Christian Theology
This course is an introduction to reflection on and analysis of the Christian theological tradition.
Outcomes: Students will be able to demonstrate understanding of the tasks of Christian theology in its efforts to understand the human situation from the perspective of faith, various challenges to theology in the contemporary world, and will focus on one or more current theological issues.
Introduction to Christianity
This course is an introduction to reflection on and analysis of the Christian theological tradition.
Outcomes: Students will be able to demonstrate understanding of the tasks of Christian theology in its efforts to understand the human situation from the perspective of faith, various challenges to theology in the contemporary world, and will focus on one or more current theological issues.
Foundational Theological Knowledge
Catholic Studies
European Studies
Theology is the study of God and all things in relation to God. As Christian theology begins with study of the Bible, God's self-revelation to humanity through Israel and the early Church, the first section of the course offers a thematic and roughly chronological survey of key aspects of Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and New Testament literature with a focus on understanding how the many distinct literary genres and worldviews that shape biblical theology reflect the experiences, intuitions, and ideals of ancient Israelites, Jews, and Christians. The survey of biblical literature is followed by a study of critical approaches to key topics related to contemporary interpretation of the Bible (including: evolution, ecology, cultural bias and evil, queer theory, reward/punishment worldviews, and Christian fundamentalism). The final section of the course consists of a study of select traditions and theologians in the post-biblical Christian tradition (including: the formation of religious orders, St. Thomas Aquinas, the Protestant Reformation, contemporary Catholic moral theology, and Latino and Black liberation theology). The course is designed to provide students with an historically-grounded introduction to Christian theology, and it will enable students to think deeply and critically about the social, political, and religious relevance of Christian theology today. This course has no prerequisites.
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