course descriptions

Course Descriptions

All courses, unless otherwise noted, are three (3) credit hours. Course numbers range from 100 to 499, with 100's generally designating Freshman courses, 200's Sophomore-level courses, 300's Junior-level courses, and 400's Senior-level courses. Courses with an * have prerequisites.



EMS 100 Basileia Missions
Required every semester
A practical application of Christian ministry in diverse areas, such as discipleship, Christian counseling, Bible study leadership, chaplaincy, street evangelism, hospital visitation, etc. A position of ministry in a local church will satisfy this requirement if approved by the Basileia Missions Director. This is a required non-credit course.

EMS 101 Personal Evangelism and Discipleship
An introduction to personal evangelism and discipleship. Special attention will be given to the biblical foundation for evangelism and discipleship, and the spiritual preparation for the task. Particular emphasis will be given to disciple making through small groups.
Prerequisite: THS 101

EMS 217 Missions Practicum (1 hour)
A study of the social, religious, and missiological setting to include involvement in a short-term cross-cultural missionary experience in a designated field/ministry. Each Practicum unit will have a distinct international or national/sub-culture focus. Literature, methods, models, and ministries will be examined and evaluated, including specific methods for evangelizing and churching persons within the target region/population/country. Emphasis will also be placed on discipleship training, lay evangelism, and social-service ministry. Students will receive training in evangelistic methods and programs specific to the Practicum project. The missions course has three major components: 1) Orientation-training and research related to the field project; 2) Field Project, under faculty supervision; and 3) Reflection to include written evaluation and integrative research.

ENG 100 Basic English Grammar (non-credit)
A remedial course for non-English speaking students, or students who cannot demonstrate English proficiency adequate for college-level work.

ENG 101 English Composition and Grammar
A comprehensive review of English and introduction to the fundamentals of composition. A student must receive a grade of "C" or better in order to receive credit.

ENG 201 English Literature*
A study of English style and usage, as utilized in written and oral expression, with special attention to classics of English Literature. A student must receive a grade of "C" or better in order to receive credit.
Prerequisite: ENG 101

GRK 201 Elementary Greek I
An introduction to the basic grammar of New Testament Greek.

GRK 202 Elementary Greek II*
A continuation of basic grammatical studies, together with beginning readings in the Johannine Literature.
Prerequisite: GRK201

HEB 301 Elementary Hebrew I
An introduction to the elements of Biblical Hebrew, with an emphasis on phonology, grammar, and vocabulary.

HEB 302 Elementary Hebrew II*
A continuation of the elements of Biblical Hebrew, with an emphasis on grammar and syntax, with selected readings from the Hebrew Bible.
Prerequisite: HEB301

HUM 101 The Ancient World
An introduction to the cultures of the Ancient Near East and Archaic Europe from the Stone Age through the Iron Age. The history, art and literature of Mesopotamian, Egyptian, and Israelite civilizations will be explored.

HUM 102 The Greek World
An overview of the great themes of the Greek civilization. These themes will be explored through Greek philosophy, poetry, architecture, and politics. Emphasis will be given to the ideas that directly impact later developments within Western Civilization.

HUM 201 The Roman World
An exploration of the politics, art, literature, and history of the Roman Republic and Empire. The various influences of earlier Greek culture and the rise of Christianity within Roman life will be illuminated.

HUM 202 The Medieval World
An examination of the transition from the Roman Empire to a Christian culture will be studied in light of its result on definitions of reality and humanity and the changes this brings to art, literature, and philosophy.

HUM 301 Early Modern World
An analysis of the tremendous transformations occurring in art, theology, and philosophy from the Late Middle Ages to the rise of science in the 17th century. Special attention will be paid to the role of the reformers within this age of change.

HUM 302 The Modern World
A survey of Enlightenment and Romanticism and how these opposing forces shaped philosophy, literature, art and music. Various movements will be examined from revolution to evolution to World War I.

HUM 401 The Postmodern World
An adventure in the contradictory and illusionary world in which we now live. Emphasis will be placed on how philosophy has led to this crisis of certainty and how the visual arts and music expound it to the masses.

HUM 402 American Culture
Beginning with the richness of American literature, this course will explore the variegated nature of American art, politics, music, and thought. Emphasis will be placed on the lives of American authors and how they influence the times in which they lived.

HUM 409 Issues in Faith and Culture*
An examination of the various facets of western culture (music, art, literature, theater, etc.) and an evaluation of the cultural contributions and deficiencies of each from the perspective of a Judeo-Christian worldview.
Prerequisite THS 203 and 301 or 302

LAT 301 Latin I*
An introduction to the origin and elements of the Latin language with an introduction to basic Latin grammar.
Prerequisite: ENG 101

LAT 302 Latin II*
A continuation of Latin grammar, vocabulary, and syntax.
Prerequisite: LAT 301

LIT 101 Hermeneutics
A study of the transmission and translation of the Scriptures and of the principles and procedures of their interpretation and application.

MIN 301 Introduction to Homiletics
A study of the basic principles of sermon preparation, with attention being given to both the formal and functional elements of the sermon. Emphasis is placed on the expository method of sermon preparation. This course cannot be taken as an independent study.

