Theology

Faculty

CAMERON FERGUSON, PH.D.
KATHERINE GREINER, PH.D.
ERIC E. HALL, PH.D.
ERIC D. MEYER, PH.D.
JOHN C. RIES, PH.D., S.T.D., DEPT CHAIR

Mission

The Theology department’s mission is to promote careful biblical and theological reflection, spiritual awareness, and an understanding of the Catholic tradition. As mandated by the mission of the college, the theology department serves the college community, the wider civic community and the diocese of Helena in “acting as a mediator between religion and culture (and) by carrying on an academic dialogue with philosophy, science, the liberal arts, the believing community and secular society”(Carroll College’s Mission Statement).

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Students will demonstrate an in-depth understanding of Christian doctrines, biblical foundations, key themes in the history of theology, and contemporary issues focusing on Catholic intellectual traditions.
  • Students will develop the ability to analyze and interpret Scripture in its historical, literary, and theological contexts.
  • Students will engage in a deep, reflective dialogue between faith and reason, understanding their complementary roles in the intellectual and lived life of Christians.
  • Students will reflect critically on theological principles in relation to contemporary moral issues, social justice, and global challenges, with an emphasis on Catholic Social Teaching.
  • Students will demonstrate knowledge of the historical development of Christian theology and the historical/cultural contexts in which key theological issues have arisen.
  • Students will develop the skills to conduct theological research, engage critically with primary and secondary sources, and communicate their findings effectively in both written and oral forms.

Introductory Courses

One basic course (TH 101) is designed to give the student an overall view of theology and a variety of 200-level courses are designed to introduce the student to key areas and subjects within theology. Students in the major programs should complete at least two 200-level courses before taking 300-level courses. Exceptions to this general policy must be approved by the Theology Department chairperson.

Specialized Courses (In-depth Courses)

The theology program includes a number of 300-level courses to be more rigorous and in-depth.

Interdisciplinary Courses

Specified courses from other departments may be taken with the permission of the Theology Department chairperson and in accordance with the needs of an individual student’s program. The Theology Department encourages interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary study.

Degrees

Courses

TH-101: Theological Foundations

Credits 3
An introduction to the study of theology in the Core aspects of theological inquiry-the Bible, the Creed, moral theology- enable students and faculty to jointly explore the nature of Christian faith and the embodiment of Christian faith in concrete historical contexts.

TH-189: Special Topic

Credits 1 3
Faith & Reason-Theology. Special Topics courses include ad-hoc courses on various selected topics that are not part of the regular curriculum, however they may still fulfill certain curricular requirements. Special topics courses are offered at the discretion of each department and will be published as part of the semester course schedule - view available sections for more information. Questions about special topics classes can be directed to the instructor or department chair.

TH-201: Church and Worship

Credits 3
Faith & Reason-Theology. An analysis of the Church as a community of believers and a social institution; a study of church liturgy and sacra-ments.

TH-205: Theology and Film

Credits 3
In this course students will study the various ways that theology and film interact with one another; the manner with which film has been studied for theological themes as well as the influence of the religious imagination in the cinema. Students will view and analyze a variety of films from a cross-section of world cinema.

TH-211: Comparative Religion

Credits 3
Cultural Diversity, Faith & Reason-Theology. A study of the origins and beliefs of major world religions in historical contexts.

TH-212: Women Mystics

Credits 3
Faith & Reason-Theology. The course explores the development of a theology of mysticism that emerged in the context of neo-platonism and its chief proponent within the Christian context, Pseudo-Dionysius. Following that, the course explores several texts by women mystical writers of the High Middle Ages as one access point to the interconnections that exist between mystical experience and lay piety.

