Theology and Christian Leadership
In addition to the traditional religion major, the Religion Department is now offering a second major, Theology and Christian Leadership. Designed for students who want training in specific areas of lay ministry, the major includes current religion courses as well as courses in other departments and new religion courses to be developed appropriate to the major. Students will select one of four areas for specialization:
- Christian Education
- Church Administration
- Worship and Music
- Youth and Family ministry.
Bachelor of Arts in Theology and Christian Leadership
46 credits minimum.
REL 100 | Introduction to Christianity | 4 |
REL 370 | Introduction to the Study of Global Religions | 4 |
REL 435 | Faith and Reason-Capstone | 4 |
REL 492 | Internship | 2 |
Select one of the following: | 4 | |
Exploring the Old Testament | ||
The Old Testament: Torah | ||
Old Testament: Prophets | ||
Old Testament: Writings | ||
Select one of the following: | 4 | |
Exploring the New Testament | ||
Paul and His Letters | ||
Revelation and Apocalypse | ||
Select one of the following: | 4 | |
Christianity in the Roman World | ||
Medieval and Reformation Christianity | ||
World Christianity Since 1600 | ||
Christianity in America | ||
Martin Luther | ||
Exploring Christian Theology | ||
Varieties of Christian Theology | ||
God in Christian Thought | ||
Christ and Salvation | ||
Science and Christian Theology | ||
Liberation and Theology | ||
Select one of the following: | 4 | |
Contemporary Christian Ethics | ||
Global Ethics | ||
Environmental Ethics | ||
Violence, Religion and Ethics | ||
Theology and Business Ethics | ||
Sexual Ethics | ||
Emphasis | 16 | |
Total Hours | 46 |
Christian Education Emphasis
Take four courses from the following: | 16 | |
Multimedia Technology | ||
or COMM 348 | Website Design and Publishing | |
Child and Adolescent Development | ||
or PSYC 305 | Adult Development and Aging | |
Interpersonal Communication | ||
or PSYC 325 | Theories of Personality | |
or SOC 300 | Sexuality and Society | |
Religion and Culture | ||
Violence & Victimization | ||
or CRIM 350 | Juvenile Delinquency | |
Total Hours | 16 |
Church Administration Emphasis
Take four courses from the following: | 16 | |
Principles of Accounting | ||
or BUS 253 | Financial Information in Business Organization | |
Communication for Managers | ||
or COMM 306 | Business and Professional Communication | |
Marketing Research/Consumer Behavior | ||
or BUS 375 | Principles of Marketing | |
or BUS 445 | Marketing and Management of Services | |
Information, Systems, and Organizational Design | ||
or COMM 348 | Website Design and Publishing | |
Human Resource Management | ||
or BUS 367 | Behavior in Organizations | |
or BUS 449 | Managerial Leadership: Core Competencies And Skills | |
or COMM 335 | Interpersonal Communication | |
Introduction to Financial Planning | ||
Total Hours | 16 |
Worship and Music Emphasis
MUS 107 | Music Theory I | 2 |
MUS 108 | Music Theory II | 2 |
MUS 109 | Musicianship Skills I | 1 |
MUS 110 | Musicianship Skills II | 1 |
MUS 111 | Keyboard Harmony I | 1 |
MUS 112 | Keyboard Harmony II | 1 |
MUS 309 | Fundamentals of Conducting | 3 |
REL 392 | Liturgy and Worship | 4 |
Select two of the following: | 2 | |
Class Voice | ||
Class Piano | ||
Class Guitar | ||
Piano | ||
Organ | ||
Voice | ||
Strings: Guitar | ||
Piano | ||
Organ | ||
Voice | ||
Strings: Guitar | ||
Select two of the following: | 2 | |
Women's Chorale | ||
California Lutheran Choir | ||
Women's Chorale | ||
California Lutheran Choir | ||
Total Hours | 19 |
Youth and Family Ministry
Take four courses from the following: | 16 | |
Violence & Victimization | ||
Creative Dramatics for Children and Youth | ||
Multimedia Technology | ||
or COMM 348 | Website Design and Publishing | |
Interpersonal Communication | ||
or PSYC 325 | Theories of Personality | |
Child and Adolescent Development | ||
or PSYC 305 | Adult Development and Aging | |
Sexuality and Society | ||
or SOC 320 | Religion and Culture | |
or SOC 370 | Deviance in U.S. Society | |
Total Hours | 16 |
Courses
Lower Division
REL 100. Introduction to Christianity. (4).
This study of Christianity explores the formation
and structure of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament
and New Testament and the development of
Christianity from the first century to the
present, including its theological and ethical
traditions.
REL 282. Selected Topics. (1-4).
REL 285. Interim Travel Course. (1).
REL 291. Integrative Seminar in Vocatioin and Leadership. (2).
