Major in Theology

The curriculum for Theology majors incorporates both structure and flexibility. Majors take a combination of essential, required courses and electives from within and outside the Department of Theology. Students outside of the College of Arts and Science can also major in Theology. Programs are designed in consultation with the Director of Undergraduate Studies and the student's Theology faculty advisor. Students majoring in theology must choose between two tracks: the Theology Major or Expanded Theology Major.

Theology Major

The Theology Major (30 hours) is relatively unstructured and flexible, easily tailored to various motivations and goals for theological study and adaptable to the diverse paths and timetables by which students come to the major. It offers a theological enrichment and complement to a student’s BC education, through the following requirements:

  1. Theology Core (2 courses; 6 credits)
  2. Majors Course: THEO2001 Tradition and Traditions (1 course; 3 credits)
  3. Majors Course: THEO2002 Trajectories in Contemporary Theology (1 course; 3 credits)
  4. Electives (6 courses; 18 credits)*

* 2 courses/6 credits from another discipline (including the first major) may also count toward the Theology Major or Expanded Theology Major, provided that they have sufficient theological relevance as determined by the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Expanded Theology Major

The Expanded Theology Major (36 hours) is designed for students with an interest in further study of theology or related fields. Both structured and comprehensive, it provides an integrated introduction to the discipline and a broad foundation for further study. With its distribution requirements across all theological areas, it exposes students to the entire breadth of the theological discipline. With increased credit hours and an optional thesis, it is both capacious enough for students to focus on a particular sub-discipline as well as to demonstrate theological excellence.

Requirements

Requirements with Standard Theology Core

  1. Theology Core (2 courses; 6 credits): Students must fulfill their normal Theology Core requirements with:
    • One semester of Christian Theology:
      • THEO1401 Engaging Catholicism
      • THEO1402 God, Self, and Society
      • Christian Theology-designated Enduring Questions/Complex Problems
    • And one semester of Sacred Texts and Traditions from the following:
      • THEO1430 Buddhism and Christianity in Dialogue
      • THEO1431 Islam and Christianity in Dialogue
      • THEO1432 Hinduism and Christianity in Dialogue
      • THEO1433 Chinese Religions and Christianity in Dialogue
      • THEO1434 Judaism and Christianity in Dialogue
      • STT-designated Enduring Questions/Complex Problems that is Comparative Theology in focus.
        (NOTE: Expanded Theology Majors may not fulfill their STT core requirement with THEO1420, THEO1421, or THEO1422)
         
  2. Scripture Sequence (2 courses; 6 credits):
    • THEO1420 The Everlasting Covenant: The Hebrew Bible
    • THEO1421 Inscribing the Word: The New Testament
      Alternatively, students may complete THEO1422 The Sacred Page: The Bible and an additional Scripture elective (level II or above) with the undergraduate director’s approval.
       
  3. Majors Course: THEO2001 Tradition and Traditions (1 course; 3 credits)

  4. Majors Course: THEO2002 Trajectories in Contemporary Theology (1 course; 3 credits)

  5. Electives (6 courses; 18 credits)* which may include an optional Thesis (3 credits), Honors Thesis (6 credits), or–should the student qualify–a Scholar of the College Thesis (12 credits).**

    * 2 courses/6 credits from another discipline (including the first major) may also count toward the Theology Major or Expanded Theology Major, provided that they have sufficient theological relevance as determined by the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
    ** Thesis Guidelines

Requirements with PULSE or Perspectives Core

  1. Theology Core (2 courses; 6 credits): Students must fulfill their normal Theology Core requirements with:
    • THEO 1088-1089 Person and Social Responsibility I and II (PULSE)
    • THEO 1090-1091 Perspectives on Western Culture I and II
       
  2. Scripture Sequence (2 courses; 6 credits):
    • THEO1420 The Everlasting Covenant: The Hebrew Bible
    • THEO1421 Inscribing the Word: The New Testament
      Alternatively, students may complete THEO1422 The Sacred Page: The Bible and an additional Scripture elective (level II or above) with the undergraduate director’s approval.
       
  3. Majors Course: THEO2001 Tradition and Traditions (1 course; 3 credits)

  4. Majors Course: THEO2002 Trajectories in Contemporary Theology (1 course; 3 credits)

  5. Comparative Theology Elective (1 course; 3 credits)

  6. Electives (5 courses; 15 credits)* which may include an optional Thesis (3 credits), Honors Thesis (6 credits), or–should the student qualify–a Scholar of the College Thesis (12 credits).

    * 2 courses/6 credits from another discipline (including the first major) may also count toward the Theology Major or Expanded Theology Major, provided that they have sufficient theological relevance as determined by the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
    ** Thesis Guidelines

Guidelines for Theology Majors Who Entered the University before AY2022-2023

In light of the changes to the honors theology major that take effect beginning in the Fall of 2022 and that the previous required courses (THEO3577 Conciliar Traditions and THEO3330 Majors Seminar) will no longer be offered, students who began the major before the Fall of 2022 should note the following guidance:

  1. Students who have completed neither THEO3577 Conciliar Traditions nor THEO3330 Majors Seminar will need to complete both THEO2001 Tradition and Traditions and THEO2002 Trajectories in Contemporary Theology to complete the theology major for graduation.
  2. Students who have already completed both THEO3577 Conciliar Traditions and THEO3330 Majors Seminar will not need to complete either THEO2001 Tradition and Traditions or THEO2002 Trajectories in Contemporary Theology. Furthermore, such students may not enroll in THEO2001 for elective credit.
  3. As a general, but imperfect, guideline for the purposes of theology major credit fulfillment, consider THEO3577 Conciliar Traditions ≈ THEO2001 Tradition and Traditions, and THEO3330 Majors Seminar ≈ THEO2002 Trajectories in Contemporary Theology. Thus:
    • Students who have completed THEO3577 Conciliar Traditions but not THEO3330 Majors Seminar will not need to complete THEO2001 Tradition and Traditions, nor may they enroll in THEO2001 Tradition and Traditions for elective credit. But such students must complete THEO2002 Trajectories in Contemporary Theology (unless given permission by the Director of Undergraduate Studies).
    • Students who have completed THEO3330 Majors Seminar but not THEO3577 Conciliar Traditions will not need to complete THEO2002 Trajectories in Contemporary Theology. But such students must complete THEO2001 Tradition and Traditions.

Do not hesitate to reach out to the Director of Undergraduate Studies if you have questions or concerns!

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