| THEO 1201: Hebrew I (4) Offerings |
| Surveys the essentials of biblical Hebrew, including grammar, morphology, syntax, and vocabulary, through the translation of selected Old Testament texts. |
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| THEO 1202: Hebrew II (4) Offerings |
| Continues to survey the essentials of biblical Hebrew, including grammar, morphology, syntax and vocabulary, through the translation of selected Old Testament texts. This course is meant to be taken in a sequence with Hebrew I. If the sequence is interrupted, a placement exam must be passed before the second quarter begins. |
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| THEO 1203: Hebrew III (4) Offerings |
| Continues to survey the essentials of biblical Hebrew, including grammar, morphology, syntax and vocabulary. It seeks to provide a beginning knowledge of the exegetical task and the tools to achieve it. This course is meant to be taken in a sequence with Hebrew I and II. If the sequence is interrupted, a placement exam must be passed before the third quarter begins. Includes a translation of the book of Jonah. |
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| THEO 2620: Introduction to Global and Urban Ministry (5) 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 within a global context. |
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| THEO 2710: Foundations for Educational Ministry (5) 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: Curriculum and Instruction (5) Offerings |
| Prerequisite: THEO 2710. 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 2721: Foundations of the Spiritual Life (3) 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. |
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| THEO 2730: Biblical and Theological Introduction to Christian Reconciliation (5) Offerings |
| This gateway course to the Reconciliation Studies Minor introduces students to the theology and practice of Christian reconciliation. It provides an overview of the biblical and theological foundations of reconciliation with God in Christ, along with an exploration of the ethical implications of the doctrine, and a survey of the most prominent historical expressions of Christian reconciliation. It also helps students to understand the way in which reconciliation studies connect with SPU's mission, history and Wesleyan heritage. This course will require each student to establish an intended approach to the minor and explain their conception of how it fits with their major. |
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| THEO 2735: Christian Discipleship (3) 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 3100: Community Bible Study (2) 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: Torah/Pentateuch: The Old Testament Gospel (5) Offerings |
| Prerequisite: UFDN 2000 or 3001. This course focuses on the first five books (or scrolls: Pentateuch) of the Bible known as Torah. Sometimes narrowly translated-and narowly understood-as law, torah also means instruction, teaching, story, and narrative. The content of the Torah will be the material used to help students go deeper with what they learned in UFDN 2000. In this course, students will learn how to utilize the various tools and methodologies of academic biblical study to explore the history, literary and theology of the first five books of the Bible. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division, Writing "W" Course
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| THEO 3210: Four Gospels and One Jesus (5) Offerings |
| Prerequisite: UFDN 2000 or 3001. This course is intentionally designed to be an introduction to biblical studies for students seeking to go deeper with what they learned in UFDN 2000. In it students will learn how to utilize the various tools and methodologies of academic biblical study to explore the history, literature and theology of the four canonical gospels. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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| THEO 3250: Biblical Texts: Old Testament (5) Offerings |
| Prerequisite: UFDN 2000 or 3001. Text centered analysis of selected books from the Old Testament such as Genesis, 1-2 Samuel, Job, Psalms, and Isaiah. May be repeated for credit 3 times. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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| THEO 3255: Biblical Texts: New Testament (5) Offerings |
| Text centered analysis of selected books from the New Testament such as Acts, Romans, James, and Revelation. May be repeated for credit 3 times. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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| THEO 3260: Biblical Topics (5) Offerings |
| Prerequisite: UFDN 2000. Considers a selected topic as it is developed throughout scripture with an eye to its contemporary relevance and the relationship between Scripture and other academic disciplines (e.g. Biology, Business, Psychology). Examples of topics considered include: the Holy Spirit, God the Creator, Political Power, The Dead Sea Scrolls, War, Human Sexuality, The Old Testament Aprocryphal Books, and The Bible and Movies. May be repeated for credit 3 times. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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| THEO 3301: Early and Medieval Christianity (5) 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. |
| Equivalent Courses:HIS 3401
Attributes:Upper-Division
Restrictions:Freshman students are excluded. |
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| THEO 3302: Reformation and Modern Christianity (5) 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. |
| Equivalent Courses:HIS 3402
Attributes:Upper-Division
Restrictions:Freshman students are excluded. |
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| THEO 3303: Christianity in America (5) 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. |
| Equivalent Courses:HIS 3406
Attributes:Upper-Division
Restrictions:Freshman students are excluded. |
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| THEO 3305: Topics in the History of Christianity (3-5) 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. |
| Equivalent Courses:HIS 3405
Attributes:Upper-Division
Restrictions:Freshman students are excluded. |
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| THEO 3331: Women in Christianity (5) 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: Exploring Christian Doctrine (5) Offerings |
| Prerequisite: UFDN 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 3403: History and Theology of Christian Worship (3) Offerings |
| Prerequisite: UFDN 3100. Worship both reflects and shapes the ways in which Christian convictions are understood, experienced, and embodied by the followers of Jesus in any given historical epoch or cultural context. This course examines representative liturgical practices and worship spaces from different periods, cultures, and branches of the Christian tradition. But it will not only ask how Christians in various times and places have actually worshipped God. It will also ask how Christians ought - and ought not - to worship. It will suggest theological tests for determining when worship has degenerated into emotionalism, formalism or superstition. Students will be expected to attend Sunday worship services at several different churches in the Seattle metro area. This course may, but need not, be taken in conjunction with THEO 4930 Practicum: Christian Worship (2). |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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| THEO 3500: Christ and Culture (2) 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: Christian Ethics (5) Offerings |
