103 Basic Catholic Beliefs
Survey of fundamental teachings of the Catholic Church, Revelation, Christ, and the Sacraments. Consideration of theological teachings in daily living.
4 credits

109 Introduction to the Bible
The makeup, historical background, literary types of the Bible, and the Biblical attitudes and values that are the source of the Judaeo-Christian world view and especially of Christian belief and practice.
4 credits

111 Introduction to Theology
Introduction to the methods and vocabulary of religious studies, ways theological issues, and questions are explored through examples from several disciplines. Assists students in choosing upper-division theology courses.
4 credits

203 Letters of the New Testament
A historical and theological study of the New Testament Letters with emphasis on those by Paul; their importance for early Christianity and significance for the contemporary Church.
4 credits

207 Introduction to Christian Ethics
What it means to be a moral person in the context of Christian community. A variety of major ethical issues and approaches examined.
4 credits

210 Biblical Prophecy and Prophets Today
Major messages of Israel’s prophets in light of social conditions of their time. Messages related to modern-day men and women whose lives witness the Gospel’s mandate of social justice.
4 credits

213 Wisdom and Psalms of the Bible
Poetic writings of the Bible—the Psalms and wisdom writings in both the theological and artistic aspects. Students apply texts to contemporary life and create own poetry and proverbs for today’s living.
4 credits

214 People of the Book: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
Comparative study of religions founded on the Bible from their historical origins to modern times, their theologies, rituals, culture, historical interactions, and ecumenical dialog.
4 credits

215 Virtue and Character
A study of the human person and the development of character through the formation of conscience. Use of a reflective methodology to examine aspects of psychology, relationships, and spiritual direction which contribute to growth in virtue.
4 credits

217 Theology of Christian Service
Theological foundations and scriptural roots for pastoral service in the contemporary Christian church. Initial ministry experience.
4 credits

220 Faith and Justice
An introduction to contemporary social issues such as hunger and poverty, racism, sexism, environmental concerns, and respect for life in the light of Scripture and Christian tradition. Emphasis is on Roman Catholic Social Justice documents.
4 credits

221 Sacramental Theology
Contemporary and historical view of Sacraments, their meaning, celebration, and relevance to Christian life.
4 credits

301 Native American Religion
Examination of traditional American Indian religious concepts, beliefs, teachings, practices, and rituals. Analysis of the place and role of Christian teachings and churches among American Indian people. Emphasis on the tribes of the Northern Plains region.
4 credits

302 Suffering and Christian Healing
Human suffering and Christian healing considered in both the social and personal dimensions. The ministry of the contemporary Christian church as it reclaims the ancient Christian grace of healing.
4 credits

303 Church History
Development of the Church from New Testament times to the present and mutual impacts of the Church and culture during the formation of Christianity in the West.
4 credits

304 Celebrating the Sacred
Exploration of the relationship between the arts (visual, musical, dramatic, and literary) and religious experience between the beautiful and the spiritual. Opportunity for creativity on religious experience.
4 credits

306 The Reformation: Its Theology and History
Covers the four “traditions” of the Reformation, tracing their roots and consequent development. Special attention given to those factors which led to the Reformation and the present teachings and expressions of those churches who consider themselves to be the contemporary inheritors of the Reformation.
4 credits

310 Nature and Mission of Church
The Church as mystery and historical reality in light of Vatican Council II. The Church’s worship, pastoral efforts, and models of government.
4 credits

312 Religions of the East
A study of religion as manifested in the major cultures of Asia.
4 credits

313 Religious Education and Youth Ministry
Development of leadership in people who establish environments that promote moral growth and faith development. Foundations for planning programs. Analysis of the nature, context, approaches, and subjects of religious formation. Theology and skills of relational ministry. Practicum in local church.
4 credits

314 Literature and the Religious Imagination
Selected literary works, most from modern literature, will be examined to see how theological themes are treated. Reflections on the development of a narrative theology and the role of imagination in personal growth.
4 credits