TH-215: Exploring Christian Spirituality

Credits 3
Faith & Reason-Theology. What is spirituality? What is Christian spirituality? What is its role in the lives of Christians today? These are just a few of the questions this course will take up. The course explores the various spiritual traditions and practices that have shaped the lives of Christians over the centuries. The first part of the course will seek to define spirituality, both as a lived experience and as an academic field. The second part of the course will engage selections from a variety of classic Christian spiritual sources including Sacred Scripture, St. Augustine, St. Benedict, St. Francis and St. Clare, Julian of Norwich, St. Hildegard of Bingen, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Theresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross. The final part of the class will examine the ways that Christian spirituality can inform our understanding of contemporary issues; these include sexuality, ecology, interreligious dialogue, and political action. Students will engage texts from a variety of contemporary Christian spiritual writers such as Thomas Merton, Desmond Tutu, Dorothy Day, Martin Luther King, Jr., Sr. Simone Campbell, Anne Lamott, and Gustavo Gutierrez. In addition, students will reflect critically on the possibilities and limitations of the various spiritual traditions and practices so that they might be able to determine for themselves the value and role of Christian spirituality in today's world.

TH-216: Violence & Atonement

Credits 3
Ethical Reasoning, Faith & Reason-Theology. Atonement, as celebrated weekly during the Eucharistic Mass or other equivalent celebrations, stands as a central doctrine to the Catholic Church and the Christian world. The problem with the doctrine, however, is that it has come to be interpreted almost exclusively through an ill-advised and even heretical model called 'penal substitutionary theory,' This class will not only call into question and overcome penal substitutionary theory, it will posit and evaluate a number of other atonement models that the Church has historically taken seriously. Moreover, it will spend a lot of time both understanding and evaluating one form of atonement in particular, which we can call the 'anti-scapegoat' model, which at least fits the truth-criterion that must lie at the bottom of any model of atonement: that the ground of peace which founds the Church must come in and as peace to us.

TH-217: Christian Spirituality and Justice

Credits 3
Ethical Reasoning, Faith & Reason-Theology. This class explores the much needed yet often ignored relationship between spirituality and justice from the Christian perspective. Students will explore contemporary justice issues that continue to challenge our world today, such as poverty, racism, gender inequality, war and violence, globalization, and ecological degradation. Students will learn how the Christian tradition provides a wealth of spiritual and theological responses to these crises. Students will critically analyze responses to these issues using various understandings of spiritualities of justice found in Sacred Scriptures, patristic writings, Catholic Social Teaching, and various contemporary theological and spiritual texts. Finally, this course is designed to help students learn to develop life-giving, contemporary spiritual practices that help them live just and meaningful lives.

TH-218: Spiritual Autobiographies

Credits 3
Faith & Reason- Theology. Over the course of Christian history, significant individuals have shared their personal journeys to and with God through the genre of spiritual autobiography. This course will explore this genre by reading such classics as St. Augustine of HIppo's Confessions, St. Teresa of Avila's The Life of Theresa of Avila, Therese of Lisieux's A Story of a Soul, as well as more contemporary texts such as Thomas Merton's Seven Storey Mountain and Howard Thurman's With Hand and Heart.Through rigorous study of these classic and contemporary texts, students will explore and critically engage the theologies, christologies, ecclesiologies, and spiritualities of these significant individuals in their historical and ecclesial contexts, will develop appreciation for the spiritual journeys of others, and will discern and articulate their own spiritual journeys.

TH-220: Moral Theology

Credits 3
Ethical Reasoning, Faith & Reason-Theology. An introduction to moral decision making and moral action in light of biblical principles and changing contexts.

TH-222: Health Care Ethics

Credits 3
Ethical Reasoning, Faith & Reason-Theology. In this course, we will examine fundamental ethical theories, the basis of these theories in the Judeo-Christian understanding of the nature of the human person, and the application of these theories to practical matters within medicine and health care. The approach to ethics we pursue in this course will be grounded primarily in a Western philosophical and theological context, and will focus especially on the moral teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.

TH-231: Introduction to Old Testament

Credits 3
Faith & Reason-Theology. This course surveys the historical, literary, cultural and theological heritage in ancient Israel from its earliest beginnings to the start of the Christian era. Attention will be paid to the geographical and historical contexts in which the Jewish scriptures arose, their social setting, political contexts and theological message. Special attention will be devoted to developing the skills necessary to interpret the texts within their own historical context as well as the possibilities that emerge from the text as a literary creation. Students will engage the multiple readings that emerged in subsequent Jewish traditions, New Testament texts and Christian traditions (Roman Catholic and Protestant). Students will acquire the skills to critically engage and interpret some of the most influential sections from the Old Testament based on the ancient context as well as appreciate the multivalent interpretations available to the contemporary reader.

