| THEO 2620: () Offerings |
| This course provides an overview of the city in contemporary society. It introduces the student to the vocabulary, strategies, models, and theological foundations for urban ministry. |
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| THEO 2710: () Offerings |
| Introduces students to the definition, scope, and nature of the Church's teaching ministry. The task of educational ministry is designing teaching/learning experiences and environments that facilitate Christian formation. Students will examine the theological, historical, philosophical, and psycho-social foundations for educational ministry. |
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| THEO 2720: () Offerings |
| Provides a systematic approach to curriculum development and instructional theory for Christian education including theological, sociological, and psychological concerns at each age level. Emphasis is on effective Bible teaching. |
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| THEO 2735: () Offerings |
| The principles of discipleship and spiritual direction to the laity coupled with examples from congregational life will be central to this course. Students will develop ability to articulate their spiritual journey as well as cultivating their attending, discerning and helping skills. |
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| THEO 2900: () Offerings |
| Provides students with the opportunity to understand the relationship of Christian spirituality to personal integrity, interpersonal relationships, and the leadership of all organizations. Students will explore biblical examples of leadership and examine their own motivation and approaches to leadership. Special emphasis will be placed on practical skills in personal management, scheduling, prioritization, as well as the leadership of committees. |
| Restrictions:Freshman students are excluded. |
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| THEO 3100: () Offerings |
| Study of a selected book or particular theme of the Bible. Each quarter a new book or theme will be explored with particular attention given to its part in the formation of Christian life. All members of the SPU community are encouraged to "tune in CBS" (community Bible study)! May not be used to satisfy School of Theology major or minor requirements. May be repeated for credit up to 18 credits. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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| THEO 3110: () Offerings |
| Prerequisite: UFDN 2000 or 3001. Focuses on the first five books of the Bible known as Torah or Law (Pentateuch). Besides "law," Torah also means "instruction, teaching, story, or narrative." As the first major section of the Bible, Torah is foundational to the rest of the biblical witness. In this course, we will carry out a "close reading" of the text with a view to ascertaining the primary theological emphasis of a narrative that begins with creation and ends with the death of Moses. Reading Torah "as Scripture" informs our approach. Comparing this approach to a primarily "modern" reading will be an important feature of the course. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division, Writing "W" Course
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| THEO 3120: () Offerings |
| Prerequisite: UFDN 2000 or 3001. Consisting of the first half of the second major section of the Old Testament (prophets), the former prophets contain Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings. The stories contained in this extensive segment feature the fortunes and misfortunes of Israel, the people through whom God is attempting to bless the world. An understanding of the former prophets is requisite for understanding the latter prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the Twelve), as well as other parts of the Old and New Testaments. In this course, we will carry out a "close reading" of the text with a view to ascertaining the primary theological emphasis of a narrative that begins with Israel's entry into the Promised Land and ends with Israel's removal from that same land. Reading former prophets "as scripture" informs our approach. Comparing this approach to a primarily "modern" reading will be an important feature of the course. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division, Writing "W" Course
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| THEO 3130: () Offerings |
| Prerequisite: UFDN 2000 or 3001. Who were Israel's prophets? Some say they were liberal reformers who wanted to challenge the political status quo and change the world; others believe they were seers who predicted the coming of Jesus centuries before he arrived; still others think they were head-in-the-sand mystics without a clue about the world around them. This course will consider these fascinating, extraordinary individuals in their original historical and cultural setting as well as the ways in which their messages still speak into our world today. Of particular interest will be the prophetic emphasis on ethics: the way they proclaim that God is interested in right behavior, and not only right belief. We will also study the ways in which the prophets do - and don't - talk about Jesus Christ. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division, Writing "W" Course
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| THEO 3140: () Offerings |
| Prerequisite: UFDN 2000 or 3001. Wisdom literature is found within the diverse section of the Christian Old Testament known as the "Writings". In the biblical books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs and Job, as well as in the Apocryphal books Sirach and the Wisdom of Solomon, is found a rich distillation of timeless instruction open and available to all people. This course will pay close attention to Wisdom's complex approach to reality. The practical and optimistic perspective of "traditional" wisdom (e.g., Proverbs) will be compared and contrasted with "radical" wisdom's more skeptical and critical perspective (e.g., Ecclesiastes). Wisdom's contribution to our ethical practices will also be highlighted, with the belief that in "becoming a person of wisdom" the serious student must engage not only one's head, but one's entire life. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division, Writing "W" Course
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| THEO 3210: () Offerings |
| Prerequisite: UFDN 2000 or 3001. "Will the real Jesus please stand up?" A major revolution in society's and the church's views of Jesus would occur if he were allowed to speak and act on his own terms. So, in this course, students will be engaged in direct study of the gospel accounts in parallel form (alongside one another) and according to their authors' literary methods. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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| THEO 3220: () Offerings |
