Course Descriptions

Courses numbered 1000-1999 are open to freshmen; 2000-2999 to sophomores; 3000-3999 to juniors; 4000-4999 to seniors. It is recommended that students elect courses in the years for which they are listed. Freshmen will be admitted to courses above the 2000 level only with the consent of the instructor and the student’s advisor. Juniors and seniors taking freshman courses may be expected to do additional work. Any course above 4999 is a graduate course.

NOTE:
The number in parentheses following the course title indicates the semester hours of credit assigned to the course.
An H following the course number indicates an honors level course.

THEO 2000
Exploring the Christian Worldview [Course/Lab] (3) (Liberal Arts)
This course will introduce students to the biblical worldview which forms the overarching framework of the Old and New Testaments. Students will explore important themes such as the creation, humanity in God's image, covenant, evil and idolatry, the kingdom of God, and the nature of redemption. Students will also take a critical look at the origins of and recent shifts in the dominant worldview that shapes contemporary Western culture, and we will ask what it means to be a faithful follower of Christ both in our academic work as students and in the whole of our lives in contemporary culture. Students will be encouraged to reflect on their own gifts and calling in God's world. The course includes a discussion section that meets regularly throughout the semester. Prerequisites: BIBL 1010, 1020, and PHL 2202 (Offered alternate years)

THEO 2050
Theology & Gender [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
This course is designed to help the student understand the influence that gender has on biblical interpretation and theological perspectives. Included among the topics of discussion is a consideration of the biblical material related to the nature of the human being as well as the ethical and social implications of a theology of human equality. In addition, the course seeks to expose the student to major models of feminist theological interpretation. It is hoped that this exposure, along with class discussion and reflection, will assist the student in coming to her or his own assessment of the relative value of each of these models for articulating a faithful and constructive theology for contemporary culture. (Also listed as SGEN 2050) Prerequisites: BIBL 1010, 1020, PHIL 2202. (Offered alternate years)

THEO 2700
Biblical Theology & Spiritual Formation [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
This course introduces students to some of the main Christian ideas about the nature of faith, God, Jesus, and creation. Students will explore these ideas in their ancient and modern contexts while developing their ability to think theologically. In this hands-on course, students will learn and practice a variety of spiritual disciplines and learn to understand such practices within the faithful framework of a robust biblical-theological understanding of God.

THEO 2701
Biblical Grace and Salvation [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
This course introduces students to the saving work of Jesus Christ. The course focuses on Jesus Christ, the doctrine of atonement, the Holy Spirit, the doctrine of salvation, and the outworking of salvation in the church and through an eschatological perspective. Students will explore these ideas in their ancient and modern contexts while developing their ability to think theologically.

THEO 2750
Knowing God: Introduction to Christian Theology [Course/Lab] (4) (Liberal Arts)
"This course provides an introduction to the main themes of Christian theology from both systematic and biblical perspectives. Areas of exploration will include the doctrines of God, creation, humanity, revelation, redemption, church, and last things. In addition to offering a survey of the major tenets of the Christian faith, this course seeks to encourage inquiry about the nature of Christian faith and helps students develop their abilities to think and express themselves theologically. This course will include a lab for exploring spiritual disciplines and practices as they connect to the study of theology. Prerequisites: BIBL 1010 and 1020 strongly recommended for those who have not studied the Bible previously."

THEO 2800
Biblical Theology of Creation [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
This course explores the biblical understanding of creation with an emphasis upon practical applications for creation-care today.

THEO 2900
Biblical Ethics [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
In this course students study biblical-theological systems if ethical decision-making and apply what they learn to the analysis of ethical and social issues in contemporary society, including abortion, affirmative action, capital punishment, cloning, constitutional freedoms, euthanasia, pacifism and just war, and extreme poverty.

THEO 3000
Topics in Theological Studies [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
This course is an upper-level seminar for students desiring advanced study in the craft of theology. Through examination of the writings of selected theologians, Christian thinkers, and theological topics, the course offers an in-depth analysis of the various sources, norms, and criteria that have been used in the development of Christian theology. Content differs from year to year. Prerequisites: BIBL 1010, BIBL 1020, PHIL 2202, and THEO 2750 or permission of the instructor. (May be repeated if content differs.) (Offered alternate years)

THEO 3050
World Religions [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
This study will focus on Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism, giving attention to the origins, development, literature, and belief systems of these religions. Issues of inter-religious dialogue will be examined.

THEO 3250
Seminar in Wesleyan Thought [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
This course examines the thought of John Wesley and his interpreters down to the present.

THEO 3300
Christology: Jesus in Theology & Culture [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
Jesus asks his followers, “Who do you say that I am?”(Mk 8:29). Like his disciples, we are obliged to answer this question. This course will explore theological understanding of Jesus Christ, his life, death, and resurrection, from the perspective of the Gospels, history, and culture including interaction with cultures around the world. This course will give students an opportunity to study the meaning and significance of Jesus’ life and mission for the world.

THEO 3400
Skepticism, Atheism and Religious Faith [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
What does it mean to attain depth in life and to become authentically human? What are obstacles to doing so? And is religious faith (a) inimical, (b) irrelevant, or (c) essential to reaching this goal? The aim of this course is to think about these closely related questions through a study of Friedrich Nietzsche and Soren Kierkegaard, two 19th century thinkers whose relevance and importance today is even greater than it was in their own time.

THEO 3750
Biblical Theology & Contemporary Culture [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
This advanced interdisciplinary seminar course explores the intersection of the biblical worldview with contemporary postmodern culture. The course addresses different foci from year to year. These might include biblical resources for meeting the challenges of postmodern life and ministry, contemporary Christian responses to postmodern thought, critical analysis of popular music in contemporary culture, and an appraisal of postmodern interpretive strategies for reading Scripture. Prerequisites: BIBL 1010, 1020, THEO 2000, PHIL 2202 (Recommended for juniors and seniors)

THEO 4010
Theological Issues in Historical Perspective [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
Christian thought is examined as it developed in its environments. The course focuses on selected scholars or topics. Prerequisites: BIBL 1010,1020 and PHIL 2202 or permission of the instructor. (Offered alternate years)

THEO 4060
Psychology and Theology [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
This study of the interface between psychology and theology begins with a consideration of the philosophical underpinnings of the major psychological theories and then moves to a comparison of biblical and scientific facts or interpretations. Specific topics addressed in this course may include the psychology of conversion, prejudice and religiosity, and the behavioral implications of faith. Prerequisites: PSYC 1010 and PHIL 2202 or permission of the instructor. Open to Juniors and Seniors only. Also listed as PSYC 4060

THEO 4900
Theology on Location [Course] (1 - 3) (Liberal Arts)
This course will offer students an opportunity to engage in various 'on location' study opportunities relevant to a particular topic in Religion & Philosophy. Students will be expected to participate in some traditional classroom work, but the course will include travel time (from a few days to three weeks) to destinations that relate to the topic of the course. Course topics will change. The travel component of this course will usually take place during a summer term. Students should expect to pay an additional fee to cover travel expenses.

THEO 4950
Independent Study [Course] (2 - 3) (Liberal Arts)
Independent study provides opportunity to pursue advanced or special-interest topics not covered in the curriculum. Prerequisites: 1. Junior standing. 2. A minimum of 9 semester hours in the discipline of the Independent Study. 3. A minimum grade point average of 2.50 in the discipline. 4. Proof of motivation and ability to work independently. 5. Approval of the department in which the study is to be taken. 6. Permission from the student's advisor, the course instructor, the Department Chair, the School Dean, and the Registrar.