Theology – Undergraduate

About The Department

What impact does the Catholic tradition have on fostering the dignity of human life? How is the promotion of peace and justice essential to the Christian faith? How do religions and their cultural contexts influence each other?
 
St. Anselm described the task of theology as “faith seeking understanding.” As a theology major at Spring Hill College, regardless of your religious affiliation, you’ll be challenged to a deeper and more critical understanding of your own faith, as well as a fuller appreciation of the broader Christian tradition and religions of the world. As a theology department at a Jesuit institution, the theology faculty is committed to guiding our majors in “the service of faith and the promotion of justice,” which are at the very heart of the Christian gospel.

The fundamental rationale of the theology core requirement is to introduce students to serious, critical reflection on questions relating to God and human existence. Courses range from the study of Catholicism and world religions, to an exploration of the  meaning of liturgy and scripture, along with considerations of the social and moral dimensions of the Christian faith.

Program Offerings

Study Theology at one of the oldest Catholic colleges in the country!

Certificate of Ministry

The Certificate of Ministry is designed for students interested in some form of church-related work, such as catechetical, family or youth ministry. It requires completion of 12 credit hours in applied theology, offered in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Mobile. Students complete the 12 hours according to a range of required courses, depending on their area of interest: 4-8 credits in field education (MIN 390/392), usually 2 credits per semester during sophomore, junior or senior years; 3-6 credits in ministry workshops or seminars (MIN 395); and 2-4 credits in spirituality (SPT) courses. In addition to MIN and SPT courses, approved courses in applied theology, such as THL 421 (Religious Education), may satisfy up to 3 credits of the requirement.

For theology majors, these 12 hours also fulfill the program elective requirements. As part of the holistic formation for church ministry, recommended by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord”), the certificate requires completion of an extracurricular spiritual formation component, which consists of participation in at least three student retreats before graduation.

MIN 390. Ministry Practicum:

Beginners (1-4) Field education offers a work/learning experience at an approved placement, under the supervision of a mentor and including a weekly reflection meeting, journaling and final paper. Designed to offer students practical ministry experience and opportunities for theological reflection in a seminar setting, one credit of the practicum will require approximately 30 hours at the placement site. When these placements connect students with adverse population and with issues of social justice and social analysis, application may be made for D (diversity) credit, with approval of the chair of theology, through the Core Development Committee.

MIN 392. Ministry Practicum:

Advanced (1-4) For those who have already completed one semester of Field Education (see MIN 390), with a separate weekly reflection seminar. Prerequisite: MIN 390.

MIN 395. Special Topics in Ministry

(1-4) These workshops or seminars address particular, applied aspects of various areas in pastoral ministry. Workshops (single-session events) or seminars (multiple sessions) focus on particular issues related to ministry; one credit will require a minimum of 5 contact hours, along with readings and a paper.

CHRISTUS LECTURE SERIES

Since 1989, the Christus Theological Institute has offered a unique opportunity for continuing education and grass-roots ecumenism among Christians and churches of the Mobile Bay area.  The annual Christus program has presented more than 100 lectures by local and regional speakers, including Dr. Wayne Flint, Archbishop Oscar Lipscomb, Dr. Katharine Abernathy and Mr. Bob Grip; as well as an annual conference with nationally known scholars, such as Tilden Edwards, Martin Marty, Avery Dulles, Stanley Hauerwas, Luke Timothy Johnson, Basil Pennington, and E. Glenn Hinson.  

Comments From Past Lectures

• “Outstanding speakers and energizing conversation”
• “Refreshing and open discussion”
• “A level of intellectual honesty, depth and probing not often found”

The mission of Christus is to encourage a reflective deepening and broadening of the search for God in our Christian tradition, promoting a truly ecumenical network among local faith communities.  We are supported by a partnership of individual members, as well as churches and religious institutions from a broad range of Christian traditions, including Baptist, Catholic, Episcopalian, Lutheran, Methodist and Presbyterian, mainly in Mobile and Baldwin counties.  Please join us and help support our continuing endeavor.  For information on membership, please call 251-380-4660 or email us at christus@shc.edu.