Theology Faculty Michael Gallagher, Professor of Theology (Program Chair) Geraldine Noble-Martocci, Instructor of Theology Description The Theology Program offers a minor in theology and provides students the opportunity to explore freely and in-depth perennial human questions concerning ultimate meaning and value. Because of its formative role in Western culture, Christianity serves as the point of departure for academic study of theology. The Catholic tradition provides a convenient focus because of Trinity's own origins in the mission of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. Individual program objectives for students include: To make possible a thoughtful examination and critical analysis of specific religious beliefs, worldviews, and ethical norms. To facilitate students' articulation of spirituality and their own personal stance toward life. To refine each student's moral vision and develop her skills at evaluating experience, personal and social, within an ethical framework. To enhance a student's capacity not only to understand and respect religious and cultural diversity but also to elicit a firm commitment to justice and a sense of responsibility for the larger society. Theology is an essential part of the Foundations for Leadership Curriculum and its courses are designed to complement and support the major programs presently offered. Theology supports a minor for all undergraduate students. Minor Requirements The Theology Program offers a minor in three areas: 1) Christian tradition/Catholic studies; 2) religion and culture; and 3) theological ethics. To earn a minor, the student must complete six courses (18 credits) offered by the program. All work must be done at Trinity. The student should consult with a member of the Theology Program once she decides to pursue the minor in order to determine her course of study. Christian Tradition/Catholic Studies Area (18 credits) ONE course in Scripture chosen from: THE 102 Introduction to the Old Testament THE 103 Introduction to the New Testament THE 202 Acts, Paul, Revelation ONE course in systematic theology chosen from: THE 121 Introduction to Catholic Theology THE 221 Faith in a Secular Age THE 223 Christ, Church and Social Justice THE 239 Who is Jesus? THE 325 Feminist Theology ONE course in theological ethics chosen from: THE 240 Theological Ethics: Personal Issues THE 241 Theological Ethics: Social Issues THE 242 Theological Ethics: Medical Issues ONE course in sacramental or ascetical theology chosen from: THE 261 Sacraments of the Church THE 265 Christian Lifestyles: Marriage and Parenting THE 222 Christian Spirituality TWO additional theology courses excluding THE 372, 373, 350, and 368 Religion and Culture Area (18 credits) ALL of the following courses: THE 350 Religion and Culture THE 250 African-American Religious Experience THE 251 Hispanic Religious Experience THE 275 Religion and Politics THE 323 Spiritual Theology THE 345 Theology of Money Recommended Courses: HIS 125 Medieval Foundations of Western Society HIS 231 The Renaissance and Reformation HIS 390 Close Encounters: Christianity, Judaism and Islam in the Middle Ages INT 342 Women and Work: An Economic and Theological Perspective PHI 202 History of Philosophy: Medieval PHI 330 Philosophy of Religion Theological Ethics Area (18 credits) ALL of the following courses: THE 240 Theological Ethics: Personal Issues THE 241 Theological Ethics: Social Issues THE 242 Theological Ethics: Medical Issues ONE course in Scripture, such as THE 102, 103, 202 TWO additional theology courses Recommended Courses PHI 210 Introduction to Theoretical Ethics Program Policies Advanced Placement: Credits earned through AP examinations do not fulfill requirements of the theology minor. CLEP Policy: Credits earned through CLEP examinations do not fulfill requirements of the theology minor. Grades in Required Courses: Students are required to earn a grade of "C" (2.0) or better in all courses counted to fulfill requirements for the minor. Pass/No Pass: Courses in the minor may not be taken pass/no pass. TELL Policy: TELL credits are accepted toward the Trinity degree based on the approval of program faculty. TELL credits will not count toward the minor in theology. Transfer Credits: The Theology Program does not accept transfer credits. Course Descriptions THE 102 Introduction to the Old Testament 3 cr Examines the Hebrew Scriptures using the tools of contemporary exegesis; the historical, cultural, and social contexts in which the texts were written; theological themes of the Pentateuch and historical books; and the prophetic and wisdom traditions. FLC, Area III and IV, Level 1 Core, IV THE 103 Introduction to the New Testament 3 cr Examines modern critical methodologies and the historical background of the Graeco-Roman world of contemporary Judaism. The course considers the individual gospels and their interrelationships as well as the teaching of Jesus and the various dimensions of his ministry, death, and resurrection. Offers an overview of the Pauline literature and the Book of Revelation. FLC, Area III and IV, Level 1 Core, IV THE 121 Introduction to Catholic Theology 3 cr Explores the Catholic worldview with a focus on the human desire for happiness; major doctrinal and moral teachings; and sacramental and liturgical theology. FLC, Area III and IV, Level 1 Core, IV THE 202 Acts, Paul, Revelation 3 cr Uses the tools of the historical-critical method and examines the historical setting and theological motifs of Acts, the major themes of the Pauline corpus, and Revelation. FLC, Area III and IV, Level 1 Core, IV THE 221 Faith in a Secular Age 3 cr Focuses on the possibility of faith in God and the implications of such faith within a Christian context. Looks at faith in terms of graced intuition, the state of ultimate concern, and the transformation of human consciousness. Also explores contemporary developments regarding the expression of faith in doctrinal formulations, the relationship between the individual and the community in the experience of faith, and the life of faith in a world questing peace and justice. FLC, Area III and IV, Level 1 Core, IV THE 222 Christian Spirituality 3 cr Examines the lives and writings of individuals (e.g., Mother Teresa, Therese of Liseux, Dorothy Day) and groups (e.g., African Americans, Hispanics) who have found the Christian tradition to be a significant way to the achievement of wholeness and integration in life. Considers spirituality both as an end and as a specific regimen of life. FLC, Area IV, Level 1 Core, IV THE 223 Christ, Church and Social Justice 3 cr Studies the person and mission of Jesus Christ, the foundation and growth of the church. Considers select themes of Vatican II. Examines specific issues related to social justice according to student interest. FLC, Area III and Area IV, Level 1 Core, IV THE 239 Who is Jesus? 