TH-233: Intro to Old Testament

Credits 3
Faith & Reason-Theology. This course surveys the historical, literary, cultural and theological heritage in ancient Israel from its earliest beginnings to the start of the Christian era. Attention will be paid to the geographical and historical contexts in which the Jewish scriptures arose, their social setting, political contexts and theological message. Special attention will be devoted to developing the skills necessary to interpret the texts within their own historical context as well as the possibilities that emerge from the text as a literary creation. Students will engage the multiple readings that emerged in subsequent Jewish traditions, New Testament texts and Christian traditions (Roman Catholic and Protestant). Students will acquire the skills to critically engage and interpret some of the most influential sections from the Old Testament based on the ancient context as well as appreciate the multivalent interpretations available to the contemporary reader. TH 233 is not WI, writing intensive.

TH-236: Introduction to New Testament

Credits 3
Faith & Reason-Theology. An overview of the origins, themes, and continuing relevance of the books of the Christian Scriptures, with an emphasis on the four Gospels.

TH-237: Intro to New Testament

Credits 3
Faith & Reason-Theology. An overview of the origins, themes, and continuing relevance of the books of the Christian Scriptures, with an emphasis on the four Gospels. Course number TH 237 does not fulfill writing intensive requirement.

TH-251: The God Question

Credits 3
Faith & Reason-Theology. This course examines how "the question of God" has taken shape in the history of Christianity and how this question is being asked and re-framed today. Particular attention is given to how the tradition has forged "the God question" in terms of "transcendence"/"immanence" and how since modernity this has come to situate contemporary Christian belief in a new and deeply challenging way. In this context, the course explores contemporary ways of thinking about God that draws out the radicality of faith and its existential imperative to live/engage the God question in the challenges and ambiguities of the postmodern world.

TH-252: Theology of the Land

Credits 3
A study of the relationship of people and the earth, with a focus on issues of land stewardship as understood in the Bible, in the religious traditions of native peoples, and in the U.S. sociopolitical tradition.

TH-254: Theology and Science

Credits 3
Faith & Reason-Theology. This course examines how and why the relation of Theology and Science has taken shape in the history of Christianity, particularly in its becoming problematic since the rise of modernity. This requires a critical reflection upon philosophical positioning of these disciplines, drawing out important differences in "truth and method" while seeking a non-reductive dialogue. Based on these philosophical underpinnings, a theological re-thinking of God ("after Darwin") and of creation will be explored, both in its opportunities and challenges for contemporary Christian faith.

TH-256: God and the Human Experience

Credits 3
Faith & Reason-Theology. A thoughtful exploration of human finitude and human diversity in encounters with God. Students will explore the work of theologians, mystics, philosophers, writers, and scientists grappling with human experience as a place of encounter with the divine.

TH-258: TH & Gender: Images Tradition & Discourse

Credits 3
Cultural Diversity. Faith & Reason-Theology. This course examines how gender-with its pervasive historical-cultural meanings-has given shape to and challenged Christianity. It studies how biblical texts, religious practices and traditions, and theological discourse have been skewed through a "patriarch-ization" of Christianity. It critically examines how becoming androcentric has eclipsed the experience of women and even led to their oppression. Finally the course explores how various forms of feminist theologies attempt to incorporate the experience of women, to retrieve their contributions, and to enrich Christianity with many new and life-giving symbols, forms of thought and ways of living.

TH-261: Wealth Pov Bible Early Church

Credits 3
This is an exploration of the biblical theme of justice as it relates to wealth and poverty with an attention to the importance of this theme for modern Christian social ideas. Based upon readings of primary texts from the Bible and early Christianity, the course explores the potential contributions and limitations of early Christian social thought to contemporary socio-ethical discourse.

TH-262: Slavery and Christian Theology

Credits 3
Ethical Reasoning. Faith and Reason Theology. This course explores the intersections between slavery and Christian theology in the historical contexts of the ancient Roman Empire and the United States. The course starts from the presupposition that slavery is a moral evil. Students will read biblical and historical texts from Christians who support slavery and Christians who oppose slavery. The big questions of the course revolve around the relationships between moral discernment, social evils, and religious belief and practice.

