Theology and Philosophy

Stephen Miles, Department Chair, Program Director—Theology
Kenneth Pak, Program Director—Philosophy

Faculty

Stephen D. Miles
Kenneth Kunno Pak
Sister Judith Parsons
Dominic Pigneri

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
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Theology

Minors

Philosophy
Theology

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 and Liberal Studies Program Outcomes

• Inquiry and analysis: Systematically inquire through a process of exploring issues, objects or works through the collection and analysis of evidence that results in informed conclusions or judgments. Analyze by breaking complex topics or issues into parts to gain a better understanding of them.
• Critical thinking: Develop a habit of mind characterized by the comprehensive exploration of issues, ideas, artifacts, and events before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion.
• Creative thinking: Think, react, and work in an imaginative way characterized by a high degree of innovation, divergent thinking, and risk taking.
• Oral communication: Prepare purposeful communications and presentations designed to increase knowledge, to foster understanding, or to promote change in the listeners' attitudes, values, beliefs, or behaviors.
• Written communication: Develop and express ideas in writing using different genres and styles. Written communication abilities will be developed through iterative experiences across the curriculum.
• Reading: Locate, approach, decode, comprehend, analyze, interpret, and discuss texts in the context of professional and academic scholarship.
• Problem solving: Design, evaluate and implement a strategy to answer an open-ended question or achieve a desired goal.
• Ethical reasoning: Use intellectual tools to make ethical choices by assessing their own ethical values and the social context of problems, recognize ethical issues in a variety of settings, think about how different ethical perspectives might be applied to ethical dilemmas and consider the ramifications of alternative actions.
• Integrative learning: Develop an integrative and applied understanding across the curriculum, co-curriculum, and community by making simple connections among ideas and experiences to synthesize and transfer learning to new, complex situations within and beyond the campus.

Liberal Studies Degree and Philosophy Minor

Liberal Studies (BA)
(Bachelor of Arts)

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: COM 250 or COM 350; one course (3 credits) of ECO; ENG 242 or ENG 299; one course (3 credits) of CIS, CYB, IDM, or INFO; one course (3 credits) of MATH (100- level or higher); PHI 100 or PHI 101; PHI 208; PHI 400; and six courses (18 credits) from one of the following clusters:

• Humanities Track Electives (choose any with the designated course codes below):
  • Art (ART)
  • Communication (COM)
  • English (ENG)
  • Global Languages (CCS, FREN, SPAN )
  • History (HIST)
  • Music (MUSC)
  • Philosophy (PHI)
  • Theology: (THE)
• Social Sciences Track Electives (choose any with the designated course codes below):
  • Economics (ECO)
  • Political Science (POL)
  • Psychology (PSY)
  • Sociology (SOC)

Philosophy
(Minor)

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: PHI 101, PHI 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 THE 110.
• The second course must be selected from any of the following categories:
  • Moral Theology: THE 217, THE 218, THE 238, THE 408
  • Scripture: THE 311
  • Spirituality: THE 206, THE 328
  • Systematic Theology: THE 209, THE 211, THE 212, THE 221, THE 229, THE 230, THE 335
  • Theology and Culture: THE 200, THE 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, THE 110, THE 211, THE 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, THE 110, THE 211, and THE 218
• One course (3 credits) from each of the following clusters:
  • Scripture: THE 210, THE 311
  • Systematic Theology: THE 209, THE 212, THE 214, THE 221, THE 229
  • Moral Theology: THE 217, THE 238, THE 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, THE 110, THE 211, THE 218, THE 221, THE 229; and four elective theology courses (12 credits).