Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Major: Complementary major in Pre-Seminary Studies
Program Chair: Fred Niedner
Huegli Hall 310
Tel. 219-464-5281
Fred.Niedner@valpo.edu
The Pre-Seminary Studies program at Valpo is
part of the Theology Department's Center for Church Vocations. It's modeled
after the classic plan of preparation for seminary recommended by the Association
of Theological Schools: broad humanistic studies, serious attention to biblical
languages, with a solid theological core, and combined with opportunities
for rich practical experience.
Mentoring opportunities are provided by the Center for Church Vocations. Pre-Seminary students may spend as much as a year with a pastor-mentor observing and often accompanying the pastor at work and reflecting on vocation to ministry - both the pastor's and the student's.
Students who do not find room in their academic program for the full Pre-Seminary Studies curriculum may still declare their intention to attend seminary and participate in all the co-curricular programs of the Center for Church Vocations.
What Can You Do With A Pre-Seminary Studies Major?
- Degree, Skills or Experience Needed for Beginning Teachers: This program prepares a student for entrance at a seminary or divinity school; it is not itself preparation for ministry. The Master of Divinity Degree, granted by seminaries and divinity schools, is the normal requirement for ordained ministry in most church bodies.
- Kinds of Work Available to Graduates in Teacher Education Licensure Programs: This major prepares students for graduate work in Theology and/or for seminary studies leading to ordination to the pastoral office.
- Potential Employment: This program leads to graduate and/or professional study. It may also prove useful for positions in religious publishing or broadcasting or education.
Church Vocations:
Pre-Seminary students take part in a weekly program known as the Church Vocations Symposium. Here students can gather over a meal to hear special presentations and interact with guest speakers. Students involved with Church Vocations also participate in retreats that feature discussions with such renowned figures as Walt Wangerin, author and professor at Valparaiso University.
Study Abroad: Students can take advantage of Valpo's programs in
countries such as Mexico, England, France, Spain, Germany, Greece,
Namibia, China, and Japan as well as in semester-long programs
Chicago, New York, and Washington, D.C. Of special interest to Pre
Seminary students may be the semester-long program at Oak Hill
Seminary in London, England.
Extracurricular Activities:
Students in Valpo's Pre-Seminary program take part in many activities
through the Chapel of the Resurrection, Saint Theresa's Student Center,
the Deaconess Center, the University itself, and the community at large.
Students can join groups like the Social Concerns Committee, Habitat for
Humanity, and Social Justice Committee, among many others. Students
can also volunteer at places like the Caring Place and Hilltop House.
What can you do to prepare?
Courses Required to Prepare for this Major:
No specific preparatory courses are required. Since most of the work is at the upper level, students should, in consultation with a Pre-Seminary advisor, work carefully at General Education courses during the first few semesters.
Additional Information Important to New Students:
The Pre-Seminary Studies program is a complementary major, designed to be taken in conjunction with a regular departmental major, usually from one of the humanities or the social sciences.
Suggested Courses for Exploratory Freshmen: First-year students should take the standard Freshman Core or its Christ College equivalent. In consultation with a Pre-Seminary advisor, first-year students should also begin work in a foreign language (usually Greek).
What Courses Will You Take For Pre-Seminary Studies at Valpo?
The General Education program for the BA degree.
Note: Careful selection of courses from the list below will result in the student meeting the General Education requirements in Theology (9 Cr.), History or Philosophy (3 Cr.), Foreign Language (8 Cr.), Global Diversity (3 Cr.).
A first major in one of the humanistic disciplines or human sciences (e.g. literature, history, philosophy, theology, art, music, classics, psychology, sociology, geography, political science, economics). Depending on the student's interests, virtually any major in the University may be chosen; consultation with a member of the Pre-Seminary Administrative Committee is recommended.
Symposium:
| Church Vocations Symposium (S/U; taken each semester) | 0 credits |
|
English Composition (one of the following): Introduction to Professional Writing or Introduction to Creative Writing or Intermediate Composition or Advanced Composition | 3 credits |
|
Literature (one of the following): Studies in American Literature or Topics in Literature or American Literature I or American Literature II or Masterpieces of World Literature | 3 credits |
|
Western or US History (one of the following): History of Western Thought and Society or The Age of Anxiety: United States since 1945 | 3 credits |
|
Non-Western History (one of the following): Traditional East Asian Civilization or African History and Society or History of Modern China or HIST 342 (History of Modern Japan or Modern African History | 3 credits |
|
Logic: Logic and Critical Thinking | 3 credits |
|
Philosophy (one of the following): Ancient and Medieval Philosophy or Early Modern Philosophy or,br> Philosophy of Religion | 3 credits |
|
Greek (four semesters): First Semester Greek Second Semester Greek Intermediate Greek Koine Greek | 16 credits |
|
Hebrew (two semesters): First Semester Hebrew Second Semester Hebrew | 8 credits |
|
Theology/Bible (two semesters): Understanding the Old Testament and Understanding the New Testament | 6 credits |
|
Theology/Doctrine (two semesters): Luther and Lutheran Confessional Theology and either Topics in Contemporary Theology or Constructive Christian Theology | 6 credits |
|
Theology/World Religions (one of the following): Perspectives on the Religious Quest or any Upper Level course in non-Christian religions | 3 credits |
Courses which are specified as required in the Complementary Major and which are from the discipline of the student's first major may be counted toward both major concentrations.
For detailed course descriptions, see:
www.valpo.edu/registrar/catalog/
02catalog.htm
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