By Roya Ghorbani-Elizeh
Two exams, one presentation and a 14-page research paper are all in a semester's work for sophomore Claire Hendrix and her Biblical Tradition and Culture class.
THE 205 is one of three mandatory theology courses at UP. To graduate, a student must complete a total of nine credit hours of theology during their years on The Bluff. Many students have questioned the value of investing so much time in these required theology classes.
"I understand that it's a requirement and how it will help develop our writing skills," Hendrix said. "However, it's kind of a drag when you're not interested in theological aspects."
UP places more emphasis on theology than its sister school, the University of Notre Dame, does. Notre Dame requires just six credit hours for graduation as opposed to UP's nine.
All UP students must complete the three theology classes to graduate. These classes include THE 101 "An Introduction to Religion and Theology," THE 205 "Biblical Tradition and Culture" and a THE or THEP 400 level class of the student's choosing.
"We are a Catholic university and the Bible is central to Christianity," Will Deming, theology department chair, said. "This would then be an important thing to emphasize within the University."
Catholic students, such as Hendrix, wonder how much these theology classes will add to their understanding of the religion.
"I had a Catholic upbringing so I already know the fundamentals," Hendrix said. "UP offers a lot academically, so you have to take the bad with the good."
According to Deming, all faculty in the theology department are specialized in a particular area. The theology professors teach and, in some instances, create courses in their area of expertise.
"There is no such thing as a general degree in theology," Deming said.
The theology department offers 38 different classes within 12 separate courses this semester. There are also two different THEP classes that are cross-listed with other departments at the university.
"I think those are a lot more interesting because those who aren't Catholic are better able to understand the biblical text and the religion," Hendrix said about the THEP classes. "It brings in two areas of study, which gives more diversity in a theology class."
Senior Lauren Courtney was pleased with the massive list of courses when picking out her last theology class this semester.
"I wasn't expecting a lot for class diversity," Courtney said. "But I was pleasantly surprised to have options."
Courtney decided to take THE 450, "Grace, Sin and Human Condition." Although Courtney enjoys the class and the professor, the class requires a large time commitment.
"My professor is really intelligent and passionate," Courtney said. "But the class requires a lot."
Courtney waited to take the class her last semester at the Bluff so she could feel like she "really graduated from a Catholic school."
When signing up for the theology courses, many students have noticed the large amount of night classes. This semester, the theology department is offering 12 separate night classes. Both Courtney and Hendrix are currently taking three-hour theology night classes.
"Three hour classes are brutal," Hendrix said. "And theology for three hours can be even more brutal if you're not interested in the subject."
According to Deming, three-hour classes will not become a norm for the theology department.
"Usually there are enough courses in different time slots that no one has to take those three-hour courses," Deming said. "It's certainly not a trend, but we've had more scheduling challenges in the last two or three years."
Many students have also been requesting courses in comparative religions.
"The fact of the matter is that this is a theology department and not a religious studies department," Deming said. "The University has chosen to keep it that way, so the focus is on Christian or Catholic theology."
While students might complain about the long papers and the exams, the theology department believes that these classes are important in shaping and teaching the students on The Bluff.
"There are certain aspects that one could see theology being for a mature student," Deming said. "The spiritual life of a person matures between middle teens and early twenties."
