Theology

The Department of Theological Studies requires all instructors to have a policy on Generative AI on their syllabus. The instructor should choose one of the statements below and modify it accordingly.

Statement prohibiting the use of generative AI.

Generative AI, including but not limited to [ChatGPT, Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, Midjourney, DALL-E or Github Copilot] may not be used for work in this class. The use of such generative AI tools may compromise your learning by undermining your ability to [ideate, fully understand how to structure an argument or narrative or formulate/create nonderivative creative work.]

You may not use generative AI to [brainstorm, compose theses or arguments based on theses provided by generative AI.] You may not use generative AI to in any way [augment your original work.] For example, asking an AI [to polish a piece of work you have written, debug code you have written or change art you have created] is not allowed. You may not use generative AI to compose work as a whole or in part for any assignment in this course. Please review item three in the section labeled Plagiarism in the Saint Louis University Academic Integrity Policy.

Statement allowing the limited use of generative AI.

You are allowed to use generative AI in a limited capacity in this course. Tools such as [ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Gemini, Midjourney, DALL-E or GitHub Copilot] can be used for specific assignments as directed in the assignment. I have thoughtfully chosen when to implement the use of generative AI for your assignments. Please note the assignments for which generative AI is allowed come after you have been introduced to foundational skills and

concepts [such as… ]. Tools that [perform readability analysis, detect tone and provide editing suggestions as well as those that paraphrase, summarize and outline] are allowed for general use on any assignment.

Using a generative AI tool may assist your learning by [simplifying texts, helping you brainstorm, providing choices of theses when writing, assisting you with forming arguments, providing grammar checks or feedback for structure, debugging code or creating works of art]. However, becoming dependent on generative AI could undermine your learning by [eroding your ability to ideate independently, participate fully and intentionally in the writing process, or critically problem solve by debugging your code]. The use of generative AI can [strip a writer of her/his voice diminishing a creative work]. Generative AI still produces inaccurate information and hallucinations are still common which if left unchecked can harm your grade on the assignment. Any work generated with AI should be fact checked to ensure accuracy. You are responsible for the content of your work.

If you have a question regarding if you are allowed to use generative AI for an assignment or whether you are using it appropriately, please discuss your concerns with me at your earliest opportunity.

If you choose to use a generative AI tool to assist with an assignment, you need to document its use. The proper citation format can be found here [APA, MLA, etc]. Please append your assignment with how you used generative AI for your work, where in the assignment it is used and provide proper citation in [APA, MLA etc] format. Your original work and your AI assisted work should be clearly evident. In addition, use of generative AI should conform to academic integrity policies for the university and regulations put forward by [the college or school you are in.] Please review item three in the section labeled Plagiarism in the Saint Louis University Academic Integrity Policy.

Statement allowing the use of generative AI.

You may use generative AI for any work or assignment and at any stage in this course. The use of generative AI may help your learning by [simplifying texts, helping you brainstorm, providing choices of theses when writing, assisting you with forming arguments, providing grammar checks or feedback for structure, debugging code or creating works of art]. But the use of generative AI can also undermine learning by [eroding your ability to ideate independently, participate fully and intentionally in the writing process, or critically problem solve by debugging your code]. This can impact your work in future courses.

When using generative AI, please remember that these tools can still be inaccurate and produce hallucinations. You are responsible for the content of your work. [Please remember to cite all resources including the use of generative AI using the proper citation format. I ask that you identify your original work in addition to the work aided by generative AI. Please include a brief narrative relating the ways you utilized generative AI in your work]. Proper citation format for generative AI use can be found here [APA, MLA, etc]. Any work generated with AI should be fact checked to ensure accuracy. You are responsible for the content of your work.

More permissive allowance for generative AI use

You are invited to use generative AI for any work in this course. In that this work is generated based on prompts you provide; you are not required to cite or otherwise identify how or where you used generative AI for an assignment. However, generative AI still produces inaccurate information and can hallucinate. You are responsible for the content of your work.

The use of generative AI tools can have both beneficial and detrimental effects on your learning. Benefits may include [simplifying texts, helping you brainstorm, providing choices of theses when writing, assisting you with forming arguments, providing grammar checks or feedback for structure, debugging code or creating works of art]. However [eroding your ability to ideate independently, participate fully and intentionally in the writing process, or critically problem solve by debugging your code] can be detriments to your learning. 

THEO 1600   God: Stories and Questions

THEO 2110   Introduction to the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible

THEO 2210   Introduction to the New Testament

THEO 2410   Making Christianity Credible

THEO 2425   God in Human Experience

THEO 2510   Christian Ethics

THEO 2515   Social Justice

THEO 2610   The Christian Sacraments

THEO 2710   Religions of the World

THEO 2820   Religion and Science

THEO 2900   Love and the Human Condition

Grading and Assessment Policies 

1818 Classroom Visit Report form 

Site visits begin with scheduling the date that the liaison will observe your course. Typically, they will ask for the materials and readings for that day. The liaison and the instructor  will meet at some point before the course meeting to go over the process. The liaison will observe your course on the scheduled day, and there will be a scheduled recap meeting soon after. Once those steps are over, you will receive comments on a Site Visit Form. This will include strategies for improving your classroom interactions.

Theology Discipline-Specific Grading & Assessment