Theology & Religious Studies, B.A.

Program Learning Goals

Students will:

1. Critically analyze the religious dimensions of human experience as expressed in sacred texts, art, ritual practice, ethical commitments, philosophy/theology, and social structures.

2. Identify ways in which religious or ethical traditions and the critical study thereof provide resources for responding to injustice and living ethically.

Major Requirements

The TRS Major consists of 36 credit hours, half of which must be at the 3000 or 4000 level. Courses are to be distributed as follows:

Area Requirements (15 credits)

At least one 3-credit course from each of the following areas:

1. Sacred Texts (1100-1199, 2100-2199, 3100-3199, 4100-4199)

2. Religion in History & Society (1200-1299, 2200-2299, 3200-3299, 4200-4299)

3. Catholic Theology (1300-1399, 2300-2399, 3300-3399, 4300-4399)

4. Non-Christian Religions (1400-1499, 2400-2499, 3400-3499, 4400-4499)

5. Ethics & Justice (1500-1599, 2500-2599, 3500-3599, 4500-4599)

Five Electives (15 credits)

Advanced Writing/Oral Presentation (3 credits)

Senior Seminar Capstone (3 credits)

Total Credit Hours: 36

Five-Year TRS B.A./M.A. Program

The 5-Year Integrated Graduate Program in Theology & Religious Studies is designed for undergraduate students who wish to earn the Master of Arts degree with an additional year of study beyond the baccalaureate degree. Undergraduates may apply for admission to the Integrated B.A./M.A. program in the junior year. For students who are accepted, up to 9 credits of graduate coursework may be taken during the senior year and applied toward both the TRS major and the TRS Master of Arts degree. Students complete the 30-credit M.A. by taking the remaining 21 graduate credits before the end of their fifth year. Students in the Integrated Graduate Program also have the opportunity to earn the Certificate in Theological Education by the end of the fifth year, qualifying them to teach high school theology within the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland.