+91 830 4039972
Theology Course: Norms and Provisions
Norms of Studies
The second stage of studies in Ruhalaya comprises of three years of theology as required for the Baccalaureate in Theology (B. Th.) followed by the ministerial year in preparation for priestly ordination. Ruhalaya College of Theology is affiliated to the Faculty of Theology, the Pontifical Oriental Institute of Religious Studies, Kottayam, Kerala, India.
Requirements for Admission to Theology
Application for admission to theology should be made in the prescribed form and should reach the Rector before March 25 every year with a) the recommendation of the Bishop or Superior b) a certificate of successful completion of canonical requirements of Philosophy course, along with the final mark sheets c) the report from the seminary where he studied previously. The candidate should have graduated in any discipline besides the completion of an approved philosophy course of any ecclesiastical faculty or seminary. A student who had his previous studies in any other institute has to present documents of his graduation and seminary course. Ruhalaya admits women religious to the four-year Theology course. Sisters should have completed one year of professed religious life. For admission to theology the applicant shall have the degree of B. Ph. or shall have completed at least a Diploma course in Philosophy. Each student shall pay a fee of Rs. 5000/- for the academic year. This sum is to be paid at the beginning of the academic year.
Programme of Studies
Theology course consists of 184 credits (168.5 credits for regular courses and 15.5 credits for Obligatory requirements and Electives, in three years or 6 semesters.[1] Article 24 of the Inuction on the Affiliation of Institutes of Higher studies calls it “three years of basic-level theology.” The fourth-year theology is called “Pastoral year”[2] or “Ministerial year.”[3] At the completion of the courses of the Ministerial year, the Institute gives the students a Certificate.[4] One credit comprises 12 hours of lectures and 13 hours of personal work and preparation for examination. Each credit is given 25 marks. Introductory courses are conducted in the first year. The second- and third-year courses are mostly combined on an alternating cycle.
Theology Programme integrates five types of courses: (1) basic courses which all the students must do; (2) elective courses from which every student chooses two courses, one each in the second and third year; (3) six seminars in three years, of which the first four are obligatory and the other two allow choice of topics and professors; (4) extension programme (a) intensive communication course in June at the end of the first year, (b) field placement programme during the second summer holidays, and (c) one month action-reflection programme during the third year; (5) an intensive special course in the first week of November for all the theologians.
Each student should submit by the middle of the sixth semester, a short thesis of 50 pages, topic of which is to be fixed at the beginning of the fourth semester. Other courses to develop the talents and skills of the students are also offered.
Ruhalaya College of Theology provides courses leading to degree of Bachelor of Theology followed by ministerial year courses in preparation for priesthood. The Plan of studies has been made in compliance with the Apostolic Constitution Veritatis Gaudium on Ecclesiastical Universities and Faculties (VG Art. 81-83; 69-76 and VG norms Art. 30-34).
The programme of studies in the Institute is designed for systematic study of Catholic doctrine which rests upon the written Word of God together with living Tradition as its perpetual foundation (VG 70,1-2). It also aims at seeking solutions to human problems in the light of that same revelation (VG 69) and in dialogue with the human sciences.
It has the special duty to take care of the scientific theological formation of those preparing for the priesthood and those who are preparing to hold some particular Ecclesiastical office (VG 76,1). In imparting and imbuing the Catholic doctrine, fidelity to the Magisterium of the Church as well as to the received patrimony of the Church are emphasized (VG 73).
The individual theological disciplines are “taught in such a way that … a profound understanding of the mystery of Christ” is made and it is “announced with greater effectiveness to the People of God and to all nations” (VG 70,2, VG Norms 53).
Being a theologate in the mission and forming missionary personnel, care is taken that “without any change of the truth, there is an adaptation to the nature and character of every culture, taking special account of the positive values in the various cultures, philosophies and the wisdom of various peoples. However, all syncretism and every kind of false particularism as well as “systems and methods incompatible with the Christian faith must not be accepted” (VG 71,1,2). Ecumenical questions, relationship with non-Christian religions (VG 72,2) and problems arising from atheism and other currents of contemporary culture are to be scrupulously studied (VG 72,3) according to the norms set by competent Church authorities (VG 72,1). The teaching Staff ought to pay singular attention in their lectures and investigations to the theological issues in relation to: a) The missionary ad gentes endeavours of the Church, b) the life and doctrine of the Christians not in communion with the Holy See, c) other religions and cultures of India, d) contemporary challenges that arise from media and atheism.
