General Information and Statement of Purpose

Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy

Statement of Purpose

The purpose of the Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy encompasses two areas:

For each student enrolled in the undergraduate and GOAL programs, the department offers an introduction to

the Old and New Testaments. These introductions offer a survey of the history and faith of the  communities

out of which the texts  emerge. They are intentionally placed in the context of a liberal arts education.

For students seeking a major, the department offers a major in Religious Studies with a choice of concentrations in

Religion, Education Studies, Youth Education Studies, or Biblical Languages and Literature. Each concentration

presents a well-balanced course of study designed to acquaint each student with a variety of sub-disciplines and to

nurture in each student disciplines appropriate for life-long learning and service.

Specific goals for these two areas are as follows

The department seeks to lead each undergraduate student enrolled in the survey courses to

demonstrate the ability to:

      1) identify and discuss the significance of the major people, places, events, themes, and types of literature in the Old and New Testaments.

      2) trace the historical development of the canons of the Old and New Testaments.

      3) identify, assess, and utilize appropriate resources in biblical interpretation.

      4) utilize the principles of critical analysis in interpreting a passage of Scripture.

The department seeks to prepare those students who major in the department to demonstrate the same skills as

listed above and adds the following overall objectives (specific objectives are included in the various areas of

concentration):

     1) basic skills in biblical interpretation, and exegesis

     2) skills in critical thinking, written and oral communication.

     3) an openness to the various theological and philosophical opinions of others and ability to communicate

comfortably with those who agree and disagree with their own position

     4) an increasing awareness of one's own self, including one's theology, personality, family of origin, choice of vocation, and inter-personal relationship skills

     5) an appreciation and understanding of the value of a major in religious studies within the context of a liberal-arts education/

     6) the articulation of a systemic plan for life-long learning and service.

Faculty members in the department are committed to:

     1) to a life of scholarly exploration into our Judeo-Christian heritage.

      2) to living lives which reflect the ideals and values of that heritage (including the worth of every person and our responsibility to be servants), seeking to follow the example of Jesus Christ.

      3) to communicate the ideals and values of our Christian faith on campus and in the community