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CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY DEGREES
Christian Theology Major
Christian Scriptures Minor
Christian Theology Minor
GENERAL INFO
Admissions
Major/Minor Time Schedule
Major/Minor Course Descriptions
Faculty
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COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:

PHI 1002 | PHI 1004 | PHI 3651 | THEO 2710 | THEO 3110 | THEO 3120 | THEO 3130 | THEO 3140 | THEO 3210 | THEO 3220 | THEO 3230 | THEO 3240 | THEO 3301 | THEO 3302 | THEO 3303 | THEO 3331 | THEO 3401 | THEO 3501 | THEO 3510 | THEO 3601 | THEO 3640 | THEO 3710 | THEO 4000 | THEO 4100 | THEO 4290 | THEO 4401 | THEO 4610 | THEO 4899 | UFDN 2000 | VIEW ALL

PHI 1002: () Offerings
A survey of major philosophical ethicists emphasizing the works of Plato, Aquinas, Kant and Mill.
Attributes:Arts and Humanities B
PHI 1004: () Offerings
This course surveys the main ideas, movements and figures in the history of western philosophy from Socrates to Wittgenstein.
Attributes:Arts and Humanities B
PHI 3651: () Offerings
Prerequisite: PHI 1002 is recommended. An in-depth examination of the main philosophical theories of ethics such as cultural relativism, subjectivism, the divine command theory, ethical egoism, consequentialist views, deontological views and virtue ethics. Contemporary versions of these theories will be emphasized. Selected topics in metaethics will also be included, such as moral realism, morality and self-interest, moral knowledge.
Attributes:Upper-Division, Writing "W" Course
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.
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
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
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
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, especially when affirming the sometimes paradoxical and ambiguous nature of living life in harmony with God's purposes. Moreover, 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); only then is formed a fully biblical conception of a wise approach to life with God. 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
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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, theological anthropology, church and sacraments, and eschatology. May be repeated for credit 2 times.
Attributes:Upper-Division
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
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
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
THEO 3640: () Offerings
This course gives students tools for systematic analysis and theological critique of a culture and empathetic encounter with other peoples. Texts will include case studies and novels. 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
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
THEO 4000: () Offerings
Prerequisite: UFDN 2000 or 3001 and one 3000 level Scripture course. The historical period between the Old and New Testaments 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
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
THEO 4290: () Offerings
Prerequisite: UFDN 3100. The Bible testifies in a variety of ways to what God did in Israel and in Christ to get the world back on track. Most people find this biblical testimony fascinating and compelling. In addition, those who regard the Bible as God's gift to the community of faith will find its message indispensable for their spiritual, moral, and theological formation.
Attributes:Upper-Division, Writing "W" Course
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 activity and probes the distinctive emphases of various Christian traditions and theological movements. Examples of theologians considered: Augustine, Karl Barth, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Jonathan Edwards, John Wesley, the Eastern Christian Fathers, liberation theologians, and women theologians. May be repeated for credit 2 times.
Attributes:Upper-Division, Writing "W" Course
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
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.
UFDN 2000: () Offerings
Prerequisite: UFDN 1000. This course explores the formative role that Christian Scriptures perform within the community of believers. It seeks to introduce students to the literature and theology of both Old and New Testaments and to provide them with the necessary skills to make responsible use of Scripture as the church's principal authority in nurturing a Christian's faith and witness. Course cannot be taken for upper-division credit. May be repeated for credit 0 times.
Restrictions:Freshman students are excluded.



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