Theology and Religious Studies

The Department of Theology and Religious Studies offers an A.B. major and a minor.

Major in Theology and Religious Studies

Students majoring in Theology and Religious Studies focus on one of five concentrations and must set up a program with the advisor designated for the chosen concentration. “Intermediate” level courses are those in the 2000-2999 range. “Advanced intermediate” level courses are those numbered in the 3000-3999 range. “Seminar” courses are numbered 4000-4999. “Over-under courses” are open to advanced undergraduates and to graduate students, and are numbered 5000-5999. Graduate courses, those numbered 6000 and above, may only be taken with permission of the instructor.

Required Courses for the Major

Regardless of concentration, the major requires a total of 11 courses — the two core courses and nine additional courses. Specific requirements as below:

2 core courses – THEO-1000 or 1100 and one additional course 1000-4999

Note: It is recommended that students majoring in any area of Christian studies fulfill the core requirements by taking both The Problem of God (THEO-1000) and Introduction to Biblical Literature (THEO-1100). Students majoring in other areas of religious studies are encouraged to fulfill the core requirement by taking The Problem of God (THEO-1000) and a course in their area of interest.

Christian Theology Concentration

THEO 4270, Systematic Theology
THEO 4281 or 4282, History of Christian Thought I or II
1 Scripture Seminar, numbered from THEO 4120 to THEO 4170
At least 2 “advanced intermediate” electives numbered THEO 3000-3999, approved by advisor. Note: a student may choose to fulfill one or both of these course requirements with a course numbered in the THEO 4000-5999 range.
No more than 3 “intermediate” electives numbered THEO 2000-2999, approved by advisor
THEO 4969, Seminar on Religious Pluralism

Biblical Studies Concentration

1 Hebrew Scripture Seminar THEO 4120-4140
1 New Testament Seminar THEO 4150-4170
1 elective seminar numbered THEO 4000-5999, approved by advisor
At least 2 “advanced intermediate” electives numbered THEO 3000-3999, approved by advisor. Note: a student may choose to fulfill one or both of these course requirements with a course numbered in the THEO 4000-5999 range.
No more than 3 “intermediate” electives numbered THEO 2000-2999, approved by advisor
THEO 4969, Seminar on Religious Pluralism

Ethics Concentration

(The ethics concentration is currently being reconfigured. For requirements, see concentration advisor Michael Slater.)

Religious Studies Concentration

THEO 4000, Approaches to Religion
1 seminar (THEO 4000-4999) in Study of a Community
1 seminar (THEO 4000-4999) in Problems/Boundaries in Religious Studies
At least 2 “advanced intermediate” electives numbered THEO 3000-3999, approved by advisor. Note: a student may choose to fulfill one or both of these course requirements with a course numbered in the THEO 4000-5999 range.
No more than 3 “intermediate” electives numbered THEO 2000-2999, approved by advisor
THEO 4969, Seminar on Religious Pluralism

Religion, Politics, and the Common Good

Gateway course on Religion, Politics, and the Common Good (THEO 2850)
1 elective seminar numbered THEO 4000-5999, approved by advisor
1 THEO seminar (4000-4999) in ethics
Capstone Seminar on Religious Liberty (THEO 4008)
At least 2 “advanced intermediate” electives numbered 3000-3999, approved by advisor. Note: a student may choose to fulfill one or both of these course requirements with a course numbered in the THEO 4000-5999 range.
No more than 2 “intermediate” electives numbered THEO 2000-2999, approved in consultation with an advisor. Note: as many as 2 intermediate or advanced intermediate required courses can be taken outside of the THRS department, approved in consultation with advisor
THEO 4969, Seminar on Religious Pluralism

A Senior Honors Thesis (THEO 4998) may be undertaken by all Theology and Religious Studies majors under the direction of a faculty mentor with departmental approval. Consult the department website for procedures.

