Christian Studies, Bachelor of Arts

REQUIRED MAJOR HOURS 50
REQUIRED MINOR HOURS NONE
TOTAL PROGRAM HOURS 50
PRESCRIBED COURSES ATTAINABLE IN GEN ED: RELI 245, RELI 354
The Christian Studies major will prepare students for careers in service to God and humanity through the study of the Christian scriptures, engagement with Christian traditions, the sharpening of students’ minds, and experiences in Christian ministry.

Student Learning Outcomes


Students will demonstrate:
1. Basic knowledge in the core areas of philosophy, theology, Christian history, spiritual formation, and biblical studies;
2. Evidence of understanding the key ideas of the student’s chosen concentration, one of the following: Biblical Studies, Discipleship Studies, Youth Discipleship Studies, Missiology, or Theological Studies;
3. The ability to do research and critical analysis in religious studies and philosophy;
4. The ability to give clear, substantive oral and written reports in religious studies and philosophy;
5. The ability to apply academic learning to a practical ministry setting.

Program Requirements

Required Major Hours (17 hours)

RELI 201Introduction to Religious and Theological Studies

2

PHIL 200Introduction to Philosophy

3

RELI 271Spiritual Formation

3

RELI 321Introduction to Christian History

3

RELI 333Christian Theology

3

RELI 490Senior Seminar

3

Practicum Internship (Choose one; 3 hours)

RELI 358Practicum

3

RELI 397Internship

3

Concentration (24 hours)

Students choose one of the following five concentrations (requirements given below):

Biblical Studies

Discipleship Studies

Missiology

Theological Studies

Youth Discipleship Studies

Department Electives (Choose two; 6 hours)

Choose any combination of GREK, HEBR, PHIL, and RELI courses totaling six hours.

Total Credit Hours: 50

Concentration in Biblical Studies

The concentration in Biblical Studies will provide students with a deeper understanding of the Old and New Testaments. Students will also study Greek and Hebrew and the contexts in which the biblical text was shaped.

Biblical Studies/Old Testament (Choose two; 6 hours)

RELI 302The Sacred Writings

3

RELI 303Old Testament Prophets

3

RELI 306Old Testament Theology

3

RELI 307Studies in the Pentateuch

3

Biblical Studies/New Testament (Choose two; 6 hours)

RELI 311Synoptic Gospels

3

RELI 312Life and Letters of Paul

3

RELI 314New Testament Theology

3

RELI 316The Writings of John

3

RELI 317The General Epistles and Hebrews

3

Biblical Studies/Judaism (Choose one; 3 hours)

Any course listed under Biblical Studies/Old Testament or Biblical Studies/New Testament
RELI 310Selected Topics in Biblical Studies

3

RELI 349Introduction to Judaism

3

RELI 351Biblical Backgrounds

3

RELI 352Biblical Interpretation

3

Language Requirement (9 hours)

Students must take GREK 101, GREK 102, HEBR 101, and HEBR 102. Either GREK 101 or HEBR 101 will be counted as a part of the General Education requirements. The other three classes will count here.
GREK 101Elementary New Testament Greek I

3

GREK 102Elementary New Testament Greek II

3

HEBR 101Elementary Hebrew I

3

HEBR 102Elementary Hebrew II

3

Concentration in Discipleship Studies

The concentration in Discipleship Studies will give students an understanding of the basic principles of Christian discipleship among various age groups. The student will learn about leadership and administration principles for effective discipleship processes.

Biblical Studies/Old Testament (Choose one; 3 hours)

RELI 302The Sacred Writings

3

RELI 303Old Testament Prophets

3

RELI 306Old Testament Theology

3

RELI 307Studies in the Pentateuch

3

Biblical Studies/New Testament (Choose one; 3 hours)

RELI 311Synoptic Gospels

3

RELI 312Life and Letters of Paul

3

RELI 314New Testament Theology

3

RELI 316The Writings of John

3

RELI 317The General Epistles and Hebrews

3

Discipleship Required Courses (6 hours)

RELI 370History and Philosophy of Religious Education

3

RELI 373Church Leadership

3

Discipleship Electives (Choose three; 9 hours)

RELI 374Preschool and Children Discipleship

3

RELI 375Youth Discipleship

3

RELI 376Advanced Youth Discipleship

3

RELI 377Adult Discipleship

3

Psychology (3 hours)

PSYC 206Developmental Psychology

3

Concentration in Missiology

The major in Missiology provides an opportunity to explore the field of Christian Mission. The biblical, historical, and practical foundation for Missiology will enable students to discover how they might interact effectively with people from a variety of cultural and religious backgrounds.