Through reading, group discussion, community
engagement, and personal reflection, this course
equips students to situate their own vocations
and leadership styles in the context of
communities to which they belong. Prerequisite:
Permission of the Instructor.
Upper Division
REL 300. Exploring Biblical Traditions. (4).
This course will trace the development of
religious consciousness in human experience,
examine the foundations of Judaism and
Christianity in the Hebrew and Christian
scriptures, explore the rise and expansion of
Christianity in its unity and diversity, and
explain its core beliefs and practices.
REL 310. Exploring the Old Testament. (4).
This introduction to the literature and setting
of the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible emphasizes
selected writings and themes. Attention is given
to the historical and cultural context and the
challenge of interpreting these writings in the
21st century.
REL 311. The Old Testament: Torah. (4).
An examination of the first five books of the Old
Testament/Hebrew Bible, focusing on selected
passages and themes, the historical and cultural
context of their composition and the challenge of
interpreting them in the 21st century.
REL 312. Old Testament: Prophets. (4).
An examination of the prophetic books of the Old
Testament/Hebrew Bible, focusing on selected
passages and themes, the historical and cultural
context of their composition and the challenge of
interpreting them in the 21st century.
REL 313. Old Testament: Writings. (4).
An examination of Wisdom Literature, Psalms and
other writings in the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible,
focusing on selected passages and themes, the
historical and cultural context of their
composition and the challenge of interpreting
them in the 21st century.
REL 315. Biblical Hebrew I. (4).
A two-semester sequence of study leading to a
reading knowledge of the Hebrew Bible/Old
Testament. Basic Hebrew grammar and vocabulary
are studied in conjunction with questions of
cosmology, the understanding of history and the
theological perspective of ancient Israel.
(cross-listed with HEBR 315 & HEBR 316).
REL 316. Biblical Hebrew II. (4).
A two-semester sequence of study leading to a
reading knowledge of the Hebrew Bible/Old
Testament. Basic Hebrew grammar and vocabulary
are studied in conjunction with questions of
cosmology, the understanding of history and the
theological perspective of ancient Israel.
(cross-listed with HEBR 315 & HEBR 316).
REL 320. Exploring the New Testament. (4).
A survey of the New Testament writings in their
first century Mediterranean cultural setting that
explores how early Christian communities adapted
Jewish Tradition and society, as well as the
ideas, cultures, and beliefs of ancient Greece
and Rome.
REL 323. Paul and His Letters. (4).
An introduction to the study of Paul's letters
and theology in relation to his social world,
using historical and literary approaches.
REL 324. Jesus. (4).
Who is Jesus? This course begins with the four
gospels and asks how each writer understands
Jesus in the first century Jewish and Roman
worlds. Students then study art and literature
from around the world to ask how Jesus is
understood in different cultural and political
perspectives today.
REL 325. Biblical Greek I. (4).
A beginning study of biblical Greek that builds a
foundation in the essentials of grammar,
vocabulary, and translation. Includes readings in
Mark and Philippians, as well as (in the second
semester) discussion of theological
implications.(Cross-listed with GREE 325 &
GREE 326).
REL 326. Biblical Greek II. (4).
A beginning study of biblical Greek that builds a
foundation in the essentials of grammar,
vocabulary, and translation. Includes readings in
Mark and Philippians, as well as (in the second
semester) discussion of theological
implications.(Cross-listed with GREE 325 &
GREE 326).
REL 327. Revelation and Apocalypse. (4).
An introduction to the book of Revelation in the
New Testament, and other apocalyptic themes in
literature from the Prophets to the present
times. This course explores the social and
political dimensions of apocalyptic literature
in particular situations around the globe.
REL 331. Christianity in the Roman World. (4).
A survey of the emergence, growth, and
development of the Christian movement from the
time of the apostles to the disintegration of the
Roman Empire in the West and to the fall of
Constantinople in the East. This course will
focus on Christianity as actually experienced and
practiced by its earlier adherents in the
multinational context of empire, and will look at
textual, artistic, and material sources of
evidence to gain a sense of the Christian past.
(cross-listed with HIST 331).
REL 332. Medieval and Reformation Christianity. (4).
A survey of the development of Christianity in
the post-Roman West, focusing on the rise of
papacy, the development of distinctive Western
Christian practices and doctrines, and the
important role of the church in shaping European
society. Special attention will be given to ways
the medieval church handled difference and
dissent, and to the reform movements of the later
Middle Ages and the Protestant and Catholic
reformations they brought about. (cross-listed
with HIST 332).
REL 333. World Christianity Since 1600. (4).
