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Christian Ministry Courses
Religion 225 Hebrew Bible - 4 hours
A survey of the literature of the Hebrew Bible from the perspective of contemporary biblical scholarship: its genres, its sources, and its importance as reflecting the history and developing beliefs of Israel. Every year
Religion 235 New Testament - 4 hours
A survey of New Testament literature from the perspective of contemporary biblical scholarship: its genres, its sources and authors, its importance as reflecting the history and beliefs of early Christian faith.
Religion 245 Introduction to the Christian Tradition - 4 hours
An analysis of Christian faith through an historical overview of theological developments in the Christian encounter with the world, this course looks at critical "turning points" in the Christian tradition from the spread of Christianity after the first-century destruction of the Jerusalem temple, through early debates about the nature of the trinity, the sixteenth-century Protestant Reformations, to twentieth-century developments such as Vatican II and the rise of feminist theology. Every year
--OR
Religion 385 Contemporary Christian Theology - 4 hours
A study of major theological movements in the twentieth century, such as liberal Protestantism, neo-orthodoxy, process theology, the various liberation theologies, and their representative thinkers. Suggested prerequisite: REL 245. Alternate years
--OR
387 The Roman Catholic Tradition - 4 hours
An investigation of the current doctrines and practices of Roman Catholicism in the context of its theological and philosophical heritage. The course will focus on careful readings of foundational thinkers such as St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas in order to understand contemporary positions of the Roman Catholic Church. Alternate years
--OR
another theology class approved by the Director of Christian Ministry
Religion 400 Growth and Learning: Faith Development - 1 hour
Students examine concepts and issues regarding development and learning for P-12 children and youth. Instruction and related field activities assist candidates to connect concepts and theories to teaching practice. This course requires participation in field activities and helps to prepare candidates for methods courses, and Clinical and Candidate Teaching. Must be taken in conjunction with Education 300; students taking this class will be expected to do extra work in faith development. Prerequisite: sophomore level status, ED 100/140, one 200-level Religion course, and permission of the instructor. Every Year.
Religion 402 A Survey of Sacred Music-Music of the Christian Church from Medieval to Contemporary - 3 hours
An exploration of the musical history of hymnody and its relationship to the history of the church. Students will explore the role of music in worship with emphasis on developing and planning music programs in worship services and in Christian Education. The course will include field trips, guest lectures, and participation in church music programs. Cross-listed with the Music Department. Alternate years
Religion 403 Counseling Theories and Process - 1 hour
A course designed to acquaint the student with the major counseling theories, their theoretical roots and application. Emphasis is placed on the use of these strategies and techniques in the clinical setting. Taken in conjunction with Psychology 333; students taking this class will be expected to do extra work in pastoral counseling. Prerequisites: One 200-level Religion course and permission of the instructor. Offered each Spring Semester.
Religion 405 Church Leadership: Preaching, Worship, Polity and Program - 4 hours
A study of preaching, worship, lectionary use, hymnody, polity/church government, and interpersonal and organizational skills. The polity segment will be taught ecumenically and comparatively, incorporating special projects so students can develop an understanding of their particular denomination. Prerequisites: One 200-level Religion course and permission of the instructor. Alternate Years.
Religion 406 Christian Education and Youth Ministry - 4 hours
An introductory course in the theologies, methods, and models of Christian Education in faith communities. Particular attention will be paid to issues of gender, race, and class in ministry to youth. Prerequisites: One 200-level Religion course and permission of the instructor. Alternate Years.
REL 407 Social Justice, Mission, and Ministry - 1 hour
A reflective study of the theories and practice of social justice and mission work in the context of lay and ordained ministry. Taken following HUM 392 or with Hum 230. Offered each spring semester.
Religion 480 Seminar on the Nature of Christian Ministry - 1 hour
A capstone course, to be taken in the junior or senior year, that involves written and oral reflection on the nature of Christian Ministry, as well as an assessment component to help us evaluate our overall program. Intended for students minoring in Christian Ministry. Prerequisites: permission of the instructor. Every Year.
Religion 490 Student Ministry Practicum - 3 hours
A ministry practicum in an approved church or Christian organization for 10 to 12 hours per week during the fall or spring semester, or 20 hours per week for eight weeks in the summer, preferably during the junior or senior year. Students will be required to attend a seminar every other week to discuss and reflect on their service. The practicum will focus on church leadership in pastoral ministry, Christian education, music ministry, mission, or another area of religious service. Students will receive a stipend. Prerequisites: permission of the instructor.
