For a complete list of course offerings see the Degree Plans found in current and previous catalog's.
RSP-125 | The Wisdom of Benedict | 1 credit
The student will explore the integration of his/her spiritual, emotional and physical self using the Rule of Benedict as the primary guide. This course will allow the student to explore the heritage of Benedictine values and to discover its use as a guide for individual and communal life. Throughout the class there will be opportunities to share the common heritage of Catholic teachings and to explore how those teachings impact the development of an individual who is "fully human and fully alive."
RSP-126 | Critical Thinking in Ethics | 3 credits
This course aims at teaching students to be able to 1) identify, formulate and evaluate arguments, 2) identify the nature of ethics and how ethics impacts and is impacted by religion and human intuition, 3) construct a logically correct ethical argument and 4) identify the details of several contemporary moral controversies. This course is a prerequisite for all courses in Philosophy.
RSP-150 | Introduction to Christianity | 3 credits
This introduction to Christian faith examines, in broad strokes, the development of Christian Scriptures as a faith community's account of its continuing experience of God; understanding and articulation of this God-experience through beliefs expressed in the Nicene creed; worship rituals for entering and deepening communion with the Christian community. Students will explore key aspects of Christian belief and practice that Catholic and major Protestant traditions hold in common as well as major areas of difference. . This course is a pre-requisite for any other upper-level course in Religious Studies.
RSP-203 | Philosophy of Human Nature | 3 credits
Human beings are, as far as we know, unique in the universe in their abilities to reason and act. Human uniqueness and complexity has given arise to many different views about what humans are and how they fit into the universe. This course will explore and evaluate different answers to questions about human nature such as: do humans have free will? What is knowledge and what can we know? How does the mind relate to the body? Are we alone in the universe, or is there a God that created us? What is the meaning of life?
Prerequisite: Take RSP-126
RSP-230 | Biblical Studies | 3 credits
Using approaches of modern academic biblical study rather than literal interpretation, this course introduces students to contemporary methods and resources for interpreting the Bible. Students will survey major themes, concepts and symbols in the Hebrew and Christian scriptures.
Prerequisite: Take RSP-150
RSP-250 | Introduction to Old Testament Scriptures | 3 credits
This course explores the history and theology of the Hebrew and Christian Old Testament Scriptures with a special focus on the history of Israel, their developing image of God, the role of the prophet, the rise and fall of kings and the changing understanding of messiah. It will also investigate the role that wisdom literature played in the worship and identity of the Israelite people.
Prerequisite: Take RSP-150
RSP-260 | Acts, Letters, Revelation | 3 credits
The student will embark on a detailed historical and theological study of the epistles and the book of Acts. The intent of the course is to trace the development of the theology of the "Jesus Movement," beginning with the apostles' early teaching in Jerusalem, moving into the teachings of Paul, and ending with the later epistles and Revelation.
Prerequisite: Take RSP-150
RSP-270 | World Religions | 3 credits
This course studies the five major religions of the world with an emphasis on how those faith groups answer the following questions: What is the nature of God? What is the nature of humankind? What is the fundamental problem facing humanity? How is this problem of life overcome? What is gained by overcoming the problem? The course will use phenomenological, comparative religion and philosophy of religion approaches as its bases for answering these questions. The course will also look at other approaches to the study of religious ritual, practice and tradition.
Prerequisite: Take RSP-150
RSP-280 | Introduction to Theology | 3 credits
This course presents theology as a mode of faith seeking understanding. Students will examine in greater depth the experiences, beliefs and practices essential for Christian faith. Questions to be explored include: Who or what is God? What is the relationship of Jesus to God? What is revelation? What is meant by "grace," "sin," and "redemption?" Why should a Christian be concerned with the world in which we live?
Prerequisite: Take RSP-150
RSP-301 | Christian Moral Theology | 3 credits
Rather than viewing morality as external rules imposed upon the Christian, this course explores Christian morality as a matter of an interior conversion of heart accompanied by authentic and fruitful action. Through the exploration of personal experience and theological reflection, this course will examine contemporary Christian moral life through discussion and reading of the Catholic tradition. Among the topics examined are love, sin and the corporeal works of mercy.
Prerequisite: Take RSP-150
RSP-302 | Principles of Liturgy | 3 credits
In this course students will examine the principles and parts of the Eucharistic liturgy; the ministers within that liturgy; interplay of the elements within liturgy such as music, visuals and movement; and an overview of the liturgical year. This course is designed to assist any lay minister or parish member in participating and planning parish liturgy.
Prerequisite: Take RSP-150
RSP-321 | Synoptic Gospels | 3 credits
Students will explore the gospels of Mark, Matthew and Luke as "good news" of Jesus Christ in the light of modern biblical scholarship. This approach, emphasizing historical, theological, and literary context, aims to provide students with tools to continue reading and studying the gospels on their own.
