Theology and Philosophy

Academic Departments and Program Requirements

Theology and Philosophy

Related Pages

Stephen Miles, Department Chair, Program Director—Theology
Sister Judith Parsons, Program Director—Philosophy

Faculty

Sister Laura Downing
Stephen D. Miles
Kenneth Kunno Pak
Sister Judith Parsons
Sister Annette Pelletier

Sister John Sheila Galligan, Emerita
Sister Mary Henrich, Emerita
Joseph P. Healey, Emeritus
Sister Margaret McDonald, Emerita

Programs Offered

Degrees - Majors

Associate of Arts (AA) in Theology
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Liberal Studies (part-time students only)
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Theology

Minors

Philosophy
Theology

Philosophy Degree and Minor

Vision

All human beings have a desire to know (Aristotle). To wonder about the world and our place in it, to seek the meaning and purpose of our existence, to ask how we shall best live -- this desire to know is at the core of what it means to be a human being. Philosophy reflects on life’s biggest and most basic questions and while we get no concrete answers, the mere asking of these questions makes us better human beings. As students reflect on truth, knowledge, God, justice, beauty, the meaning of life and other topics, they gain insights into these issues and also develop love (philo) for wisdom (sophia). Within this process, students cultivate critical, analytical, problem solving, and creative thinking skills that are essential in all academic disciplines and professions. In this regard, philosophy seeks to complement, if not undergird, all other academic disciplines. As a pillar of the Catholic intellectual tradition, philosophy, with theology, enables individuals to integrate faith and reason. Philosophy helps students to form a cohesive whole as they strive for excellence and flourishing as authentic human selves.

Philosophy Core Outcomes

The Philosophy Department offers courses in the liberal arts core through which students

  • actively engage in the foundational skill of self-examination;
  • identify various forms of ethical reasoning and action;
  • analyze written and oral communications for logical argumentation;
  • demonstrate the ability to consider critically primary and secondary philosophical sources;
  • explore philosophy according to historical and global perspectives;
  • evaluate major debates among philosophers.

Liberal Studies (BA)
(Bachelor of Arts)
(part-time students only)

Liberal Studies Program Outcomes

Students completing the B.A. in Liberal Studies will be able to:

  • Communicate clearly and persuasively, using a wide variety of modalities;
  • Read, write, speak, and listen analytically and with logical judgment;
  • Analyze, problem-solve, and evaluate in a thoughtful manner;
  • Apply the insights of great writers and thinkers from a broad sampling of academic areas;
  • Analyze deductive and inductive arguments and explanatory hypotheses;
  • Author papers incorporating thesis, evidence, and organization;
  • Understand and respect major cultures of the world;
  • Organize knowledge to maintain information and facilitate learning;
  • Utilize technology to effectively and efficiently find, analyze, store, and communicate information.

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies is an interdisciplinary degree that allows for curriculum and scheduling flexibility. In addition to the Liberal Arts Core and Major Requirement courses, students take advanced-level courses of their choice from either the Humanities or the Social Sciences track. Courses can be taken during the day or in the evening, with many evening courses delivered in a variety of formats. The program provides skills for an ever-changing job market, including critical thinking, effective communication, and technology utilization, preparing students for career change, advancement, or graduate study.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: ECO 203; ENG 299; INFO 215; COM 250 or COM 350; two courses (6 credits) of MATH (100- level or higher); PHI 100 or 101; PHI 208; PHI 400; and six courses (18 credits) from one of the following clusters:

