Gannon University

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 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
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 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: Western Traditions
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.
3 credits

THEO 362: Christianity and World Religions: Eastern Traditions
This course will consider the teachings of the South and East Asian world religions, as well as primal (pre-literature) 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 Christianity and other religions, and also the distinctiveness of other religious traditions.
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)
 

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.

  WOMEN'S STUDIES MINOR

ROBIN POWERS, Ph.D.; THOMAS PARTHENAKIS, Ph.D., Program Coordinators

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/LBST 383

Electives: (12 credits)
3 History of the Women's Movement in America/HIST 236
3 Women in Photography/LFIN 252
3 Psychology of Women/PSYC275
3 Women and Crime/CRJS 340
3 Women and the Pilgrim Church/THEO346
3 Women Writers/LENG390
3 Special Topics in Women's Studies/WMST390

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

WMST 201: Introduction to Women's Studies
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.
3 credits, Fall

WMST 390: Special Topics in Women's Studies
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
3 credits

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