TH-263: Modern Catholic Social Teaching

Credits 3
Intermediate Writing. Ethical Reasoning, Faith & Reason-Theology. A study of the cultural, political, and economic spheres of social life in the light of Catholic moral teachings, theologies, and action. Magisterial and scholarly writings from 1891 to the present receive primary emphasis. (This course has been granted an exception to double-count in the Central Sequence of the Core Curriculum 2020 requirements. Students needing TH-263 to fulfill both Intermediate Writing and Ethical Reasoning will need to contact the Registrar's Office for a manual override so that the course will count for both requirements in their degree progress: registraroffice@carroll.edu)

TH-264: Theologies of Liberation

Credits 3
Ethical Reasoning, Faith & Reason-Theology. This course first examines the beginnings of Liberation Theology in Latin America and critically considers how this has both challenged and nourished the Christian tradition and the fundaments of theology therein. The course will then examine how this has begun to blossom into a rich variety of 'theologies of liberation' in diverse contexts throughout the world. In this context, the course explores new ways of (re)thinking Christianity as fruitfully engaging the world by 'building of the Kingdom of God' in and through the 'option for the poor'.

TH-266: Ecological Theologies

Credits 3
Ethical Reasoning, Faith & Reason-Theology. This course addresses a pressing concern of our time, ecological degradation from a theological perspective, which prepares students for a life of thinking critically about real-world problems from the perspective of a faith-commitment. Ecological theology is a major topic of concern (and growing) within academic theology, so this course introduces students to one of the vibrant conversations of the living tradition of Christian theology. No other course within the Theology department's offerings covers this specific focus, so this course adds range and diversity to the department's offerings. Finally, this course dovetails very well with several other academic programs at Carroll, especially Environmental Science and Anthrozoology, by asking students to think critically about the ways in which Christian faith shapes human relationships with nonhuman creatures.

TH-268: Humans, Animals, and Nature

Credits 3

Humans, Animals, and Nature: Ecologies of Religion. This course explores the relations between humans, animals, and nature as those relationships are depicted, understood, and influenced by religious thought and practice. Religion builds human self-understanding by providing answers to questions such as: "What are animals? What are they for? What are humans and what are we for? How should we live together on the land?" The specific answers given to these questions as well the way those answers are put into practice has varied substantially across history and culture. The course focuses on Christian theology, but other religious traditions are engaged in a comparative manner as well.

TH-289: Special Topic

Credits 1 4
Faith & Reason-Theology. Special Topics courses include ad-hoc courses on various selected topics that are not part of the regular curriculum, however they may still fulfill certain curricular requirements. Special topics courses are offered at the discretion of each department and will be published as part of the semester course schedule - view available sections for more information. Questions about special topics classes can be directed to the instructor or department chair.

TH-343: HCT: Modernity-Postmodernity

Credits 3
A study of major developments in Christian thinking in their historical contexts, from Modernity through the challenges of Postmodernity.

TH-352: Christology

Credits 3
Faith & Reason-Theology. An analysis of interpretations of Jesus Christ's humanity and divinity, from biblical statements to contemporary explorations.

TH-353: Trinity in Christian Life and Theology

Credits 3
Faith & Reason-Theology. The point of this class will be to explore the complicated but ultimately satisfying and extremely pragmatic doctrine of the Trinity misunderstood by many laity and scholars alike. We will develop a sense of the historical emergence of the doctrine, important and interesting arguments within the doctrine, and some contemporary ecclesial and ethical views.

TH-371: Discerning Ministerial Vocation

Credits 1
This course will provide students with a chance to reflect on ministry, its point and purpose, some of the challenges they might face in ministry, and whether ultimately the student wants to take on the responsibility of a 3-credit internship with a ministerial or religiously affiliated institutions in our area. The readings and assignments in this class will pertain to basic questions of ministry and vocation, but we will make numerous site-visits to various institutions in the area.

TH-389: Special Topic

Credits 1 3
Faith & Reason-Theology. Special Topics courses include ad-hoc courses on various selected topics that are not part of the regular curriculum, however they may still fulfill certain curricular requirements. Special topics courses are offered at the discretion of each department and will be published as part of the semester course schedule - view available sections for more information. Questions about special topics classes can be directed to the instructor or department chair.

