Department of Religion, Philosophy, and Church Leadership

Mike R. Beggs, Department Chair

Religion and Philosophy Faculty:

Associate Professor: Wayne Kannaday

Assistant Professor: Mike Beggs

Part-time Faculty: Terry Dohm

The study of religion and philosophy is one of the most rewarding academic pursuits a student might wish to undertake in his or her college career. The personal benefits are well-known: the study of religion and philosophy allows one to explore life's most important and challenging questions: from “What is the nature of reality?” and “Can God's existence be determined by reason or by faith alone?” to “What is the best sort of life to lead?” and “How do we understand and live with religious differences?” Courses in religion and philosophy challenge students to find answers to these questions while exposing them to thousands of years of conversation on life's most pressing themes.

Often overlooked, though, are the practical rewards of studying religion and philosophy. And there are many of them. Among the skills most prized by businesses today are strengths in written communication and analytical thinking as well as creative aptitude. Students who study religion and philosophy are trained to analyze and construct arguments and to evaluate ideas while creatively articulating their own. Because of their skills in reading, writing and critical thinking, students who major in philosophy and religion consistently score in the highest percentiles for professional and graduate school exams. The study of religion and philosophy not only prepares one for a career in teaching; students who major and minor in these areas are regularly admitted into law school, medical school, and other pre-professional and graduate programs. In short, while religion and philosophy are intrinsically worthwhile pursuits, they continue to prove among the most practically valuable disciplines in the liberal arts and sciences.

The Religion and Philosophy Department provides three different services to the students of Newberry College :

• For students seeking preparation for graduate/professional school or for personal growth, the College offers a B.A. in Religion and Philosophy with concentrations either in Religion or Philosophy.
• For students who feel called to ministry through the Church either in an ordained or lay capacity, the College offers a B.A. in Church Leadership with concentrations in Church Administration, Church Music, Youth Ministry and Christian Education. This degree provides more practical training and experiences than the B.A. in Religion and Philosophy. The degree achieves a balance between practical application and academic reflection that is particularly useful for lay church leaders but also beneficial for those planning to attend seminary.
• For students whose plans do not involve extensive preparation in the areas of Religion and Philosophy, the department offers a number of Core Curriculum offerings including: REL 110 Biblical Heritage, PHI 120 Introduction to Ethics, REL 213 Christian Ethics in a Changing Society, and HUM 250 Masterworks of Civilization. These courses contribute directly to the completion of Core Curriculum requirements and are a vital part of the Liberal Arts Education experience.
  

Minors offered in Religion, Philosophy, and Church Leadership insure that every student at Newberry College has opportunities to explore these three areas of study and life preparation to the extent that she or he chooses.

Religion and Philosophy Major with Religion Concentration

The Religion concentration at Newberry College is designed to equip students with the literary, historical and analytical facilities necessary for the academic investigation and exploration of the sacred writings, doctrines, and history of the Judeo-Christian tradition. As a result of the structured emphasis, program participants will have the opportunity to acquire wide-ranging familiarity with the Bible in its historical and literary context. This concentration is highly recommended for students who wish to pursue a terminal degree in any sub-field of religious studies, such as biblical studies, history, or theology. Students seeking seminary training who wish to strengthen their academic religious preparation should strongly consider this concentration, while those seeking greater balance between practical Christian service and academic preparation should investigate the B.A. in Church Leadership. In addition, students in any number of professional fields that require facility in working with historical documents or sensitivity to multi-cultural and ecumenical diversity will find the skills and insights honed in this discipline useful. Naturally, any investigation in the fields of Religion and Philosophy provides opportunities for spiritual and personal enrichment.

Religion and Philosophy Major (B.A. degree) Requirements

with Religion Concentration (34 hours)

Students who wish to concentrate their studies in Religion can earn a B.A. in Religion and Philosophy . The major requires a minimum of 34 semester hours and consists of the following courses: REL 110, REL 301, REL 350; 300-400 level Philosophy course to be determined (3 hours); one course from PHI 481/482 Seminar or REL 481/482 Seminar; PHI 499 or REL 499; four semesters of successful completion of HUM 100 (1 hour per semester – 4 total hours); 4 additional 3-hour courses from the Department for a total of 34 hours.