315 Virtue and Character
This course consists of the material of THE 215 with additional study in areas agreed upon by the student and the instructor. A student may not receive credit for both THE 215 and 315.
4 credits

318 Jesus the Christ
The mystery of Jesus reflected in the Christ event and basic Christian doctrine.
4 credits

319 Contemporary Pilgrimage to God
Personal search for God in a fast-paced secular world. Basic elements and tools of spiritual growth: reflective texts, body stillness, holiness of time, and personal journal writing.
4 credits

320 Theology of Body, Mind, Spirit
A theological study of the interconnection of the body, mind, and spirit with emphasis on the gifts/strengths of the functions of the total personality.
4 credits

323 Liturgical Celebration
Basic principles of prayerful, creative worship and their application to celebrating the primacy of Sunday and the liturgical year (Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Ordinary Time). Practical experience in planning, leading, and evaluating liturgies.
4 credits

326 Marriage as Covenant
The marriage commitment explored as a sacramental relationship with spiritual, psychological, practical implications. Resource speakers of husband-wife teams, marriage counselors, single parents, and local pastoral personnel, all concerned with education toward healthy human relationships.
4 credits

330 The Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke
Formation of the Gospel tradition and comparative study of the literary styles and theological insights given by the evangelists on Jesus’ identity, life, and mission.
4 credits

332 Eucharistic Liturgy (The Mass)
The dynamic structure of thanksgiving (Eucharist) as creative of Christian community and the meaning of the Mass in the lives of Christians today based on a study of its origin and history.
4 credits

337 Christian Thought and Worship
Examination of the elements of Christian worship: symbol, myth, and rite. An exploration of the language of worship as it relates to faith, conversion, and religious identity. Related to the areas of music, art, and literature in the liturgy, as well as to religious education.
4 credits

338 Religion in the United States: Native American to Protestant
An examination of the various religious traditions which have contributed to life in the United States from colonial times to present including a brief overview of the background of those traditions which did not originate on these shores. Special attention is given to those movements which have had their birth in the United States, the interrelationships between the various traditions, and the shaping of religious traditions by their setting on this side of the Atlantic.
4 credits

339 Civil & Cultural Religion in the United States
An examination of the “one” but varied religion we share as U.S. citizens regardless of our denominational affiliations, the roots of this “oneness,” and its expression in civil, cultural, and political forms. A thesis of this course is that politics is the practice of civil religion.
4 credits

340 The Writings of Paul
Development of the historical setting and in-depth study of Paul’s letters and their significance for early Christianity and contemporary Christians.
4 credits

350 The Writings of John
A study of John’s writings, their development and historical setting, and their significance for early Christianity and contemporary Christians. John’s theological insights about Jesus, the Church, community, and belief will be compared to other New Testament authors.
4 credits

363 Spirituality and Men/Spirituality and Women
A reflective and experiential course on the faith development of men/women in our society. This examination of fundamental issues of growth as a person includes group work, consciousness raising, and reflection on gender issues and spirituality.
4 credits

367 Christian Prayer Through the Centuries
Critical reading and seminar discussion of classic Christian texts from the Apostolic Fathers, the early monastic authors, the Renaissance and Reformation periods, through spiritual writers of the nineteenth century.
4 credits

382 Moral Issues Seminar
Ethical inquiry into specific topic for extended exploration. Topics change periodically but include: social justice, business ethics, labor, medical ethics, and others.
4 credits

328, 428 Readings and Research in Theology
Open to students of junior and senior standing. This course is student-initiated and only available upon the consent of instructor. Usually students in this course will have taken at least one other theology course. The course may be taken twice.
2-4 credits

415 Servant Leadership in a Parish
Qualities of a servant leader enabling others to serve the Church more effectively. Ministerial skills explored and identified with the managerial processes and human relationships.
2 credits

418 Pastoral Ministry Practicum
Field experience in a parish setting with integrative seminar.
6-8 credits

429 Seminar in Theology
Toward the end of their program, majors in theology will demonstrate proficiency in research and application of theological knowledge by some product.
4 credits

125, 225, 325, 425 Special Offerings in Theology