Religious Studies and Theology

Faculty

Sr. Camilla Burns, SND, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies (program chair)
Sr. Mary Johnson, SND, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Sociology and Religious Studies

Description

The Religious Studies and Theology Program provides students with the opportunity to explore perennial human questions concerning ultimate meaning and value. Because of its formative role in Western culture, Christianity serves as the point of departure for the academic study of theology; the Catholic tradition provides a focus because of Trinity’s own origins in the mission of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. Trinity also offers students the opportunity to study world religions and the interaction between religion and society.

Program objectives for students include:

  • To make possible a thoughtful examination and critical analysis of specific religious beliefs, worldviews, and ethical norms.
  • To facilitate students’ articulation of spirituality and their own personal stance toward life.
  • To refine each student’s moral vision and develop her skills at evaluating experience, personal and social, within an ethical framework.
  • To enhance a student’s capacity not only to understand and respect religious and cultural diversity but also to elicit a firm commitment to justice and a sense of responsibility for the larger society.

The Religious Studies and Theology Program offers a minor to students in the College of Arts and Sciences. Students who elect to minor in Religious Studies and Theology may select one of two tracks. The track in Catholic Theology introduces the student to the discipline of Theology and provides the student with an overview of the various branches of this discipline in the context of Catholic/Christian thought. This minor is especially helpful to those students who plan to do graduate work in Theology or Ministry.

The track for Religious Studies helps students explore the significant role which religion has played in historical, political and economic institutions, both in the past and in the present. Through this exploration, students will be challenged not only to develop a deeper personal understanding of the interplay between religion and cultural institutions but also to act on that understanding through interreligious dialogue and works of justice and peace. This track will also prove beneficial for those students who plan to do graduate work in Religious Studies or Theology.

The Program in Religious Studies and Theology is an essential part of the general education curriculum in the College of Arts and Sciences, and its courses are designed to complement and support the major programs offered.

Minor Requirements

Catholic Theology Track

ONE introductory course in theology:

THE 121 Introduction to Catholic Theology

FIVE additional courses at the 200-level or above.  At least three of these additional courses must have the THE designation

Religious Studies Track

ONE introductory course in religious studies:

RST 101 Religion and Human Experience

FIVE additional courses at the 200-level or above, at least three of these additional courses must have the RST designation.

Students should consult with a member of the Religious Studies and Theology Program once they decide to pursue the minor in order to determine which track is most appropriate.

Program Policies

Advanced Placement:
Credits earned through AP examinations do not fulfill requirements of the Religious Studies or Theology minor.

CLEP Policy:
Credits earned through CLEP examinations do not fulfill requirements of the Religious Studies or Theology minor.

Grades in Required Courses:
Students are required to earn a grade of “C” (2.0) or better in all courses counted to fulfill requirements for the minor.

Pass/No Pass:
Courses in the minor may not be taken pass/no pass.

TELL Policy:
TELL credits will not count toward the minor in Religious Studies or Theology.

Transfer Credits:
The Religious Studies and Theology Program does not accept transfer credits for the minor; all course work must be completed at Trinity.

Religious Studies Course Descriptions

RST 101 Religion and Human Experience
RST 210 Religion and Culture
RST 225 Religion and Women
RST 245 Religion and Economics
RST 250 Afrrican American Religious Experience
RST 265 Western Religion and the Family
RST 290 Religions of the World
RST 302 Religion: Ritual and Symbol
RST 310 Interpreting Biblical Texts
RST 370 Religions of India
RST 372 Religions of the West

Theology Course Descriptions

THE 121 Introduction to Catholic Theology
THE 201 Introduction to the Old Testament
THE 202 Acts, Paul, Revelation
THE 203 Gospel Traditions
THE 222 Christian Spirituality
THE 223 Christ, Church, and Social Justice
THE 240 Theological Ethics