Religious Studies and Theology

Faculty
Description
Minor Requirements
Program Policies
Course Descriptions

Faculty

Michael Gallagher, Professor of Religious Studies and Theology (Program Chair)  

Description

The Religious Studies and Theology Program provides students with 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 the 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. Trinity also offers students the opportunity to study world religions and the interaction that religion has with various dimensions of society.

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. 

The Religious Studies and Theology Program offers a minor to students in the College of Arts and Sciences and students in the School of Professional Studies. Students who elect to minor in Religious Studies and Theology may select one of two tracks. The track in Catholic Theology endeavors to introduce the student to the discipline of Theology and to provide the student with an overview of the various branches of this discipline in the context of Catholic/Christian thought. This minor is especially helpful to those students who plan to do graduate work in Theology or Ministry.

The track for Religious Studies endeavors to help students explore the significant role which religion has played in historical, political and economic institutions, both in the past and in the present. Through this exploration, students will be challenged not only to develop a deeper personal understanding of the interplay between religion and cultural institutions but also to act on that understanding through interreligious dialogue and works of justice and peace. This track will also prove beneficial for those students who plan to do graduate work in Religious Studies or Theology.

The Program in Religious Studies and Theology is an essential part of the Foundations for Leadership Curriculum in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Core Curriculum in the School of Professional Studies and its courses are designed to complement and support the major programs offered.

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Minor Requirements

Catholic Theology Track

ONE introductory course in theology:

THE 121 Introduction to Catholic Theology

FIVE additional courses at the 200-level or above, at least three of these additional courses must have the THE designation

Religious Studies Track

ONE introductory course in religious studies:

RST 101 Religion and Human Experience

FIVE additional courses at the 200-level or above, at least three of these additional courses must have the RST designation. 

Students should consult with a member of the Religious Studies and Theology Program once they decide to pursue the minor in order to determine which track is most appropriate.

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Program Policies

Advanced Placement:
Credits earned through AP examinations do not fulfill requirements of the Religious Studies or Theology minor. 

CLEP Policy:
Credits earned through CLEP examinations do not fulfill requirements of the Religious Studies or 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 Religious Studies or Theology. 

Transfer Credits:
The Religious Studies and Theology Program does not accept transfer credits for the minor; all course work must be completed at Trinity.

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Course Descriptions

Religious Studies Courses

RST 210 Religion and Culture
Explores the dialectic that exists between religion and different aspects of contemporary culture (e.g., between religion and psychology, economics, politics, feminism, the environment 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.
3 credits
FLC Area III 
Core IV 

RST 225 Religion and Women
Examines the nature of the feminist critique of religion, but especially as this relates to the Christian tradition. The course looks at the way classic symbols e.g., God, Christ, redemption/salvation have traditionally been construed and 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 women theologians as well as women theologians from the developing world.
3 credits
FLC Area III 
Core IV 

RST 245 Religion and Money
Considers the relationship between religion and economics and how each shapes the other. The course also looks at the significance of money in contemporary society and examines Christian teaching about money and economic justice. 
3 credits
FLC Area III
Core IV

RST 250 African-American Religious Experience
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. The course also considers the special contributions of African-American women to the work of the Black church.
3 credits
FLC Area III 
Core IV 

RST 265 Religion and Family
Gives an overview of the understanding of Christian churches on marriage and family. The course also considers traditional and contemporary understandings of human sexuality and examines contributions of feminist analysis of church positions on family and the roles of men and women in families.
3 credits
FLC Area III 
Core IV 

RST 301 Hispanic Religious Experience
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. The course also examines methodologies and staring points for Latino/a theological reflection, e.g., mestizaje, popular religion, preferential option for the poor. 
3 credits
Core IV 

RST 302 Religion: Ritual and Symbol
Considers the nature of ritual and symbol and the Christian sacramental world view. The course also studies the history and theology of the individual Christian sacraments as well as rituals and symbols of other major religions.
3 credits
Core IV 

RST 310 Religion and Politics
Considers the Christian churches' on-going effort to influence U.S. political life in this century. The course also 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. 
3 credits
Core IV 

RST 368 Jewish Life and Thought
Surveys basic conceptual religious beliefs found in Jewish teaching and looks at Jewish life and practice through the ages. This course is sponsored by the Jewish Chautauqua Society. 
3 credits
Core IV 

RST 370 Religions of India
Examines the nature and functions of religion in India with an emphasis on Hindu and Buddhist religious traditions. 
3 credits
Core IV 

RST 371 Religions of China and Japan
Examines the religious traditions of China and Japan: belief systems, rituals, and ethical practices. 
3 credits
Core IV 

RST 372 Religions of the West
Examines the nature and function of religion - belief systems, rituals, and ethical practices of the major religions of the Book: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. 
3 credits
Core IV 

Theology Courses

THE 121 Introduction to Catholic Theology
Explores the Catholic worldview with a focus on the human desire for happiness. The course considers major doctrinal and moral teachings, and sacramental and liturgical theology.
3 credits
FLC Area III
Core IV

THE 201 Introduction to the Old Testament
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. 
3 credits
FLC Area III 
Core IV 

THE 202 Acts, Paul, Revelation
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.
3 credits
FLC Area III
Core IV

THE 203 Gospel Traditions
Examines modern critical methodologies and the historical background of the Greco-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.
3 credits
FLC Area III 
Core IV

THE 222 Christian Spirituality
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. The course considers spirituality both as an end and as a specific regimen of life. 
3 credits
FLC Area III
Core IV 

THE 223 Christ, Church and Social Justice
Studies the person and mission of Jesus Christ and the foundation and 
growth of the church. The course considers select themes of Vatican II and examines specific issues related to social justice according to student interest. 
3 credits
FLC Area III 
Core IV 

THE 240 Theological Ethics
Introduces the basic principles and norms of the Catholic moral tradition and considers their application to contemporary personal issues, social problems and medical issues.
3 credits
Core IV

THE 339 Who is Jesus?
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.
3 credits
Core IV 

THE 340 Theologies of Liberation
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.
3 credits
Core IV

THE 351 Early Christian Church
Traces the origins of the Jesus movement to the state of its development in the sixth century. The course examines the important women and men, texts, the particular aspects of community discipline and practice that were significant influences in shaping the medieval West.
3 credits
Core IV

THE 352 Women and Christian Tradition
Surveys the emergence and the development of the Christian church noting the significant contributions that have been made by women.
3 credits
Core IV

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