3 cr Attempts to answer the question "Who is Jesus?" - a question that every generation of Christians must answer for itself. The course considers the biblical sources about Jesus' life and mission in an effort to articulate a meaningful christology for the present. Core, IV THE 240 Theological Ethics: Personal Issues 3 cr Introduces the basic principles and norms of the Catholic moral tradition and considers their application to contemporary personal issues. THE 241 Theological Ethics: Social Issues 3 cr Introduces the basic principles and norms of the Catholic social tradition and considers their application to contemporary social problems. Includes off-campus visits to advocacy agencies plus service projects coordinated through the Campus Ministry. FLC, Area IV and VI, Level 1 Core, IV THE 242 Theological Ethics: Medical Ethics 3 cr Introduces the basic norms and principles of Christian decision making and considers their application to contemporary medical issues. Core, IV THE 250 African-American Religious Experience 3 cr Examines the religious life and spirituality of the African-American community as this has been influenced by social and historical forces in the U.S. Consideration of the special contributions of African-American women to the work of the Black church. Core, IV THE 251 Hispanic Religious Experience 3 cr Explores the emergent theological voices reflecting on the context of Latino/a lived experiences within and beyond the borders of the United States; considers the diversity that characterizes the U.S. Hispanic experience; examines methodologies and staring points for Latino/a theological relfection, e.g., mestizaje, popular religion, preferential option for the poor. FLC, Area II and IV, Level 1 Core, IV THE 260 Sacrament, Ritual and Symbol 3 cr Considers the nature of ritual and symbol and the Christian sacramental world view; studies the history and theology of the individual sacraments. FLC, Area IV, Level 1 Core, IV THE 265 Christian Lifestyles: Marriage and Parenting 3 cr Overviews the church's understanding of marriage and parenting as ways of being Christian. Considers human sexuality, the traditional and contemporary understandings as well as disputed questions. Looks at teaching found in such church documents as Gaudium et Spes, Familiaris Consortio, Humanae Vitae, and Christi-fideles Laici and the feminist critique of these positions. FLC, Area III and Area IV, Level 1 Core, IV THE 275 Religion and Politics 3 cr Considers the Christian churches' on-going effort to influence U.S. political life in this century. Examines some of the important issues (e.g., abortion, the use of nuclear weapons, economic life) and figures (e.g., John A. Ryan, Cardinal Bernardin, and neo-conservatives George Weigel and Michael Novak) of the Catholic community. Core, IV THE 325 Feminist Theology 3 cr Examines the nature of the feminist critique of religion, but especially as this relates to the Christian tradition. Looks at the way classic symbolse.g., God, Christ, redemption/salvationhave traditionally been construed; studies the creative new meanings being found in these symbols that originate in theological reflection on women's experience. Special attention is given to the most recent contributions of African American, and Hispanic writers as well as women theologians from the developing world. Core, IV THE 340 Theologies of Liberation 3 cr Examines the human quest for happiness expressed in terms of liberation and redemption. After reading some of the foundational texts of the Judaic-Christian tradition, Exodus and Romans, this course will explore some of the contemporary quests for liberation: Latin American, African American, feminist, and gay. Core, IV THE 345 Theology of Money 3 cr Considers moneywhat it is, how it works, the significance it has in contemporary society. Examines Christian teaching about money and studies the guidelines this tradition provides to using money wisely and well. FLC, Area IV and VI, Level 2 THE 350 Religion and Culture 3 cr Explores the dialectic that exists between religion and different aspects of contemporary culture (e.g., between religion and politics, economics, feminism, New Age ideas, art, and the media). The objective is to understand the way in which religious beliefs and traditions shape our cultural systems and in turn effect religious renewal. Core, IV THE 351 Early Christian Church 3 cr Traces the origins of the Jesus movement to the state of its development in the sixth century. Examines the important women and men, texts, the particular aspects of community discipline and practice that were significant influences in shaping the medieval West. Core, IV THE 352 Women and Christian Tradition 3 cr Surveys the emergence and the development of the Christian church noting the significant contributions that have been made by women. FLC, Area IV and VI, Level 2 Core, IV THE 368 Jewish Life and Thought 3 cr Surveys basic conceptual religious beliefs found in Jewish teaching. Looks at Jewish life and practice through the ages. Sponsored by the Jewish Chautauqua Society. FLC, Area II and IV, Level 2 Core, IV THE 370 Religions of India 3 cr Examines the nature and functions of religion in India with an emphasis on Hindu and Buddhist religious traditions. FLC, Area II and IV, Level 2 Core, IV THE 371 Religions of China and Japan 3 cr Examines the religious traditions of China and Japan: belief systems, rituals, and ethical practices. FLC, Area II and IV, Level 2 Core, IV THE 372 Religions of the West 3 cr Examines the nature and function of religion – belief systems, rituals, and ethical practices of the major religions of the Book: Judaism, Christianity and Islam; religion in a secular society. FLC, Area III, Level 2 Core, IV