Prerequisite: Take RSP-150
RSP-330 | Jesus the Christ | 3 credits
The main purpose of this course is to enable students to formulate an intelligent and reflective response to the gospel question, "Who do you say that I am?" Major issues treated include: the Jesus of history and the Christ of faith; biblical Christology; heresies and councils; contemporary approaches to the ancient Christian belief that Jesus the Christ is fully human, fully divine.
Prerequisite: Take RSP-150
RSP-332 | Symbol and Sacrament | 3 credits
Against a background of human and Christian symbol and ritual, this course examines the scriptural bases, historical development, and contemporary theology and practice of seven ritual sacraments. The sacraments common to most Christians (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist) receive major emphasis.
Prerequisite: Take RSP-150
RSP-334 | Christian Marriage and Family | 3 credits
This course is a theological reflective approach to Christian marriage and family as covenant and sacrament. Contemporary practice and experience will be explored through historical and theological background, preparing students to understand marriage and family in a Christian context. This course is recommended for persons in all states of life as well as those contemplating marriage.
Prerequisite: Take RSP-150
RSP-340 | Philosophical Ethics | 3 credits
This course explores how one morally ought to live. A few of the questions asked include: what is of fundamental moral value? What is happiness? What makes actions right and wrong? How can we know what is right and wrong? Is ethics objective? What are moral facets? Some of these questions are introduced and discussed in the Critical Thinking in Ethics course, however this class both goes into greater depth on those questions and explores other issues in moral theory and metaethics that are not discussed in the prerequisite.
Prerequisite: Take RSP-126
RSP-350 | Peace and Justice | 3 credits
Students will examine the statement that human existence in the world is communal. What is the best kind of community for human beings? What makes for justice and peace within ourselves, in society, in the world? How ought a person to act in order to fulfill the Lord's commandment, "Love one another as I have loved you"? Some of the Church's teachings on peace and justice will be studied.
Prerequisite: Take RSP-150
RSP-355 | Metaphysics: The Nature of Reality | 3 credits
Metaphysics deals with the following kinds of questions: What are persons - are we bodies, or are we made of souls as well? Does God exist and if so what is God like? Does the world have to be the way it is, or could it have been different? What aspects of reality are necessary? What is time and space? How can things change while still existing? Metaphysics essentially seeks to understand the nature of all the fundamental aspects of the universe. Everybody has metaphysical views, and so studying metaphysics can help us both to better understand our views and to arrive at reasonable views.
Prerequisite: Take RSP-126
RSP-360 | Religious Education | 3 credits
This course prepares students to teach religion on the elementary or secondary level. The course familiarizes students with the content of most religion curricula and current methods and techniques of religious education.
Prerequisite: Take RSP-150
RSP-361 | History of Christianity | 3 credits
This course introduces the origins of Christianity and the subsequent history of the Christian church. The developments of doctrines, the rise of monasticism and the impact of Christianity on world history are emphasized.
Prerequisite: Take RSP-150
RSP-381 | History of Ancient & Medieval Philosophy | 3 credits
This course examines philosophy from its origins in ancient Greece into the Christian Middle Ages. Sources studied will be drawn from some of the most profound minds in history: the pre-Socratic philosophers, Plato, Aristotle, the Stoics, Sextus Empiricus, St. Augustine, St. Anselm, St. Thomas Aquinas. Many of the views and institutions of the contemporary western world are built on the ideas of these thinkers, so studying them will not only help us to find truth, but also help us to understand our world today.
Prerequisite: Take RSP-126
RSP-382 | History Modern & Contemporary Philosophy | 3 credits
This course examines the views of various philosophers from the Enlightenment through today. Figures studied include Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, Locke, Berkeley, Hume, Kant and a selection of contemporary philosophers, for example: Frege, Russell, Wittgenstein, Moore, Quine, Kripke, Chisholm, Lewis. These philosophers have deeply influenced our understanding of science, God, political institutions, justice, love, knowledge, and the mind, amongst many other topics. So, studying them will not only help us to find truth, but also help us to understand our world today.
Prerequisite: Take RSP-126
RSP-422 | Drama in the Church | 3 credits
This course is an in-depth study of Christian drama during the Medieval Period. In addition, the course will explore contemporary practices and opportunities in drama ministry.
RSP-424 | Ministry Practicum | 3 credits
This practicum offers field experience in a variety of areas, e.g., religious education on the elementary or secondary level, youth ministry or pastoral care in a healthcare setting. The student will be required to work with a program or programs for a minimum of 60 hours and to meet periodically with the instructor to evaluate his or her ministry; at least one on-site supervisor will also evaluate the student's performance. Placements are approved and supervised by the instructor. Prerequisites: 18 credit hours in Religious Studies courses and consent of instructor
Prerequisite: Take 18 credits from Religious Studies department
RSP-490 | Senior ResearchýSenior Reseatch | 2 credits
Students majoring in RSP will complete a major research paper and formally presents it orally to RSP faculty and students. Minors in religious studies make take this seminar but are not required to do so. Prerequisite:Completion of at least 75% of course work for RSP major or minor
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