Theology \ Undergraduate Studies \
Departmental Requirements
(HEGIS Code 1510) Program code 06110
All freshmen in Fordham College at Rose Hill, Fordham College at Lincoln Center and the College of Business Administration must take RS 1000, Faith and Critical Reason, the first-year core theology course. All sophomores must take one core theology course numbered RS 2000-2999, the sophomore text course in theology, which studies the scriptures or the classical texts of various religious traditions. The theology department offers courses that fulfill American Pluralism, Global Studies, or Senior Values requirements, which are numbered between 3000 and 4999. Courses for majors and minors are also numbered between 3000 and 4999.
The program for the theology major consists of 10 courses. All majors are expected to take Faith and Critical Reason (RS 1000) and two sophomore texts courses, one in each of the testaments of the Christian Bible. All majors also take Classic Christians Texts I (RS 3000) and II (RS 3001), one course in theological ethics (which may be a Senior Values Seminar), and the senior thesis seminar (RS 4000). The three remaining courses may be taken in a variety of areas, and may include Global Studies, American Pluralism, and Senior Values Courses. Each year in the spring semester a course designed to introduce sophomores to more advanced study of theology will be offered. It is strongly recommended that majors and minors take this course.
The department also offers a secondary major, which consists of 8 courses. Secondary majors take Faith and Critical Reason, one sophomore text course, and Classic Christian Texts I and II. The other four courses are free electives, which may include Global Studies, American Pluralism, and Senior Values courses.
The minor in theology consists of 6 courses. Theology minors take Faith and Critical Reason (RS 1000), one sophomore text course (numbered RS 2000-2999), and either Classic Christian Texts I (RS 3000) or II (RS 3001). The three remaining courses are free electives, which may include Global Studies, American Pluralism, and Senior Values courses.
Theology majors, secondary majors, and minors are encouraged to plan their program of studies in consultation with the associate chair for undergraduate studies. Under certain conditions majors/minors can take courses in allied fields (philosophy, classics, sociology of religion, etc.) toward the major with the written permission of the undergraduate chair. Those who plan to continue the study of theology on the graduate level are strongly urged to take courses in French and German, as well as in biblical Hebrew, Greek, or Latin, according to their special interests for future study.
The department offers the opportunity of fulfilling the College language requirement through the study of biblical Hebrew. Students beginning their study of Hebrew follow the regular four-semester sequence of Elementary Biblical Hebrew I and II (RS 1201 and 1202); Hebrew Readings I (RSGA 5001) and Hebrew Readings II (RSGA 5020).
*NOTE: Please note that the Theology Department approved new programs of study for both the major and the minor in the Spring of 2002. These are effective for all new students in the department; students already signed up as majors or minors can fulfill the requirements in effect when they signed up.
