Theology
Department Chair: Kari-Shane Davis Zimmerman
Faculty: Nickolas Becker, OSB; Jennifer Beste; Charles Bobertz; Kristin Colberg; Shawn Colberg; Martin Connell; Chris Conway; Benjamin Durheim; Daniel Finn; Juliann Heller; Noreen Herzfeld; Jeffrey Kaster; Christine Luna Munger; Anna Mercedes; John Merkle; Michael Patella, OSB; Michael Rubbelke; Anthony Ruff, OSB; Vincent Smiles; Laura Taylor; Kari-Shane Davis Zimmerman.
Religious faith, expressed in countless ways, has played a major role in the unfolding of human history and civilizations. Therefore, as the study of faith, theology is a vital part of a liberal arts education. Because religion intersects with all aspects of culture (for example, art, music, language, literature, history, philosophy, science), theological study offers a unique opportunity to connect the dots from multiple disciplines into a coherent world view.
Faculty members in our theology department are committed to helping students understand religion as a fundamental part of human experience. Exploring how faith and reason combine to form life-orienting perspectives, our faculty join students in grappling with major questions about God, the world, and human existence. This is done in a variety of ways, especially through the critical examination of the sacred texts and values of the Catholic tradition, other Christian traditions, and other religions.
Assessment
The theology department conducts assessment of student learning in order to determine how well the department and its students are accomplishing specified learning goals and objectives. This assessment activity provides the department with systematic feedback to make curricular and pedagogical improvements. While the department protects confidentiality, students should expect that their coursework may serve as evidence in the assessment process and that they may be asked to provide other data or participate in assessment reviews.
Acceptance to Major Requirements
Course Requirements: THEO 100
Minimum Grade and/or GPA for required courses: 2.00 GPA
Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.00
Major in Theology (44 credits)
THEO 100, Theological Explorations
THEO 210, Historical Development of the Christian Church
THEO 220, Philosophy for Theology
THEO 221, Thinking Theologically
THEO 300, Engaging Scripture
THEO 390, Moral Theology
THEO 396, Capstone: Theological Conversation
Sixteen elective credits from at least two of the following areas:
1) Scripture (300-309)
2) Systematic Theology (320-329) and Moral Theology/Christian Ethics (340-349)
3) Spirituality (330-339), Liturgy (350-359), and Pastoral Theology (380-389)
4) Church History (310-319) and Jewish Studies/World Religions (360-369)
Major in Theology with a Concentration in Pastoral Ministry
THEO 100, Theological Explorations
THEO 210, Historical Development of the Christian Church
THEO 220, Philosophy for Theology
THEO 221, Thinking Theologically
THEO 300, Engaging Scripture
THEO 346, Diversity and Christian Community
THEO 380, Christian Discipleship and Ministry
THEO 390, Fundamental Moral Theology
THEO 397, Internship (serves as THEO capstone)
Twelve elective credits, chosen in consultation with the student's advisor
Major in Theology with a Minor in Secondary Education
THEO 100, Theological Explorations
THEO 210, Historical Development of the Christian Church
THEO 220, Philosophy for Theology
THEO 221, Thinking Theologically
THEO 300, Engaging Scripture
THEO 390, Fundamental Moral Theology
Twelve elective credits, chosen in consultation with the student's advisor
Minor in Theology (20 credits)
THEO 220, Philosophy for Theology or THEO 210, Historical Development of the Christian Church
THEO 221, Thinking Theologically
THEO 300, Engaging Scripture
8 elective credits, one of which satisfies the TU