Christian Theology Concentration: This concentration provides a grounding in the sacred writings, history, and systematic elaboration of the Christian faith. The requirements are: three core courses (one course in Systematic Theology 4270; one Scripture Seminar in the 4120-4170 range; and one course in the History of Christian Thought, either 4281 or 4282), at least two “advanced intermediate” courses numbered THEO 3000 or higher and at most three other “intermediate” courses numbered THEO 2000-2999 (all to be selected in consultation with the designated theology advisor for this concentration), and the Senior Seminar in Religious Pluralism 4969

Biblical Studies Concentration: This program is designed for students who wish to study extensively the books of the Bible, the traditions contained therein, the process of their formation, as well as the methodology for uncovering their meaning. The requirements are: two core courses (one Hebrew Scripture Seminar in the 4120-4140 range; one New Testament Seminar in the 4150-4170 range), one elective seminar numbered in the 400-5999 range, at least two “advanced intermediate” courses numbered THEO 3000 or higher and at most three other “intermediate” courses numbered THEO 2000-2999 (all to be selected in consultation with the designated advisor for this concentration), and the Senior Seminar in Religious Pluralism 4969.

Ethics Concentration: This concentration is designed for students who wish to understand the sources, methods, and topics of ethics from a religious perspective. Students may concentrate on Christian ethics, on ethics within a different religious tradition, or on religious ethics more generally, and may also focus on areas such as social justice, comparative ethics, or social and cultural moral issues. (The ethics concentration is currently being reconfigured. For requirements, see concentration advisor Michael Slater.)

Religious Studies Concentration: This concentration is available for students interested in the comparative and critical study of various religious views (e.g., Asian Religions, Religions of the Middle East, or Comparative Methodologies in the Study of Religions); or in philosophical theology; or in the relation of religious ideas to their social and historical context; or in the relation of religion to other components of culture such as science, the arts, or the structures of governance. The requirements are: three core courses (Approaches to Religion 4000; one seminar course in the Study of a Religious Community in the 4000 range or above; one seminar course in Problems/Boundaries in Religious Studies in the 4000 range or above), at least two “advanced intermediate” courses numbered THEO 3000 or higher and at most three other “intermediate” courses numbered THEO 2000-2999 (all to be selected in consultation with the designated advisor for this concentration), and the concluding Senior Seminar in Religious Pluralism 4969.

Religion, Politics, and the Common Good: This concentration is for students who are interested in studying the role of religion in public affairs (domestically and globally)—and also the perspective that theology and religious studies have to offer today’s critical issues. The concentration requirements include the gateway course (2850: Religion, Politics, and the Common Good), at least two “advanced intermediate” courses numbered THEO 3000 or higher and at most two other “intermediate” courses numbered THEO 2000-2999 (all to be selected in consultation with the designated advisor for this concentration; note also that two of the intermediate or advanced intermediate electives can be taken outside the THRS department, approved in consultation with the advisor), one THEO seminar (4000-5999) in ethics, the capstone seminar (4008: Religious Liberty), and the Senior Seminar in Religious Pluralism (4969). Concentrators are encouraged but are not required to write a senior thesis (roughly 60 pages of original research under the guidance of a university faculty member)

Limits and Maximums

Students may transfer a maximum of three courses to the major from coursework taken during a semester or full year abroad abroad. Courses must be taught by someone credentialed in Religion or Theology, have religion or theology as their primary focus, and be approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Transfer students majoring in Theology and Religious Studies may transfer a maximum of five courses taken at a previous institution to the major with approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Finally, note that all majors are required to complete a minimum of 18 credits in Theology and Religious Studies in residence at Georgetown.

Integrated Writing Requirement

All Theology and Religious Studies majors are required to take at least three advanced department courses (i.e., 4000 level and above). These courses are seminars, with enrollment capped at 20. The seminar format is meant to encourage student initiative in exploring topics and concerns within theology and religious studies and to help students develop the tools necessary for the academic study of religion. Finally, these courses have a strong writing component and are intended to improve students’ skills at written communication (e.g., critical thinking; analysis of texts and communication of insights; organization; the development of an argument based on appropriately justified claims, etc.). Together these courses fulfill the university’s Integrated Writing requirement.

Minor in Theology and Religious Studies

Requirements for the Minor in Theology and Religious Studies

The minor requires a total of six courses:

2 core courses – THEO-1000 or 1100 and one additional course 1000-3999
Four additional electives. Minors are required to take one course at the seminar level (4000+), and one course at the “advanced intermediate” level (3000+)

Note: At least four courses in the minor must be THEO courses, originating in the Theology and Religious Studies department (i.e., there can be no more than two courses in other Georgetown University departments that have been cross-listed or transferred from study abroad or summer at another institution, subject to approval from the Director of Undergraduate Studies). An exception is made for transfer students, who may transfer a maximum of three courses taken at a previous institution.

(For course listings for Theology see Schedule of Classes)