+1 434.528.5276 2058 Garfield Avenue Lynchburg, VA 24501

Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies (Major: Religious Studies)

Requirement: 123-minimum; 126 maximum

Purpose: The Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies degree is designed to prepare students for church-related vocations. Students are required to complete the core curriculum of the Associate of Arts Program before they can proceed in the Religious Studies Major.

Program of Study
Course Number First Semester Credits
GENL 100 College Orientation 1
EDUC 100 Learning Plus 1
MATH 162 Math for Liberal Arts I 3
ENGL 162 English Composition I 3
GS 111 Life Choices/Health/Wellness 3
HIST 111 U. S. History I 3
FREN 119 Intro to French I (or)* 3
SPAN 119 Intro to Spanish I
Total 17 hrs.

*Students may elect either French or Spanish.

Course Number Second Semester Credits
MATH 163 Math for Liberal Arts II 3
ENGL 163 English Composition II 3
SOCI 112 Introduction to Sociology 3
HIST 112 U.S. History II 3
FREN 120 Intro French II (or)* 3
SPAN 120 Intro to Spanish II
Total 15 hrs
Course Number Third Semester Credits
PSYC 230 General Psychology 3
BIOL 130 Human Anatomy / Lab 4
MUSC 130 Music Appreciation 3
ENGL 262 Survey of American Lit. 3
EDUC 208 Curriculum Development 3
Total 16 hrs
Course Number Fourth Semester Credits
PHIL 200 Introduction to Philosophy 3
ECON 207 Principles of Economics 3
HIST 232 World Geography 3
BIB 300 Introduction to New Testament 3
COM 230 Public Speaking 3
Total 15 hrs
Course Number Fifth Semester Credits
CH 300 Church History I 3
CE 309 Christian Education 3
BIB 300 Introduction to New Testament 3
BIB 303 Introduction to Old Testament 3
CE 301 Methods of Teaching the Bible 3
Total 15 hrs
Course Number Sixth Semester Credits
CH 301 Church History II 3
BIB 301 New Testament Survey 3
BIB 304 Old Testament Survey 3
HIS 301 World Religions 3
MIN 205 Practical Ministry 3
Total 15 hrs
Course Number Seventh Semester Credits
CH 403 Christian Missions 3
CH 400 Christianity in Africa 3
BIB 401 Jesus of Nazareth 3
BIB 403 The Epistles of Paul 3
BIB 402 Christian Moral Values 3
Total 15 hrs
Course Number Eight Semester Credits
THEO 400 Christian Doctrine of Man 3
THEO 401 Black Theology 3
BIB 404 The Gospel of John 3
BIB 405 Acts of the Apostles 3
BIB 406 Wisdom Literature 3
Total 15 hrs
Total 123 hrs
Course Description

The goal of this course is to assist the student in gaining an understanding of the New Testament scripture texts. And we aim to accomplish this by equipping the student with the cultural, literary, and historical understanding necessary for a critical reading of the New Testament. The course will introduce participants to the New Testament through a close reading of various New Testament books from the Gospel through the book of Acts and from the book of Romans through Revelation.

Competencies:
  • Develop an understanding of the different types of literature in the New Testament.
  • Demonstrate how to read the different types of literature in the New Testament.
  • Gain knowledge of the general divisions and content of the NewTestament.
  • Understand the New Testament literature in its historical and cultural context.
  • Demonstrate written communication skills.

The course is designed to introduce the student to the authorship and contents of the New Testament books. Special attention will be given to important persons, places, events, as well as to key chapters in the New Testament.

Competencies:
  • Develop an understanding of the different types of literature in the New Testament.
  • Demonstrate how to read the different types of literature in the New Testament.
  • Gain knowledge of the general divisions and content of the New Testament.
  • Understand the New Testament literature in its historical and cultural context.
  • Demonstrate written communicate skills.

