Religious Studies
Mission
The
religious studies department of Viterbo University rooted in the teachings of
Christ Jesus, and the faith of the Roman Catholic Tradition:
- Endeavors to instruct and inspire
students through an exploration of religious truths, as expressed in scripture,
Church teaching, and in the lives of Francis, Clare, and Rose of Viterbo.
- Challenges students to the pursuit of
truth and moral decision making.
- Provides opportunities to engage
students in the work of peace, justice, human dignity, ecumenism, compassion,
and care for creation.
- Manifests in its faculty the peace,
joy, humility, and hospitality that characterized Jesus, Francis, Clare, Rose
of Viterbo, and their followers.
Because
Viterbo University is a liberal arts university which is both Christian and
Catholic, it has an obligation to provide courses in religious studies for its
students. In a world becoming increasingly technological, men and women need
the stabilizing and integrating experience of the Transcendent. Religious
studies courses provide for both the inner search and outer exploration of the
elements that are part and parcel of the human religious experience. Religious
studies are not a desirable peripheral benefit of a college education at
Viterbo University; they form an integral and integrating core.
The
religious studies and philosophy department provides the professional academic
background and experiential learning for those who choose a career within
church or church-related programs.
Religious
Studies Major Goals (general)
- Develop the skills of theological
scholarship.
- Demonstrate knowledge and comprehension
of historical and contemporary theological scholarship and applied skills in
sacred scripture, social justice, liturgy/worship, Christology, ecclesiology,
sacraments, world religions.
- Articulate and analyze a Catholic
understanding of theology, scripture, tradition, and doctrine.
- Based on knowledge and comprehension of
outcomes one and two, identify and analyze current issues in theology in light
of the gospel.
- Develop the skills of philosophical
reasoning.
- Demonstrate the ability to use the
tools of critical thinking to distinguish argumentative and non-argumentative
forms of reasoning, evaluate arguments, construct sound arguments, and
articulate sound arguments in the public forum.
Goals
(discipline specific):
Students
with an emphasis in religious studies:
- Development of Christian spirituality.
- Demonstrate personal witness to an
integrated Christian spirituality formed by sacred scripture, theological
reflection, and communal and private prayer.
- Exhibit an understanding of Christian
discipleship through service.
- Identify and relate reverently with a
diversity of persons, age groups, cultures, and religious traditions.
- Students with an emphasis in
philosophy.
- Develop knowledge of the Western
philosophical tradition.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the
historical development of metaphysics.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the
historical development of epistemology.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the
historical development of ethics.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the
historical development of aesthetics.
Religious Studies (Bachelor of Arts)
- core curriculum and mission seminars – see
the core curriculum section of this catalog
- religious studies requirements – RLST 160, 222, 230, 260, 280, 331, 333,
348, 410, 465, 481, six credits of RLST electives
- philosophy requirements – PHIL 310, six credits of PHIL
(312 highly recommended)
- final degree requirements – see
the degree requirements section of this catalog for specific requirements of
the Bachelor of Arts degree as well as final graduation requirements
The total credits of the
major course requirements are 47. The core curriculum and mission seminars
require 38-52 credits. A total of 128 credits, 43 of which need to be at the
300/400 level, are required to graduate. Transfer course and waivers and/or
substitutions could modify these credit totals.
Ministry Minor
- RLST-230, 260, 311, 360, 370, 440,
three credits of 487
The total credits of the
minor requirements is 21. Transfer course and waivers and/or substitutions
could modify these credit totals.
Religious Studies Minor
- RLST 160, 222, 410, nine credits RLST
electives, six of which must be numbered 300 or higher
The total credits of the
minor requirements are 18. Transfer course and waivers and/or substitutions
could modify these credit totals.
Servant Leadership Minor
- RLST 260, 410, 481, nine credits of
approved VUSM
The total credits of the
minor requirements are 17. Transfer course and waivers and/or substitutions
could modify these credit totals.