THEO 1000 Theological Questions — 4 credits

This course offers opportunities to reflect on and question spiritual and theological ideas within the contexts of lived experiences of people from a variety of religious and spiritual traditions. The course takes different forms depending on the professor’s expertise and interests, but all sections familiarize students with the approaches, resources, and methodologies of religious studies, theology and spirituality.

THEO 2000 Maiden - Mother - Crone: Life Stages and the Spiritual Journey — 4 credits

This course is an introductory exploration of the spiritual journey as it is experienced in the life passages and stages, unfolding events, and the transformation of our lives. We will explore the unique expressions and historical foundations of spiritual development from various faith traditions. Spirituality in this interreligious context becomes a cross-cultural dialogue that enriches our course journey. The contributions of women will be central, but not exclusive to this topic. Also offered as WOST 2000.

THEO 2050 Passion, Violence, Praise: Exploring the Old Testament — 4 credits

This is an introductory study of selected areas of the Old Testament in its original context. Emphasis is upon careful reading of the text in dialogue with modern approaches to scriptural study. As a beginning-level course, it requires no prior knowledge of the Bible.

THEO 2060 Freedom, Justice, and Liberation Theology Today — 4 credits

Theology is rooted in human experiences of encountering God in this world, and the particular experiences of various oppressed communities have given rise to a rich body of theological reflection. The many varieties of liberation theology all focus attention on how theological ideas are not limited to the church or the classroom, but affect our lives, our commitments, and our choices in powerful ways. In this course, we will explore how liberation theology, which starts from the perspective of the oppressed, presents theological ideas about God, Jesus, community, motherhood, creation/the ecological crisis, and other topics. Each offering of this course will focus on a particular variety of liberation theology, such as Black and womanist theology; Latino/a and mujerista theology; Asian and minjung theology; African theologies; or Native American theology. Students may earn credit under this course number more than once for different liberation theologies. Also offered as CRST 2060.

THEO 2100 New Testament: This Far by Faith — 4 credits

This is an introductory study of selected areas of the New Testament in its original context. Emphasis is upon careful reading of the text in dialogue with modern approaches to scriptural study. As a beginning-level course, it requires no prior knowledge of the Bible. Also offered as CRST 2100.

THEO 2120 Living Faith: Encountering the Holy in Everyday Experience — 4 credits

An introduction to the Christian faith with particular attention to the experience of women: faith as it is understood and as it is lived; faith and culture; faith and doubt. Also offered as WOST.

THEO 2200 Theological Ethics — 4 credits

This course is an introduction to the search for the norms of human conduct in the light of revelation. It involves a discussion of human nature, freedom, responsibility, conscience, sin, ethical norms and personal development in Christ. Application of Christian norms to selected ethical problems.

THEO 2400 Jesus of Nazareth - Christ of Faith — 4 credits

This course is a study of who Jesus was in his original Jewish context, and who he is for Christians today. The variety of ways that Jesus is understood around the globe, especially by women in diverse cultures, will be explored through artwork as well as traditional written theology. Connections between doctrines about the mission and identity of Jesus and current issues (such as the environmental crisis and issues of race and decolonization) will be critically analyzed.

THEO 2500 Health, Illness and Healing: Theology for Health Care Professionals — 4 credits

This course is intended for students already working in health care professions. The course addresses fundamental questions of health and healthcare in the light of Christian theology—questions including the nature of health and the purposes of health care; Christian conceptions of persons as physical, psychological, social and spiritual wholes; the existence and meaning of suffering; and practices of love and justice as Christian responses to suffering. The course considers a diversity of theological perspectives on these topics and other selected ethical problems in the field of health care. It also invites students to articulate an understanding of their vocation as health care professionals in relation to their own theological convictions.