Methods of Theological Studies
1) Lectures
2) Perusal of basic books and articles on a subject, guided by the teacher.
3) Personal and group-study
4) Examinations and tests
5) Seminars, written assignments and written Scientific Research Paper under the direction of the teaching staff.
6) The first- and second-year students shall present each year one essay of 3000 words on a chosen topic under the direction of a teacher and submit reviews (one each semester in the first and second year) of two serious books connected with any main subject and approved by the teacher i.e., 2 essays and 4 book reviews). The third-year students shall submit a written Scientific Research Paper of at least 10,000 words of text.
7) All students shall participate in the extension lectures and other academic activities organized. Their involvement will be evaluated and credited.
8) In all academic matters from classes to examinations, the teachers and students are to abide by the directives of the Institute Council.
9) When the Institute adjudges it to be appropriate, it may conduct online classes and examinations.
Bachelor’s Degree in Theology
The programme of studies is intended to acquaint the students with all the Catholic doctrines and initiate them into the methods of scientific research. To obtain the Bachelor’s Degree in Theology, every student is to complete successfully all the principal and auxiliary disciplines and examinations to the value of the credits assigned. The “five-year basic cycle” (VG 76,2) “ends with the academic degree of Baccalaureate or some other suitable degree as the Statutes of the Faculty determine” (VG 74, a). In addition to the five-year basic cycle, special courses may be offered in the ministerial/pastoral year, at the end of which a “Diploma may be conferred” (VG 75, 2).
Syllabus
THEOLOGICAL SUBJECTS AND THEIR CREDITS IN RUHALAYA COLLEGE OF THEOLOGY
The syllabus of the Ruhalaya College of Theology, Ujjain has been revised according to the directives of Veritatis Gaudium.[5] It follows European Credit System (ECTS) in which one credit amounts to 12 hours of lectures and 13 hours of personal work and preparation for examination. The curriculum has breadth and balance. The students ought to complete 184 credits[6] in six semesters (3 years)[7], under 12 major titles: Sacred Scripture, Fundamental Theology, Dogmatic Theology, Moral Theology, Canon Law, Liturgy, Church History, Patrology, Missiology, Auxiliary Disciplines, Pastoral Theology & Archaeology and Obligatory Requirements.[8] The classification of subjects and allocation of credits according to the new syllabus are given below under three headings:
1) Table of Courses: Discipline-wise, Credits and Total Credits
2) Table of Courses: Year-wise, Teachers and Credits
3) Course Abstracts.
Table of Courses
Discipline-wise, Credits and Total Credits
SACRED SCRIPTURE
|
No. |
Code |
Subjects |
Credits |
Total Credits |
|
1 |
SS 1 |
Intro. to Scripture & Exegesis |
3 |
3 |
|
2 |
SS 2 |
Pentateuch |
