REL 123: Foundations of Christian Faith: Home

A Bible containing both the Old and New Testaments. 

This course involves an introduction to the field of theology as an academic discipline with a body of writing, methods, and interpretations. It is concerned with how to successfully study theology, including basic library research methodology and critical thinking. Students will build a basic understanding of the whole of theology through an introduction of its parts: Old Testament and New Testament literature, Who is Jesus?, What is the Church?, Grace and the Sacraments, Christian Morality, Social Justice, Judaism and the Church, and the Islamic religion and the Church, and Catholic theology in a global context. 

Note: Designated course for the Undergraduate Certificate in Pastoral Studies. 

1. Understand the foundational nature of the Christian faith rooted in human nature, the cosmos, Christian revelation, and Jesus. 
2. Discover via the topics/chapters set forth in our primary course text, Theological Foundations, introduction to seminal themes and topics within the discipline of theology: Scripture, Jesus, Church, Sacraments, Morality, and Ecumenism. 
3. Describe/define concepts relating to Scripture, Jesus, Church, Sacraments, Morality, and Ecumenism. 
4. Grasp the fundamental principles of these subjects in order to properly discuss, explain, or express critical views regarding them. 
5. Conscientiously integrate library resources and research components into the course requirements. 

The student's grade in this course will determine by a number of factors. Grading will be evaluated in the following manner: 

Grading Scale: A (94-100), A- (90-93), B+ (87-89), B (84-86), B- (80-83), C+ (77-79), C (74-76), C- (70-73), D+ (67-69), D (60-66), F (0-59)

The student is responsible to meet all reading and writing assignments according to the schedule given below. Every module will have a discussion assignment and a quiz. In addition, there will be two research papers. 

Excellence: Saint Leo University is an educational enterprise. All of us, individually and collectively, work hard to ensure that our students develop the character, learn the skills, and assimilate the knowledge essential to become morallly responsible leaders. The success of our University depends upon a conscientious commitment to our mission, vision, and goals. 

The Core Value of Excellence regulates this academic project in developing a deeper understanding of the implications of Christian faith. Therefore, this course is committed to an introduction to the field of theology as an academic discipline with a body of writing, methods, and interpretation. It is concerned with how to successfully study theology including basic library research and methodology and critical thinking.