A survey of the history of post-Reformation
Christianity as it spread beyond Europe and
became truly a global religion, with special
emphasis on regional variations, issues of class
and gender, and the challenges of modernity. Much
of the course will focus on Christianity as
variously experienced in the tumultuous 20th
century, and in this will underscore both
continuities and the rich diversity in the modern
and postmodern Christian communities that exist
throughout the world today. (cross-listed with
HIST 333).
REL 334. Christianity in America. (4).
This course will trace the historical development
of Christianity in America from its early
encounter with Native American religions to its
contemporary encounter with other global
religions. Beginning with Spanish, French and
English colonial empires, emphasis will be placed
on the arrival of diverse religious refugees, the
rise of uniquely American religious groups and
the relation of Christianity to various
socio-political movements and to the diversity of
persons and cultures represented in American
public life today. (cross-listed with HIST 335).
REL 335. Martin Luther. (4).
A seminar course introducing the life and thought
of Martin Luther (1483-1586), based on lectures,
films, and close reading and discussion of his
works. The course aims to provide students with a
working knowledge of Luther's main teachings and
their impact, and to put both his ideas and his
legacy in historical context.
REL 340. Exploring Christian Theology. (4).
A survey of the fundamental doctrines of
Christianity, including their biblical roots,
classical formulations, challenges posed by the
modern world and some contemporary reformulations.
REL 341. Varieties of Christian Theology. (4).
A study of some contemporary currents in
Christian theology, such as evangelical theology,
the various liberation theologies (feminist,
black, Latino, Latin American), and the recent
scientific theologies.
REL 344. God in Christian Thought. (4).
An examination of traditional and contemporary
Christian understandings of God, including the
person and attributes of God, God's creative
work, the divine-human relationship, sin, and the
traditional problem of evil.
REL 345. Christ and Salvation. (4).
A study of traditional and contemporary
understandings of the historical person of Jesus,
his identity as the Messiah/Christ, and his role
in God's saving work.
REL 346. Science and Christian Theology. (4).
An examination of the historical and contemporary
relationships that have existed between modern
science and Christian theology through study of
particular areas of convergence, examples of
conflict and integration, and the scientific,
philosophical and theological issues involved.
REL 347. Liberation and Theology. (4).
An introduction to theologies of liberation in
Latin America and in Ventura County, this course
asks how social, economic, and political readings
of the Bible can be used to dominate and liberate
communities.
REL 350. Contemporary Christian Ethics. (4).
An introduction to contemporary Christian ethics;
its relationship to the Bible and Christian
communities; and thinking on such important
personal and social issues as sexual behavior,
human reproduction, racial and ethnic relations,
the taking of human life, poverty and economic
issues, and the environment.
REL 351. Global Ethics. (4).
A variety of issues have arisen which need to be
examined from global perspective: political
repression, social change, terrorism and war,
economic globalization, immigration, human
rights, health, and the environment. This course
examines these issues from the perspectives of
global religions, ethics, social theory, and
social movements.
REL 352. Environmental Ethics. (4).
The care of the earth demands that we address
complex issues such as patterns of consumption
and production, population growth, the rights of
animals, plants and land as well as the rights
and responsibilities of persons, businesses, and
nations. The course examines historical,
political, socio-economic, philosophical and
religious perspectives.
REL 353. Violence, Religion and Ethics. (4).
A study of various forms of violence, such as
sexual and domestic violence, political
repression, terrorism and war. The course
examines religious justification of and
resistance to violence, using cases from diverse
locations and religions.
REL 354. Theology and Business Ethics. (4).
This course applies ethical theory to business
decisions within the context of theological
reflection. With a strategic focus, the course
will investigate the relationship between
theological ethics and the economic concerns of
managers. The course is particularly designed to
help students become effective ethical agents by
developing the skills to apply ethical principle
to strategic business decisions. (cross-listed
with BUS 354).
REL 356. Sexual Ethics. (4).
A study of sexual ethics from religious and
philosophical perspectives, moving from an
examination of understandings of gender,
sexuality, and sexual identities to discussion of
issues such as marriage and family;
contraception, abortion and reproductive
technologies; sexual violence, and HIV/AIDS.
REL 360. Jews and Judaism. (4).
A study of the elements of traditional Judaism in
biblical, rabbinic and modern times.
REL 370. Introduction to the Study of Global Religions. (4).
A consideration of themes, issues, types of
figures and phenonema from the religions of the
world, selected to illustrate the ways in which
the religious traditions are shaped by and in
turn effect processes of globalization that
inform the human experience historically and in
the present.
REL 371. Western Religions. (4).
Drawing on the religious traditions of Judaism,
Christianity and Islam, students will examine the
varieties of the religious experience,
historically and comparatively represented by
adherents of these three religious communities.
REL 372. South Asian Religions. (4).
Drawing on the religious traditions of South Asia
(modern India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri
Lanka, students will consider the varieties of
the religious experience, historically and
comparatively represented by the adherents of
these religious communities.
