Theology Department

At Canterbury, we believe in promoting the application of Christian principles through student engagement in the study of theology. Theology classes at Canterbury invite students to learn about the scriptures and traditions of world religions while challenging them to consider the meaning and purpose of life and the effect of behavior and action. The theology curriculum develops a deeper appreciation of religious tradition, an understanding of the origin and tenets of major world religions, a mindful awareness of how our self is formed, and a broader and more inclusive worldview through academic inquiry and direct experience. Students will reflect on the role of spirituality in their own lives, while also engaging in ethical issues and social justice.

Theology courses are listed below; please download the Academic Guide for a complete list of our course offerings.

Minor Courses

THEOLOGY III

THEOLOGY IV

This course introduces students to various methods of reading sacred Scripture with a primary focus on the Holy Bible. The first semester is devoted to the Jewish Scriptures with a particular emphasis on the concepts of creation, call, and covenant. The second semester focuses on the Christian Scriptures and Jesus Christ. The year ends with an application of Biblical teachings to contemporary social justice issues. For Fourth Formers.

WORLD RELIGIONS (FALL OR SPRING)

This is an introductory study of past and present world religions. Looking through a chronological lens, students begin with the development of religion as a way to interpret and understand the primitive world. In the first semester, students will study the earliest indigenous traditions as well as Hinduism and Buddhism. In the second semester, students go beyond the eastern traditions and explore the monotheistic traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Added to our historical and doctrinal study is a review of the ethical stance each religion takes on the contemporary issues of peace and justice. For Fifth and Sixth Formers.

GRIEF AND LOSS (FALL OR SPRING)

Grief and Loss is an exploration into the different aspects of grief, death, and life. Students will explore common misinformation about grief, as well as the different types of loss other than death. Other topics covered are different cultural perspectives on death, the survivor’s experience of grief, and different cultural and religious beliefs about life after death. We also explore near-death experience and conclude the course by reading the book The Shack. The goal of the course is to introduce students to loss in a way that is informative and give them the tools to help navigate this experience in the future. For Fifth and Sixth Formers.

HUMAN RELATIONS (FALL OR SPRING)

This course is a philosophical, psychological, and theological investigation of the possibilities and limitations of human relationships. It critically examines themes in Christian spirituality with special attention given to various human practices, experiences, and ideals, including friendship, family, and liturgy. The course will focus on the study of developmental and behavioral issues in adolescence and early adulthood with an emphasis on emotional intelligence, self-identity, and the understanding of the role of self, God, and others. For Fifth and Sixth Formers.

INTRO TO PHILOSOPHY (FALL OR SPRING)

Ever wondered if God exists? If you have free will? If life has meaning? What makes an action intrinsically right or wrong? What does it mean to be happy? Should you fear death? What is Truth? This introductory course is an opportunity to study philosophy in order to develop the ability to understand and evaluate your own beliefs and values, as well as those of others, so that you can become an open-minded, respectful, thoughtful adult and responsible citizen. In this course, students learn how to inquire into complex problems and begin to formulate a personal philosophy. Students learn effective methods of inquiry, logic, analysis, and criticism while being introduced to philosophical problems. Finally, students learn how to approach these issues from the perspective of a number of important philosophers, from ancient Greeks to modern thinkers. For Fifth and Sixth Formers.

SERVICE LEARNING: SOCIAL JUSTICE (FALL OR SPRING)

Students in this course will explore social justice issues, the foundational principles of Catholic social teaching, and apply their knowledge and faith to their experiential service work by engaging in an ongoing community service project. This course requires students to engage in learning about the organizations and communities they serve, the challenges they face, and issues of social justice on a local, national, and global level. While students engage in their service projects independently, they meet as a group to examine the theological foundations of social justice, discuss readings, current events, and to share reflections on their experiences. The coursework includes assigned readings, a reflection journal, and culminates with a final project presentation or research project. For Fifth and Sixth Formers.