This course is designed to introduce the student to the literature, history, and the message of the Old Testament. The Old Testament provides its readers with a history of the people of Israel and a picture of Israel’s relationship with God. Yet, the Old Testament is far more than the story of ancient Israel. The material revealed in its pages functions as the theological and moral foundation for three of the world’s major religious traditions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam

Competencies:
  • Understand the basic theology of the Old Testament.
  • Identify characteristics of the various books of the Old Testament.
  • Understand the cultural settings of the Old Testament world.
  • Develop an understanding of the main people and events described in the Old Testament.
  • Understand the chronology of Old Testament writings and events.

This course is designed to assist the student in knowing the primary content of the Old Testament books and themes. It will also provide the student with an appreciation for the cohesive understanding of the major figures, events and themes of the Old Testament.

Competencies:
  • Analyze people, places, and events in the Old Testament.
  • Interpret Biblical texts using literary, historical-critical, and feministmethodologies.
  • Synthesize faith and critical thinking by understanding how the historical, literary and contemporary dimensions of the Bible relate to eachother.

An analytical examination of selected passages which tell of the life and teachings of Christ.

Competencies:
  • Define the key terms relating to Biblical study.
  • Identify and give dates for significant personages in the four canonical gospels.
  • Outline the key themes and characteristics of each of the four New Testament gospel portrayals of Jesus.
  • Discuss the significance of each of these four views of Jesus as the Messiah.
  • Discuss the cultural appropriation of these canonical portraits in popular films of different eras.
  • Evaluate the gaps and spaces in that appropriation as well as the positive use of the canonical images.
  • Explain the meaning and significance of the key Christological doctrine: "fully human, full divine."

A course designed to help the student develop a coherent approach to the problems of society in the light of the Christian ideal. The student will discuss societal issues and evaluate them from a Christian perspective

Competencies:
  • Understand the basic ethical systems, both non-Christian and Christian.
  • Develop an informed and more Biblical ethical system.
  • Identify critical ethical issues facing the church and society.
  • Apply Biblical precepts, principles and examples to a variety of contemporaryethical dilemmas.

A study of the life of Paul as revealed in the 13 Epistles. Students will explore Paul’s writings and principles for Christian living.

Competencies:
  • Develop skills of critical analysis and interpretation through close reading, discussion, and frequent writing assignments.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the language, argument, and theology of Paul’s letters.
  • Summarize the life of Paul.
  • Identify the important events of Paul’s life.
  • Explain the background, purpose, and basic content of each of the PaulineEpistles.

A study of the works and teachings of the New Testament apostles.

Competencies:
  • Describe the literary/culture form of Acts and its significance for understandingthe book.
  • Demonstrate the literary and theological relationship between Acts and the Gospel of Luke.
  • Describe the probable purposes of Acts.
  • Describe at least eight major classical and contemporary works on the book of Acts.

An in-depth study of the Songs of Solomon and the Book of Proverbs.

Competencies:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of origins and historical development.
  • Analyze and interpret the Biblical text.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of central ethical teachings and perspective characteristicsof Christianity.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the intersections between religion and various contemporary issues.

A course to help the students plan and review diversified methods of teaching the Bible; to explore the purpose of teaching in the Church, and to examine strategies for teaching various age levels.

Competencies:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of new methodology by incorporating methods not used previously in teaching ministry.
  • Identify advantages and disadvantages of various teaching methods and how thesecan be used to meet lesson objectives.
  • Demonstrate methods and strategies by teaching a lesson and doing a self- critique of that lesson.
  • Reflect on teaching strategies and redemptive elements used in teaching.

A study of the foundation and approaches for developing Christian education through adulthood.

Competencies:
  • Define the mission and functions of the local church.
  • Formulate a Biblical basis for the teaching ministry of the church.
  • Understand the integration of educational ministries with the Biblical mission of the church and a local church’s mission statement.
  • Identify, understand, and evaluate the educational programs of the church.
  • Demonstrate skills for organizing a church for educational ministries includingSunday School/Bible study, small group ministries, outreach, new member orientation, care groups, leadership development, teacher training, ministry teams, anddiscipleship
  • Develop skills in curriculum planning, budgeting, ordering, and obtainingeducational materials.