MIN 302 Homiletics Practicum*
A study of basic types of sermon delivery, with emphasis placed on preaching without notes. Each student will preach a full-length sermon in class. This course cannot be taken as an independent study.
Prerequisite: MIN201

MIN 310 Youth Education in the Church
A study of the organizations, materials, and methods employed by the church in developing a youth educational program, including issues in leadership, objectives programming, curriculum, and evaluation.

MIN 403 Pastoral Ministry
A survey of the various responsibilities and duties of pastors and staff members in the ministry of the local church.

MUS 201 Music Colloquium
A study of music theory, forms, and instrumentation with reference to the cultural role(s) and historical development(s) of music. The course requires no special musical knowledge or skill.

MUS 310 Music Ministry of the Local Church
A study of the techniques and skills necessary in the organization and implementation of a comprehensive music ministry in a local church. Attention will be given to program planning, budgeting, staffing, and training of leaders.

MUS 315 Introduction to Worship Leadership
This course is designed to provide the basics of worship, including elements of proclamation of the Word, prayers, music, and scripture. Included will be the study of the history of worship, the biblical basis for worship, styles of worship, planning for worship services, and use and place of drama and media in worship

NTS 101 New Testament Survey I
A brief survey of inter-testamental history, an introduction to the canon and text of the New Testament, and an introduction to the historical background and content of the Gospels and Acts.

NTS 201 New Testament Survey II*
An introduction to the historical background and content of the New Testament, with focus on the Epistles.
It is recommended, but not required, that this course be taken after NTS 101.

NTS 310 New Testament Intensive
An intensive study of selected books in the English Bible. Course may be repeated when a different book is studied.

OTS101 Old Testament Survey I
A study of the books of Genesis through Esther, with an emphasis on the interpretive problems of the Pentateuch and the tracing of God's providential dealings with Israel from the time of the patriarchs to Israel's return after the Babylonian exile.

OTS 201 Old Testament Survey II*
A study of the books of Job through Malachi, focusing on the nature and formation of the poetic and wisdom literature of ancient Israel, as well as the oracles of the Hebrew prophets, their message and contribution to Israel's history and faith.
It is recommended that this course be taken after OTS 101.

OTS 310 Old Testament Intensive
An intensive study of selected books in the English Bible. Course may be repeated when a different book is studied.

PHI 201 Philosophy Colloquium
A survey of the history of philosophy and systems of logic and epistemology. Special attention is given to Christian philosophical foundations for theology and ethics.

PHI 202 Introduction to Apologetics*
A survey of basic principles for engaging and confronting non-Christian truth claims on the basis of biblical teaching. The course will include a survey of classical models of Christian apologetics, highlighting strengths, weaknesses, and applicability of each.
Prerequisite: THS 201

PHI 401 Rhetoric
A study of the history, principles, and applications of classical rhetoric. The course will include exercises in the preparation of declamations.

PHI 403 Rhetoric Practicum
A stud of the types of classical rhetoric, with emphasis on extempore delivery. Student will present oratorical exercises in class.

PHI 402 Introduction to Ethics
A survey of the biblical and theological foundations for the moral life and ethical decision-making. Special attention is given to character development and social ethics, and to case studies on major contemporary issues in ethics.

PSY 102 Dynamics of Marriage and Family*
A detailed study of the family as a biblical and social institution. Relevant insights from the social sciences and from history will be used to illuminate the biblical model of family life.
Prerequisite:  PSY 101


PSY 201 Introduction to Counseling Psychology*
An introduction to the application of psychology to the counseling ministry. Special emphasis will be placed on the formulation of a model for counseling, based on a biblical anthropology, and utilizing relevant data from the psychological disciplines.
Prerequisite: PSY 101

PSY 306 Developmental Psychology*
A survey of human development from conception to death, emphasizing biological, cognitive, personal and spiritual growth, and maturation.
Prerequisite: PSY 101

PSY 401 Counseling Ministry of the Local Church*
A study of the possibilities for a counseling ministry at the local church level. Special emphasis will be placed on the utilization of lay people in a church's counseling ministry, and on the use of group counseling techniques in church settings.
Prerequisite: PSY 101

SCI 201 Natural Science Colloquium
A survey of the structure and history of the universe through the sciences of astronomy (space science), geology (earth science), and biology (life science). Scientific vocabulary and basic math skills will be reviewed and utilized within the course. Also, forums will be conducted in the areas of philosophy of science, and the interface between science and Scripture.

SCI 202 Social Science Colloquium
A survey of the history, methods, and uses of modern social science, with particular reference to sociology, and anthropology. Special attention will be given to the critical analysis of social scientific assumptions, techniques, and methods in terms of biblical theology.

SCI 203 Mathematics Colloquium
A study of mathematics as a branch of the philosophy of science, to include surveys of the history of mathematics, and systems, and uses of mathematics. The course will include instruction in the basics of college-level mathematics.

THS 101 Spiritual Foundations
An introduction to the basic convictions and disciplines of the life of the Christian, with particular relevance to those who serve in positions of leadership among believers.

THS 201 Systematic Theology I
An introductory study of Christian doctrine, including prolegomena, bibliology, theology proper, creation, and anthropology, comparing and contrasting scriptural views with other views, and showing the relevance of theology to Christian life and witness.

THS 202 Systematic Theology II
An introductory study of Christian doctrine including harmatiology, christology, pneumatology, soteriology, ecclesiology, angelology, and eschatology, comparing and contrasting scriptural views with other views, and showing the relevance of theology to Christian life and witness.