The Department of Religious Studies and Theology helps students cultivate an inquiring mind by exposing them to the role religion plays in the development and experience of humanity as a whole. Students are provided with the scientific and theological tools necessary for an academic study of religion. Students also understand and appreciate the various viewpoints and values of differing religions.
The major program offers courses in five different areas: world religions, Jewish and Christian origins, history of Christianity, Christianity in the modern world and systematic theology.
Student wishing to pursue a minor in religious studies can do so within one of four tracks:
- Religious Studies
- Biblical Studies
- Christian History, Thought and Ethics
- Religions of the World
This minor has six required courses: RST 231, CTH 400 and four other courses. These are taken in each of four areas: Catholic Theology and Life; Catholic History and Politics; Catholic Social Thought and Philosophy; Catholic Culture: Literature, Art, Music and Science. For more information, click here.
The Department of Religious Studies and Theology expresses the religious dimension of the college’s Catholic and Jesuit tradition and its orientation to serve the community. A scientific and theological approach in the study of Roman Catholicism and other religions is used. The department looks to make certain that students are able to:
- Assess the role of Christianity and other religions in human development and experience.
- Explain, compare, and contrast various viewpoints and values of differing religions.
- Use the theoretical tools necessary for the academic study of religion and theology in texts, rituals, and practices.
- Describe, analyze, and draw conclusions about important religious and theological issues.
Religious studies and theology faculty members come from a diverse range of religious backgrounds, including Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, United Church of Christ, Methodist and Jewish; which provides students with the perspectives of various faiths. They also represent a wide range of interests and expertise.
All faculty members have high standings in their fields, which include the study of the historical Jesus and the sociology of Palestine, religion and science, Hegel, Egyptian monasticism, anthropology and religion, Islam and Hinduism, social ethics, and war and politics. To learn more about our faculty and staff, click here.