| Prerequisite: UFDN 2000 or 3001. Acts tells the exciting story of the first believers who continued the ministry of the risen Jesus from Jerusalem to Rome. Acts is also one of Scripture's most strategic books, providing the New Testament's introduction to the biblical letters by introducing us to their implied authors and audiences. Our classes will carefully study the Book of Acts with particular attention on how its story of the church's mission fulfills Old Testament promises to Israel, continues the Gospel's story of Jesus, and prepares us to study the New Testament letters in order to fashion a vigorous Christian faith for today's world. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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| THEO 3230: () Offerings |
| Prerequisite: UFDN 2000 or 3001. The two collections of New Testament Letters-Pauline (Romans-Philemon) and Catholic (James-Jude)-combine to give the New Testament student a balanced understanding of the Christian faith. These letters are among the most frequently consulted biblical writings in formulating what Christians believe and how they should behave in the world. Our classes will seek to clarify the historical, literary, and theological differences between these two collections in order to demonstrate why both are necessary in forming a more robust understanding of the Christian gospel. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division, Writing "W" Course
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| THEO 3240: () Offerings |
| Prerequisite: UFDN 2000 or 3001. Instead of being the "problem child" of the New Testament and the "happy hunting ground of kooks and weirdos," this book, if read intelligently and sympathetically, can become the Bible's crown jewel. We will also note how many of its themes have had a profound influence on art, music, literature, and modern psychology. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division, Writing "W" Course
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| THEO 3301: () Offerings |
| A survey of Christianity from its post-apostolic origins to the end of the Middle Ages. Initially, evaluates the formation of orthodoxy, the challenge of heterodoxy, early monasticism, missions to Western Europe; then explores the achievement of the medieval Church through a study of the papacy, scholasticism, and the Crusades. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
Restrictions:Freshman students are excluded. |
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| THEO 3302: () Offerings |
| A survey of European and Latin American Christian history from the 16th century to the present. Attention will be given to the Protestant and Catholic Reformations of the 16th century; to the colonization and evangelization of the Americas in the 16th and following centuries; to the rationalism, orthodoxy, and pietism of the 17th century; to the revivalism of the 18th century; to the historicism and liberalism in the 19th century; and to the emergence of neoorthodoxy, the ecumenical movement, and liberation theologies in the 20th century. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
Restrictions:Freshman students are excluded. |
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| THEO 3303: () Offerings |
| A survey of the development of American Christian thought and institutions from the 17th century to the present. Representative works by major thinkers of different historical periods and denominational affiliations will be studied. Particular attention will be given to the contemporary religious landscape, that is, to the varieties of American church life today. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
Restrictions:Freshman students are excluded. |
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| THEO 3305: () Offerings |
| Specific topics will vary. Past topics have included: "Western Spirituality" and "Religion and Politics in the Third Reich". May be repeated for credit up to 10 credits. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
Restrictions:Freshman students are excluded. |
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| THEO 3331: () Offerings |
| This course integrates Church history, biblical study, and Christian theology to develop students' understanding of women in Christianity. The class will include a survey of women in the Christian tradition including women of faith in the Bible and in Church history. Students will gain understanding of the philosophical and cultural contexts of biblical references to women and will probe the biblical texts to gain insight into their meaning and their implications for the present. Contributions that selected women have made to the church and the world will be highlighted. Theology, ministry style, community and family dynamics, and challenges faced by women today will be discussed. This course may be taken toward the Women's Studies minor. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
Restrictions:Freshman students are excluded. |
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| THEO 3401: () Offerings |
| Prerequisite: UFDN 3000 or 3100. In-depth study of selected areas of Christian doctrine. Deepens awareness of the biblical and practical roots of Christian doctrinal reflection as well as of the doctrinal consensus and diversity in the Christian tradition. Specific doctrinal focus will vary by quarter. Doctrinal areas regularly offered include God the Father, Christology, Holy Spirit, Trinity, theological anthropology, church and sacraments, and eschatology. May be repeated for credit 2 times. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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| THEO 3500: () Offerings |
| Study of a "hot button" topic of contemporary importance for Christ's people when engaging our culture to change the world. Each quarter a different topic will be studied with attention given to how theological and biblical instruction shapes distinctively Christian responses to the issues staked out. Case study approach with interactive class sessions will be the norm. All members of the SPU community-students, staff, faculty-are encouraged to participate! Course may not be used to satisfy School of Theology major or minor requirements. May be repeated for credit up to 18 credits. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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| THEO 3501: () Offerings |
| Prerequisite: UFDN 3000 or 3100. Explores the question, "What does it mean to lead a Christian life?" Discusses the practice of those spiritual disciplines and the cultivation of those moral virtues that properly characterize a follower of Jesus. Addresses several moral issues of special concern to the contemporary church, such as gender relations, sexual conduct, and the accumulation of wealth. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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| THEO 3510: () Offerings |
| Prerequisite: UFDN 3100. Focuses on the public dimension of Christian life. How ought Christians to engage their culture? How do we insure that such engagement is truly Christian? Addresses several social issues of special concern to the contemporary church, such as race relations, war and peace, and the separation of church and state. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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| THEO 3601: () Offerings |
