Theology and Religious Studies, BA

The Theology and Religious Studies Department contributes to students’ intellectual growth by helping them develop the skills and knowledge to engage critically and effectively with the multi-religious dimensions of human life. Students approach the study of Theology and Religious Studies in an integrated manner where they are introduced to multiple aspects of religion such as beliefs, faith, rituals, ethics, spirituality, and sacred texts. In keeping with the Jesuit, Catholic commitment of Seattle University, the Theology and Religious Studies department emphasizes an in depth study of the Catholic tradition in dialogue with other religious and secular perspectives. In addition, students study the internal diversity within Christianity and other religious traditions such as Judaism, Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism. Theology and Religious Studies at Seattle University addresses the experiences and realities of oppressed peoples and the integral relationship between religion and social justice in local and global contexts. The curriculum of the department of Theology and Religious Studies invites students to reflect upon their own experiences and questions about ultimate reality and provides the skills and understandings that the academic discipline offers to address such experiences and questions.

Students must take a Phase II course before they can register for a Phase III course. Transfer students with 90 or more credits and no equivalent 200- or 300- level theology/religious studies course are granted a waiver for Phase III (300-level ) and are required to take a Phase II (200-level ) course at Seattle University.

Requirements

In order to earn the bachelor of arts degree with a major in theology and religious studies, students must complete a minimum 180 credits with a cumulative and major/program grade point average of 2.00, including the courses listed below. With the exception of 200- and 300- level Theology and Religious Studies courses taken to fulfill Phase II and III Core requirements, courses taken to fulfill major requirements in Theology and Religious Studies may not simultaneously be used to fulfill core or college requirements. For example, a single course may not count as both a core interdisciplinary course and a major elective.

I. Core Curriculum Requirements

ENGL 110 - College Writing: Inquiry and Argument
PHIL 110 - Introduction to Philosophy and Critical Thinking
HIST 120 - Origins of Western Civilization
ENGL 120 - Introduction to Literature
MATH 107 or MATH 110 or above
Lab Science
Fine Arts (one approve 5 credit course)
PHIL 220 - Philosophy of the Human Person
Social Science I
Social Science II (different discipline from Social Science I)
Ethics (upper division)
Interdisciplinary
Senior Synthesis

II. College of Arts and Sciences Requirements

Modern Language 115, 125, 135, or equivalent (15)

NOTE:

All students with a major in the College of Arts and Sciences must demonstrate competency through the level of 135 in a language other than English. This competency is ordinarily achieved by successful completion of the three-course sequence: 115, 125, and 135. Because these courses are a college requirement, no course in the sequence may be taken on a pass/fail, correspondence, or audit basis. Placement into other than the beginning course of the sequence is achieved by acceptable performance on the Modern Language Competency Examination. See the Modern Languages Department for details on the examinations. Courses used to satisfy the College of Arts and Sciences modern language requirement may not be used to fulfill Religious Studies major requirements.

Choose one of the following two courses:

III. Major Requirements

60 credits in theology and religious studies, including:

Introductory and Intermediate Courses:

Choose one of the following World Religion courses:

Choose one of the following Hebrew Bible courses:

Choose one of the following New Testament courses:

Choose two of the following systematics courses:

Choose one of the following ethics courses:

Advanced Courses

Choose one of the following two courses:

Complete the following:

THRS 401 - Theology of Religions
THRS 419 - Early Christian Theology
THRS 420 - Medieval and Reformation Theology
THRS 428 - Modern and Contemporary Theology
THRS Elective (approved by advisor) (*5)

NOTE:

*Students who transfer with 90 or more credits and no applicable religious studies may waive this requirement, reducing their major credit total to 55.

Departmental Honors

Theology and Religious Studies Major with Departmental Honors