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Theology and Religious Studies (B.A.)

This program invites students to examine the significance of religious experience through the disciplines of theology and religious studies. Courses explore the human encounter with the divine through its historical and contemporary expressions in the lives of individuals and communities.

As a Catholic university, Marymount offers courses that examine the richness of the Catholic faith and its theological heritage. This program offers introductory and advanced courses in systematic and moral theology, scripture studies, and church history. These theology courses are combined with religious studies courses that introduce students to the complexity of the religious experience in human existence, the major religious traditions of the world, and the interaction of religion and culture. The program reflects the university’s emphasis on ethics by offering an array of courses concerned with social justice and employing service learning.

The major in theology and religious studies aims to develop in students a critical understanding of basic religious beliefs and their embodiment in dynamic religious traditions. The approach to theology and religious studies is critical and analytical. Students in the major are expected to take introductory courses in both theology and religious studies. Students will then concentrate their upper-division courses. Senior students complete a senior seminar, which assesses the student's comprehensive knowledge and requires a thesis.

Upon successful completion of the theology and religious studies program, students will be able to

  • demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the moral and spiritual dimension of the self and the individual’s role in establishing a just community;
  • demonstrate an awareness of the dialogue between faith and reason;
  • demonstrate an awareness of elementary scriptural, historical, and doctrinal source materials;
  • demonstrate respect for the dignity of the human person and for the condition of human diversity through thoughtful engagement with diverse religious traditions;
  • practice civil engagement through discussion of religious differences and the possibility of pluralism; and
  • demonstrate a global and historical perspective by examining a wide range of religious traditions in their cultural contexts.

A minor in theology and religious studies is also available.  Please see the School of Humanities minors section for details.

Degree Planning: Students in this program who are interested in pursuing graduate studies are strongly encouraged to take a foreign language to fulfill the Global Perspective component of the University Requirements, as well as the history of philosophy sequence, PH 325 Ancient Philosophy and PH 326 Medieval Philosophy.

Degree Requirements — Theology and Religious Studies

This degree requires a total of 120 credits.

Liberal Arts Core and University Requirements

See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core for details. Theology and religious studies majors will satisfy the three-course university Writing Intensive (WI) requirement in the following way: TRS 499 Senior Seminar and two elective courses from among TRS 320 American Religious History; TRS 361 Grace and Sin, Heaven and Hell; TRS 362 Friendship, Marriage, and God; TRS 380 Early Christian History; and TRS 381 Medieval and Reformed Theology.

Major Requirements

To fulfill the requirements of the major, all students in this program will take the following coursework in a sequence determined in collaboration with an advisor. Some courses also satisfy Liberal Arts Core and/or University Requirements.

TRS 100Theological Inquiry *

3
TRS 201Understanding Religion *

3
TRS 202Religions of the World *

3
TRS 400Internship *

3
TRS 451Christian Faith in the Modern World *

3
TRS 499Senior Seminar *

3

Major Elective Courses

One (1) course from the following:
TRS 251The Religion of the Old Testament *

3
TRS 260The New Testament Gospels *

3
TRS 261The New Testament Epistles *

3
One (1) course from the following:
TRS 380The History of the Early Church *

3
TRS 381Medieval and Reformed Theology *

3
TRS 382The Church in the Modern World *

3
Twelve (12) credits in theology and religious studies electives.

Sample Degree Plan — Theology and Religious Studies

Please note that this is a sample plan; all students must consult with an advisor in making course selections.

Year One — Fall

EN 101Composition I *

3
MA Mathematics (MT) core course *

3-4
Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course *

3
TRS 100Theological Inquiry *

3
CNCT 100Connections *

3

EN 101: WR core course

TRS 100: TRS-1 core course

Year One — Spring

EN 102Composition II *

3
HI Introductory History (HI-1) core course *

3
Natural Science (NS) core course with lab *

4
PH 100Introduction to Philosophy *

3
One (1) elective

3

EN 102: WR core course

PH 100: PH-1 core course

Year Two — Fall

TRS 201Understanding Religion *

3
 
TRS 251The Religion of the Old Testament *

3
OR
TRS 260The New Testament Gospels *

3
OR
TRS 261The New Testament Epistles *

3
 
EN Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course *

3
Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course in a second discipline *

3
One (1) elective

3

TRS 201: DSINQ, GP, and TRS-2 core course

Year Two — Spring

TRS 202Religions of the World *

3
 
TRS 380The History of the Early Church *

3
OR
TRS 381Medieval and Reformed Theology *

3
OR
TRS 382The Church in the Modern World *

3
 
Philosophical Ethics (PH-E) core course *

3
Advanced Social Science (SS-2) core course *

3
One (1) elective

3

TRS 380, TRS 381: WI and TRS-2 core course

TRS 382: TRS-2 core course

Year Three — Fall

Two (2) theology/religious studies courses
One (1) elective - 1st WI course if not already completed *
Two (2) electives

6

Year Three — Spring

Two (2) theology/religious studies courses
Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced Literature (LT-2), or Advanced History (HI-2) core course *

3
Introductory Social Science (SS-1) in a third discipline or Second Natural Science (NS) core course *

3
One (1) elective - 2nd WI course if not already completed *

Year Four — Fall

TRS 451Christian Faith in the Modern World *

3
Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced Literature (LT-2), or Advanced History (HI-2) core course *

3
Three (3) electives

9

TRS 451: DSINQ course

Year Four — Spring

TRS 400Internship *

3
TRS 499Senior Seminar *

3
Three (3) electives

9

TRS 400: EXP course

TRS 499: DSINQ and WI course

* Fulfills Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements. See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core and the Course Descriptions for further information.