Religion and Philosophy

The Department of Religion and Philosophy believes that the study of religion and philosophy can free the student from a superficial view of self and society. It can help the student become more aware of limits and possibilities and may even assist in gaining insights that may change his or her life. Departmental members encourage students to feel sensitively and to think critically with others, past and present, who can aid in learning what it means to live as a human being today, with careful attention to the life and teachings of Christ.

To assist those who want to make these discoveries and to meet vocational needs, the Department offers basic, intermediate, and advanced courses on a wide range of topics. Through flexible and individualized studies, the student can pursue his or her own interests. Through practice, the student can become increasingly able to put to work in concrete situations the knowledge and skills that he or she is gaining. The Department offers majors in the Church Vocations and the pre-seminary major.

Church Vocations

In order to major in a church vocations, the student shall complete the Core Religious Studies Course and one or more of the following areas: Church School Education, Church Camps and Recreation, Church Business Management, Youth Ministry.

Core Religious Studies Course (24 semester hours)
CV 225                Introduction to Church Vocations           3 s.h.
CV 227                Ministry Settings and Issues                   3 s.h.
CV 325, 327        Church Vocations Practicum I, II             6 s.h.
R                         Electives in Religion                               6 s.h.
R                         Biblical Courses                                      6 s.h.

Church School Education (19 semester hours)
ED 110               Introduction to Teaching                         3 s.h.
ED 201               Educational Psychology                          3 s.h.
ED 320               Survey of Exceptional Children               2 s.h.
ED 419               Classroom Management                         2 s.h.
HS 231               Introduction Human Services                   3 s.h.
HS 333               Human Services Skills                              3 s.h.
PY 231               Developmental Psychology I                    3 s.h.

Church Camps and Recreation (22 semester hours)
HE 161               Environment and Public Health                3 s.h.
HE 162               Personal Health and Drug Abuse             3 s.h.
HE 263               Nutrition for Sports & Fitness                   3 s.h.
HE 264               Safety Education and First Aid                 3 s.h.
PE 303               Lifetime & Team Sports                            3 s.h.
PE 307               Movement Education                                3 s.h.
PE Choose two electives from the following:                    5-6 s.h.
PE 308               Activities for Children (3)
PE 365               Adaptive PE (3)
PE 375              Camping and Outdoor Recreation (2)

Church Business Management (21 semester hours)
BA 201, 202      Principles of Accounting I, II                       6 s.h.
BA 315              Business Communications                         3 s.h.
BA 321              Principles of Management                         3 s.h.
BA 421              Human Resources Management               3 s.h.
BA Business Elective (must be approved by department)   3 s.h.
CA 218              Intro to Microcomputer Applications           3 s.h.

Youth Ministry Emphasis (20-23 semester hours)
PY 231, 251       Developmental Psychology I, II                 6 s.h.
   or ED 201        Educational Psychology                           3 s.h.
PY/SO 261         Social Psychology                                     3 s.h.
PY 321               Theories of Personality                             3 s.h.
PY 341               Group Dynamics                                       3 s.h.
SO 204               Social Problems                                        3 s.h.
ED 320               Survey of Exceptional Children                 2 s.h.
ED 385               Methods of Teaching in Grades 7 -12       3 s.h.

B.A. in Pre-Seminary

This major also requires the proficiency of a foreign language at the intermediate level.
English 12 s.h.
Social Science
Psychology: 6 s.h.
Six (6) additional hours from Sociology, Political Science, Economics, Education: 6 s.h.
History: 6 s.h.
Philosophy: 6 s.h.
Religion: 9 s.h.
Choose from the 300-400 levels from these disciplines: English, Psychology, History, Philosophy, Religion: 12 s.h.
(57 semester hours, which includes ACR requirements)

Minor in Religion

R 101           Introduction to the Bible                           3 s.h.
R 100           The Christian Faith                                  3 s.h.
or R 211       Christianity and the Social Order             3 s.h.
R 207            World Religions                                       3 s.h.
R Additional Religion courses at the 300-400 level       9 s.h
(18 semester hours)