Theology Major
The Theology and Religious Studies Department offers two majors which are distinguished by virtue of both their primary content and their methodological approach. Students may choose one of these majors in conjunction with their other studies, or they may double major within the department and get a degree in both Theology and in Religious Studies.
Theology majors will focus primarily on Christianity. Theology, which literally means the "study of God," was described by Anselm of Canterbury as "faith seeking understanding." It entails methodical study of the faith traditions of a believing community. Christian Theology employs the methods of its sub-fields (e.g., systematic and historical theology, ethics, biblical studies) to explore the bible, Jesus Christ, the church, tradition history, doctrinal development, liturgy, personal and communal morality, and relations with other religions. It is not catechesis, which transmits knowledge about a religion to a believer without critically analyzing the tradition’s beliefs. Theology requires a process of grappling with and critically examining particular expressions of faith in order to articulate them in contemporary contexts. In other words, theology seeks to address the "fears, hopes, griefs, and anxieties" (Second Vatican Council, Gaudium et Spes, no. 1) of church and world in the present moment. As a discipline, theology converses with the academy, the church, and society. The theology faculty and their students at Saint Joseph’s University aim to assist each of these communities in appreciating the meaning and implications of the tenets and practices of Roman Catholic and other Christian traditions, as well as those of other religions.
If you are more interested in focusing your studies on religious traditions other than Christianity, please take a look at the Religious Studies major.
Goal 1: Students will study at least two religious traditions beyond an introductory level, including their histories, beliefs, practices and contemporary expressions.
Outcome 1: Students will be able to identify, define, and/or explain the content, core concepts, and theories that serve as the foundation for select religious traditions.
Goal 2: Students will study the implications of religious belief for moral decision making and ethical action in the world.
Outcome 2: Students will be able to articulate the foundations, historical development, and ethical ramifications of the basic content of the Catholic faith using sources and methods appropriate to the discipline of Theology.
Goal 3: Students will utilize methods of research and argumentations within the multidisciplinary context of the academic study of theology and religion.
Outcome 3: Students will be able to utilize methods of research and argumentation within the multidisciplinary context of the academic study of theology and religion.
Cornerstone Core Curriculum Requirements
Consist of 14 core and 2 overlay requirements. See below for additional detailed information on each of these requirements.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| First Year Course Requirements | ||
| ENG 101 | Craft of Language | 3 |
| World History Course Area | 3 | |
| Philosophy Requirements | ||
Either Level One or Level Two (but not both) -- must be Ethics designated. If approved, philosophy courses may count for a student's Writing Intensive overlay. Students may not double-count the same course as Philosophy Level Two and as a Mission Overlay course. | ||
| Philosophy Level One | 3 | |
| Philosophy Level Two | 3 | |
| Theology & Religious Studies Requirements | ||
If approved, Theology & Religious Studies courses may count for a student's Writing Intensive overlay. Students may not double-count the same course as CCC Theology and as a Mission Overlay course. | ||
| Theology | 3 | |
| Religious Studies | 3 | |
| Diversity & INT 151 Requirements | ||
A student's Diversity course may not count for any other CCC course area requirement or as their Mission Overlay course. If approved, Diversity courses may count for a student's Writing Intensive Overlay requirement. INT 151 may not count for any other CCC requirements. This course must be taken in the first two years | ||
| Diversity | 3 | |
| INT 151 | Inequality in American Society | 1 |
| Math & Natural Science Requirements | ||
If approved, Math & Natural Science Requirements may count toward overlay requirements. | ||
| Mathematics | 3-4 | |
| Natural Science | 4 | |
| Social Science Requirement | 3 | |
If approved, such Social Science Requirement may count toward a student's overlay requirements. | ||
| Non-Native Language Requirement | 3-4 | |
A single Non-Native Language course may not count as an overlay course but a second language course fulfills a student's Mission Overlay requirement. | ||
| Literature Requirement | 3 | |
If approved, Literature courses may count toward a student's overlay requirements. | ||
| Fine and Performing Arts, Creativity, and Design Requirement | 3 | |
If approved, Fine and Performing Arts, Creativity, and Design courses may count toward a student's overlay requirements. | ||
| Overlay Requirements | ||
| Writing-Intensive | 3 | |
If approved, Writing-Intensive courses may double count as major courses, minor courses, electives, or as any CCC course area requirement except for the first-year courses (World History and Rhetoric and Composition). | ||
| Mission-Overlay | 3 | |
Mission Overlay courses may double count as major courses, minor courses, elective courses, or any of the following CCC course areas: Fine and Performing Arts, Creativity, and Design, Literature, Mathematics, Natural Science, or Social Science. | ||
| Total Hours | 47-49 | |
Recommended CCC Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Mission-Overlay | ||
Second semester of Non-Native Language | ||
Major Requirements
Ten courses distributed as described below. At least eight must be at the 200-level or above.
No one course may be counted more than once for the various requirements of the major. However, some courses might be eligible for more than one category. In those cases, students can choose which category the course would be applied to, in consultation with one’s advisor or the department chair. Students should consult with their advisors or the department chair to determine the best distribution of courses relative to their own interests and needs.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Encountering the Catholic Tradition 1 | 3 | |
Will count for CCC: Theology | ||
| Encountering the New Testament | ||
| Catholic Theological Tradition | ||
| Catholic Social Tradition | ||
| Bible Course | 3 | |
| Hebrew Bible | ||
| Psalms | ||
| Synoptic Gospels | ||
| Letters of Paul | ||
| Compassionate Care in Clin Set | ||
| Israelite Religion | ||
| Myth and History in the Bible | ||
| Historical or Systematic Theology course | 3 | |
| Methodology Course | ||
| Theological Ethics | 3 | |
| Approaches toStudy of Religion | ||
| Theory & Method Study Religion | ||
| Non-Christian Religions | 6 | |
Two courses in non-Christian religions, which may not cover the same religious tradition. | ||
| Major Electives | 9 | |
Complete three THE electives, one of which must be THE or REL at the 200-level or above. The other two may be any additional THE courses. | ||
| Research Requirement | 3 | |
Graduating seniors must demonstrate that they have completed at least one significant research paper in theology or religious studies. This can be done in various ways, such as part of a standard course, an independent study, or an Honors thesis. Students should consult with their advisors to determine the route that would best fit with their course plans and interests. | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- 1
While double-dipping may occur, duplicate credit for the same course will not be earned (e.g., taking THE 154 for the major and CCC Theology requirement will only earn 3 credits, not 6.) 120 total credits must be completed, in addition to all CCC and major requirements, in order to graduate. Complete enough free electives to reach or surpass 120 total credit hours.
Free Electives
Any 11-14 courses. Graduation requires 120 credits. Any credits necessary to reach that number outside of the CCC and major requirements are considered free electives.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| THE 154 or THE 155 |
Catholic Theological Tradition or Catholic Social Tradition |
3 |
| ENG 101 | Craft of Language | 3 |
| World History | 3 | |
| Non-Native Language | 3-4 | |
| Philosophy Level One | 3 | |
| Hours | 15-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| REL 211 | Hebrew Bible (or other REL 100 or 200 level course) | 3 |
| Philosophy Level Two | 3 | |
| Mathematics | 3-4 | |
| Social Science | 3 | |
| 2nd Non-Native Language/Mission Overlay | 3-4 | |
| Hours | 15-17 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| THE 153 | Encountering the New Testament | 3 |
| INT 151 | Inequality in American Society | 1 |
| Literature | 3 | |
| Non-Christian Religions (200+ level) | 3 | |
| Theological Ethics | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Fine, Performing Arts, Creativity | 3 | |
| Historical/Systematic | 3 | |
| Writing Intensive | 3 | |
| Free Electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| REL or THE 395 or 495 | 3 | |
| Bible | 3 | |
| Major Electives | 6 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Natural Science | 4 | |
| Non-Christian Religions (200+ level) | 3 | |
| Major Elective | 3 | |
| Diversity | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| THE 493 | Ind Research in Theology | 3 |
| Free Electives | 12 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| THE 494 | Ind Research in Theology | 3 |
| Free Electives | 12 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 122-125 | |