Mar 28, 2024  
Loyola Marymount University Bulletin 2017-2018 
    
Loyola Marymount University Bulletin 2017-2018 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Theology, B.A.


Program Goals


  1. To maintain a challenging and current curriculum for our Majors to provide them with a foundation for pursuing careers as teachers, ministers, and many other professions or for graduate work in Theological Studies;
  2. 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;
  3. 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, majors should:

  1. Identify the beliefs and practices of major religious traditions, including Christianity and especially Catholic Christianity;
  2. Understand the richness and complexity of theological and religious traditions, especially in light of contemporary issues and diverse voices;
  3. Examine and evaluate critically the diverse ways in which religious beliefs and practices change across time and space;
  4. Integrate theological and religious questions and problems through the careful study of a major theological or religious thinker or theme;
  5. Develop theological and religious comprehension and reflection through the acquisition of a research language or engaged learning.

By virtue of their Theological Studies courses, minors should:

  1. Identify the beliefs and practices of major religious traditions;
  2. Understand the richness and complexity of theological and religious traditions, especially in light of contemporary issues and diverse voices;
  3. Examine and evaluate critically the diverse ways in which religious beliefs and practices change across time and space;
  4. Integrate theological and religious questions and problems through the careful study of either a major theological or religious thinker or a major theological or religious theme.

Major Requirements


The undergraduate major consists of 40 semester hours total (10 courses).

Lower Division Requirements (3 courses or 12 semester hours):


Note:


Normally, THST 1000  or THST 1010  is taken at the beginning of the program of study.

Upper Division Requirements (28 semester hours: 3 required courses, 4 elective courses):


Required Upper Division Courses (12 semester hours)


Upper Division Electives (16 semester hours)


  • Four upper division THST electives, including at least one at the 4000-level, are required.

Additional Requirements


Additional requirements include fulfilling a language requirement OR taking an additional Engaged Learning flag (beyond the one required in the University Core) in a Theological Studies course. The language requirement is an intermediate level proficiency requirement that can be met in three ways: by satisfactorily passing Language 1 and Language 2 courses; scoring a 4 or 5 on the AP language exam; or by taking the language placement exam and placing above the Language 2 level.

Note:


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

We 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 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 (TAK), 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.

TAK Undergraduate Admission Qualifications:

  1. Completion of at least three semesters at LMU
  2. Successful completion of 16 semester hours of THST course work
  3. Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
  4. GPA of at least 3.5 in THST course work

Core Curriculum in Theological Studies


Only courses in the 1000 series and 3000 series will fulfill the core curriculum requirements. All 4000-level courses have a prerequisite of one upper division course. The 4000-level courses fulfill major or minor requirements. Except for those entering LMU as a transfer student, no student may take a 3000-level course without successful prior completion of a 1000-level course.

Theological Studies Model Four-Year Plan


The normal course load is 16 semester hours (4 classes). By following the model below, a student will complete all lower division core requirements by the end of the sophomore year as well as most major prerequisites. Note that core areas are suggested to provide a distribution of various disciplines every semester. Please be flexible implementing these suggestions, given your own interests and course availability. In four years, this plan meets all common graduation requirements.

Freshman Year


Fall Semester


Total: 13-16 semester hours

Spring Semester


Total: 13-16 semester hours

Sophomore Year


Fall Semester


Total: 13-16 semester hours

Spring Semester


  • Any THST Historical Analysis and Perspectives 4 semester hours
  • University Core 3-4 semester hours
  • University Core 3-4 semester hours
  • Elective (or Language 2) 3-4 semester hours
Total: 13-16 semester hours

Junior Year


Fall Semester


  • THST 4000-level 4 semester hours
  • THST Upper Division Elective 4 semester hours
  • University Core 3-4 semester hours
  • Elective 3-4 semester hours
Total: 14-16 semester hours

Spring Semester


  • University Core 3-4 semester hours
  • University Core 3-4 semester hours
  • THST Upper Division Elective 4 semester hours
  • Elective 3-4 semester hours
Total: 13-16 semester hours

Senior Year


Fall Semester


Total: 14-16 semester hours

Spring Semester


Total: 13-16 semester hours