C O L L E G E O F A R T S A N D S C I E N C E S
Theology
Loyola University Chicago’s Department of
Theology provides students with resources for
an analysis of religion; for investigation of the
historical development and contemporary
practice of particular religious traditions; and for
critical appropriation of personal faith and THE MAJORS
appreciation of the beliefs of others. Although We offer two distinct majors: theological studies and
these resources are drawn principally from the religious studies. Both serve as an excellent focus for a
liberal arts education and a sound foundation for an
Roman Catholic tradition, attention is directed to academic or professional career. Like other majors in the
other Christian traditions as well as to Judaism, humanities, both theological studies and religious studies
Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. help students develop analytical, interpretive, and
communication skills. Because religion touches the deepest
aspirations and values of humanity and is a powerful shaper
The Department of Theology is one of the of societies and cultures across the globe, these majors offer
largest and most diverse in the United States. Its insight into important topics including the history of
civilizations, ethics and spiritual thought, and some of
faculty includes Catholics, Protestants, Jews,
today’s most pressing challenges.
Orthodox, Muslims, laity, and clergy. The
The theological studies major offers students wide exposure
backgrounds and the number of specializations to Christian thought, ethics, and biblical scholarship, while
represented mean that expert guidance is the religious studies major is geared for students who want
available to students on a wide range of religious to study a number of world religions and examine social
scientific perspectives on religion. Both majors allow
issues. students significant flexibility in course selection. Each
major consists of 12 three-credit courses, or 36 credit hours.
Recent growth and renovation at both Loyola’s
Minors are available in theological studies, religious studies,
Lake Shore and Water Tower Campuses have and pastoral leadership.
enhanced living and learning for students. Some
of the additions include the state-of-the-art
Quinlan Life Sciences Education and Research
Center, two residence halls, the Loyola University
Museum of Art, and the Sullivan Center for
Student Services, which consolidates more than
a dozen campus offices into one convenient
location. The Information Commons, a high-tech,
environmentally designed library, study space,
and instructional center, opened in early 2008.
At top right: Madonna della Strada Chapel, located at the Lake Shore Campus.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
The major gives students the contemporary academic skills David Stagaman, S.J., DTh, Institut Catholique de Paris:
and methods to understand their own faith and that of Philosophy of Language, Church in the World, Wittgenstein,
others. These skills and methods lead to professional careers Hermeneutics
in teaching, ministry, religious education, and other
Sandra Sullivan-Dunbar, PhD (candidate), University of
theological fields. Graduates of this program have also found
Chicago: Christian Ethics
the skills acquired in theology and religious studies useful for
careers ranging from communication and publishing to Eugene Szarek, CR, PhD, Marquette University:
criminal justice, ecological science, and politics. Likewise, this New Testament Exegesis
course of studies provides an insightful orientation to the Thomas H. Tobin, S.J., PhD, Harvard University:
values at work in other fields, such as law, medicine, business, New Testament and Early Christianity
humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. A double
major with theology, or a minor in theology joined with other Aana Marie Vigen, PhD, Union Theological Seminary:
majors, is thus an attractive and challenging option. Medical Issues
Pauline A. Viviano, PhD, St. Louis University:
T H E F A C U LT Y Old Testament
Chairperson: Susan A. Ross, PhD, University of Chicago: Urban C. von Wahlde, PhD, Marquette University:
Systematic Theology and Christian Ethics New Testament and Early Christianity
The Richard A. McCormick, S.J., Chair in Catholic Moral
Theology: Hille Haker, PhD, Tübingen University COURSE OFFERINGS
