Program Overview

Introduction to Theology Programs

Loyola University Chicago is home to a number of leading scholars in Christian Ethics, Systematic Theology, and New Testament/Early Christianity. The graduate programs in Theology are designed to equip students with the resources necessary for contributing to theology as a discipline that is at once academically rigorous and creative.

Graduate Programs

The university offers the following graduate programs in Theology:

• Theology (MA)
• Theology (PhD)

Course Offerings

The Theology department offers a wide range of courses, including:

• THEO 401: Tutorial in Biblical Studies (3 Credit Hours) A reading course with variable content and readings in the area of biblical studies.
• THEO 403: Topics in Rabbinic & Medieval Literature (3 Credit Hours) Topics in post-biblical Jewish literature and thought, covering texts from approximately 200 to 1600.
• THEO 404: History of Israel (3 Credit Hours) A study of the history of ancient Israel, with particular attention to the principal features of its religion and its historical evolution, in the context of the ancient Near East.
• THEO 405: Formation of The Pentateuch (3 Credit Hours) An in-depth examination of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament, in their unity and discreetness, with a view to articulating the principal themes of the Pentateuch and the history of its composition.
• THEO 406: Basic Hebrew Grammar (3 Credit Hours) Study of the fundamental elements of classical Hebrew.
• THEO 407: Hebrew Exegesis (3 Credit Hours) Introduction to the fundamentals of classical Hebrew, including the Hebrew alphabet, basic syntax, and the basic grammatical forms of the language, designed to advance reading knowledge of the Old Testament.
• THEO 418: Theological Prophets-Ancient Israel (3 Credit Hours) This course examines the prophetic literature of ancient Israel, in its ancient historical context and as it can be illuminated by contemporary sociological and anthropological perspectives.
• THEO 420: Seminar (3 Credit Hours) No course description is available.
• THEO 421: Directed Reading in Bible Studies (1-3 Credit Hours) No course description is available.
• THEO 422: Directed Reading in Bible Studies (3 Credit Hours) Independent research in topics in bible studies according to program developed jointly by the student & faculty director.
• THEO 424: The Synoptic Gospels (3 Credit Hours) Study of the diversity of early Christianity as represented in the Synoptic Gospels, particularly the commonalities and contrasts in the worldviews operative in Mark, Luke, and Matthew.
• THEO 425: Luke-Acts & New Testament Church (3 Credit Hours) This course examines the material on the early church in the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles from a historical and critical point of view.
• THEO 427: St Paul's Contribution to Christianity (3 Credit Hours) Examination of Paul's thought through exacting analysis of Pauline passages; an attempt to formulate what is uniquely Pauline in the New Testament witnesses; and an awareness of how deeply Paul affected the formation of Christianity.
• THEO 429: Person of Jesus in New Testament (3 Credit Hours) In this course, attention will be given to the presentation of the meaning of Jesus Christ within the earliest Christian communities.
• THEO 436: Christology (3 Credit Hours) This course will study the speculations and formulations concerning the person of Christ and the redemptive incarnation from the early fathers and councils up to and including modern times.
• THEO 437: Mystery of God in Christian Theology (3 Credit Hours) The Christian church has insisted, from the beginning, that Jesus Christ is decisive in humanity's access to, and understanding of, God.
• THEO 440: Seminar in Systematic Theology (1-12 Credit Hours) No course description is available.
• THEO 441: Directed Reading in Systematic Theology (3 Credit Hours) Independent research in topics in systematic theology according to program developed jointly by the student & faculty director.
• THEO 447: Philosophical Theology (3 Credit Hours) A study of the ways in which philosophical assumptions, systems, and methodologies shape theological reflection.
• THEO 449: Phenomenology of Religion (3 Credit Hours) This course will examine religion from a phenomenological point of view, allowing the methods and texts of phenomenology to shape our understanding of religious phenomena.
• THEO 459: Contemporary Theology (1-12 Credit Hours) Advanced study of readings and themes in contemporary theology, in conversation with a variety of disciplines.
• THEO 460: Seminar in History of Theology (1-12 Credit Hours) A consideration of the organizing models characteristic of theology in particular periods.
• THEO 461: Directed Readings in History of Theology (3 Credit Hours) Independent research in topics in history of theology according to program developed jointly by the student and faculty director.