Religion 225 Hebrew Bible - 4 hours
A survey of the literature of the Hebrew Bible from the perspective of contemporary biblical scholarship: its genres, its sources, and its importance as reflecting the history and developing beliefs of Israel. Every year
Religion 235 New Testament - 4 hours
A survey of New Testament literature from the perspective of contemporary biblical scholarship: its genres, its sources and authors, its importance as reflecting the history and beliefs of early Christian faith.
Religion 245 Introduction to the Christian Tradition - 4 hours
An analysis of Christian faith through an historical overview of theological developments in the Christian encounter with the world, this course looks at critical "turning points" in the Christian tradition from the spread of Christianity after the first-century destruction of the Jerusalem temple, through early debates about the nature of the trinity, the sixteenth-century Protestant Reformations, to twentieth-century developments such as Vatican II and the rise of feminist theology. Every year
--OR
Religion 385 Contemporary Christian Theology - 4 hours
A study of major theological movements in the twentieth century, such as liberal Protestantism, neo-orthodoxy, process theology, the various liberation theologies, and their representative thinkers. Suggested prerequisite: REL 245. Alternate years
--OR
387 The Roman Catholic Tradition - 4 hours
An investigation of the current doctrines and practices of Roman Catholicism in the context of its theological and philosophical heritage. The course will focus on careful readings of foundational thinkers such as St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas in order to understand contemporary positions of the Roman Catholic Church. Alternate years
--OR
another theology class approved by the Director of Christian Ministry
Religion 400 Growth and Learning: Faith Development - 1 hour
Students examine concepts and issues regarding development and learning for P-12 children and youth. Instruction and related field activities assist candidates to connect concepts and theories to teaching practice. This course requires participation in field activities and helps to prepare candidates for methods courses, and Clinical and Candidate Teaching. Must be taken in conjunction with Education 300; students taking this class will be expected to do extra work in faith development. Prerequisite: sophomore level status, ED 100/140, one 200-level Religion course, and permission of the instructor. Every Year.
Religion 402 A Survey of Sacred Music-Music of the Christian Church from Medieval to Contemporary - 3 hours
An exploration of the musical history of hymnody and its relationship to the history of the church. Students will explore the role of music in worship with emphasis on developing and planning music programs in worship services and in Christian Education. The course will include field trips, guest lectures, and participation in church music programs. Cross-listed with the Music Department. Alternate years
Religion 403 Counseling Theories and Process - 1 hour
A course designed to acquaint the student with the major counseling theories, their theoretical roots and application. Emphasis is placed on the use of these strategies and techniques in the clinical setting. Taken in conjunction with Psychology 333; students taking this class will be expected to do extra work in pastoral counseling. Prerequisites: One 200-level Religion course and permission of the instructor. Offered each Spring Semester.
Religion 405 Church Leadership: Preaching, Worship, Polity and Program - 4 hours
A study of preaching, worship, lectionary use, hymnody, polity/church government, and interpersonal and organizational skills. The polity segment will be taught ecumenically and comparatively, incorporating special projects so students can develop an understanding of their particular denomination. Prerequisites: One 200-level Religion course and permission of the instructor. Alternate Years.
Religion 406 Christian Education and Youth Ministry - 4 hours
An introductory course in the theologies, methods, and models of Christian Education in faith communities. Particular attention will be paid to issues of gender, race, and class in ministry to youth. Prerequisites: One 200-level Religion course and permission of the instructor. Alternate Years.
REL 407 Social Justice, Mission, and Ministry - 1 hour
A reflective study of the theories and practice of social justice and mission work in the context of lay and ordained ministry. Taken following HUM 392 or with Hum 230. Offered each spring semester.
Religion 480 Seminar on the Nature of Christian Ministry - 1 hour
A capstone course, to be taken in the junior or senior year, that involves written and oral reflection on the nature of Christian Ministry, as well as an assessment component to help us evaluate our overall program. Intended for students minoring in Christian Ministry. Prerequisites: permission of the instructor. Every Year.
Religion 490 Student Ministry Practicum - 3 hours
A ministry practicum in an approved church or Christian organization for 10 to 12 hours per week during the fall or spring semester, or 20 hours per week for eight weeks in the summer, preferably during the junior or senior year. Students will be required to attend a seminar every other week to discuss and reflect on their service. The practicum will focus on church leadership in pastoral ministry, Christian education, music ministry, mission, or another area of religious service. Students will receive a stipend. Prerequisites: permission of the instructor.