| Studies how the growing multiplicity of cultures affects the fabric of America, provides a theological framework for understanding ethnic differences, prepares students to minister among people different from themselves, and proposes a Christian response to multiculturalism. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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| THEO 3610: () Offerings |
| Addresses practical issues of coping, bonding, lifestyle, family, religions, medical and economic development, evangelism, worship, and team building in another culture. Required for summer ministry teams. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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| THEO 3630: () Offerings |
| Assists students in the development of a practical theology of holistic ministry. Insights gained through on-site visits and classroom interviews with practitioners are balanced by theology, missiology, and social theory through analysis, research, and critique. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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| THEO 3640: () Offerings |
| This course gives students tools for systematic analysis and theological critique of a culture and empathetic encounter with other peoples. The class will explore culturally contextualized community development, health care, agriculture, microbusiness, evangelism, leadership development, music, ethnotheology, and skills for coping with culture stress. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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| THEO 3710: () Offerings |
| Studies the integration of theology and life span psychology in an attempt to understand the process of becoming and being Christian. Stage theories of development, human religious experience, and metaphorical and narrative theology are addressed. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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| THEO 3715: () Offerings |
| Examines the intersection of theology and culture as expressed among youth today. The course provides a theological critique aimed at a Christian perspective on youth culture and understanding how culture influences adolescent faith. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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| THEO 3720: () Offerings |
| Students will identify key streams of Christian spirituality through historical inquiry and practiced devotional exercises that nurture a critically imaginative relationship with God and neighbor. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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| THEO 3722: () Offerings |
| Course will investigate an aspect of Christian spiritual discipline central to deep devotional life. Course will address different disciplines. May be repeated for credit up to 8 credits. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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| THEO 3730: () Offerings |
| This course addresses key ministry concerns in regard to logistics, planning, and programming for a balanced ministry to the whole church through the lives of youth. Emphasis will be placed on planning with diversity and/or special needs which arise within a mnistry to youth and families. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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| THEO 3732: () Offerings |
| This course presents a topical overview of contemporary issues that face ministry to youth and family from three angles; personal and systemic crises within the life of youth, families, and in the life of the person serving these communities. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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| THEO 3733: () Offerings |
| The purpose of this course is to experience the redemptive and formative role of small groups in Christian spirituality. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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| THEO 3734: () Offerings |
| This course will focus on the role of spiritual direction, mentoring and accountability in order to appreciate the role of authentic friendship as a vital aspect of the Christian life. Students will participate in reflective exercises as well as in-depth readings on the nature of authentic friendship. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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| THEO 3735: () Offerings |
| Examines missions and evangelistic work in youth ministry. The course focuses on outreach to youth and outreach with youth. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
Restrictions:Freshman students are excluded. |
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| THEO 3810: () Offerings |
| Prerequisite: THEO 2620. Investigates faith-based community economic development programs, such as those founded by John Perkins. Students will work on a small business project. Some sessions of this class will be held off campus in central Seattle. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
Restrictions:Freshman students are excluded. |
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| THEO 4000: () Offerings |
| Prerequisite: UFDN 2000 or 3001 and one 3000 level Scripture course. The Greco-Roman period proved vital to the formation of Judaism and the rise of Christianity. Students will study this extraordinary era to identify its pivotal historical events; to explore the innovative ways authors of important literary texts, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, interpreted Israel's Scriptures; and to evaluate the significance of early Jewish writings, such as those found in the Old Testament Apocrypha, for understanding the New Testament and the emergence of Christianity. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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| THEO 4100: () Offerings |
| Prerequisite: UFDN 2000 or 3001. Many of the most compelling and controversial issues facing North American Christians today challenge our longstanding moral convictions as God's people-about abortion, gender, human sexuality, war and peace, use of wealth, homelessness, race relations, friendship. This course seeks to address these issues in two ways. First, to help students learn what the Christian Bible teaches us about Christian living-what core beliefs and resurrection practices provide the biblical foundation for a manner of life that truly pleases God. Second, to help students learn how to use Scripture as a resource in making moral choices and when participating in moral debate as God's people are called on to engage the wider culture. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division, Writing "W" Course
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| THEO 4290: () Offerings |
| Prerequisite: UFDN 3100. The Bible is the church's Scripture-a sacred text that communicates a word from the living God for the ongoing people of God. This simple definition provides the course with its essential focus: to train students of Scripture how to interpret faithfully and skillfully the richness of its diverse but integral parts, Old Testament and New Testament, in order to hear a fresh word from God for today. Students of this course will learn the terms of Scripture's authority for believers and will discuss the variety of practical issues staked out whenever the Bible is studied as a witness to the Holy Trinity. Students will study the various attempts, ancient and modern, to integrate the church's theology and its biblical texts in coherent and useful ways. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division, Writing "W" Course