| Prerequisite: UFDN 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: Christianity and Society (5) 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: Multiethnic Ministry (3) 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: Living in Another Culture (3) 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: Holistic Ministry (3) 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: Cross-Cultural Communication (3) 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: Human Development and Christian Faith (5) 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: Youth Cultures and Christian Faith (3) 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. Particular attention will be focused on popular culture, mass media, film and T.V. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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| THEO 3722: Christian Disciplines (2) Offerings |
| Course will investigate a Christian spiritual practice central to deep devotional life. Course will address a different discipline each quarter, such as prayer, Sabbath-keeping, and Spiritual retreats. May be repeated for credit up to 8 credits. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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| THEO 3730: Theology and Practice of Youth Ministry (3) 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 ministry to youth and families. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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| THEO 3732: Current Issues in Youth Ministry (3) 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: Small Group Dynamics (3) 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: Spiritual Friendship (3) 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: Youth Ministry: Mission and Evangelism (3) Offerings |
| Examines missions and evangelistic work in youth ministry. The course focuses on outreach to youth and with youth. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
Restrictions:Freshman students are excluded. |
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| THEO 3810: Community Economic Development (3) 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: From the Old Testament to the New (5) 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: Biblical Ethics: How Shall We then Live? (5) 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: Biblical Theology: Reading the Whole Bible as Scripture (5) 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: Representative Theologians (5) Offerings |
| Prerequisite: UFDN 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, historical periods, and theological movements. Examples of theologians considered include: the Eastern and Western Christian Fathers and Mothers, Augustine of Hippo, Medieval Theology, Thomas Aquinas, John Calvin, Karl Barth, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, C. S. Lewis and Friends, Lesslie Newbigin, Theology of the Black Church, and Global Theologies. May be repeated for credit 2 times. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division, Writing "W" Course
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| THEO 4402: Wesleyan Theology (5) Offerings |
| Prerequisite: UFDN 3100. Considers the work of one or more major voices in the Wesleyan theological tradition, and explores the relevance of the distinctive theological concerns and methods of that tradition for ministry today. Topics may include John Wesley, Charles Wesley, Wesleyan Hermeneutics (e.g. Adam Clarke, Albert Outler), the Wesleyan holiness Movement (e.g. John Fletcher, Phoebe Palmer, B.T. Roberts, Phineas Bresee), and Modern Wesleyan Theology (e.g. B.P. Bowne, Edwin Lewis, Georgia Harkness). Offered alternate years. It satisfies the THEO 4401 requirement for Christian Theology majors and minors. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division, Writing "W" Course
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| THEO 4602: Issues in Latin American Christianity (3) 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: Issues in Asian/African Christianity (3) 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: World Religions (3) Offerings |
| Primal religions, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Shinto are explored. Each faith is studied in philosophical and cultural context. Applications for effective Christian witness are developed, showing appreciation for the faiths and contrasts with them. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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| THEO 4620: Interpreting the City (5) 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: Leadership in Ministry (5) 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
Restrictions:Freshman, Sophomore students are excluded. |
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| THEO 4731: Child Development and Educational Ministry (3) 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: Adult Development and Educational Ministry (3) 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: Formative Christian Community (3) 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: SoulJourn (3) Offerings |
| Souljourn is a spiritual pilgrimage to a "sacred site". Students travel to the home territory of a Christian saint or ministry. Students will better understand the testimony of a faithful Christian life through readings and a first-hand encounter with the physical context of the person's life and ministry. May be repeated for credit up to 9 credits. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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| THEO 4899: Christian Theology Capstone (2-5) Offerings |
| 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:Christian Theology, Educational Ministry Majors only. Senior students only. |
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| THEO 4900: Independent Study (1-5) Offerings |
| Prerequisite: 25 credits of "THEO" prefix coursework 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: Practicum (1-5) Offerings |
| Provides an experiential learning assignment to parallel to a course in which a student is concurrently registered. May also be used for students completing a teaching or research assistantship with a School of Theology faculty member. May be repeated for credit up to 9 credits. |
| Attributes:Upper-Division
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| THEO 4940: Internship (1-15) 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: Special Topics (1-5) 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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