Theology and Religious Studies

Rachel Wheeler, Ph.D., chair

Faculty: Aihiokhai, Astorga, Daniels, Dempsey, Stanfill, Turnbloom, Wheeler

Welcome to the University of Portland’s Department of Theology and Religious Studies. Our mission is to cultivate a vibrant community of student-scholars passionate about exploring the rich tapestry of religious traditions from a global perspective. Our goal is to empower student-scholars to engage critically, creatively, and compassionately with the inter-connected world in which they live. Central to our mission is the cultivation of knowledge and skills for understanding, analyzing, interpreting, and reflecting on religion, faith, and ethics, with depth and nuance, drawing from sacred texts, beliefs, and practices.

Using a holistic approach, our programs engage rigorous study and transdisciplinary dialogue meant not only as an academic pursuit, but also as a transformational journey of self-discovery and personal growth that is brought to bear on the formation of students as agents of social change. They will hopefully emerge as competent, informed, and empathetic global citizens who will lead with integrity, courage, wisdom, and grace as they navigate an increasingly diverse and complex world.

Who We Are

Coming from multiple cultures, countries, religions, and working in different specializations, the Department of Theology and Religious Studies engages in religious and theological education and scholarship broadly understood through multiple lenses. Our work as scholar-teachers responds to local, regional, national, and global realities in all their intercultural, contextual, transcultural, interreligious expressions and intersectionalities. 

Why We Do What We Do

The Theology and Religious Studies Department exists to be in dialogue with students so that they may be able to embrace their own agency and articulate their own vision to question and challenge systems of injustice. As persons of secular or religious faith, justice, and compassion in a torn and divided world, the students may lead by the witness of their lives. 

As scholar-teachers, we continue this dialogue in a wider context in the university, the academy, the church, and all local and global communities of life.  

Learning Outcomes for Theology and Religious Studies Majors

Theology and Religious Studies graduates of the University of Portland should be able to: 

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the content and methodologies of both Theology and Religious Studies by examining different religious traditions from global perspectives through the lenses of diverse disciplines, including interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary lenses. 
2. Demonstrate an understanding of how hermeneutical lenses in global contexts are used to critically analyze sacred texts by writing essays that apply hermeneutical lenses to specific sacred texts, showing awareness of how interpretation is influenced by methods of inquiry, social locations of the readers, and the politics of meaning making. 
3. Demonstrate a theological understanding of the ethical aspects of both individual and social actions by writing essays that examine the ethical side of human actions in a manner that is coherent, analytical, and theologically reflective. 
4. Demonstrate an understanding of faith. 
   1. Discern the place of faith in one’s own life. 
   2. Discern the place of faith in the lives of others.

Capstone Experience

In the fall of their senior year, Theology and Religious Studies majors will enroll in an independent research course (THE 498) during which they will work with a director to write a formal paper of substantive length, usually 12-18 pages. In the spring semester of their senior year, the student will enroll in the 1-credit senior presentation course (THE 499) during which they will present their research from THE 498.