Majors
- Standard and Supplemental Major in Theology
- Joint Major in Theology and Philosophy
- How to Declare a Theology Major
Standard and Supplemental Major in Theology
Requirements of the Major
- Theology majors take 25 credit hours beyond the six credits of the university requirements.
- Supplementary majors take 19 credit hours beyond the six credits of the university requirements.
Each of these majors combines formally required courses and electives. The formally required courses for both theology majors and supplementary majors – a total of total 10 credit hours -- are identical:
- the two-semester sequence in the history of Christian thought or “Christian Traditions” (commonly known as Trads 1 and Trads 2)
- one upper-division scripture course (either Old Testament or New Testament)
- the one-credit hour proseminar, offered each spring, which introduces students to the variety of topics covered in the study of theology.
The remaining hours, chosen at the discretion of the student, are usually taken at the 30-000 or the 40-000-level. One further 20-000 level course (in addition to the 20-000 level course taken to fulfill the University requirement) may be counted towards the major. Theology majors may also take a course at the 60-000 (MTS) level, with the permission of the course instructor and the director of undergraduate studies.
Theology majors should take the proseminar as soon as possible after they have chosen the major. Christian Traditions 1 and 2 should normally be taken during the junior year, with adjustments made for those studying abroad in the junior year (the courses need not be taken in sequence). Christian Traditions 1 and 2 are not formal prerequisites for higher-level courses.
Summary
Including the University requirements, the primary major consists of 31 credit hours.
- First University Requirement (Foundations): THEO 10-001 or 20-001 or 20-002
- Second University Requirement: between THEO 20-101 to 20-999
- Christian Traditions I: THEO 40-201
- Christian Traditions II: THEO 40-202
- One Scripture course, upper division: either THEO 40-101 (Old Testament) or 43-101 or 40108 (New Testament)
- Proseminar: THEO 43-001 (1 credit)
- Five Electives: 15 hours at the 30-000, or 40-000 level
Including the University requirements, the supplementary major consists of 25 credit hours.
- First University Requirement (Foundations): THEO 10-001 or 20-001 or 20-002
- Second University Requirement: between THEO 20-101 to 20-999
- Christian Traditions I: THEO 40-201
- Christian Traditions II: THEO 40-202
- One Scripture course, upper division: either THEO 40-101 (Old Testament) or 43-101 or 40108 (New Testament)
- Proseminar: THEO 43-001 (1 credit)
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Three Electives: 9 hours at the 30-000, or 40-000 level (2 courses in a classical language (greek, hebrew, or latin) may be taken to fulfill two electives)
The Joint Major in Theology and Philosophy
The joint major is intended for undergraduates who are intrigued by philosophical and theological ideas and who have an equal commitment to both disciplines. It attracts students who seek to reflect on the central questions of human existence in the context of both faith and reason and who desire to explore the interface between the sister disciplines of theology and philosophy.
Offering an unparalleled opportunity for the informed investigation of religious and philosophical ideas and for close collaboration with outstanding faculty mentors, the joint major should appeal to those who plan to proceed to graduate work in philosophy or theology.
The major is structured, providing undergraduates with a suitable introduction to the study of both disciplines, but also is flexible, granting students considerable scope for the pursuit of their own interests.
Requirements for Joint Major
In Philosophy:
- First University Requirement (Intro to Philosophy): PHIL 10100 or 10101 or 13185 or 13195 or 20101
- Second University Requirement: PHIL 20201 - 26999 (a higher level course may be substituted for this)
- History of Philosophy I: PHIL 30301
- History of Philosophy II: PHIL 30302
- Logic: PHIL 30313
In Theology:
- First University Requirement (Foundations): THEO 10-001 or 20-001 or 20-002
- Second University Requirement: between THEO 20-101 to 20-999
- Christian Traditions I: THEO 40-201
- Christian Traditions II: THEO 40-202
- One Scripture course, upper division: either THEO 40-101 (Old Testament) or 43-101 or 40108 (New Testament)
Plus:
- 6 credits classical language
- 3 credit joint seminar at 40-000 level
- 3 credits for writing a senior thesis
- 18 credits of electives, split between theology and philosophy (of these, six credits can be taken in additional language study)
The joint major incorporates the University requirements in the two disciplines and most of the formal requirements of the first majors in theology and philosophy. As in the major in philosophy, students in the joint major will take the two-semester sequence in the history of philosophy and the course in formal logic. As in the major Tn theology, students will take the two-semester sequence in Christian Traditions and an upper-level course in scripture. The joint major, however, does not require the one-credit proseminar in theology.
Other formal requirements are peculiar to the joint major. Students will study a classical language for two semesters; for practical as well as pedagogical reasons, this will normally be Greek.
Majors will also be expected to take the joint seminar offered each spring. Each seminar, led by a theologian and a philosopher, will examine an issue where the differing approaches of philosophy and theology may prove fruitful; the topic and instructors will change from year to year. Finally, each major will submit a senior thesis prepared under the direction of two faculty advisors, one from each department.
The remaining courses in the joint major will be at the discretion of the student. Normally taken at the 30-000 or 40-000-level, there should be an equal distribution in the electives between theology and philosophy. However, students who wish may devote up to six hours within the joint major to additional language work. These hours may add to the classical language previously studied, or be used to begin the study of another language of significance for philosophical and theological work.
How is this different from a major in one of the two disciplines and a supplementary major in the other?
The joint major will be more demanding. A major in one discipline and a supplementary major in the other totals 55 credit hours; the joint major (including University and formal requirements, and electives) requires 60. Furthermore, the joint major calls for language instruction beyond the University requirements for all undergraduates. Finally, the joint seminars should prove especially challenging, inviting students to explore important topics in an interdisciplinary way. These features should make the joint major particularly attractive to students preparing for advanced study in philosophy or theology.
From some joint majors...
"Philosophy and Theology both deal with the most important questions regarding human existence, meaning, and ultimate truth. It is only fitting that their symbiotic relationship be maintained in this program. Philosophy is absolutely essential for understanding the language of theology. All theology majors should at least consider this program as a way to enhance their theological knowledge and potential. Also, taking the classical language requirement teaches one humility which is a good first step in both theology and philosophy." -Kevin Haley, senior
"The joint major is important for two reasons. First, because the questions that philosophy raises are potentially dangerous, particularly at this age. They are existential questions that come to us at a time of even further existential questioning. Thus, I think that this joint major offers a good base for us as young people. Most importantly, I also believe that mere questioning is incomplete, and theology is the answer to some of the most pressing existentialist questions. Thus, it allows one to see the full picture." - Rodrigo Morales, senior
How to Sign Up for a Theology Major
Interested students should speak with Lauren Fox in the main office of the Department of Theology (130 Malloy Hall, 574-631-7811). She will help answer any questions about the major, and help students sign up officially for a Theology major. Interested students will also have the opportunity to meet with the Director of Undergraduate Studies Gabriel Said Reynolds.
Declaring a Major
Please Contact:
Gabriel Reynolds
Director of Undergraduate Studies
reynolds@nd.edu