Division of Religion and Philosophy
About the Division
The programs available in the undergraduate division’s four departments offer courses of study that encourage the search for truth about God, human existence in relationship to God, and the world as God’s creation. Students are guided in this search through an analysis of the Christian Scriptures, historical and contemporary statements of Christian belief, human experience of God and the world, and rational reflections on the nature of reality by great thinkers past and present. The goal of this study is to prepare men and women for service to God, as either lay or professional ministers in His Kingdom. Academic study is therefore balanced with a concern for individual involvement in practical ministry.
The departments offer majors in biblical studies, Christian ministries, philosophy, theology, and youth and family ministries; minors in ancient languages, biblical studies, Christian ministries, cultural engagement, philosophical apologetics, philosophy, practical and professional ethics, religious studies, theology, and youth and family ministries; and Certificates of Distinction in biblical studies, philosophy, and theology.
Each major course of study builds on the General Education program’s Biblical, Theological, and Philosophical Formation requirement. Transfer students take the number of units required by the registrar. Courses are selected from the list of core courses for General Education in consultation with a department advisor. All majors in the undergraduate division must maintain a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade-point average in all courses for the major.
In general, correspondence courses are not accepted as fulfillment of religion or philosophy requirements. A student may, however, petition to have 3 correspondence units count toward his/her major or minor upon department approval. The course(s) must match existing courses, and the student may be asked to pass an exam. Double majors require 24 units that are distinctive to one major; 18 units must be upper division.
General Education
Biblical, Theological, and Philosophical Formation
Required Courses for All Majors in the Division of Religion and Philosophy
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| MIN 108 | Christian Life, Faith, and Ministry | 3 |
| UBBL 100 | Introduction to Biblical Literature: Exodus/Deuteronomy | 3 |
| UBBL 230 | Luke/Acts | 3 |
| UBBL 3XX | Any UBBL General Education Bible course | 3 |
| Select one of the following: 1 | 3 | |
| Theology and the Christian Life 2 | ||
| Faith and the Arts | ||
| Church History: Apostolic Era to the Eve of the Reformation | ||
| Church History from the Eve of the Reformation to the Present | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Core Texts in Philosophy | ||
| Introduction to Philosophy | ||
| Total Units | 18 | |
- 1
For the General Education Theology requirement, the School of Theology recommends either THEO 200, THEO 301, THEO 352, or THEO 354. HUM 325 also fulfills the requirement.
- 2
THEO 200 is required of all Christian ministries and youth and family ministries majors.
| Major | Sr. Seminar Requirement |
|---|---|
| Biblical Studies | UBBL 496, THEO 496, or MIN 496 |
| Theology | THEO 496 |
| Philosophy | PHIL 496 or THEO 496 |
| Christian Ministries/Youth and Family Ministries: Church and Pastoral Ministries Practices concentration | MIN 496, THEO 496, or UBBL 496 |
| Christian Ministries/Youth and Family Ministries: Intercultural Christian Ministries concentration | MIN 496, THEO 496, or UBBL 496 |
| Christian Ministries/Youth and Family Ministries: Ministry in Urban and Social Service Contexts concentration | MIN 496, THEO 496, or UBBL 496 |
Students transferring into the university may waive some of the General Education Biblical, Theological, and Philosophical Formation requirements for the major as follows: sophomore standing, 3 units; junior standing, 9 units; and senior standing, 12 units. The specific courses waived are selected in consultation with a department faculty advisor.