Theology Department
All students must take 4 years of Theology*:
6101 Freshman Theology
6201 Sophomore Theology
6221 Honors Sophomore Theology
6231 Scholars Sophomore Theology
6301 Junior Theology
6321Honors Junior Theology
6401 Senior Theology
6421 Honors Senior Theology
*Students must complete service projects of a specified length within the Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior courses.
6101 Freshman Theology: Introduction to Ignatian Spirituality, Jesuit History and Hebrew
and Christian Scriptures (Bishops’ Framework I)
Credit: 1.0
In this course, students will learn about the Society of Jesus and the major figures in its founding, its history, and its spirituality. They will study the Old and New Testaments, with an aim to both understand the narrative
of these scriptures and their role in the life of faith. Students will also learn to use various methods of Scriptural interpretation and learn to analyze the scripture. Students in Freshman Theology must complete a 10-hour service project.
6201 Sophomore Theology: Who is Jesus Christ and what is His Mission (Christology)
(Bishops’ Framework II-IV)
Credit: 1.0
The purpose of sophomore theology is to examine, via the lens of the Nicene Creed, the fundamental beliefs of the Catholic Church. The course takes a systematic approach in examining the teaching on God, the person and mission of Jesus Christ, and the living Body of Christ, the Church. Special emphasis will be placed upon the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius and Ignatian prayer. Students in Sophomore Theology must complete a 15-hour service project.
6221 Honors Sophomore Theology: Who is Jesus Christ and what was/is His Mission (Christology)
(Bishops’ Framework II-IV)
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: Recommendation of the current Theology instructor.
The Honors Sophomore Theology course follows the course outline of the Sophomore Theology curriculum. In addition, students are expected to do critical reading of primary source texts, to exhibit greater comprehension in analyzing texts, and to demonstrate and hone their writing skills above what is expected in the regular sophomore course. Students in Honors Sophomore Theology must complete a 20-hour service project.
6301 Junior Theology: Life in Jesus Christ (Moral Theology) and Sacraments as Privileged
Encounter with Jesus (Sacramental Theology) (Bishops’ Framework V-VI)
Credit: 1.0
Junior Theology begins with a discussion of the biblical and philosophical foundations of Christian morality. Throughout this course,
students will investigate various methods of moral decision-making and learn to apply these methods to current moral issues, developing
their conscience on these issues in the process. Some issues that may be covered are social justice, medical ethics, sexual ethics, war and
peace, technology, and media ethics. Students will take an in-depth look at the Sacraments of the Catholic Church, including the
Sacramental Nature of the Church and the Individual Sacraments: the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and
Eucharist), then Sacraments of Healing (Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick), and the Sacraments of Service
(Holy Orders and Marriage). Students in Junior Theology must complete a 20-hour service project.
6321 Honors Junior Theology: Life in Jesus Christ (Moral Theology) and Sacraments as
Privileged Encounter with Jesus (Sacramental Theology) (Bishops’ Framework V-VI)
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: Recommendation of the current Theology instructor.
The Honors Junior Theology course follows the course outline of the Junior Theology curriculum. In addition, students are expected to do critical reading of primary
source texts, to exhibit greater comprehension in analyzing texts, and to demonstrate and hone their writing skills above what is expected in the regular junior course.
Students in Honors Junior Theology must complete a 25-hour service project.
6401 Senior Theology: Ignatian Spirituality, Interreligious Dialogue, and Ecumenism:
(Bishops’ Framework Elective E)
Credit: 1.0
Semester one of the senior theology course begins with a discussion of Ignatian Spirituality. The Jesuit order is built on the insight and example of St. Ignatius of Loyola, and his Spiritual Exercises are at the heart of the Society’s mission and ministry. This course will engage students in an in-depth study of the Spiritual Exercises and Ignatian Spirituality, especially as the Exercises apply to vocation and discernment. Topics covered include: Spirituality, The Doctrine of God, Prayer, The Jesuit Vows, The Problem of Suffering and Evil, Discernment, and Vocation. Students will study the Jesuit order and Jesuit contributions to the Church and by the end of the class should be familiar with the dominant themes of the Exercises. Semester 2 of this course covers Interreligious Dialogue and Ecumenism. The purpose of this semester is to help students understand the manner in which the Catholic Church relates to non-Catholic Christians as well as to other religions of the world. It is intended to help students to recognize the ways in which important spiritual truths can be found in non-Catholic Christian churches as well as in non-Christian religions while affirming the truths found within the Catholic faith.
6421 Honors Senior Theology: (Bishops’ Framework Elective E)
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: Recommendation of the current Theology instructor.
The Honors Senior Theology course follows the course outline of the Senior Theology curriculum. In addition, students are expected to do critical reading of primary source texts, to exhibit greater comprehension in analyzing texts, and to demonstrate and hone their writing skills above what is expected in the regular senior course.