• THEO 464: Religion & Politics in Christian History (3 Credit Hours) Exploration of the intersections of religious and political thought in Christian history from the 19th century to today.
• THEO 470: Foundations Crititical Issues Theological Ethics (1-12 Credit Hours) Devoted to a critical analysis of theological ethics firmly rooted in the historical method, studying the various methodologies, critical issues and the personalities.
• THEO 475: Natural Law & Theological Ethics (3 Credit Hours) Some of the many theological interpretations of natural law developed in Western Christian thought will be examined.
• THEO 477: Feminist Issues in Theology and Ethics (3 Credit Hours) Designed around current issues in feminist theology and ethics.
• THEO 478: Issues in Medical Ethics (3 Credit Hours) The course will deal with the problems of abortion, genetic engineering, technological reproduction, sterilization of the handicapped, prolonging life, etc.
• THEO 480: Seminar in Christian Ethics (1-12 Credit Hours) In-depth study of select topics in contemporary Christian ethics.
• THEO 481: Directed Readings Christian Ethics (3 Credit Hours) Independent research in topics in Christian ethics according to program developed jointly by the student and faculty director.
• THEO 515: Gospels in Early Christianity (3 Credit Hours) This course will focus on the study of one or the other of the four gospels.
• THEO 517: Early Christian Letters (1-12 Credit Hours) This course studies letters from Christian leaders of the first two centuries A.D. in their original Greek language.
• THEO 519: Latr Nt-Subapost Writ (3 Credit Hours) This course studies New Testament and non-canonical Christian writings in their original Greek language from the late first and early second century A.D.
• THEO 523: Cultural-Religious Environment Early Christianity (3 Credit Hours) This course examines specific aspects of the cultural and religious environment of the Mediterranean world between 200 B.C. and A.D. 300 relevant to early Christianity.
• THEO 527: Various Community Early Christianity (3 Credit Hours) The course will examine the identity, cohesion, and institutions of various communal groups in early Christianity.
• THEO 530: Seminar - Variable Titles (1-12 Credit Hours) Extensive and in-depth study of selected topic.
• THEO 536: Christian Doctrine-Catholic Theology (3 Credit Hours) This course will examine the dialectical relationships between Christian doctrine and theological learning.
• THEO 560: Contemporary Authors (1-12 Credit Hours) This course will examine the methods, concerns, major issues, achievements, and lasting influence of twentieth century writers whose work has significantly shaped theology today.
• THEO 570: Fundamental Issues in Christian Ethics (1-12 Credit Hours) Fundamental issues raised in defining Christian ethics, delineating its sources and methods, developing normative theories, and analyzing processes of moral decision-making.
• THEO 573: Roman Catholic Ethics (3 Credit Hours) This course will concentrate on one or more classic topics in Roman Catholic ethics.
• THEO 575: Religious Ethics and Social Theory (3 Credit Hours) This course investigates what religious ethics gains from and contributes to basic concerns.
• THEO 580: Christian Social Ethics (3 Credit Hours) The course will examine the sources, transformation, problematics, and potential directions in developing the middle principles which articulate the interaction of theological ethics and social questions.
• THEO 585: Issues Applied Theology Ethics (3 Credit Hours) An examination in depth one or more areas which have traditionally engaged religious ethicists.
• THEO 590: Directed Readings and Research (3 Credit Hours) No course description is available.
• THEO 592: Directed Readings (3 Credit Hours) Independent research according to program developed jointly by the student and faculty director.
• THEO 593: Directed Readings (3 Credit Hours) Independent research according to program developed jointly by the student and faculty director.
• THEO 600: Dissertation Supervision (0 Credit Hours) Students who have filed the dissertation paperwork and are currently writing, should be enrolled in this course.
• THEO 605: Master's Study (0 Credit Hours) Students who have completed their Master's level course work and are preparing for the comprehensive exams should enroll in this course, unless they plan to take the exam while taking courses.
• THEO 610: Doctoral Study (0 Credit Hours) Students who have completed their doctoral level course work and are studying for the written and oral comprehensive exams should be enrolled in this course.

Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will have achieved a deep level of understanding and critical thinking with respect to the subject matter of the course.