The following is a sample Religion and Philosophy Major with a Concentration in

Religion :

REL 110.   The Biblical Heritage   ................................................................ 3 hours

REL 213.   Christian Ethics in a Changing Society   ...................................... 3 hours

REL 220.   World Religions   ......................................................................... 3 hours

REL 301.   Jesus: His Religion and His Teachings   ...................................... 3 hours

REL 303.   Paul: His Life, Writings…   ......................................................... 3 hours

REL 350.   Systematic Theology   ................................................................. 3 hours

PHI 110.   Introduction to Modern Logic   ................................................... 3 hours

PHI 311.   Philosophy of Religion   .............................................................. 3 hours

REL 482.   Seminar on Religious Issues   ...................................................... 3 hours

REL 499.   Senior Essay   .............................................................................. 3 hours

HUM 100.   ....................................................... Colloquium (1 hour x 4 semesters)   4 hours

Total:     .................................................................................................. 34 hours

(See “Proposed Changes to Core Requirement on page 63)

Religion Minor Requirements (20 hours)

A minor in Religion requires 20 hours of course work including: REL 110, two semesters of HUM 100, and five additional courses in Religion.

Philosophy Concentration

The Philosophy program at Newberry College is structured to provide students with exceptional training in Ethics and the History of Philosophy. Philosophy is one of the oldest academic disciplines, aimed to develop students' proficiencies in critical thinking through investigations of topics related to value, truth, morality, selfhood, and the acquisition of knowledge. In addition, the study of Philosophy is guided by an appreciation of the contributions of past thinkers to our contemporary understanding of these topics.

Religion and Philosophy Major (B.A. degree) Requirements

with Concentration in Philosophy (34 hours)

Students who wish to concentrate their studies in Philosophy can earn a B.A. in Religion and Philosophy . The major requires a minimum of 34 semester hours and consists of the following courses: REL 110, REL 301, REL 350; a 300-400 level PHI course to be determined (3 hours); one course from PHI 481/482 Seminar or RRL 481/482 Seminar; PHI 499 or REL 499; four semesters of successful completion of HUM 100 (1 hour per semester—4 total hours); four additional 3-hour courses from the Department for a total of 34 hours.

The following is a sample Religion and Philosophy Major curriculum with a Concentration in Philosophy :

REL 110. The Biblical Heritage   ................................................................. 3 hours

REL 301. Jesus: His Religion and His Teachings   ....................................... 3 hours

REL 350. Systematic Theology   .................................................................. 3 hours

PHI 120. Introduction to Ethics   ................................................................. 3 hours

PHI 110. Introduction to Modern Logic   .................................................... 3 hours

PHI 201. Ancient and Medieval Philosophy   ............................................. 3 hours

PHI 202. Modern Philosophy   .................................................................... 3 hours

PHI 312. Philosophical Ethics   .................................................................... 3 hours

PHI 482. Seminar on Problems in Philosophy   ........................................... 3 hours

PHI 499. Senior Essay   ................................................................................ 3 hours

HUM 100. Colloquium (1 hour x 4 semesters)   ......................................... 4 hours

Total:   .......................................................................................................... 34 hours

Philosophy Minor Requirements

A minor in Philosophy requires 20 hours of course work including: PHI 110, 201, and 202; either PHI 120, 220, or 312; two additional courses in Philosophy; and at least two semesters of satisfactory participation in HUM 100.

Core Curriculum

All philosophy courses except Philosophy 110 satisfy the 1995 Core Curriculum requirements in Humanities, Area E-2, and the 2005 Core Curriculum, Area C-2.

Philosophy 110 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirements in Mathematics, Area
C-3 (1995) and Area D-3 (2005). Philosophy 110 does NOT satisfy Core Curriculum requirements in Humanities and Fine Arts .

Church Leadership Major (B.A. degree) Requirements (43-48 hours)

Click here for a Print-Friendly Version of our Church Leadership Brochure

The call to servant leadership in the church can take many forms and involve many skills; therefore, Newberry College has developed a flexible degree designed to help students tailor their skills to match their call. Students who wish to blend academic preparation with practical leadership experiences may complete the B.A. in Church Leadership . This course of study will provide students with broad exposure to the range of disciplines in the field of religion and develop a basic skill set suitable for a specific area of Church Ministry/Leadership.

