Mar 28, 2024  
Loyola Marymount University Bulletin 2014-2015 
    
Loyola Marymount University Bulletin 2014-2015 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Theology, B.A.


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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, 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, 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):


Note:


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

Upper Division Requirements (30 semester hours):


Required Upper Division Courses (9 semester hours)


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

Note:


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 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:

  1. Completion of at least three semesters at LMU
  2. Successful completion of 12 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 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 , THST 326 , and THST 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 THST 326  or THST 345 .

Theological Studies Model Four-Year Plan


The normal course load is 15 semester hours (5 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: 15 semester hours

Spring Semester


Total: 15 semester hours

Sophomore Year


Fall Semester


Total: 15 semester hours

Spring Semester


Total: 15 semester hours

Junior Year


Fall Semester


  • THST 400-level 3 semester hours
  • THST Upper Division 3 semester hours
  • University Core 3 semester hours
  • Upper Division Elective 3 semester hours
  • Elective 3 semester hours
Total: 15 semester hours

Spring Semester


  • THST 400-level 3 semester hours
  • THST 400-level 3 semester hours
  • THST Upper Division 3 semester hours
  • University Core 3 semester hours
  • Upper Division Elective 3 semester hours
Total: 15 semester hours

Senior Year


Fall Semester


  • THST 400-level 3 semester hours
  • THST 400-level 3 semester hours
  • University Core 3 semester hours
  • Upper Division Elective 3 semester hours
  • Upper Division Elective 3 semester hours
Total: 15 semester hours

Spring Semester


Total: 15 semester hours

Note:


Students may take no more than ten upper division courses in any one department, except for Philosophy, in which the maximum is thirteen.

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