise of the mystery religions
and the new communities of Judaism, Christianity, and
Gnosticism. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
212 The Reformation
The Protestant Reformation of the 16th century and the
Roman Catholic reaction. (Religion 212 and History 231
may not both be taken for credit.) (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
213 Religions and Philosophies of India
An interdisciplinary examination of the philosophical and
religious traditions of South Asia.Topics include the central
ideas and practices of these traditions, their historical
development, their styles of reasoning, and the relationship
between religion and philosophy. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
214 Religion in America
An investigation and examination of the distinctive beliefs and
practices of mainstream religious groups and their influence
upon the development of America. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
215 The Life and Teachings of Jesus
Examination of the life and teachings of Jesus in the light of
recent Biblical scholarship. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
216 The Life and Teachings of Paul
The life and teachings of the Apostle Paul in the light of his
writings and other sources with particular reference to his
influence on the early church. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
217 Topics in Israelite and Early Jewish Religion
An examination of a major subfield within the Hebrew
scriptures and early Judaism. Designed to provide students
with the opportunity to study a single aspect of Israelite or
Jewish religion.(1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
218 Religions and Philosophies of China
An interdisciplinary examination of the philosophical and
religious traditions of East Asia. Topics include the central
ideas and practices of these traditions, their historical
development, their styles of reasoning, and the relationship
between religion and philosophy. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
220 Christian Ethics
An examination of Christian moral values and their relation
to the issues of contemporary personal and social life. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
225 The Religious Life of Young Adults
An introduction to the faith development of young adults and
their psychological and social characteristics.This course will
identify and foster communication skills for effectively
communicating with adolescents. The role of adult leadership
in youth groups will be examined. Finally, the course will
consider resources for developing and implementing youth
ministry programs in congregations. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
230 Introduction to the Theology of Martin Luther
A critical reading of the major theological texts of Martin
Luther, considering historical context and the texts'
significance for church and society. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
240 Religious Interpretation of Films
This course aims at probing the meaning of contemporary
films from several perspectives-social, political, artistic-but
especially from a theological point of view. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
246 The Holocaust
An historical account and a religious analysis of the
Holocaust, including an examination of theological reactions
to this event. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
250 New Religions in America
A study of non-traditional religious communities in America,
such as the Mormons, New Age, Scientology, and Branch
Davidians. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
270 Explorations in Religion and Society
A study of the interaction between religion and society in a
selected country or region. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
280 History of Christian Thought
An intellectual encounter with classic Christian thinkers, a
study of the development of Christian doctrine, and a
reflection on the state of the Christian intellectual tradition
today. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
312 Topics in Biblical Studies and Early Christianity
An examination of issues of current significance to the study
of the Hebrew scriptures, the New Testament or early
Christianity.Topics for any given semester will be chosen by
the professor in consultation with students interested in taking
the course. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Religion 111, 112, 215, 216 or 217.
317 Systematic Theology
A study of the interrelationships between the main Christian
articles of faith in the thought of major 19th and 20thcentury
theologians. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Previous course in religion or philosophy or permission.
320 The Theology of Jonathan Edwards
An exploration of the religious thought of Jonathan Edwards
(1703-1758), one of the most influential theologians in North
America. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Previous course in religion or philosophy or permission.
330 Christian Theology and the World Religions
An examination of religious pluralism, with special attention
to three problems: the truth status of competing religious
claims, salvation of religious others, and whether God has
been revealed in other religions. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Previous course in religion or philosophy or permission.
405, 406, 407 Independent Study and Research
Selected topics in religion carried out under the supervision
of the department staff. ( 1 / 2 , 1, 1 / 2 )
410, 411, 412 Senior Thesis
At the end of the junior year every major will register with a
member of the department to study and write a major
paper in the final year. Guidelines, requirements and dates are
explained in "The Senior Thesis." ( 1 / 2 , 1, 1 / 2 )
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Senior standing.
416, 417 Internship
A supervised placement in a local church, clinical setting, or
social service agency, in which the student would be required
to make a practical application of theological and ethical
insights. (1, 1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
495, 496, 497 Honors Project
A program of independent study culminating in a paper.
Prerequisites:To qualify for consideration to receive honors in the
major, a student in his/her senior year or in the Summer prior to the
senior year must work under the guidance of his/her committee.A
written proposal and application must be approved by the committee
and department.A minimum GPA of 3.4 in the major is required.
495 Honors Project is prerequisite for 497 Honors Project. ( 1 / 2 , 1, 1 / 2 )