Course Description
TRS 116 - Western Religious Traditions
Credit Hours: 3
This is a survey of the major religious traditions of the West: our aim is to begin to familiarize students with some of the key features of each tradition. To this end, four parallel themes will be explored within the context of religion: the important text(s) of the tradition, the founder or paradigmatic person in the tradition, some of the tradition's beliefs and rituals, and the ways of life associated with adherents of that religion. The text will include primary readings from the Bible, the Talmud, and the Quran.
TRS 217 - Introduction to the Bible
Credit Hours: 3
Survey course of the Old and New Testaments.
TRS 222 - Introduction to the Franciscan Tradition
Credit Hours: 3
A survey course that explores the history, figures, literature, art and issues within the Franciscan tradition.
TRS 229 - Introduction to Christian Moral Conscience
Credit Hours: 3
A basic introduction to processes of Christian ethical interpretation and moral decision making.
TRS 236 - Sacraments
Credit Hours: 3
The sacramental life of Christian faith with special consideration of Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, and Penance.
TRS 246 - Catholic Life and Thought
Credit Hours: 3
A survey of the basic meanings and practices of the Roman Catholic religion.
TRS 256 - Introduction to Christian Theology
Credit Hours: 3
A survey of how Christians have thought about their faith over the centuries. Themes to be addressed will include Jesus Christ, the Christian God, grace and salvation, and the church, as well as the changing understanding of theology itself.
TRS 270 - Decoding DaVinci: Introduction to Church History
Credit Hours: 3
This course is an introduction to Christian Church history to the beginnings of the so-called "Age of Enlightenment." We will supplement our study by reading Dan Brown's novel The DaVinci Code, after which we will explore the latest scholarly assessments of how Christianity developed from a ragtag, theologically chaotic movement to the religion of the Roman Empire to one of the great world religions. Our task is critical; that is, we will study Church history from the perspectives of modern scientific methodologies rather than faith, apologetics, or hearsay. This course will require a great deal of reading and writing.
TRS 270-9 - Special Topics
Credit Hours: 1-3
Special topics studied in depth, depending upon demand and staff.
THE 271 - Survey of Drama from the Performance Perspective
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides a survey of dramatic works in terms of performance philosophy and concepts and their application in practice. Some emphasis will be placed on the historical and literary contexts of the works, which will be drawn primarily from U.S. and European sources. The primary focus on the course will be on dramatice ideas as realized through elements of performance including set and costume design, light and sound design, script interpretation, and choreography. The roles of the producer, director, and actor will be explored in detail.
TRS 319 - Christian Sexuality
Credit Hours: 3
An investigation of sexuality in Christian life and tradition. Open discussion of contemporary issues in sexual ethics.
TRS 321 - Theology of Church
Credit Hours: 3
A study of the meaning of today's Church and the role of the laity in the Church. Special emphasis will be given to lay ministry in carrying on the mission of Jesus in contemporary society.
TRS 324 - Religions in Dialogue
Credit Hours: 3
This seminar-style course explores the most salient points of current dialogue and discussion between Christianity and the other great religions of the world.
TRS 329 - The Christian and Modern Problems
Credit Hours: 3
This is a course in Christian social ethics. As such,it seeks to address and analyze selected social justice issues in the contemporary world.
TRS 331 - Spirituality and Human Development
Credit Hours: 3
Human growth as a gradual journey toward Christian maturity.
TRS 332 - Assisi Experience
Credit Hours: 3
An investigation of special topics, depending on the participating staff, culminating in a trip to Assisi, Italy in early May. Permission of instructor(s) required.
TRS 336 - Theology of the Reformation Era
Credit Hours: 3
The causes and fundamental principles of the German, Swiss, and English Reformations.
TRS 339 - Guide to Christian Marriage
Credit Hours: 3
The meaning of marriage; preparation for marriage; legal and moral aspects of the contract; rights and duties of married people.
TRS 341 - Liturgy and Worship
Credit Hours: 3
A study of the theology of liturgy and the skills necessary to function in various liturgical leadership roles; e.g., director of liturgy, lector, Eucharistic minister. (Does not fulfill general education requirements. Will be offered with sufficient enrollment.)
TRS 342 - Franciscan Theology of the Environment
Credit Hours: 3
An exploration of environmental issues from the perspective of Franciscan creation centered spirituality including the scriptural views of creation, modern environmental ethics and the theological concept of "stewardship."
TRS 349 - Theology of Death
Credit Hours: 3
The phenomena of suffering, dying and death from the perspective of pastoral theology.
TRS 351 - Feminist Philosophy & Theology
Credit Hours: 3
This course explores the various ways feminist theory has affected and changed both philosophy and theology in the modern and contemporary period. Same as PHI 351.
TRS 356 - Christology
Credit Hours: 3
This course explores the central question of Christian theology, the identity of Jesus Christ, as it is thought and rethought in many ways throughout the history of Christianity. This course has a special emphasis on the many ways Jesus's identity is thought of today by liberation theologians, political theologians, feminist theologians, etc.
TRS 357 - Gospels and Epistles
Credit Hours: 3
Historical and literary developments of the New Testament with form-critical analysis of its major Christian themes.
TRS 359 - Catholic Social Teaching
Credit Hours: 3
This seminar-style course will discuss the Catholic Church's teachings on the most significant ethical, political, and social issues of our time and their relevance not only to our own country but to the entire world. We will discuss the Church's teaching on such issues as the death penalty, economic justice, capitalism, war and peace, globalization, etc.
TRS 361 - Pastoral Ministry
Credit Hours: 3
A study of pastoral care and the skills needed to become effective practitioners in such areas as campus ministry, peer ministry, ministry to the elderly and the sick, and general parish/congregational ministry. The focus is on the lay person's role in pastoral care.
TRS 362 - Franciscan Theology
Credit Hours: 3
A close study of the contributions the Franciscan thinkers (especially Bonaventure and Scotus) have made to the Christian understanding of the Trinity, Christology Anthropology, Creation, Salvation and the Church.
TRS 367 - Hebrew Prophets
Credit Hours: 3
This course explores the prophets in the Hebrew scriptures, with a close study of the prophetic writings of such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel.
TRS 369 - Christianity from a Global Perspective
Credit Hours: 3
This course will examine the challenges that the local Christian theologies of Africa, Asia, and Latin America place before Christians across the globe. Particular attention will be given to understandings of love, justice, power, and inculturation.
TRS 370-9 - Special Topics
Credit Hours: 1-3
Special topics studied in depth, depending upon demand and staff.
TRS 371 - G: Christian Themes in World Art and Music
Credit Hours: 3
This course will examine Christian themes in art, architecture, music and dance from various regions of the world. After defining culture and considering central Christian themes and symbols, the course will address the contextualization of Christianity in various countries. TRS 374 - G: Myths & Rituals
This course is a study of the role of myths and rituals in various world religions.
TRS 381 - Religious Education and Youth Ministry
Credit Hours: 3
This course will explore the various dimensions of religious education and youth ministry including different models for religious education (traditional classroom, whole family catechesis, etc.), the different elements involved in youth ministry (catechesis, relational youth ministry, etc.), and the various ways to recruit and train volunteers working in religious education or youth ministry. A critical component of this course will involve understanding faith development, especially in children and adolescents.
TRS 382 - Franciscan Spirituality
Credit Hours: 3
An examination of the spirituality and history of the Franciscan tradition and its contemporary implications. Examination of the charism, spirit, and the developement of the Franciscan movement.
TRS 470-9 - Special Topics
Credit Hours: 1-3
Special topics studied in depth, depending upon demand and staff.
TRS 481-482 - Field Experience
Credit Hours: 6
Experiences in lay ministry contexts such as pastoral care, pastoral religious education, pastoral responsibilities, etc., in preparation for positions in church and ministry. Approximately 50 hours of experience are required for each credit hour. (Does not fulfill general education requirement)
TRS 497 - Theology Seminar
Credit Hours: 3
Supervised reference and research work; coordination of studies taken in Theology.
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