A study of major events and theological developments within organized Christianity from the immediate post-New Testament era to the Protestant Reformation.

Competencies:
  • Describe the Church in relation to Jesus.
  • Describe the Church of the Medieval and Renaissance worlds.
  • Understand and appreciate the Church in the global community.
  • Understand the effect on the Church of the persecution in the Holy Roman Empire.

A study of major events and theological developments within organized Christianity from the Protestant Reformation to the present.

Competencies:
  • Understand the broad scope of the history of the Christian Church, its major turning points, personalities, and teachings.
  • Understand the importance of historical context (especially social, political, and religious thought and actions) on the formation of Church teachings and practices.
  • Develop an appreciation for people of the Church in the history of Christianity.
  • Clarify the centrality of religion in world history.

A study of Christianity’s encounter with Africa during the early centuries of civilization.

Competencies:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of African ancestors on American Culture.
  • Understand the impact of European intrusion on African history.
  • Understand the background of Africa and African peoples and civilizations.
  • Interpret news items and other information from a critical perspective.
  • Understand the social and cultural changes taking place in independent Africa.

A study of the missionary task and structure. The meaning of service and missions is explored.

Competencies:
  • Understand and articulate a Biblical theology of world missions.
  • Understand the priority of world missions in Christian life and ministry.
  • Understand the Biblical nature and mission of the Church, especially as it relates to starting, growing and reproducing churches as a vital part of the Mission of God.
  • Understand the Biblical, theological, historical, and cultural roots from which contemporary missions have developed.

This course is designed to allow the student to thoroughly investigate the fourth Gospel, highlighting the person and work of Jesus Christ and the differences between this Gospel and the Synoptic Gospels.

Competencies:
  • Develop and refine a Biblical definition of worship.
  • Understand how Christians have ordered their worship services and why.
  • Identify issues which the current worship renewal movements present to the church.
  • Explore and evaluate how Christian worship uses time.
  • Explore and evaluate how non-verbal means of communication enrich worship.

An examination of the origin, basic beliefs, historical developments, and sociology manifestations of the world’s great religions.

Competencies:
  • Understand the teachings, practices, institutions, vocabulary, and cultural contexts of the Hindu, Jewish, Buddhist, Christian and Islamic traditions.
  • Identify and understand the foundational concepts around which the disciplineof Religious Studies is organized.
  • Describe religious beliefs and practices non-normatively, i.e., without reference to their ultimate truth or falsity.
  • Perform close readings of and comparisons between religious ideas and texts.
  • Practice reading, writing, listening, and talking about religious ideas criticallyand carefully.

This course is designed to provide the student with a basic understanding of practical ministry. The course will include counseling, hospital and nursing home visitation, officiating funerals, officiating weddings, prison and jail visitation, prayer in the public arena, fasting as a means of ministry, church celebrations.

Competencies:
  • Develop an understanding of particular practical ministry skills.
  • Demonstrate ministry training in public speaking, evangelism, and missions.
  • Demonstrate effective and practical ministry skills.

An overview of the thought of selected Black Theologians and a study of Black Liberation theology.

Competencies:
  • Identify the elements of traditional West African religions and their impact onthe formation of nascent African American spirituality.
  • Analyze the similarities and differences between White Anglo-Saxon Protestantism and African American Christianity.
  • Identify formative leaders of African American radicalism and Christianity duringthe 18th and 19th centuries, such as David Walker, Richard Allen, Nat Turner, Denmark Vesey, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, and Frederick Douglass.
  • Identify and analyze the elements of Black Theology from the period of enslavement into contemporary African American spiritualties.
VUL
Virginia University of Lynchburg
2058 Garfield Avenue
Lynchburg, VA 24501
+1 434.528.5276
schoolofreligion@vul.edu
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