COURSES

Foundational Course

All students at Valparaiso University except Christ College students begin their study of theology in the foundational course, THEO 200, The Christian Tradition. Students may take this course after completing one semester of the Valparaiso Core Program, but this course is ordinarily not taken before the sophomore year. General education courses numbered 300 to 399 may not be taken before the sophomore year, although they are ordinarily taken in the student’s junior or senior year.

THEO 200 - The Christian Tradition. Cr. 3. A study of the origins and development of Christian thought as it forms communities and engages the world.

Upper Level Courses

These courses are normally taken during the Junior and Senior years.

Biblical Studies

THEO 310/510 - Topics in Biblical Studies. Cr. 3. A study of a specific topic such as archaeology and the religions of the ancient Near East, psalms and prayers of ancient Israel, and issues in biblical interpretation. May be repeated for credit if topics are different.
THEO 311/511 - Understanding the Old Testament. Cr. 3. A study of the history and theology of the Old Testament with attention to its role in Christian faith.
THEO 312/512 - Understanding the New Testament. Cr. 3. A study of the history and theology of the New Testament with attention to its rootage in the Old Testament.
THEO 314/514 - The Books of Moses. Cr. 3. A study of the Pentateuch with emphasis on Israel's understanding of the beginning, the history of the patriarchs, the exodus, the wilderness wanderings, and the preparation for entering the promised land.
THEO 316/516 - The Prophets of Israel. Cr. 3. A study of the role of the prophets in Israelite religion. Special attention is given to the historical origins of the prophetic movement, its impact on Israel's political, social and religious life, and the continuing significance of the prophetic message in Jewish and Christian thought.
THEO 317/517 - The New Testament in Its Cultural Environment. Cr. 3. A study of the societies and culture in which Christian communities arose with a view to understanding the New Testament better and determining its contemporary significance more accurately. May be used to fulfill the Cultural Diversity course component of the General Education Requirements.
THEO 318/518 - Jesus and the Gospels. Cr. 3. A comparative study of the New Testament gospels with a focus on the uniqueness of each in its presentation of the story of Jesus.
THEO 319/519 - Studies in Pauline Thought. Cr. 3. Studies in the life and thought of Saint Paul, focusing on selected New Testament letters.

Foundations of Christianity

THEO 320/520 - Topics in Christian History. Cr. 3. A study of a specific topic such as representative Christian thinkers, comparative Christianity, Calvin and Calvinism, Lutherans in America, and Catholics in America. May be repeated for credit if topics are different.
THEO 321 - Early Christianity. Cr. 3. A study of the beliefs, practices and experiences of the early Christians from the second to the sixth century. Particular attention will be given to early Christian theological methods and the relationship between belief and behavior.
THEO 322 - Medieval Christianity: East and West. Cr. 3. A comparative study of eastern and western Christianity from the fifth to the 15th century. The course will examine the distinctive characteristics of both Christian traditions including missions, ecclesiastical organization, Christological developments, reform movements, and devotional practices.
THEO 323/523 - Christianity from the Reformation to the Present. Cr. 3. A study of major developments in Christian history and thought from the Reformation period to the present.
THEO 324/524 - Christianity in America. Cr. 3. An investigation of the history of Christianity in America, with special emphasis on the interaction between religion and cultural developments.
THEO 325 Early Christian Social Thought. Cr. 3. A study of Christian concepts about the human person in community and the shape of Christian social action from the first to the sixth century. Particular attention will be given to the spheres of economics, education, family and health.
THEO 326 - History of Women in the Church. Cr. 3. An investigation from biblical times to the present of theological understandings of women's roles in Christian religious communities and of the cultural contexts that shape such attitudes and practices.

