REV. CASIMIR J. WOZNIAK, Ph.D., 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, Mary Anne Rivera, Rev. Casimir Wozniak. Instructor: Rev. Michael T. Kesicki.
Adjunct: Rev. Nicholas Rouch.
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 at least 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.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:
THEO 200-209: Special Topics in Theology
1 credit
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.
THEO 240: Faith, Revelation and Theology
3 credits
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.
THEO 320: Hebrew Bible I: Torah
3 credits
The Hebrew Bible/Old Testament is constructed in three large sections or movements. This
course considers the first part of the Hebrew Bible: the Torah. Composed of the first five
books of the Old Testament, the Torah introduces the major concepts and themes that will be
developed throughout the rest of the bible.
THEO 321: Hebrew Bible II: Prophets
3 credits
The second part of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament is composed of two great bodies of
literature: the Former Prophets (telling the story of the ancient Israelite nation) and the Later
Prophets (those towering figures like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and the Twelve). These two great
bodies of literature are united by a common interest in social justice and God's work in the
human arena.
THEO 322: Hebrew Bible III: Writings
3 credits
The writings are the third and final part of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and include
books that are familiar (Psalms) as well as those that are less familiar to the modern western
reader (Ecclesiastes, Ezra). The material considers basic human experiences of grief, sorrow,
and joy as well as exploring the meaning of evil and tragedy and everyday human realities
like friendship, sexuality, and character. In many ways, this third part of the Hebrew Bible
functions as a capstone.
THEO 333: The Synoptic Gospels
3 credits
A study of the first three Gospels, their origin and composition, and their distinctive
theological content.
THEO 334: The Theology of John and Paul
3 credits
A study of the two great theologians of the New Testament, St. John and St. Paul.
THEO 342: Jesus Christ: Yesterday, Today and Forever
3 credits
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.
THEO 344: The Theology of Church
3 credits
A study of the origins, nature, structure and role of the Church, with special emphasis on the
theological insights of the II Vatican Council.
THEO 345: The Theology of Worship
3 credits
A study of Christian worship in its christological, ecclesial and sacramental dimensions.
THEO 346: Women and the Pilgrim Church
3 credits
A study of women's contribution in Scripture, Theology, and the Church from the Church's
origins to contemporary times.
THEO 347: The Theology of Marriage
3 credits
A study of the Judaeo-Christian understanding of marriage in its various aspects, biblical,
theological, canonical, psychological, in the light of current ecclesial doctrine.
THEO 350: Current Problems in Moral Theology
3 credits
An examination of selected current moral problems, including revolution and liberation,
world hunger, population control, contraception, abortion, and sexuality with a suggested
Christian response.
THEO 361: Christianity and World Religions: Western Traditions
3 credits
This course will consider the teachings of the monotheistic world religions (Christianity,
Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Islam) in the context of Christian belief, emphasizing both the
openness of a post-conciliar Catholicism to insights from other faiths, points of similarity in
beliefs and in practice between Christianity and other religions, and also the distinctiveness of
other religious traditions.
THEO 362: Christianity and World Religions: Eastern Traditions
3 credits
This course will consider the teachings of the South and East Asian world religions, as well as
primal (pre-literate) religions, in the context of Christian belief, emphasizing both the
openness of a post-conciliar Catholicism to insights from other faiths, points of similarity in
beliefs and in practice between Christiantiy, and other religions, and also the distinctiveness
of other religious traditions.
THEO 390-394: Special Topics
1-3 credits
THEO 395-399: Independent Study
1-3 credits
THEO 400: Senior Seminar
3 credits
A research seminar of faculty and senior majors.
(Required of all senior majors)
Theology Curriculum
(Numerals in front of courses indicate credits)
FRESHMAN
3 Hist of West & World/LHST 111
3 College Composition/LENG 111
3 Crit Analysis & Comp/LENG 112
3 Sacred Scriptures/LTHE 121
3 Catholic Tradition/LTHE 223
3 Protestant Tradition/LTHE 225
6 Foreign Language
3 Introduction to Philosophy/LPHI 131
3 Social Science/BCOR,SOCI,POLI,PSYC
3 Mathematics
33
SOPHOMORE
3 Theo of Moral Resp/LTHE 227
3 Philosophy of God/LPHI 233
3 Philosophy of Knowledge/LPHI 235
3 Literature Series/LENG
3 LS Science/BIOL,CHEM
6 Elective
6 Cognate
3 Faith, Revelation, Theo/THEO 240
3 Hebrew Bible I: Torah/THEO 320
33
JUNIOR
3 Phil of Ethical Resp/LPHI 237
3 Synoptic Gospels/THEO 333
3 Theo of John & Paul/THEO 334
3 Theo of Church/THEO 344
3 Theology elective
9 Cognate
6 Elective
3 Fine Art Series/LFIN
33
SENIOR
3 Senior Seminar/LBST 383
3 Jesus Christ:Yesterday, Today, &
3 Forever/THEO 342
3 Theology of Worship/THEO 345
3 Women & the Pilgrim Church/ THEO 346
3 Theology elective
9 Cognate
2 Elective
3 Theology Senior Seminar/THEO 400
29
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.
Theology Minor
This program is an ideal preparation for admission to some graduate programs and for
anyone who plans on leadership roles in parish life or just personal enrichment. The minor
consists of 18 credits and can usually fit in easily with the student's major.
Required:
3 Sacred Scriptures/LTHE 121
3 The Catholic Tradition/LTHE 223 or The Protestant Tradition/LTHE 225
3 Christianity and World Religions Western Tradition/THEO 361 or Christianity
and World Religions Eastern Tradition/THEO 362 or Faith, Revelation and
Theology/THEO 240
9 9 credits of upper level Theology courses
ARCHAEOLOGY AND CULTURE MINOR
For a description see The Archaeology and Culture section in this catalog.
ROBIN POWERS, Ph.D., Program Coordinator
The minor in Women's Studies is an interdisciplinary field of inquiry that encourages students
to understand and articulate how gender makes a difference - in the lives and experiences of
women, as well as men; in the practices and institutions of human societies; and in the
cultural products of societies, such as art and literature. Emphasizing the importance of
historical and cross-cultural perspectives, students in the minor will critically examine the
intersections of gender, class, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, and ability to make
visible structures of power that otherwise remain hidden.
Curriculum Outline
A minor in Women's Studies will consist of 18 credits.
Required: (6 credits)
3 Introduction to Women's Studies/WMST 201
3 Gender and Rationality/LBST383
Electives: (12 credits)
3 The History of Women in the United States
3 Women in Photography/LFIN 252
3 Psychology of Women/PSYC275
3 Physical Activity and Women/SPRT 326
3 Women and Crime/CRJS 340
3 Women and the Pilgrim Church/THEO346
3 Women's Literature/LENG 249
3 Special Topics in Women's Studies/WMST390
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
WMST 201: Introduction to Women's Studies
3 credits, Fall
An interdisciplinary course that explores the diversity of women's lives through essays, readings,
and the study of scholarly theories and research. The course will examine a wide range of social
issues and the status of women in an historical context and in contemporary society.
Prerequisite: Open to sophomore, junior or senior students or instructor's permission.
WMST 390: Special Topics in Women's Studies
3 credits
Courses may include: Gender and Identity in Literature; and Women in Science.
Prerequisite: WMST 201 (Introduction to Women's Studies) or permission of the professor
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