TH-424: Ministering Through Vocation

Credits 1
This course will provide the opportunity for pre-professional students to gain credit toward a theology major or minor with an emphasis in ministry. The course will be taken alongside a student's internship, practicum, or clinical as defined by their primary major, adding to that course reflection questions pertaining to theological understandings of vocation and calling.

TH-425: Internship

Credits 1 6
Internship Experiences recognize that learning can take place outside the classroom. Carroll College allows its students to participate in opportunities that relate to their area of study. This opportunity must relate directly a student's program of study in order to qualify for an internship. Close cooperation among Carroll and the participating organizations ensures an experience that contributes significantly to the student's overall growth and professional development. Juniors and seniors in any major area may participate with the approval of faculty internship advisor and/or department chair, Career Services, and a site supervisor. Students will receive academic credit and may or may not receive monetary compensation for an internship. A student may apply a maximum of 12 semester hours to degree requirements; academic departments will determine the number of credits that may count toward the major (most majors accept 6 hours total). Enrollment in the course must be during the same semester in which the experience takes place. Interested students should contact their academic advisor and Career Services prior to the start of an experience.

TH-471: Ministry in Action

Credits 2
This course will be offered as a cohort course in conjunction with the Ministerial Internship (TH 425). It will foster both theological reflection on the nature of ministry and practical reflection on issues involved with ministry. In helping to develop this reflection, the structure of the course will consist of spending one day of the course per week dedicated to each type of reflective thinking. More specifically, the theological reflection will draw upon the pertinent, assigned texts, and the practical will use either the students' direct experiences within their internships or the reflection videos produced in internship curriculum. While the course will be taught from a Catholic perspective, all persons of good will are invited to participate, share, and grow in this course.

TH-485: Independent Study

Credits 1 3
Independent study is open to junior and senior students only. At the time of application, a student must have earned a 3.0 cumulative grade point average. A student may register for no more than three (3) semester hours of independent study in any one term. In all cases, registration for independent study must be approved by the appropriate department chairperson and the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

TH-495: Theology Seminar

Credits 3
A discussion of selected theological themes or important theologians, with contributions by students and faculty. While required of all theology majors and minors in their junior or senior year, it will also be open to other upper-level students who are non-majors upon the consent of the instructor.

TH-496: Theology Research Paper Or Project

Credits 1
Theology majors must develop and present for the Department of Theology a theology honor's thesis or a departmental research paper /project. The student will work with a professor in developing and fulfilling this requirement. The paper or project should provide evidence of scholarship in biblical studies, moral theology, church history, doctrine/systematics, or in another field of study as appropriate and approved by the department chair.

TH-499: Senior Thesis

Credits 1 3
The senior thesis is designed to encourage creative thinking and to stimulate individual research. A student may undertake a thesis in an area in which s/he has the necessary background. Ordinarily a thesis topic is chosen in the student's major or minor. It is also possible to choose an interdisciplinary topic. Interested students should decide upon a thesis topic as early as possible in the junior year so that adequate attention may be given to the project. In order to be eligible to apply to write a thesis, a student must have achieved a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.25 based upon all courses attempted at Carroll College. The thesis committee consists of a director and two readers. The thesis director is a full-time Carroll College faculty member from the student's major discipline or approved by the department chair of the student's major. At least one reader must be from outside the student's major. The thesis director and the appropriate department chair must approve all readers. The thesis committee should assist and mentor the student during the entire project. For any projects involving human participants, each student and his or her director must follow the guidelines published by the Institutional Review Board (IRB). Students must submit a copy of their IRB approval letter with their thesis application. As part of the IRB approval process, each student and his or her director must also complete training by the National Cancer Institute Protection of Human Participants. The thesis is typically to be completed for three (3) credits in the discipline that best matches the content of the thesis. Departments with a designated thesis research/writing course may award credits differently with approval of the Curriculum Committee. If the thesis credits exceed the full-time tuition credit limit for students, the charge for additional credits will be waived. Applications and further information are available in the Registrar's Office.