Theology, Ethics, and Practice

THEO 330/530 - Topics in Contemporary Theology. Cr. 3. A study of selected topics, such as contemporary Lutheran theology, feminist theology, and liberation theology. May be repeated for credit if topics are different.
THEO 332/532 - Luther and Lutheran Confessional Theology. Cr. 3. Issues are studied against the background of the sixteenth century and with a view to ascertaining the value of the Confessions for the life and work of the church today.
THEO 334 - Constructive Christian Theology. Cr. 3. A study in the making and critiquing of an ordered and coherent structure of thought about the Christian faith, with special reference to the resources of biblical and Lutheran theology.
THEO 337/537 - Black Theology and Black Church. Cr. 3. A study of Black theological discourse in the United States and Africa. The course focuses on the composite causes of racial oppression and explores the relationship between black theology and "third world" peoples, women's struggles, black families, and, most importantly, the praxis of black church ministry. May be used to fulfill the Cultural Diversity course component of the General Education Requirements.
THEO 338 - Holocaust Theology. Cr. 3. A systematic study of the many issues stemming from the events of the Nazi Holocaust and how those events have affected both Jews and Christians. The course constructs a possible religious and moral response to the evil of the Holocaust.
THEO 340 - Topics in Religious Ethics. Cr. 3. An examination of a selected thinker or theme in religious ethics. May be repeated for credit if topics are different.
THEO 341 - Bioethics. Cr. 3. (Also offered as PHIL 341.) A study of the moral issues raised by modern advances in medicine and biological research (e.g., abortion, euthanasia, genetic engineering and health care). Attention is given both to general ethical theory and to the analysis of particular issues.
THEO 343 - Theology of Marriage and Sexuality. Cr. 3. A systematic study of the many issues stemming from contemporary views of marriage and sexuality, the course will be an opportunity to judge a variety of possible theological views, test views with concrete experiences and real issues, and begin the process of forming a personal viewpoint.
THEO 344 - Theology and the Scientific World. Cr. 3. A study of the relationship between religion and science, looking not only at controversial issues but also at the positive dialogue between theologians and scientists. The course will focus on topics like creation and evolution, cosmology and theology, genetics and human uniqueness.
THEO 346/546 - Contemporary Moral Issues. Cr. 3. An examination of selected moral issues such as warfare, abortion, and care of the environment.
THEO 351 - Studies in Theology and the Arts. Cr. 3. An examination of a selected topic such as Christian faith and modern literature, theology and the visual arts, and religion in cinema. May be repeated for credit if topics are different.
THEO 353 - Studies in Theology and Practice. Cr. 3. An examination of selected topics such as Christian response to social victims, Christian faith and politics, ethics of cultural encounter, and Christian education. May be repeated for credit if topics are different.
THEO 355/555 - Liturgical Theology and Practice. Cr. 3. A study of the principles and language of worship with emphasis on the theology of worship, ritual, the role of tradition, and the relationship between worship and contemporary culture.
THEO 357/557 - The Church in the World. Cr. 3. A study of the life and mission of the church with emphasis on movements for renewal, reform, and reunion. Special attention is given to developments in Latin America and/or Africa. May be used to fulfill the Cultural Diversity course component of the General Education Requirements.
THEO 358/558 - Studies in Theology, Health, and Healing. Cr. 3. An examination of a selected topic such as death and dying, or spiritual needs and health care. May be repeated for credit if topics are different.
THEO 359/559 - Theology of Aging. Cr. 3. A study of the process of aging from the perspectives of biblical, historical, and practical theology. Attention is given to the spiritual needs of older persons and their potential contribution to church and society.
THEO 451/551 - Theology of Diaconal Ministry. Cr. 3. A study of the historical and theological foundations of diaconal ministry. Attention is given to the role of the diaconate in the church, the development of diaconal community, and the nurture of a spirituality of service. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing.
THEO 453/553 - Clinical Education for Ministry. Cr. 3. A carefully supervised practicum in ministry to the physically ill and the elderly. Designed principally for senior Deaconess and Pre-Seminary students, this course in practical theology engages student in disciplined reflection on their ministry. Usually S/U basis. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing.