  • Humanities Track Electives:
    • Art: ART 102, 208, 211, 215, 217, or 218
    • Communication: All 200- and 300- level courses, except 240, 306, 337.
    • English: All upper level courses, except ENG 271, 272, 400.
    • Global Languages: CCS 335, 340; FREN 301, 302, 309, 310, 312, 323, 336, 339; SPAN 301, 302, 304, 305, 314, 315, 316, 319, 323, 328, 329, 330, 331
    • History: ALL 100- 200- and 300- level courses, except 204, 359, 370, and 371
    • Music: MUSC 100, 102, 104, 117, 134, 180-196
    • Philosophy: All 200- and 300-level courses.
    • Theology: All 200-, 300-, and 400-level courses, except 450.
  • Social Sciences Track Electives:
    • Economics: ECO 320, 322
    • Political Science: All 200- and 300-level courses, except POL 213 AND 371.
    • Psychology: PSY 101, any 200- or 300- level courses, except 208, 303, 313, 314, 316, 317.
    • Sociology: SOC 245, 247, 248, 250, 262, 275, and all 300-level courses.

Philosophy
(Minor)

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: PHI 101, 209, and four courses (12 credits) of Philosophy from any philosophy electives and/or one independent study (to be approved by the consensus of the members of the Philosophy Department).

Theology Degrees and Minor

Vision

The Theology programs are designed to help students acquire an intellectual foundation for the lifelong development of habits of theological, spiritual, and ethical reflection. The Department pursues this aim as an expression of its commitment to the education of the whole person and in fulfillment of its desire to enable students to live more fully satisfying and integral lives. In keeping with these aims, the Department offers courses and programs that provide students a transformative learning experience by initiating them into the dynamic tradition of Christian theology.

Theology Core Outcomes:

Successful completion of the Theology liberal arts core requirement enables students to do the following:

  • acquire a basic working knowledge of the Bible
  • understand major identifying beliefs of the Christian community
  • understand the meaning and significance of human dignity in Christian theological perspective
  • use tools of critical inquiry to interpret theological sources
  • evidence skill in relating theological principles with the reality of contemporary life
  • discover resources (print, online, and media) to cultivate ongoing theological development

Theology Liberal Arts Core Requirement

All students in the baccalaureate program must take two (2) courses (six credits) in Theology to fulfill Core requirements.

  • The first course must be selected from THE 109 or 110.
  • The second course must be selected from any of the following categories:
    • Moral Theology: THE 217, 218, 238, 408
    • Scripture: THE 311
    • Spirituality: THE 206, 328
    • Systematic Theology: THE 209. 211, 212, 221, 229, 230, 335
    • Theology and Culture: THE 200, 314

Theology Program Outcomes

Successful completion of the requirements for the major in Theology enables students to do the following:

  • demonstrate an understanding of Christian revelation and heritage in light of the Catholic intellectual tradition
  • display fundamental knowledge in the areas of biblical, systematic, moral theology
  • understand the nature and significance of major spiritual traditions, with an emphasis upon Christian spirituality
  • evidence skill in relating theological principles with the reality of contemporary life

Theology (AA)
(Associate of Arts)

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS:  A minimum of eight (8) courses (24 total credits) are required for the associate degree, including THE 109, 110, 211, 218, and four (4) elective theology courses (12 credits).

Theology (BA)
(Bachelor of Arts)

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Theology program provides students a strong foundational understanding of the Catholic theological tradition and prepares them to engage in critical theological and ethical reflection and dialogue regarding matters of contemporary interest and concern. The program’s balance of required and elective courses allows students to tailor their theological studies to their particular professional or personal interests. Successful completion of the program prepares students to excel in graduate study and in a variety of professional and voluntary lay ministries.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS:  Eleven (11) courses (33 total credits) are required for the major, including:

  • THE 109, 110, 211, and 218
  • One course (3 credits) from each of the following clusters:
    • Scripture: THE 210, 311
    • Systematic Theology: THE 209, 212, 214, 221, 229
    • Moral Theology: THE 217, 238, 408
  • Four elective theology courses (12 credits).

Theology
(Minor)

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: A minimum of six (6) courses (18 total credits) are required for the minor, including: two courses (6 credits) selected from THE 109, 110, 211, 218, 221, 229; and four elective theology courses (12 credits).