THEO 2600W All are Welcome - Church as Beloved Community — 4 credits

How did the community of Jesus’ disciples become a Church of 2.2 billion people spread around the globe? What is the relationship between the Church as we know it here in the United States in the 21st century, and the Church as it exists in other parts of the world? Why is church membership declining precipitously in Europe and North America today, but rising just as sharply elsewhere? The course will look both to history and to contemporary accounts of faith communities for its answers. The history, contributions, and perspectives of Asian, African, African American and Latinx Christians will be a major focus of the course. Also offered as CRST 2600W.

THEO 2684 Directed Study — 4 credits

Directed study is provided for students whose unusual circumstances prohibit taking a regularly scheduled course but who need the material of that course to satisfy a requirement. Availability of this faculty-directed learning experience depends on faculty time and may be limited in any given term and restricted to certain courses.
Prerequisites: Faculty, department chair and dean approval.

THEO 2750 Christian Spirituality — 4 credits

This course is an introduction to global spiritual expressions, relying on the study of selected primary sources and lived experiences. We explore the movements of people’s inner lives in the light of ancestral and contemporary spiritualities.

THEO 2850 Social Justice: A Theological Perspective — 4 credits

This introductory course explores the theological perspectives related to social justice, particularly identified in Catholic social teaching and liberation theology. It does so with consideration of current social issues, such as racism, global migration, and climate change. The course provides students with skills to reflect critically and constructively on these issues through the tools of theological inquiry and ways to engage in work for social change that are important to their specific interests and emerging areas of expertise.

THEO 2994 Topics — 4 credits

The subject matter of the course is announced in the annual schedule of classes. Content varies, but will not duplicate existing courses.

THEO 3390 The Bible Goes to the Movies — 4 credits

This is a study of how the Bible has been interpreted through film, involving the viewing and evaluation of film in relationship to relevant readings from the Bible. Careful reading and analysis of biblical texts is involved, as well as comparison of the Bible with the filmmaker's reading and interpretation of texts.

THEO 3930W Christian Women Mystics — 4 credits

This course is an examination of the lives and writing of selected Christian women mystics across the centuries. Their lives and works are studied within the ecclesiastical context of their times and with a view to their enduring meaning for today’s Christians. Also offered as WOST 3930W.

THEO 3994 Topics — 4 credits

The subject matter of the course is announced in the annual schedule of classes. Content varies, but will not duplicate existing courses.

THEO 4604 Internship — 4 credits

This is a structured out-of-class learning experience that takes place on- or off-campus and includes a substantial work component. An internship involves students in a particular profession in an exploratory way to test career interests and potential. To initiate an internship experience, meet with the internship coordinator in the Career Development Office.
Prerequisites: Faculty sponsorship and approval by department chair.

THEO 4684 Directed Study — 4 credits

Directed study is provided for students whose unusual circumstances prohibit taking a regularly scheduled course but who need the material of that course to satisfy a requirement. Availability of this faculty-directed learning experience depends on faculty time and may be limited in any given term and restricted to certain courses.
Prerequisites: Faculty, department chair and dean approval.

THEO 4951 Independent Study — 1 credit

THEO 4952 Independent Study — 2 credits

Independent study offers students the opportunity for specialized research not covered in a course offering, by the action project or thesis. Students work with a faculty advisor to develop a learning contract, which specifies the content and objectives of the study as well as the requirements and procedures for evaluation. The amount of credit earned for the study also is included in the learning contract.
Prerequisites: Permission of the faculty and department chair or program director.

THEO 4954 Independent Study — 4 credits

Independent study offers students the opportunity for specialized research not covered in a course offering, by the action project or thesis. Students work with a faculty advisor to develop a learning contract, which specifies the content and objectives of the study as well as the requirements and procedures for evaluation. The amount of credit earned for the study also is included in the learning contract.
Prerequisites: Permission of the faculty and department chair or program director.

THEO 4994 Topics — 4 credits

The subject matter of the course is announced in the annual schedule of classes. Content varies, but will not duplicate existing courses.