World Religions

THEO 360/560 - Topics in World Religions. Cr. 3. A study of a selected topic, such as families of Abraham, south Asian religions, indigenous religions, new religions, the history of the interaction between religions or between religions and cultures, and the history of the study of religion. May be used to fulfill the Cultural Diversity course component of the General Education Requirements. May be repeated for credit if the topics are different.
THEO 361 - Studies in Judaism. Cr. 3. Studies of selected topics in Judaism: biblical, rabbinic, and contemporary. May be repeated for credit if topics are different. These offerings are sometimes sponsored in part by the Jewish Chautauqua Society.
THEO 362/562 - Understanding Islamic Religion and Culture. Cr. 3. A study of the life of Muhammad, the teachings of the Quran, traditional practices and institutions in Islamic society, and significant contemporary developments in the Muslim world. May be used to fulfill the Cultural Diversity course componenet of the General Education Requirements.
THEO 363/563 - Religions of China and Japan. Cr. 3. A study of the religious worldview of China and Japan, seen both in the traditional popular religious practices and in the organized religions of Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, and Shinto. Special attention is given to the expressions of religion in art and to the role of religion in modern China and Japan. May be used to fulfill the Cultural Diversity course component of the General Education Requirements.
THEO 364 - The Buddhist Tradition. Cr. 3. A study of the origins of Buddhism in India, its expansion into and influence on the cultures of Southeast Asia, its special adaptations in China and Japan, and the Buddhist presence in the United States today. Attention is given to the varieties of Buddhist teaching and practice. May be used to fulfill the Cultural Diversity course component of the General Education Requirements.
THEO 365 - Religion in Africa. Cr. 3. A study of religion in Sub-Saharan Africa. Attention is given to the nature and function of religion in the traditional societies and to the modern developments of Christianity and Islam in Africa. May be used to fulfill the Cultural Diversity course component of the General Education Requirements.
THEO 366 - Religion in Japanese Culture. Cr. 3. A study of religion in Japanese culture by focusing on Zen Buddhism and its influence in Japanese culture, especially in traditional arts like poetry, drama, painting, calligraphy, architecture, flowers, and gardening, with special emphasis on chanoyu (the tea ceremony). May be used to fulfill the Cultural Diversity course component of the General Education Requirements.
THEO 367 - Religions in America. Cr. 3. An examination of a selected topic, such as recent religious movements in America, history of religions in the United States, etc. May be repeated for credit if topics are different.
THEO 368 - Native American Religions. Cr. 3. A study of the most common religious features found in Native American societies north of Mexico. Attention is given both to the older traditions and to the more recent religious developments. May be used to fulfill the Cultural Diversity course component of the General Education Requirements.
THEO 369/569 - Perspectives on the Religious Quest. Cr. 3. A study of the history, themes, and structures of religious experience in various religions of the world. May be used to partially fulfill the Cultural Diversity course component of the General Education Requirements.

Specialized Courses

THEO 399 - Church Vocations Symposium. Cr. 0. Presentations and discussions of topics of special interest to students in pre-seminary studies or who are preparing for other church vocations. All students in these curricula are expected to register for this course each semester and to attend each session. S/U grade.
THEO 480 - Practicum in Ministry. Cr. 1 - 3. Field experience in various local agencies, together with reflection on the work being done. This course may not be used to fulfill the Theology component of the General Education Requirement. A maximum of three credit hours may be applied to the theology major. It may be repeated for a maximum of six credits, and is offered only on an S/U basis. Arranged with the Chair of the Department. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing.
THEO 481 - Basic Homily Preparation. Cr. 1. A basic introduction to methods of preparing and delivering biblical, liturgical homilies in a variety of worship settings. This course may not be counted toward the theology major or minor. It may be repeated for a maximum of two credits, and is offered only on an S/U basis. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing.
THEO 490/590 - Topics in Theology. Cr. 1-3. A study of a selected topic in theology, intended primarily for majors, minors, and advanced students. May be repeated for credit if topics are different.
THEO 493 - Theology Seminar. Cr. 3. Advanced study of selected areas or issues in the discipline of theology. Varied listings are announced. Prerequisites: senior standing and consent of the Chair of the Department.
THEO 495 - Supervised Reading and Research. Cr. 1 - 3. An opportunity for students to read a number of significant works on a given topic in theology, or to do research on a topic which is not covered in any scheduled course offerings of the Department and to write a major paper. Prerequisites: junior standing, 9 credit hours in theology, and consent of the Chair of the Department.
THEO 497 - Honors Work in Theology. Cr. 3. See Honors Work in the University Catalog on page 56.
THEO 498 - Honors Candidacy in Theology. Cr. 3. See Honors Work in the University Catalog on page 56.

Prospectuses for Topics Courses (if available)

Each semester faculty members offer topics courses and certain others for which there are no descriptions in the University Catalogue.