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| THEO 4401: () Offerings |
| Prerequisite: UFDN 3000 or 3100. Considers the work of a major Christian theologian or group of theologians who share a distinctive theological approach. Provides models of the "craft" of theological inquiry and probes the distinctive emphases of various Christian traditions and theological movements. Examples of theologians considered include: the Eastern and Western Christian Fathers and Mother, John Wesley, Karl Barth, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, C.S. Lewis, feminist theologians, and contemporary global theologies. May be repeated for credit 2 times. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division, Writing "W" Course
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| THEO 4602: () Offerings |
| This course will deal with contemporary issues facing Latin American Christians, with attention to history, theology, ethnicities, ministry among the poor, and contextualized Christian witness. Hispanics in the Pacific Northwest will also be a focus. Field experience in Spanish-speaking churches in Metro Seattle will be part of the class. Offered alternate years. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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| THEO 4603: () Offerings |
| This course will deal with contemporary issues facing Asian and African Christians, with attention to history, theology, ethnicities, ministry among the poor, and contextualized Christian witness. Field experience in African and Asian churches in Metro Seattle will be part of the class. Offered alternate years. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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| THEO 4610: () Offerings |
| Primal religions: Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Shinto are explored. Each faith is set in philosophical and cultural context. Applications for effective Christian witness are developed, showing appreciation for the faiths and contrasting with them. Common elements that Christianity shares with each faith are suggested. Apologetic bases for contrasting Christian faith with others are delineated. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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| THEO 4620: () Offerings |
| Prerequisites: THEO 2620 and THEO 3630, 3640, or 4610. This course studies the complexity of 21st-Century urban culture, including systems such as health care, media, social services, politics, education, entertainment, business, as well as the influence of various ethnic, religious, and social groups and their values. Students will identify their own cultural biases and assumptions and develop a personal theology of urban ministry. This course is an interdisciplinary course utilizing theology and the social sciences. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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| THEO 4720: () Offerings |
| Prerequisite: THEO 2710. A study of leadership from four perspectives: theological issues in leadership; understanding oneself as a leader; leadership behavior and skills; and leadership in a team context. The course focuses on preparation for a leadership position in educational ministry. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division, Writing "W" Course
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| THEO 4731: () Offerings |
| Prerequisites: THEO 2710, 3710. Studies age-group characteristics, needs and interests of children with special emphasis on program development, and teaching techniques related to program ideas. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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| THEO 4733: () Offerings |
| Prerequisites: THEO 2710, 2720, 3710. Studies the various periods of adulthood from the standpoint of characteristics, needs, aims, material, and methods of teaching. Emphasizes the teaching process for adults in terms of andragogy (a shared approach to learning) as opposed to pedagogy. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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| THEO 4735: () Offerings |
| This course looks at the vital role that Christian community plays in the faith of a believer. Reflection upon monastic, utopian, and various church models in both practice and principle. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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| THEO 4736: () Offerings |
| The goal is for students to journey as a pilgrim to sites of key saints in the church. The course will begin as an orientation retreat that flows into pilgrimage, and concludes with a solitary retreat and service project. May be repeated for credit up to 9 credits. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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| THEO 4899: () Offerings |
| Prerequisites: UFDN 3000 or 3100. Incorporates the breadth of the theological disciplines and provides integration of themes from UFDN and UCOR common curriculum. Reflection on the integration of faith and learning toward vocational goals will also be included. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
Restrictions:Senior students only. |
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| THEO 4900: () Offerings |
| Prerequisite: 25 credits in biblical literature, church history, theology, and/or Christian ethics and current enrollment as a Theology major or minor, or approval of the Dean of the School of Theology. May be repeated for credit up to 15 credits. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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| THEO 4930: () Offerings |
| Provides selected majors experience as an undergraduate teaching or research assistant with a School of Theology member. May be repeated for credit up to 9 credits. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
Restrictions:Biblical Literature, Biblical Studies, Christian Education, Christian Ministries, Christian Theology, Cross Cultural Ministries Majors only. |
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| THEO 4940: () Offerings |
| Prerequisites: 25 credits in theology coursework at SPU; current enrollment as a major or minor in the School of Theology. May be repeated for credit up to 15 credits. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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| THEO 4950: () Offerings |
| Provides a focused study of a specific theological topic chosen by the instructor. The study typically explores theological perspectives on a contemporary issue. See current Time Schedule for topic. May be repeated for credit up to 10 credits. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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