The Rockhurst University theology and religious studies program engages students in questions of meaning, faith, justice, power, community, authority, values, spirituality and difference – all through a global lens.
Program Overview
What is theology? Most scholars define it as the study of the nature of the divine and religious belief itself.
Our theology and religious studies program engages students in questions of meaning, faith, justice, power, community, authority, values, spirituality and difference – all through a global lens.
The Rockhurst University Department of Theology and Religious Studies faculty includes both theologians and religious studies scholars. Professors are committed to offering you an entryway to cultivating your religious views. They also provide opportunities for you to gain proficiency in analyzing religious institutions, texts and structures of authority from a variety of theoretical approaches.
A minor in theology and religious studies is also available.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates with a theology and religious studies major will:
- Evaluate texts according to historical context and theological significance, and/or literary criticism where appropriate
- Apply methods of theological inquiry and/or religious studies to a text or set of practices in order to analyze them
- Identify and critically analyze four religious beliefs and associated practices
Program Outcomes
With this degree, students gain the vital skills of a liberal arts education, including reflection, research, creativity, public speaking and beyond. In addition to graduate school, many students go on to work in a variety of professions, such as:
Marriage Therapist
Family Therapist
High School Teacher
Fundraising Director
Consultant
Priest
Clergy
Writer
Course Map
Degree and class descriptions and requirements can be found by clicking on the course catalog listing below:
Popular Courses
Students will be introduced to the academic disciplines of theology and religious studies through a thematic and comparative exploration of religious communities including those of Christians. Topics ranging from conceptions of the divine; the use of story, ritual, and practice; approaches to authority and power; and ideas regarding the ultimate ends of both the individual and community will receive special attention.
This course explores the diverse interpretations of Jesus Christ, moving from early Christian texts, both canonical and non-canonical, to interpretations across historical periods in art, music, poems, and films, among other media. Special attention will be paid to historical questions about Jesus of Nazareth as well as how communities and individuals derive meaning from interpreting Jesus’s life and message in varying historical and cultural contexts.
This course explores the form of Christianity which is neither Roman (Western) Catholic nor Protestant, commonly known as Eastern Orthodoxy along with Eastern Catholicism, i.e., Christianity rooted in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Africa, and Asia. Situated in historical and cultural context, “Eastern” theology, spirituality, and church organization is studied for its distinctive expression of the Christian faith.
An introduction to the beliefs and practices of four major world religions—Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, and Islam—through a study of their scriptures and history. The class concentrates on each religion’s views of the Transcendent and of the nature and destiny of the human person.
Degree Info
As a student pursuing a degree in theology and religious studies, you will:
- Engage with the ideas and practices of diverse religious traditions, including Christianity, and become deeply familiar with their social and historical contexts
- Explore and critically evaluate a range of expressions of faith
- Learn to apply methods of multiple human sciences to make sense of the thought and behavior associated with a diverse range of religious traditions
Find Your Program
Choose topic to quickly find specific program details