Jewish Christian Studies Minor

This course is a study of the history, culture, and religion of the modern Middle East, especially as it relates to the development of, and ongoing interaction between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. We will seek to understand each community in terms of their origin, development, influences, and connections to each other and to civil orders. We will observe the concepts and phenomena they share, as well as the ways in which they are distinguished. We will then apply this knowledge to an analysis of current events and dynamics in the Middle East and how this plays out globally. Cross listed with HIST 315. Meets the general education global foundations requirement. Prerequisite: THEO 110 or THEO 310.. (Offered spring semester of even calendar years.)

This course aims to introduce students to the ways in which Scripture has been interpreted within Judaism and the resultant shape of rabbinic theology. Students will learn about traditional interpretive techniques and explore a variety of rabbinic texts that will serve as examples. Students will learn to attend to the types of textual details that inspired the early rabbis and to ask questions of the text and of other interpreters in a manner common to Judaism. Students will then practice discussing the biblical text communally and collaboratively, seeking creative and edifying interpretations for their own community and vocation. Meets the general education global foundations requirement. Prerequisite: THEO 110 or THEO 310 (Offered spring semester of odd calendar years).

A study of the Jewish religion/culture that developed in the sixth century BCE and flourished in the Persian, Greek and Roman periods. Includes encounters with the rabbinic literature that began to be produced in the second century CE--the Midrashim, Mishanah and Talmuds--and modern expressions of Judaism around the world. Cross listed with HIST 345. Meets the general education global foundations requirement. Prerequisite: THEO 110 or THEO 310. (Offered spring semester.)

Learning to read the Bible through the eyes of the original author and audience is a critical skill for those who wish to understand the Bible and learn to apply it to a modern audience. Many things in the Bible seem strange to us today because they represent aspects of an ancient culture that are very different from our own. The Bible in its World offers an introduction to the discipline of biblical studies by addressing the various ways modern Bible readers can reconnect with this ancient culture to become better interpreters of the Bible. Students will learn about the history and culture of the ancient Near East, how geography shapes culture, and how archaeology can give us a window into the lives of biblical characters. Students will then practice interpreting biblical passages in a collaborative environment to gain experience applying this new information and skill set in a way that will prepare students to engage their biblical and theological studies at a more mature level. (Offered spring semester of odd calendar years.)

This course will introduce the student to the fundamentals of Biblical language learning and relevant digital resources. Students will encounter several language learning methods, with a strong emphasis on Biblical Hebrew, providing a foundation for further study. The role of software and other digital resources in modern biblical studies will be explored, developing a skill set for research and biblical interpretation utilizing these tools. This will support students as they continue their biblical studies, either independently, in pastoral ministry, or in graduate studies. (Offered spring semeter of odd calendar years.)

Intensive analyses of the ideas and literary patterns of the books of Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Job, Song of Solomon, and certain other selections from the inter-testamental literature of the Hebrews. Cross-listed with BIBL 120. Meets the general education biblical studies requirement. (Offered spring semester in odd calender years.)

The course focuses on the first five books of the Bible, also known as Torah or Law. As the first major section of the Bible, Torah is foundational to the rest of the Biblical witness. In this course students will ascertain the primary theological emphases of a narrative that begins with creation and ends with the death of Moses. Meets the general education upper division writing intensive requirement. (Offered fall semester.)

A critical and exegetical study of the Former (Joshua, Judges, Samuels, and Kings) and the Latter (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and the Twelve) Prophets with special consideration given to the social, political, and religious conditions of their times. Attention is given to the ministry and message both for their time and the present age. (Offered spring semester of even calendar years.)

This course offers a broad overview of at least 5 of the world

This course offers a broad overview of at least 5 of the world

This intensive three-week course will introduce you to the geography, history, and archaeology of Israel. You will begin to feel at home on the playing field of biblical history after traveling throughout the land of the Bible. You will never read the Bible the same again, after standing on Mt. Carmel (where Jeremiah confronted the prophets of Baal), sailing on the Sea of Galilee, wading in the Jordan River, stepping into the stream bed where David gathered his five smooth stones, or walking around Jericho. Studies and walks in Jerusalem emphasize important aspects of the city in Biblical and modern times and reconstruct the features of the city and its environs during the times of David, Solomon, Hezekiah, the Maccabees and Jesus. Time spent in the Galilee region helps students understand the geography as well as the culture during the time of Christ and other periods of biblical history. IN - Meets one-half credit of the general education activity requirement.