Requirements include a total of 43-48 hours: 26-27 hours in the Religion and Philosophy courses listed below and the courses listed under one of the four Church Leadership concentrations:

REL 203.   From the Apostles to the Reformers (100-1550)   .................... 3 hours

REL 220.   Religions of the World   .............................................................. 3 hours

REL 301.   Jesus: His Religion & Teachings   .............................................. 3 hours

REL 350.   Systematic Theology   ................................................................ 3 hours

HUM 100.   Humanities Colloquium (1 hour x 4 semesters)   .. 4 hours

Either REL 250 Christian Vocation and Church Leadership (1),

or COL 300 Learning Leadership (1),

or HUM 300. Profiles in Leadership (2)   .................................................. 1-2 hours

REL 495. Christian Vocation Internship   .................................................... 3 hours

Electives in Philosophy or Religion   .............................................................. 6 hours

Religion and Philosophy Total   ......................................................... 26-27 hours

Concentration   .................................................................................... 17-21 hours

Concentrations:

Church Leadership Major with Church Administration Concentration (18 hours)

ACC 210. Principles of Financial Accounting   ............................................. 3 hours

ECO 210. Principles of Macroeconomics   ................................................... 3 hours

Either COM 121. Intro. To Media Writing or ART 320 Web Design   ........ 3 hours

Either BUA 260. Principles of Management and

BUA 462. Organizational Behavior or PSY 120. Intro. To Psychology

and PSY/SOC 236 Social Psychology   ......................................................... 6 hours

3 Hours of Approved Business or Psychology   ........................................... 3 hours

Church Leadership Major with Music Ministry Concentration (21 hours)

MUA 101. Elementary Piano Class   ........................................................... 2 hours

MUS 151. Music Literature   ....................................................................... 3 hours

MUS 343. History of Sacred Music   .......................................................... 3 hours

MUS 377. Choral Conducting   .................................................................... 2 hours

MUS 483. Practice of Church Music   ......................................................... 3 hours

Repertory Seminar 4 semesters   ................................................................... 0 hours

Applied Music: Organ or Voice (6 hours), Piano (2 hours)   ........................ 8 hours

Church Leadership Major with Youth Ministry Concentration (17 hours)

PSY 120. Introduction To Psychology   ....................................................... 3 hours

PSY 230. Developmental Psychology   ......................................................... 3 hours

PHE 117. First Aid   ..................................................................................... 2 hours

PHE 211. Community & Church Recreation   .............................................. 3 hours

REL 340. Youth Ministry   ........................................................................... 3 hours

Approved Art, Music, or Theatre   ................................................................ 3 hours

Church Leadership Major with Christian Education Concentration (17 hours)

PSY 120. Introduction To Psychology   ....................................................... 3 hours

PSY 230. Developmental Psychology   ......................................................... 3 hours

PHE 117. First Aid   ..................................................................................... 2 hours

PHE 211. Community & Church Recreation   .............................................. 3 hours

REL 330. Christian Education   ..................................................................... 3 hours

Approved Art, Music, or Theater   ................................................................ 3 hours

Church Leadership Minor (21-22 hours):

REL 203. Church History   .......................................................................... 3 hours

REL 220. World Religions   ........................................................................... 3 hours

REL 301. Jesus: His Religion & Teachings   ................................................. 3 hours

REL 350. Systematic Theology   .................................................................. 3 hours

REL 495. Christian Vocation Internship   .................................................... 3 hours

HUM 100. Humanities Colloquium (1 hour x 2 semesters)   ........................ 2 hours

Either REL 250 Christian Vocation and Church Leadership (1),
or COL 300 Learning Leadership (1),
or HUM 300 Profiles in Leadership (2)   ................................................... 1-2 hours

Elective Hours   .............................................................................................. 3 hours

Academic Requirements toward Associates in Ministry (AIM) Certification

The College is pleased to be able to offer Lutherans the opportunity to complete the academic requirements toward Associates in Ministry (AIM) certification. Successful candidates under the guidance of their synod will be enrolled in an officially recognized roster for lay ministry.

Candidates for AIM Certification must also complete:

REL 302. Hebrew Prophets   ........................................................................ 3 hours

REL 322. History of Lutherans and Lutheranism   ....................................... 3 hours

REL 380. Lutheran Theology & Confessional Writings   .............................. 3 hours

Church Leadership Minor toward AIM Certification (24-25 Hours)

REL 301. Jesus: His Religion & Teachings   ................................................. 3 hours

REL 302. Hebrew Prophets   ........................................................................ 3 hours

REL 322. History of Lutherans and Lutheranism   ....................................... 3 hours

REL 350. Systematic Theology   ................................................................... 3 hours

REL 380. Lutheran Theology & Confessional Writings   .............................. 3 hours

REL 495. Christian Vocation Internship   .................................................... 3 hours

HUM 100. Humanities Colloquium (1 hour x 2 semesters)   ........................ 2 hours

Either REL 250 Christian Vocation and Church Leadership (1 hr),
or COL 300 Learning Leadership (1 hr),
or HUM 300 Profiles in Leadership (2 hrs)   ............................................. 1-2 hours

Elective Hours   .............................................................................................. 3 hours

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS