Undergraduate Course Descriptions

Theology

THL 106 The Hebrew Scriptures (4 credits)
A study of the historical, prophetic, and sapiential texts in the Old Testament according to their historical, literary, and theological contexts. Not open to students with credit for THL 105.

THL 107 The Christian Scriptures (4 credits)
A study of the various texts of the New Testament according to their historical, literary, and theological contexts. Not open to students with credit for THL 105.

THL 113 Basic Christian Beliefs (4 credits)
A study of the essential truths of Christianity from the perspective of the Roman Catholic tradition: revelation, Trinity, grace, salvation, sacraments, and eschatology.

THL 115 Introduction to Spirituality (4 credits)
A study of the characteristics and forms of spirituality with emphasis on the Christian experience.

THL 150 The Psalms (2 credits)
This course will present a careful study of the literary character and theological themes in the Book of Psalms.

THL 201 The Prophets of Israel (4 credits)
A study of prophets in ancient Israel including selections from their writings. A consideration of their theology, their impact on Israel's history, and the literary value of this literature.

THL 202 Wisdom Literature (4 credits)
A study of biblical Wisdom Literature and selected psalms with a focus on their underlying message and the literary contribution of ancient Israel to world literature.

THL 203 The Gospels (4 credits)
A study of the sources and formation of the Gospel tradition: form criticism, distinctive literary structures, and theologies of the four Gospels.

THL 204 Epistles of Paul (4 credits)
A study of the life of St. Paul and the theological content of his teaching.

THL 206 The End of the World: Jewish and Christian Views (4 credits)
A study of the development and themes of Jewish and Christian apocalyptic literature from 200 B.C. to A.D. 150.

THL 210 The Letter to the Hebrews (2 credits)
This course will study the New Testament “Letter to the Hebrews” with special emphasis to its historical context in Jewish-Christianity of the first century AD and to its influence on the development of ministry in the Catholic tradition.

THL 233 The Holy Spirit: Gift of God (4 credits)
A study of the Holy Spirit as presented in Scripture and in theological writings of the past and present. Special attention is given to the theology of grace.

THL 234 Jesus: Revelation of God (4 credits)
A study of the person of Christ as presented in Scripture and in theological writings of the past and present. Special attention is given to the theology of salvation. Prerequisite: one prior theology course or consent of instructor.

THL 235 Christian Morality (4 credits)
A consideration of the sources of the Christian moral life: scripture, theological reflection, law, and conscience. Application of basic principles to selected contemporary moral problems.

THL 236 Church and Sacraments (4 credits)
A study of the mystery of the nature and life of the Church in terms of Christian worship in liturgy and sacrament.

THL 237 Theology of Marriage (4 credits)
A study of the Christian understanding of marriage from the perspective of the Roman Catholic tradition.

THL 238 Theology of Justice and Mercy (4 credits)
An investigation of the meaning and relationship of justice and mercy in the Christian tradition, with an emphasis on the social justice teachings of the Catholic Church.

THL 239 Theology of Death and Eternal Life (4 credits)
A study of the mysteries of human suffering, death, purgatory, hell, and heaven from the perspective of the Roman Catholic tradition. The course reflects on insights of Scripture and theological writings of past and present.

THL 240 History of Christianity To the Reformation (4 credits)
A study of important persons and events in the life of the Church from its beginnings to the Reformation.

THL 241 History of Christianity Since the Reformation (4 credits)
A study of important persons and events in the life of the Church from the Reformation to the present.

THL/PJU 278 Peace & Justice: Catholic Social Teaching (4 credits)
Application of Catholic social teaching to political economic systems. Special emphasis on priciples of economic justice, just war theory, human rights, and the dignity of the human person. Not open to students who have completed POL/THL/SJU 478.

THL 310 Theology of the Diaconate (2 credits)
This course will examine the dogmatic foundations of the Permanent Diaconate by means of a comprehensive review of the relevant documents of the Roman Catholic Church. The purpose of this course is to assist individuals to discern their vocation of the Permanent Diaconate in the Roman Catholic Church.

THL/HST 342 History of Christianity in the United States (4 credits)
A historical overview of the religious life, institutions, and thoughts of Americans from colonial times to the present with a special emphasis on the Catholic Church in the United States. Note: THL/HST 342 does not fulfill the core requirement in theology unless one additional course in theology is also taken.

THL 348a Thematic Studies: The Human and the Transcendent (4 credits)
A study of the human encounter with the transcendent in terms of human freedom and the gift of grace. Prerequisites: ENG 101-102 or 110-111; one prior theology course.

THL 348b Thematic Studies: Early Christian Writings (4 credits)
A study of the significant personalities and writings of the early Church with reference to their historical context and contemporary implications. Prerequisites: ENG 101-102 or 110-111; one prior theology course.

THL 348c Thematic Studies: Thomas Aquinas (4 credits)
A study of Thomas Aquinas' theological synthesis and its contribution to the western Christian theological tradition. Prerequisites: ENG 110, 111; HUM 110, 210; one prior theology course.

THL 348d Thematic Studies: The History of Israel in Story (4 credits)
A study of the prose sections of the Old Testament through the use of narrative analysis and historical analysis. Prerequisites: ENG 101-102 or 110-111; one prior theology course. Not open to students with credit in THL 205.

THL 348e Thematic Studies: Augustine of Hippo (4 credits)
A study of the life and works of St. Augustine of Hippo focusing on his contribution to the Western Christian theological tradition. Prerequisites: ENG 101-102 or 110-111; one prior theology course.

THL 1/2/3/485 Special Topics (2-4 credits)
Topics of special interest in theology. Prerequisites for 385 or 485: One prior theology course.

THL 2/3/486 Independent Study (2-4 credits)
A tutorial program in which the student does research in a specific area of theology. Prerequisites: Two prior theology courses; consent of instructor, academic advisor, division chairperson.