REL 374. Women and Religion. (4).
A consideration of women and women's issues
within the context of the study of world
religious traditions.
REL 375. Islam. (4).
In this introductory course, students learn the
history of Islam from the Prophet Mohammed and
the roots of the religion in Arab culture, to the
spread of Islam as a global religion across many
cultures. Students will analyze the variety of
social, political, and cultural ways in which
Muslims live out their faith around the world and
in the U.S. Global Emphases may change year to
year but will include 3-5 different geographical
areas such as: Egypt, Asia, Turkey, Africa,
Spain, Indonesia, and Europe.
REL 379. Sikh Tradition: a Case Study in Global Religions. (4).
The Sikh religion, or Sikhism, offers students an
educative example of how a religious tradition
emerges in the full light of history to become
one of the youngest of the "world religions". In
this course, students will share in the
tradition's intellectual, spiritual, and cultural
heritage while exploring the question of how to
study religions. By the course's end, students
will be able to recapitulate major moments in the
tradition's history, and also offer informed
comment on its future.
REL 380. Jesus in Film and History. (4).
A study of the historical person of Jesus through
readings in the gospels, historical Jesus
research from the past two centuries, and the
various cinematic portraits of Jesus from the
silent picture era to the present.
REL 381. Religion, Identity, and Culture. (4).
This course explores the interaction of religion
and culture in the United States. We will examine
uses of religious symbols and narratives in the
formation of personal, gender, ethnic and
cultural identities, through analysis of memoirs
and novels.
REL 382. Religion and Public Life. (4).
In modern democracies there is often a provision
for religious freedom alongside an exception that
the public be secular. Students will explore
religious freedom and freedom of conscience in
light of the First Amendment and Anglo-Protestant
bias. Governed by seminar practices of writing,
speaking, and listening, students will examine
case studies and constitutional debates; describe
and assess the practice of religion in public
life; and explain the dynamics of religious
pluralism and secularization.
Prerequisite: REL 100.
REL 390. Exploring Church Vocations. (4).
This course is designed for students interested
in exploring the possibility of lay or ordained
ministry in the church on either a professional
or voluntary basis. Its primary focus is on the
theory and practice of youth and family ministry,
and the theology and art of oral communication in
religious settings.
REL 391. Children, Youth, and Family Ministry. (4).
Through course readings, practica, guest
speakers, and self-reflection, students will be
introduced to the theologies, approaches, and
organizational models of ministry with children,
youth, and families. Students will investigate
the analyses of others through written
assignments and exams and will construct their
own articulations of the purpose and practice of
ministry. By hosting guest speakers, practicing
theological skills, and locating resources,
students will relate their own identities and
leadership styles to the identities and
leadership styles of fellow classmates and
scholar-practitioners. Prerequisite: REL 100.
REL 392. Liturgy and Worship. (4).
An introduction to the Christian liturgical
tradition, particularly that of Western
Christianity. It will include some comparison
with non-Christian religious customs, and will
give importance to the development of worship in
the Protestant traditions. The course's approach
is historical, but it may also include some
practical training if appropriate to student
needs. Christian hymnody and liturgical music
will also be introduced, with an emphasis on the
distinctive Lutheran contributions in those
areas. (cross-listed with MUS 392).
REL 412. Christian Art in the Middle Ages. (4).
Students survey the religious art of the Middle
Ages - primarily Christian, but also some early
Jewish and Islamic developments - identifying
significant works of architecture, sculpture, and
painting, while exploring Christian concepts and
beliefs, liturgy and worship. Students consider
art in relation to cultural needs, examining
works in historical, religious social, economic,
and political contexts. Students become familiar
with visual forms, styles, narratives, and
symbols of Christian art, as well as with
broader, unifying themes shared by different
cultures. The course content covers twelve
centuries and geographically spans the Western
edges of Europe to the Middle East. We also pay
attention to instances of cultural exchange (the
circulation of ideas, art forms, and artists
through Europe and the Middle East).
(cross-listed with ART 412).
REL 435. Faith and Reason-Capstone. (4).
Team-taught by professors in philosophy and
religion, the course is an interdisciplinary
exploration of the perennial tensions and
cross-fertilizations between faith and reason,
including examination of arguments for and
against God's existence, the problem of evil, the
nature of religious language, and the
relationship between science and religion. It
serves as the capstone for philosophy and
religion majors and a senior seminar in the
honors program. It is also open to juniors and
seniors from all disciplines. (cross-listed with
PHIL 435 and HNRS 435) (Spring).
REL 482. Selected Topics. (4).
REL 485. Travel Seminar. (2-4).
REL 490. Independent Study. (1-4).
REL 492. Internship. (1-4).
(graded P/NC only).