The John Cardinal Cody Endowed Chair: Edmondo Lupieri, THEOLOGY (THEO)
University of Pisa: New Testament and Early Christianity 100 Introduction to Christian Theology
101 Theology of Faith
Mark Bosco, S.J., PhD, Graduate Theological Union:
Theology and Literature 103 The Christian God
104 Jesus Christ
Wendy Cotter, CSJ, PhD, University of St. Michael’s
College, Toronto: New Testament and Synoptic Studies 105 Church in the World
106 Theology of the Sacraments
Robert A. DiVito, PhD, Harvard University: Old Testament
110 Introduction to the Bible
William C. French, PhD, University of Chicago: 111 Old Testament
Christian Ethics
112 New Testament
Marcia Hermansen, PhD, University of Chicago: 114 Introduction to the Qur’an
Islamic Studies
157 Human Rights in Latin America
Dennis D. Martin, PhD, University of Waterloo: 167 Religions of China
Historical Theology 168 Sacred Texts of China
John McCarthy, PhD, University of Chicago: Philosophy 169 Taoism
and Theology 170 Introduction to the Study of Religion
LaReine-Marie Mosley, SND, PhD, University of Notre Dame: 171 Great Christian Thinkers
Systematic Theology 172 Introduction to Classical Judaism
Hugh Nicholson, PhD, Boston College: Systematic and 173 The Orthodox Christian Tradition
Comparative Theology 174 Religion in America
Jon Nilson, PhD, University of Notre Dame: 175 Contemporary Protestantism
Systematic Theology 176 African-American Religious Experience
Tracy S. Pintchman, PhD, University of California: 176B Early African Christianity
Asian Religions 177 World Religions
Andrew Radde-Gallwitz, PhD, Emory University: 178 Women and Religion
Patristics 179 Roman Catholicism
Michael J. Schuck, PhD, University of Chicago: 180 Theology and Interdisciplinary Study
Christian Ethics 181 Christianity Through Time
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182 Moral Problems: Medical Issues 352 Topics in Buddhism
183 Moral Problems: War and Peace 353 Studies in Religious Traditions
184 Moral Problems: Ecology Crisis 354 The Roman Church
190 Christian Worship 355 Contemporary Orthodoxy
192 Moral Problems 356 Topics in Judaism
193 Christian Marriage 360 Confucianism to Christ
194 Society and Economics in Christian Thought 363 The Muslim Experience
195 Introduction to Islam 364 Islamic Mysticism
196 Introduction to Hinduism 365 Women and Gender in Islam
197 Introduction to Buddhism 366 Contemporary Islamic Thought
198 Judaism in the Modern World 367 Theology and History: Ecumenical Councils
199 Religions of Asia 372 Theology of Thomas Aquinas
301 Prophetic Literature 376 Language and Faith
302 Wisdom Literature and the Psalms 378 Theology and Culture
303 The Pentateuch 379 Ecumenism in the Twentieth Century
304 Israel from Conquest to Exile 381 Readings in Theology
305 Gospel and Letters of John 383 Theology, Arts and Literature
306 The Epistles of Paul 385 Readings: Theology and Philosophy
307 New Testament Greek 387 Religion in U.S. to 1865
308 Biblical Hebrew I 388 Religion in U.S. Since 1965
309 Biblical Hebrew II
310 The Parables of Jesus
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE
MA JOR IN THEOLOGY
311 The Meaning of Jesus Christ
312 African-American Theology Theological Studies
313 The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke Theological studies consists of 12 courses (36 credit hours).
314 Theology of the Sacraments At least five of the courses must be at the 300 level. The
major has four components:
315 Mary and the Church
316 Western Patristic Thought 1. Entry-level courses: One course from each of the four
317 Christian Thought: Ancient and Medieval areas in the theology curriculum: doctrine; biblical
318 Christian Thought: Reformation and Modern literature; religious traditions and practices; and Christian
life and practice.
319 Reformation Theology
321 Worship and Liturgy 2. Compulsory courses: Two to four compulsory courses
323 Advanced Liturgical Studies (depending on choices at entry-level) to fulfill these
330 Liberation Theology criteria: a Biblical course; either THEO 317 or 318; one
course in a religious tradition other than Christianity (if not
331 Theology of Secularization
studied at the entry-level); one ethics course (if not studied
332 God in the Modern World at the entry-level).
340 Foundations of Christian Morality
342 Perspectives on Life and Death 3. Elective courses: Four to six additional courses to
complete coursework for the major.
