Student Learning Goals

I. Departmental Mission Statement

The Department of Theology provides students with tools to study the complexity and power of religious traditions. It also assists students with understanding the place of theology and religion in the human enterprise.

II. The General Education Requirement

The first half of the General Education Requirement in Theology is fulfilled by taking THEO 1000 (“The Problem of God”) or THEO 1100 (“Introduction to Biblical Literature”). The second half of the General Education Requirement in Theology is fulfilled by taking any intermediate-level Theology course (THEO 2000-3999).

A. Student Learning Goals for the General Education Requirement

  1. The goal of the first course is to foster in the student a critically appreciative awareness of the religious dimension of human existence.
  2. The goal of this second course is to allow students to pursue a particular area of interest while at the same time reinforcing the critically appreciative awareness of religion initiated in the first course.

B. Learning Outcomes for the General Education Requirement

  1. Students will develop of habits of mind that
    • reflect historical consciousness
    • exhibit critical thinking about texts, ideas, and methods of study
    • exhibit awareness of the student’s one’s own experience of religious traditions and/or religious commitments
    • show awareness of differences in perspective and opinion
    • show awareness of distinctive traditions of thought
  2. Students will also acquire and hone skills in
    • close reading of texts
    • organization of facts and ideas in oral and/or written presentations
    • articulation of facts and ideas with precision in oral and/or written presentations

III. Requirements for Completion of the Major in Theology

The major in Theology is completed by taking nine courses in addition to the two courses that fulfill the General Education Requirement. The program of nine courses varies depending on which of four concentrations (Ethics, Biblical Studies, Christian Theology, Religious Studies) Theology majors pursue.

A. Student Learning Goals for Completion of the Major in the Department of Theology

  1. Students will learn to integrate new knowledge about religious traditions into existing intellectual frameworks
  2. Students will engage in diverse methods of inquiry about religion
  3. Students will learn to represent and interpret data in intellectually meaningful forms
  4. Students will develop skills in the communication of new understanding in oral and written forms

B. Learning Outcomes for the Major in the Department of Theology

  1. Students will development of habits of mind that
    • reflect an advanced level of historical consciousness
    • exhibit well-honed critical thinking about texts, ideas, and methods of study 
  2. Students will develop advanced abilities in
    • close reading of texts
    • organization of facts and ideas in oral and/or written presentations
    • articulation of ideas with precision in oral and/or written presentations 
  3. Students will acquire appropriate levels of undergraduate expertise in ethics, biblical studies, Christian theology, and/or the study of religion