THEOLOGY
THEOLOGY

REV. Msgr. GERALD L. ORBANEK, M.A., Chairperson

FACULTY: Professor: Rev. Terry Giles. Associate Professors: Patrick F. O’Connell, Suzanne Richard. Assistant Professors: Sister Michele Healy, S.S.J., Rev. Edward C. Krause, Rev. Gerald L. Orbanek, Rev. Nicholas Rouch, Rev. Casimir Wozniak. Instructor: Rev. Michael T. Kesicki

Aims and Objectives:

St. Anselm of Canterbury defines Theology as “faith seeking understanding.” Since a faith commitment is an essential part of that community of learning which is Gannon University, it follows that a scientific and systematic investigation of that faith plays an important part in the intellectual life at Gannon.

With this in mind, the Theology Department offers several courses as part of the Core of Discovery. Each student is required first to take Introduction to Sacred Scriptures (LTHE 121). After successful completion of this course, the student is offered his or her choice of one of any of the Theology catalog offerings which vary from semester to semester. Upon completion of that course each student is further required to take either Theology of Moral Responsibility (LTHE 227) or Philosophy of Ethical Responsibility (LPHI 237).

In addition, the Theology Department offers a sequence of courses enabling a student to major in the study of Theology or to take specialized Theology courses as an elective in his or her field of concentration. The Theology major at Gannon will find the program a very thorough program in Catholic Theology enabling him or her to specialize in either Biblical Studies or Systematic Theology. The Theology major is required to complete 30 credits in Theology and to write and defend a thesis showing his or her competence in the field and the ability to do independent research. The student who takes specialized Theology courses as an elective in his or her field of concentration must have completed the Core of Discovery Theology requirements.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:

THEO 200-209: Special Topics in Theology
These are 1-credit tutorials offered to students as enrichments for their general college educational experience. These courses, whose topics vary from semester to semester, as determined by the faculty, consist of weekly discussions on a common text, theme, or issue of current interest.
1 credit

THEO 240: Faith, Revelation and Theology
An investigation of the nature and methods of the science of Theology, with a study of the phenomenon of faith, of Revelation, and of Biblical and Magisterial hermeneutics.
3 credits

THEO 331: Israel: Election, Covenant and Promise
A study of the Pentateuch of the Hebrew Scriptures seen in the context of the history of Israel from the pre-Patriarchal period to the beginning of the Christian Era.
3 credits

THEO 332: Prophet, Poet and Sage in Israel
A study of the phenomenon of prophecy in the Old Testament, with special emphasis on the distinctive character of the individual prophets, and a study of the prayer of the Psalms, and Wisdom literature.
3 credits

THEO 333: The Synoptic Gospels
A study of the first three Gospels, their origin and composition, and their distinctive theological content.
3 credits

THEO 334: The Theology of John and Paul
A study of the two great theologians of the New Testament, St. John and St. Paul.
3 credits

THEO 341: The Living God
A study of the Christian understanding of God in revelation and in Christian Tradition.
3 credits

THEO 342: Jesus Christ: Yesterday, Today and Forever
A consideration of the question, “Who is Jesus of Nazareth?”, and a study of the answers to that question presented by the Scriptures, ecclesiastical tradition and classic and contemporary theology.
3 credits

THEO 344: The Theology of Church
A study of the origins, nature, structure and role of the Church, with special emphasis on the theological insights of the II Vatican Council.
3 credits

THEO 345: The Theology of Worship
A study of Christian worship in its Christological, ecclesial and sacramental dimensions.
3 credits

THEO 346: Women and the Pilgrim Church
A study of women’s contribution to Scripture, Theology, and the Church from the Church’s origins to contemporary times.
3 credits

THEO 347: The Theology of Marriage
A study of the Judaeo-Christian understanding of marriage in its various aspects, biblical, theological, canonical, psychological, in the light of current ecclesial doctrine.
3 credits

THEO 350: Current Problems in Moral Theology
An examination of selected current moral problems, including revolution and liberation, world hunger, population control, contraception, abortion, and sexuality with a suggested Christian response.
3 credits

THEO 361: Christianity and World Religions
A study of the religious quest of humankind with special emphasis on the religions of India and the Far East, as well as Christianity.
3 credits

THEO 362: The Thought of the Fathers
An introduction to the thought of the great writers of the early Church and of their influence of subsequent Christian theology.
3 credits

THEO 390-394: Special Topics
1-3 credits

THEO 395-399: Independent Study
1-3 credits

THEO 400: Senior Seminar
A research seminar of faculty and senior majors. (Required of all senior majors)
3 credits

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Theology Curriculum

(Numerals in front of courses indicate credits)
 
 FRESHMAN  SOPHOMORE
3Hist of West & World/LHST 111
3College Composition/LENG 111
3Crit Analysis & Comp/LENG 112
3Sacred Scriptures/LTHE 121
3Catholic Tradition/LTHE 223
3Protestant Tradition/LTHE 225
6Foreign Language
3Inv to Philosophy/LPHI 231
3Social Science/BCOR,SOCI,POLI,PSYC
3Mathematics
33Credits
 
3Theo of Moral Resp/LTHE 227
3Philosophy of God/LPHI 233
3Philosophy of Knowledge/LPHI 235
3Literature Series/LENG 240
3LS Science/BIOL,CHEM
6Elective
6Cognate
3Faith, Revelation, Theo/THEO 240
3Israel:Elec, Covnt, Prom/THEO 331
33Credits
 
 JUNIOR  SENIOR
3Phil of Ethical Resp/LPHI 237
3Synoptic Gospels/THEO 333
3Theo of John & Paul/THEO 334
3Theo of Church/THEO 344
3Theology elective
9Cognate
6Elective
3Fine Art Series/LFIN 251-253
33Credits
 
3Senior Seminar/LBST 383
3Jesus Christ: Yesterday, Today, & Forever/THEO 342
3Theology of Worship/THEO 345
3Women & the Pilgrim Church/THEO 346
3Theology elective
9Cognate
2Elective
3Theology Senior Seminar/THEO 400
29Credits
 

Cognate subjects include Education, Philosophy, Sociology, History, Political Science, Classical Languages, Language and Literature, English, Economics, and Natural Sciences. A total of 24 credit hours in the cognate is required.

ARCHAEOLOGY AND CULTURE MINOR
For a description see The Archaeology and Culture section in this catalog.

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