Theology, B.A.
The Department of Theology offers two tracks within its B.A. degree program.
Track one of the theology B.A. is designed for students who want to engage in the full range and diversity of theological inquiry. It also prepares students for most graduate programs in theology. In addition to THE 105 (or THE 101 for transfer students only) and THE 205, majors in this track take 28 credit hours of upper-division courses, six credit hours of which may be fulfilled with 300-level courses, or a 300-level course and a THEP course. All other courses must be taken at the 400-level, and courses taken at the 300-level may not be retaken at the 400-level, or vice versa. Students will fulfill 18 of the required 28 credit hours by taking one course from each of the six sub-disciplines of theology: biblical studies, historical theology, systematic theology, theological ethics, liturgical and sacramental theology, and spirituality. The remaining 10 credit hours are fulfilled by taking the capstone thesis (THE 498), the one-credit hour senior presentation (THE 499), and 6 credit hours of electives.
Track two of the theology B.A. is designed for students with a particular, focused interest in theology and for students wanting to double-major in theology. In addition to THE 105 (or THE 101 for transfer students only) and THE 205, majors in track two take 28 credit hours of upper-division courses, six credit hours of which may be fulfilled with 300-level courses, or a 300-level course and a THEP course. All other courses must be taken at the 400-level and courses taken at the 300-level may not be retaken at the 400-level, or vice versa. Students will fulfill 18 of the required 28 credit hours by taking 9 credit hours in each of two broad groups of offerings: a historical-theoretical group (comprising biblical studies, historical theology, and systematic theology), and a practical-applied group (comprising sacramental and liturgical theology, spirituality, and theological ethics). The remaining 10 credit hours are fulfilled by taking the one-credit hour senior presentation (THE 499) and 9 credit hours of electives.
University Core Curriculum Requirements — 40 credit hours
All University of Portland students progress through a set of shared course options as part of the University’s liberal arts Core Curriculum. This curriculum offers a foundation of multiple lenses to address enduring questions of human concern, integrating the liberal arts, the University mission, and the knowledge, skills, and values needed in a diverse society and in the workplace.
See Core Curriculum Requirements
THE 4XX and THE 498 are the designated Writing in the Discipline courses for the B.A. in Theology.
College of Arts and Sciences B.A. Requirements — 24-33 credit hours
See College Requirements, B.A.
Major requirements — 28 credit hours
Track One:
Biblical Studies - 3 credit hours
Select one course from the following:
Historical Theology - 3 credit hours
S
elect one course from the following:
| THE 433/THE 333 | Theological Implications of the Holocaust | 3 |
| THE 460/THE 360 | Christianity's First Thousand Years: Emergence and Growth, 100-1200 | 3 |
| THE 461/THE 361 | Christianity's Second Thousand Years: Challenge and Renewal, 1200-2000 | 3 |
| THE 463/THE 363 | Saint Augustine, Teacher of Christianity | 3 |
| THE 465/THE 365 | A Concise History of Christianity Through Twenty Centuries | 3 |
Systemic Theology - 3 credit hours
Select one course from the following:
Theological Ethics - 3 credit hours
S
elect one course from the following:
Sacramental and Liturgical Theology - 3 credit hours
S
elect one course from the following:
Spirituality - 3 credit hours
S
elect one course from the following:
Upper-Division Theology Electives - 6 credit hours
Capstone Thesis - 3 credit hours
Senior Presentation - 1 credit hour
Track Two:
Historical-Theoretical - 9 credit hours
S
elect three courses from the following:
| THE 400/THE 300 | God Our Mother | 3 |
| THE 402/THE 302 | Poets, Prophets, Divas, and Diviners | 3 |
| THE 404/THE 304 | Sages and Singers, Songwriters and Storytellers | 3 |
| THE 405/THE 305 | Comparing Religions of the World | 3 |
| THE 406/THE 306 | The Bible in a Global Village | 3 |
| THE 407/THE 307 | Theology and Controversy in the Letters of Paul | 3 |
| THE 412/THE 312 | Jesus' Ministry in the Gospels | 3 |
| THE 417/THE 317 | Trickery, Gender, Power, and Politics in the Bible | 3 |
| THE 419/THE 319 | Biblical Spirituality: Saints and Sinners on a Journey with God | 3 |
| THE 433/THE 333 | Theological Implications of the Holocaust | 3 |
| THE 450/THE 350 | Grace, Sin, and the Human Condition | 3 |
| THE 451/THE 351 | Religions of Africa | 3 |
| THE 452/THE 352 | God and the Human Person | 3 |
| THE 453/THE 353 | Religion and Science | 3 |
| THE 455/THE 355 | Christology | 3 |
| THE 456/THE 356 | Literary Catholicism | 3 |
| THE 457/THE 357 | Foundations of Catholic Theology | 3 |
| THE 459/THE 359 | Theological Themes in Catholic Literature | 3 |
| THE 460/THE 360 | Christianity's First Thousand Years: Emergence and Growth, 100-1200 | 3 |
| THE 461/THE 361 | Christianity's Second Thousand Years: Challenge and Renewal, 1200-2000 | 3 |
| THE 463/THE 363 | Saint Augustine, Teacher of Christianity | 3 |
| THE 465/THE 365 | A Concise History of Christianity Through Twenty Centuries | 3 |
| THE 471/THE 371 | Heaven, Hell and Hope | 3 |
| THE 472/THE 372 | Theologies of Encounter | 3 |
Applied Practical - 9 credit hours
S
elect three courses from the following:
Upper-Division Theology Electives - 9 credit hours
Senior Presentation - 1 credit hour
Any additional credit hours required to complete a minimum of 120 credit hours
Total Credit Hours: 120