Loyola Marymount University Bulletin 2011-2012 > Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts > Theological Studies > Theological Studies Undergraduate Program

Theological Studies Undergraduate Program

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Theological Studies

Mission Statement

The Department of Theological Studies engages the LMU student community in thoughtful, critical reflection on faith and religious praxis with a special concern for the Roman Catholic tradition. It offers courses in three areas: A. Sacred Scriptures, Religious Sources, and Traditions; B. Theology, Ethics, and Spirituality; and C. Faith, Culture, and Ministry. We educate the whole person and serve faith by an academic exploration of its possibilities, challenges, and ambiguities while also engaging in ecumenical and interreligious dialogue. We strive to promote justice by the structure of our curriculum and by encouraging students and faculty to engage their theological understanding in a world both graced and broken.

Vision Statement

Loyola Marymount University is the largest Catholic university on the West Coast, in a city that is at once the large Roman Catholic archdiocese in the United States as well as one of the most religiously diverse cities in the world. The Department of Theological Studies has the unique role and responsibility of promoting the study of theology and religion within the University and the broader Los Angeles community. The Department also has a special role to play in helping the University to live out its Mission in the service of faith and the promotion of justice. The urgency of these endeavors is reinforced by the importance of religion in the 21st century in our globalized world.

Program Goals

To maintain a challenging and current curriculum for our Majors to provide them with a foundation for pursuing careers as teachers, ministers, or for graduate work in Theological Studies;
To maintain a challenging and current curriculum for our Minors to provide them with a solid understanding of theology and religious studies, ethical values, social justice, and spirituality;
To maintain a current and challenging set of core curriculum courses that contribute to fulfilling the mission of Loyola Marymount as a Catholic liberal arts University.

Student Learning Outcomes

By virtue of their Theological Studies courses, students should know:

The beliefs and practices of Christianity, with emphasis on the Catholic Tradition.
Some of the beliefs and practices of the world's religions.
Some aspects of how culture, race, gender, class, and ethnicity affect theological reflection.

By virtue of their Theological Studies courses, students should be able to:

Interpret critically theological and/or religious texts and phenomena through research and writing.
Express orally and in writing the significance of theological and religious values for church, society, and/or self.
Integrate religious meaning and lived practice.

By virtue of their Theological Studies courses, students should value:

The Catholic theological tradition.
Ecumenical and interreligious dialogue.
The promotion of justice and the service of faith.

Major Requirements

The undergraduate major consists of 36 semester hours total (12 courses).

Lower Division Requirements (6 semester hours):

THST 100: Introduction to the Old Testament (3 semester hours)

THST 110: Introduction to the New Testament (3 semester hours)

(Normally, THST 100 and 110 are taken at the beginning of the program of study.)

Upper Division Requirements (30 semester hours):

Required Upper Division Courses (9 semester hours)

THST 320: History of Christianity I (3 semester hours)

THST 321: History of Christianity II (3 semester hours)

(Students are encouraged to take this sequence in their Sophomore or Junior year.)

THST 496: Senior Integrating Seminar (3 semester hours) (for graduating seniors)

Distribution Requirements (18 semester hours, at least 12 of which must be 400-level)

Area A: Sacred Scriptures, Religious Sources, and Traditions—two courses (6 semester hours)

Area B: Theology, Ethics, and Spirituality—three courses

(9 semester hours)

Area C: Faith, Culture, and Ministry—one course (3 semester hours)

One additional upper division THST course of the student’s choice (3 semester hours)

An average grade of C (2.0) must be obtained in the courses included in the major.

We highly recommend that students wishing to pursue graduate study in Theology have a reading knowledge of two languages, either classical or modern.

We further recommend that additional philosophy courses be taken as early as possible. The specific courses are to be determined in conjunction with the student’s Theological Studies advisor.

Theology Minor Requirements

18 semester hours with at least 12 semester hours from upper division courses, including six semester hours at the 400 level. The courses for the minor must be selected in conjunction with the Theological Studies advisor for minors.

Lay Ministry Minor Requirements

18 semester hours with at least 15 semester hours from upper division courses, including six semester hours at the 400 level. The courses for the minor must be selected under the direction of the faculty advisor for the Lay Ministry Minor. The student must select no more than two courses from each of areas A, B, and C (see above).

In addition, the student will be required to participate in 90 hours of active service in related fields of lay ministry. This will be under the direction of the faculty advisor and contracted through the Career Development office.

An average grade of C (2.0) must be obtained in the courses included in the minors.

Catholic Studies Minor

Students with particular interest in Catholic Studies are encouraged to consider the Catholic Studies Minor described in this Bulletin.

Jewish Studies Minor

Students with particular interest in Jewish Studies are encouraged to consider the Jewish Studies Minor described in this Bulletin.

Theology Society

The Theology Society is a co-curricular student group open to all Theological Studies undergraduate majors and minors, as well as non-majors/minors who are interested in theological issues and topics. The group convenes monthly, typically sharing lunch and discussion, often with a guest speaker. The group also organizes various outings as opportunities for students to socialize with one another and with Theological Studies faculty. The Theology Society hosts annual visits from admissions representatives from graduate theological programs around the country for interested students. The Theology Society’s members also participate in an annual paper competition sponsored by the Department of Theological Studies, in which the winning paper is presented to faculty and students each Spring.

Theta Alpha Kappa

LMU’s Department of Theological Studies is an institutional member of Theta Alpha Kappa, the only national honor society serving the needs of those involved in the study of religion and/or theology. The membership of Theta Alpha Kappa is composed of students and professors who have been elected to membership upon the basis of excellence in Theology and Religious Studies. Each Spring the department inducts eligible students into this honor society.

Undergraduate Admission Qualifications:

Completion of at least three semesters at LMU
Successful completion of 12 semester hours of THST course work
Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
GPA of at least 3.5 in THST course work

Core Curriculum in Theological Studies

One course from THST 100-199;

One course from THST 300-399 (Junior standing required).

Only courses in the 100 series and 300 series will fulfill the core curriculum requirements. All 400-level courses have a prerequisite of one 300-level course. The 400-level courses fulfill major or minor requirements. Except for those entering LMU as a transfer student, no student may take a 300-level course without successful prior completion of a 100-level course.

For students interested in the study of Catholicism in the core curriculum, the Theological Studies Department offers three courses, THST 120, 326, and 345, which are designed to study the Catholic tradition. For the non-majors who wish a core sequence in Catholic Theology, we recommend THST 120 and either 326 or 345.