Undergraduate Catalog: Religious Studies

Charles DeCelles, Ph.D., C.M.F.C., Chairperson
*Sister M. Benedicta Berendes, IHM, Ph.D.
*Rev. William Campbell, S.T.D.
Laurie Cassidy, Ph.D.
*Sandra T. Czyzyk, M.A.
* Mark DeCelles, M.A.
*Ellen Cummings Dermody, M.A.
*Sister Jacquelyn Donohue, IHM, M.S.
*Rev. Mary Jane Hitt, Ph.D.
*Mark R. Kalaus, M.S.
Sister Maria Rose Kelly, IHM, M.A.
*Rev. Virginia Ann Miner, M. Div.
*Bernadette R. Rudolph, M.A.
*Robert M. Shearn, M.A.
Sister John Michele Southwick, IHM, M.A.
*James Sullivan, M.Div.
Sister Mary Ann Zimmer, N.D., Ph.D.

*Part-time

Goals

The Department of Religious Studies affirms that a sound concept of liberal arts education calls for the academic study of religion. Because such a study is judged essential for the individual’s personal and social fulfillment and also for the bettering of society, the scholarly investigation of religion occupies a central place in the curriculum of this institution.

The general goal of the department is to introduce students to the academic study of the religious beliefs, practices, and value systems that constitute the Judeo-Christian tradition and to familiarize students with some other religious traditions of the world. Because of Marywood’s religious affiliation, special attention is given to the Catholic tradition and to the theology that has emerged from it. The offerings are broad enough, however, to benefit all students in their attempts to come to terms with their own personal religious roots and to provide them with the opportunity to understand and appreciate the search for religious meaning as a fundamental dimension of human experience.

The curricular objectives of the department are to enable all students to: (a) explore the religious dimension of life, respectful of its multiple manifestations; (b) evaluate their own religious positions and choices; (c) examine the ultimate questions that have always engaged human beings; (d) develop a basis for making ethical decisions that promotes justice, peace, and compassion.

In offering a major and minor in Religious Studies, the department has three specific objectives: (a) to respond whenever possible to the particular religious and professional needs of the student; (b) to respond to the Christian community’s current need for qualified personnel to assume positions of leadership in various areas of church ministry; and (c) to enable students to demonstrate professional competence and leadership skills in these areas.

Course offerings are divided into four basic categories: R ST 112 introductory; 200-level courses -- general studies open to anyone who has completed the Modern Belief course; 300 level courses -- service and advanced courses, requiring permission of the chairperson; 400 level courses -- upper level studies for either majors or minors and other students with permission of the chairperson.

Degree Requirements

	Major	Core	Electives	To Graduate
Religious Studies	36	37/40	50/53	126

Core Requirements — All Students

Two courses are required in order to fulfill the Religious Studies requirement as stated in Category II of the Liberal Arts Core. They are RST 112 Modern Belief and one course above the 100 level. RST 112 is a prerequisite to all other religious studies courses.

Curriculum Requirements — Majors and Minors

Majors

For the B.A. in Religious Studies, 36 credit hours are required in the major, 18 of which must be earned at Marywood. Transferred credits are applied to the major with department approval. The maximum number of total credits needed to graduate with a B.A. in Religious Studies is 126.

The following courses are required for all Religious Studies majors:

R ST 112	Modern Belief	3
R ST 201	Introduction to the Bible	3
R ST 213	Jesus in Contemporary Perspective	3
R ST 214	The Church Today	3
R ST 215	Foundations of Christian Morality	3
R ST 225	Sacraments in Practice	3

Under faculty advisement, a Religious Studies major has the option of pursuing one of two areas of concentration:

Concentration 1 is for majors who, upon graduation, intend to engage in some form of church ministry (e.g., as directors of religious education, teachers of religion, and youth ministers).

Courses required for Concentration 1:

R ST 340	Seminar: Religion and Education	3
R ST 342	Seminar: Church Ministry	3
R ST 443	Directed Field Experience	3

Concentration 2 is for majors desiring to concentrate their study in the Christian tradition.

Courses required for Concentration 2:

R ST 205	Seminar; Readings in the Theology of Radical Human Existence	3
R ST 340	Seminar: Religion and Education	3
OR
R ST 342	Seminar: Church Ministry	3
R ST 444	Senior Research	3

In addition, nine credit hours in Religious Studies electives must also be completed in each concentration.

Both concentrations prepare a student for graduate work. Majors are encouraged to complement their studies with specific cognate courses from other departments that relate to their particular interests and needs; for example, majors in Concentration 1 are advised to schedule PSY 251, Developmental Psychology; EDUC 311, Educational Psychology, and EDUC 414, Social Foundations of Education.

Students who are either majoring or minoring in Religious Studies and meet nationally established criteria will be invited to membership in Marywood’s chapter of Theta Alpha Kappa, National Honor Society for Theology/Religious Studies.

Minors

For the minor in Religious Studies, 18 credit hours are required, nine of which must be earned at Marywood. Transferred credits are applied to the minor with department approval. The suggested course of study for minors includes:

R ST 112	Modern Belief	3
R ST 340	Seminar: Religion and Education	3
OR
R ST 342	Seminar: Church Ministry	3

In addition, 12 credit hours in Religious Studies electives are required.

A Religious Studies minor can be combined effectively with a major in many other fields (e.g., psychology, music, social work, etc.).

Religious Studies Courses