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Academic Program and Courses

Religion Major

Students who take a major in religion must earn the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree. The religion major includes 30 semester hours of coursework in addition to the core curriculum courses. The following courses are required for the religion major: REL 203, 204, 240, 303, 304, 320 or 420, and twelve additional hours from 400-level REL courses.

Students who major in religion are required to take a minor. A minor in any area within the arts, humanities, or sciences is recommended (i.e., philosophy, history, English, communication, theatre, Spanish, mathematics, biology, chemistry).

To fulfill language requirements, the student may elect any one of the following options: 1) 12 hours of Greek, 2) 12 hours of Hebrew, 3) six hours of Greek and six hours of Hebrew, or 4) 12 hours in a modern language (i.e., Spanish). Also, in fulfilling core curriculum requirements, students must take PHI 201 (introduction to philosophy), one psychology course, one course from sociology, political science, or economics, and six hours of literature with an ENG prefix (i.e., ENG 211-212).

Biblical Language Minor

The biblical language minor includes 15 semester hours of coursework in addition to GRK 201-202 and HEB 201-202. The required courses for the biblical language minor are: GRK 301, 302, HEB 301, 302, and one senior level GRK or HEB course.

Religion Minor

The religion minor includes 15 hours of coursework in addition to REL 101-102. The required courses for the religion minor are: REL 204, 240, 320 or 420, and six hours of upper-level religion courses.

Course Descriptions for Religion (REL)

101. Introduction to the Old Testament (3 hours) An introduction to the history, literature, and theology of the Old Testament.

102. Introduction to the New Testament (3 hours) An introduction to the history, literature, and theology of the New Testament.

203. The Baptist Heritage (3 hours) The history, function, structure, doctrine, and interrelationships of Southern Baptist denominational work. (This course is required of all students who receive ministerial aid from the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board of Ministerial Education.)

204. Principles of Interpretation (3 hours) A study of the formation of the Bible, the history of biblical interpretation, and modern methods of biblical interpretation.

240. Introduction to Christian Missions (3 hours) A study of the biblical, theological, and practical foundations of Christian missions.

303. The Ancient Near East (3 hours) A study of the history, cultures, and religions of the ancient Near East from ca. 3000 B.C.E. to 333 B.C.E. Prerequisite REL 101.

304. The Greco-Roman World (3 hours) A study of the history, cultures, and religions in the Mediterranean basin from 333 B.C.E. to 476 C.E. Prerequisite REL 102.

320. Christian Theology (3 hours) A study of Christian theology from the standpoint of the New Testament, historical Christianity, and modern day systematic theological expression.

340. History of Christian Missions (3 hours) A study of the worldwide expansion of Christianity. Special emphasis will be given to the life and contribution of William Carey.

401. Old Testament (3 hours) An intensive historical and literary analysis of a selected portion of the Old Testament (may be repeated as a different topic). Prerequisite: REL 101.

402. New Testament (3 hours) An intensive historical and literary analysis of a selected portion of the New Testament (may be repeated as a different topic). Prerequisite: REL 102.

403. Christian Ethics (3 hours) A study of the major theoretical paradigms of ethics from the ancient Greeks through the contemporary theorists, including Christian ethicists; attention is given to the application of ethical theory to contemporary ethical issues. Same as PHI 403.

404. Philosophy of Religion (3 hours) A study of the philosophical issues related to the logic of, challenges to, and problems for Christian theism. Same as PHI 401.

411. History of Christianity (3 hours) A study of Christianity's historical foundations, expansion, historical theology, and cultural influences.

413. Renaissance and Reformation (3 hours) A study of the Renaissance and the Protestant Reformation with primary attention given to the interrelationship of these movements.

420. History of Christian Thought (3 hours) A study of the philosophical and cultural influences on the development of Christian theology and ideology. Same as PHI 450.

430. History of the Bible (3 hours) A study of the languages, texts, canons, and translations of the biblical literature; specific attention is given to the history of the English Bible.

440. Biblical Archaeology (3 hours) A study of the contribution of archaeological research to biblical studies and the proper relation of the two fields with attention to specific issues.

443. Travel in Biblical Lands (1-3 hours) An intensive travel program in lands of the Bible, with specific attention given to archaeological and historical sites, especially those of importance for biblical studies.

444. Archaeological Field Work (1-3 hours) Participation in an archaeological excavation in a biblical land with emphasis on field methodology and application of the results of biblical studies.

450. The Dead Sea Scrolls (3 hours) A study of the background, discovery, translation, contents, and impact of the Dead Sea Scrolls on the world of Judaism, 100 B.C.E. to 100 C.E., from which classical Judaism and Christianity developed.

480. Service Practicum (1-3 hours) A supervised learning experience in mission work overseas or in the United States.

481. Christian Preaching (3 hours) A study of the history, content, theory, and practice of Christian preaching.

482. Christian Ministries (3 hours) A study of the various responsibilities of ministers within the total church program with special emphasis given to pastoral care and administration.

Course Descriptions for Greek (GRK)

201-202. Introductory Greek I-II (3 hours each) An introductory study of Koine vocabulary, morphology, and grammar. 1 John will be translated along with other selected passages from the New Testament.

301-302. Intermediate Greek I-II (3 hours each) A review of morphology and further study of Koine vocabulary and syntax through extensive translation from various hellenistic documents, including the New Testament. Prerequisite: GRK 201-202.

402. Greek Intensive (3 hours) Translation and historical and literary analysis of a select portion of the New Testament. (May be repeated as a different topic). Prerequisites: GRK 301-302.

Course Descriptions for Hebrew (HEB)

201-202. Introductory Hebrew I-II (3 hours each) A study of introductory vocabulary, morphology, and grammar. Selected passages in the Hebrew Bible will be translated and analyzed.

301-302. Intermediate Hebrew I-II (3 hours each) A review of morphology and a study of the syntax of the Hebrew Bible. Prerequisite: HEB 201-202.

401. Hebrew Intensive (3 hours) Translation and historical and literary analysis of a select portion of the Old Testament (may be repeated as a different topic). Prerequisites: HEB 301-302.