Think Theologically! One of our main goals as a theology faculty is to help young people think theologically and critically.
Theology is not catechesis, although catechesis is a component of theology.Theology is an academic discipline that based on critical, scientific inquiry and seeks to understand faith through Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience.
The Church does her thinking at the university!
Mark Reasoner, Ph.D. is an associate professor of theology at Marian University. He is an expert on the New Testament and publishes on the writings of St. Paul.
Studying Theology at Marian Really has a Two-fold Route
Those students who want to teach in higher education and to pursue a master’s degree in theology immediately after finishing their undergraduate degree, or
those students who want to become a high school religion/theology teacher in a Catholic school, and will have to minor in Education and take a few pastoral leadership courses as well.
"Studying theology at Marian has equipped me with thorough knowledge of the Church and her teachings, and has prepared me for being a teacher through the wide array of topics studied within this major."
What will you Study?
Here are the core theological courses that students will take:
THL 105: Introduction to Theology
THL 208: The Church
THL 218: Fundamental Moral Theology
THL 226: Old Testament
THL 228: New Testament
THL 336: Liturgy, Prayer, & Sacrament
THL 405: Jesus Christ & the Tripersonal God
THL 490: Senior Seminar & Capstone
Here are some other theological courses that students will take in the program:
THL 232: History of Christian Thought
THL 308: Christian Unity & Diversity
THL 316: Theological Bioethics
THL 319: Sexual Ethics
THL 322: Catholic Social Teachings
THL 337: The Christian Celebration of the Mass
THL 338: Christian Marriage
THL 423: Theologies from the Margins
"During my time as a theology student at Marian, I learned that I will forever be a student of my faith. Catholicism is expansive, diverse, and an ever-unfolding mosaic of beauty; it’s truly a field I could spend my whole life exploring and
always be learning something new!"
Those students who have a desire to understand sacred Scripture more and/or want to study the Scriptures more critically, they may choose a specialization in biblical studies. The specialization in Biblical Studies is 12-credits/4-courses consisting of the following scripture courses beyond the theological core of courses:
THL 311: Biblical Interpretation (required), and three courses from the following list of Scripture courses:
The Teaching Religion/Theology in Catholic Schools specialization will introduce students to theology and education to better equip them for a vocation of teaching in Catholic/Christian schools. The specialization in Teaching Religion/Theology is12 credits/4-courses consisting of the following theology and education courses beyond the theological core of courses:
THL 361: Foundations of Teaching Religion
THL 371: Youth Ministry
THL 460: Internship in Religious Education, and one course from the following list of theology courses:
THL 321: Religious Perspective on Social Issues
THL 322: Catholic Social Teachings
THL 423: Theologies from the Margins.
Students desiring to teach Theology/Religion in Catholic schools will also earn a minor in Education with the following Education courses:
EDU 190: Critical Service Learning
EDU 224: Protocols for Classroom Observation
SPD 230: Introduction to Special Education for General Education Teachers
EDU 318: English Learners in Diversity & Inclusive Classrooms
EDU 419: Best Practices for Teaching
EDU 446: Creating a Positive Classroom Environment