343 Contemporary Christian Sexuality
344 Theology and Ecology 4. Research paper: In their senior year, students must
345 Roman Catholic Social Thought complete a 20–25 page research paper under the
347 Creative Ministry guidance of a faculty member. Usually, the paper is
developed in conjunction with one of the student’s
348 Supervised Ministry
300-level theology courses.
350 Topics in Islam
351 Topics in Hinduism
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REQUIREMENTS FOR THE
MA JOR IN THEOLOGY
Theological Studies [ C O N T I N U E D ] • Important skills include communication, critical thinking,
ethical awareness, information literacy, quantitative
Students may take up to two courses outside the department and qualitative analysis, research methods, and
that will count toward the major if these outside courses technological literacy.
connect closely to their interests in theology, and if they
receive the approval of the director of majors prior to • Required areas include college writing seminar(s), artistic
registering for the courses. knowledge and experience, historical knowledge, literary
knowledge, scientific literacy, societal and cultural
Although not a requirement for the completion of the major, knowledge, philosophical knowledge, theological and
the candidate will normally be expected in his or her final religious studies, and ethics.
semester to take part in a colloquium arranged by the
Theology Department. • “Values Across the Curriculum” requirements:
Religious Studies • 12 credit hours completed through the Core, major, or
electives, focusing on:
The religious studies major consists of 12 courses (36 credit
hours) of which at least five courses must be taken at the 300 • Understanding and promoting justice
level or higher. The major has five components:
1. One course on the Christian traditions
• Understanding diversity in the United States
and the world
2. Three courses on non-Christian traditions
• Understanding spirituality or faith in action in the world
3. Two courses on religious comparisons or themes from the
following: 170; 174; 177; 178; selected 180 sections
• Promoting civic engagement or leadership
including Women and Religion in India, Religion and
Psychology, Ancient Community and Values, and Gender
• experience, complementedofby student’s Loyola academic
Makes up about one-third a
the major and electives.
and Values; 192 and 393.
4. Five elective courses which include any other courses
• which to choose forflexibility with myriadCourses may
Incorporates great
each required area.
courses from
offered by the Theology Department, any courses not yet be completed at any time during a student’s Loyola
taken from the above listings, as well as up to three education.
courses from other departments focusing on religious
For more information, please visit LUC.edu/core.
traditions or dimensions of religious life, if approved in
advance by the student’s advisor.
5. THEO 353, Studies in Religious Traditions. This course
focuses on the methodological approaches to the study
of religion.
LOYO L A U N I V E R S I T Y C H I C AG O
In addition to fulfilling major requirements to earn an Undergraduate Admission Office
undergraduate degree, students complete Loyola’s Core 1032 W. Sheridan Road, Chicago, Illinois 60660
Curriculum, which teaches them important skills and values. Phone: 800.262.2373
They also develop their own interests by taking general E-mail: admission@luc.edu
electives. Web site: LUC.edu/undergrad
For more information about requirements, please visit the F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
Department of Theology Web site at LUC.edu/theology. Director of Majors
Department of Theology
Loyola University Chicago
CORE CURRICULUM 1032 W. Sheridan Road
• to academicdesired knowledge, skills, and values in addition
Focuses on
disciplines.
Chicago, Illinois 60660
Phone: 773.508.2350
E-mail: theology@luc.edu
• important skills through of coursework, developing
Includes 45 credit hours
10 required areas of knowledge:
Web site: LUC.edu/theology
To access this and other undergraduate program
brochures—and any updated information—please
visit LUC.edu/undergrad/academics.
PAGE 4 Loyola is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Information in this brochure is correct as of 7/09.