3.5 |
6.5 |
|
3 |
SS 3 |
Historical Books |
3.5 |
10 |
|
4 |
SS 4 |
Wisdom |
2.5 |
12.5 |
|
5 |
SS 5 |
Psalms |
2 |
14.5 |
|
6 |
SS 6 |
Prophets I: Minor Prophets |
2.5 |
17 |
|
7 |
SS 7 |
Prophets II: Major Prophets |
2 |
19 |
|
8 |
SS 8 |
OT Apocalypse & Revelation |
1.5 |
20.5 |
|
9 |
SS 9 |
Intro. to Synoptics and Mark |
2.5 |
23 |
|
10 |
SS 10 |
St Mathew |
2 |
25 |
|
11 |
SS 11 |
St Luke |
2 |
27 |
|
12 |
SS 12 |
St John |
2 |
29 |
|
13 |
SS 13 |
Pauline Epistles: Introduction |
1 |
30 |
|
14 |
SS 14 |
Pauline Epistles: Analysis |
3.5 |
33.5 |
|
15 |
SS 15 |
Letter to the Hebrews |
1 |
34.5 |
|
16 |
SS 16 |
Catholic and Johannine Epistles |
1.5 |
36 |
|
17 |
SS 17 |
Passion and Resurrection Narratives of Four Gospels |
1.5 |
37.5 |
|
18 |
SS 18 |
Act of the Apostles |
1.5 |
39 |
|
Total Credits for Sacred Scripture |
39 |
|||
FUNDAMENTAL THEOLOGY
|
No. |
Code |
Subjects |
Credits |
Total Credits |
|
19 |
FT 1 |
Ecumenism |
2.5 |
2.5 |
|
20 |
FT 2 |
Inter-Religious Dialogue |
2 |
4.5 |
|
21 |
FT 3 |
Atheism |
1.5 |
6 |
|
22 |
FT 4 |
Cont. Currents in Theol. & Culture |
1.5 |
7.5 |
|
23 |
FT 5 |
Revelation and Faith |
2.5 |
10 |
|
Total Credits for Fundamental Theology |
10 |
|||
DOGMATIC THEOLOGY
|
No |
Code |
Subjects |
Credits |
Total Credits |
|
24 |
DT 1 |
Introduction to Theology |
2 |
2 |
|
25 |
DT 2 |
Triune God |
3 |
5 |
|
26 |
DT 3 |
Christology I: Dogmatic Christology |
2 |
7 |
|
27 |
DT 4 |
Christology II: Fundamental Christology |
2 |
9 |
|
28 |
DT 5 |
Eucharist |
2 |
11 |
|
29 |
DT 6 |
Mariology |
1 |
12 |
|
30 |
DT 7 |
Eschatology |
2 |
14 |
|
31 |
DT 8 |
Ecclesiology |
3 |
17 |
|
32 |
DT 9 |
Pneumatology and Theology of Grace |
3 |
20 |
|
33 |
DT 10 |
Priesthood |
1.5 |
21.5 |
|
34 |
DT 11 |
Theological Anthropology |
2 |
23.5 |
|
35 |
DT 12 |
Oriental Theology |
1.5 |
25 |
|
Total Credits for Dogmatic Theology |
25 |
|||
MORAL THEOLOGY
|
No |
Code |
Subjects |
Credits |
Total Credits |
|
36 |
MT 1 |
Fundamental moral theology |
3.5 |
3.5 |
|
37 |
MT 2 |
Theological Virtues |
2.5 |
6 |
|
38 |
MT 3 |
Commandments |
2.5 |
8.5 |
|
39 |
MT 4 |
Justice and Social Teachings |
2.5 |
11 |
|
40 |
MT 5 |
Sexual Morality |
2.5 |
13.5 |
|
41 |
MT 6 |
Marriage and Family |
2 |
15.5 |
|
42 |
MT 7 |
Bio-Ethics |
1.5 |
17 |
|
43 |
MT 8 |
Sin and Reconciliation |
2.5 |
19 |
|
Total Credits of Moral Theology |
19.5 |
|||
CANON LAW
|
No |
Code |
Subjects |
Credits |
Total Credits |
|
44 |
CL 1 |
Intro. Canon law |
2 |
2 |
|
45 |
CL 2 |
Hierarchal Constitutions |
2.5 |
4.5 |
|
46 |
CL 3 |
Clerics, Laity and Consecrated Life |
2.5 |
7 |
|
47 |
CL 4 |
Procedural Laws |
2.5 |
9.5 |
|
48 |
CL 5 |
Marriage Laws |
2.5 |
12 |
|
49 |
CL 6 |
Ecclesial Magisterium |
1.5 |
13.5 |
|
50 |
CL 7 |
Divine Worship |
2.5 |
16 |
|
51 |
CL 8 |
Particular Law of the Syro-Malabar Church |
1.5 |
17.5 |
|
Total Credits of Canon Law |
17.5 |
|||
LITURGY
|
No |
Code |
Subjects |
Credits |
Total Credits |
|
52 |
LT 1 |
Introduction to Liturgy |
2 |
2 |
|
53 |
LT 2 |
Liturgical Hours |
2 |