Theology Department launches new minors and expanded major
Theology Department Chair Andrea Vicini, S.J., the Michael P. Walsh Professor of Bioethics, has announced that the department has launched three new minors and an expanded theology major, so as to deepen students’ exposure to theology and to connect it with other disciplines.
“We want to show how theology can be an interlocutor with other disciplines, responding to the interests of students to combine multiple, diverse fields,” said Fr. Vicini.
The new minors are Catholic Education and Theology, offered in conjunction with the Lynch School of Education and Human Development; Theology and Philosophy, in partnership with the Philosophy Department; and Interreligious Studies.
Theology Department Chair Andrea Vicini, S.J., the Michael P. Walsh Professor of Bioethics (Photo by Lee Pellegrini)
“The Lynch School and the Clough School of Theology and Ministry both offer masters that align with our new minor in Catholic Education and Theology,” noted Fr. Vicini. “So our minor gives students an opportunity to explore this area and see if they want to pursue it as a career or through further studies.”
With more than 330 undergraduates enrolled in PULSE and 700 in Perspectives on Western Culture, there is demonstrated interest among BC undergraduates in the study of the intersection of theology and philosophy, said Fr. Vicini.
“The new Theology and Philosophy minor will allow students to deepen their familiarity with both fields and discover connections. The minor can also be helpful for those students who might want to explore the possibility of our joint M.A. in philosophy and theology.”
The Catholic Education and Theology minor is being overseen by Charles Cownie, director of the Urban Catholic Teacher Corps and director of Catholic Teacher Formation. Theology faculty member Rev. Liam Bergin—who is interim director for the Catholic Studies minor—serves as co-director. Associate Professor of the Practice in Theology Jason Donnelly directs the Theology and Philosophy minor, with Timothy Muldoon, associate professor of the practice in philosophy, serving as co-director.
The Interreligious Studies minor is a natural outgrowth of the diversity represented in the department’s current undergraduate courses and the different religious traditions of the students on campus.
Under the direction of Newton College Alumnae Chair of Western Culture Catherine Cornille, the Interreligious Studies minor will offer students intentional engagement with more than one religious tradition as part of their training to become global citizens, according to the department. Requirements will include one course that focuses on Christianity in dialogue with another tradition, such as Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, or Judaism.
The Theology Department will continue to offer its theology minor as well as its popular minors in Religion and Public Life and Faith, Peace, and Justice. According to Fr. Vicini, in 2023-2024, there were 48 theology majors and 44 minors at BC. Thirty-two undergraduates were pursuing a minor in Religion and Public Life, while 43 students were enrolled in the Faith, Peace, and Justice minor.
"By enriching our interdisciplinary outreach and partnering with other fields at the University, we can better accompany our students and they can learn to explore complex realities and issues from different points of view. That is the core of the liberal arts at Boston College.”
Fr. Vicini says the Theology Department is also working toward approval of an interdisciplinary minor in theology, science, and technology that could be launched as soon as next fall. He expressed interest in exploring future academic programs connecting theology with environmental studies and the arts.
He noted that several Theology faculty members also teach in related minors outside the department, such as Catholic Studies, Jewish Studies, Asian Studies, as well as the Islamic Civilization and Societies minor and major.
“This dialogue between theology and other disciplines across the University is beneficial for students,” said Fr. Vicini. “We need to work together, across disciplines, to address complex problems that require multiple, layered expertise. By enriching our interdisciplinary outreach and partnering with other fields at the University, we can better accompany our students and they can learn to explore complex realities and issues from different points of view. That is the core of the liberal arts at Boston College.”
In addition to the new minors, the Theology Department is now offering an expanded theology major, with increased credit hours and an optional thesis. It is structured to provide an integrated introduction to the discipline and a broad foundation for further study. With required courses across all theological areas, it exposes students to the entire breadth of the theological discipline.
“This expanded theology major, with more in-depth study, will enrich students’ expertise in theology,” said Fr. Vicini, “and prepare them for master studies in theology or doctoral programs in theology, as well as master studies in the Clough School.
“Our new and expanded programs rise from the expertise of our faculty and respond to the interest of BC students. We want to be in service to our students by empowering them with opportunities and elements that can help them to discern what could be their next steps in terms of their studies, their careers, and their lives.”
For details on the new Theology Department minors and expanded theology major, see the Theology Department website.