Missiology (Choose four; 12 hours)

RELI 343Growth and Revival in the Christian Church

3

RELI 326Introduction to Missiology

3

RELI 328Global Christianity

3

RELI 329Cross-Cultural Missiology

3

RELI 378Contemporary Religious Movements

3

Biblical Studies (Choose one; 3 hours)

RELI 302The Sacred Writings

3

RELI 303Old Testament Prophets

3

RELI 306Old Testament Theology

3

RELI 307Studies in the Pentateuch

3

RELI 310Selected Topics in Biblical Studies

3

RELI 311Synoptic Gospels

3

RELI 312Life and Letters of Paul

3

RELI 314New Testament Theology

3

RELI 316The Writings of John

3

RELI 317The General Epistles and Hebrews

3

RELI 352Biblical Interpretation

3

Discipleship Studies (Choose one; 3 hours)

RELI 370History and Philosophy of Religious Education

3

RELI 373Church Leadership

3

RELI 374Preschool and Children Discipleship

3

RELI 375Youth Discipleship

3

RELI 377Adult Discipleship

3

World Religions (Choose two; 6 hours)

RELI 344Western Religions

3

RELI 345Eastern Religions

3

RELI 347Religions of India

3

RELI 348Religions of China and Japan

3

RELI 349Introduction to Judaism

3

RELI 350Introduction to Islam

3

Concentration in Theological Studies

The concentration in Theological Studies will immerse the student in the traditions of Christian theology and engage the student in thinking critically and creatively about how theology is formed and practiced. Students will learn both the biblical foundations for theology and the ways that different historical and cultural contexts have shaped theology in the lives of Christians.

Theological Studies Required Courses (18 hours)

RELI 306Old Testament Theology

3

RELI 314New Testament Theology

3

RELI 328Global Christianity

3

RELI 341Christian Ethics

3

RELI 344Western Religions

3

RELI 345Eastern Religions

3

Theological Studies Electives (Choose two; 6 hours)

Choose any two of the following: any GREK, HEBR, or PHIL courses; any RELI courses numbered 302 or higher

Concentration in Youth Discipleship Studies

The concentration in Youth Discipleship Studies will provide the student with an understanding of the basic principles of youth discipleship in a Christian context. The student will learn how to develop leadership and administration skills necessary for effective youth discipleship.

Biblical Studies/Old Testament (Choose one; 3 hours)

RELI 302The Sacred Writings

3

RELI 303Old Testament Prophets

3

RELI 306Old Testament Theology

3

RELI 307Studies in the Pentateuch

3

Biblical Studies/New Testament (Choose one; 3 hours)

RELI 311Synoptic Gospels

3

RELI 312Life and Letters of Paul

3

RELI 314New Testament Theology

3

RELI 316The Writings of John

3

RELI 317The General Epistles and Hebrews

3

Discipleship Required Courses (12 hours)

RELI 370History and Philosophy of Religious Education

3

RELI 373Church Leadership

3

RELI 375Youth Discipleship

3

RELI 376Advanced Youth Discipleship

3

Discipleship Elective (Choose one; 3 hours)

RELI 374Preschool and Children Discipleship

3

RELI 377Adult Discipleship

3

Psychology (Choose one; 3 hours)

PSYC 206Developmental Psychology

3

PSYC 302Adolescent Psychology

3

 

Additional Requirements for Transfer Majors

All students transferring under the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement must complete RELI 245 and RELI 354.

Second Major

A student for whom Christian Studies is not the student’s only major shall meet all requirements of the major except for the hours designated as departmental electives. The total hour requirement is 44 hours.