Religion & Philosophy Homepage

Religion (REL) and Philosophy (PHL)
The study of religion and philosophy stresses the historical, ethical, spiritual, cultural and logical bases of a society’s system of beliefs. At Dakota Wesleyan University the programs in religion and philosophy reflect our commitment to value-based education and our tradition as a church-related college. Courses within these programs examine and encourage the moral and ethical aspects of leadership and service as they prepare students for further study in seminary, careers and lives of responsible stewardship.

Additional Majors and Programs
Pre-theology
The department seeks to meet the preprofessional needs of people preparing for seminary by offering background courses and a flexible combination of courses in the major that students can pattern to individual types of ministry. While a great amount of variety is found in the requirements of various theological schools, the American Association of Theological Schools lists these fields where students should have proficiency before entering seminary study. A suggested minimum degree is given in terms of semester hours.

Of the possible fields of study for a college major, most theological schools regard these as useful: English, philosophy, religion, history, political science, psychology and sociology.

For certain nontraditional students with significant experience and ability, an accelerated 3-3 Program is available in which the first year of seminary counts as the senior year at DWU. This program links Dakota Wesleyan and North American Baptist Seminary (NABS) in a cooperative effort to provide an accelerated program of training for certain students heading for the ministry. It provides nontraditional students of unusual background and ability the opportunity to specialize the focus and shorten the time of their training. It is called the 3-3 Program because it involves three years of study at each institution.

3-3 Program Criteria for Admittance
The program is intended for students who:

1. are nontraditional, mature students who have been out of higher education at least five years, who have been in the workforce and are perhaps choosing ministry as a second career;
2. have considerable experience from participation in, or working in, various phases of the life of the church;
3. are committed to entering a church-related career; and
4. have a minimum 3.0 GPA in previous educational background.

3-3 Program Requirements
In the three years at DWU, students must:

1. be accepted by NABS for pre-enrollment in the 3-3 Program;
2. meet DWU competency skill requirements;
3. meet all General Education requirements (42 hours);
4. meet requirements for a minor;
5. establish senior status by earning 94 credit hours; and
6. maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Dakota Wesleyan University will accept the first year of courses at NABS as the senior year of study and as the completion of a religion and philosophy major. At the end of that year the student will graduate from DWU with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Church Music Major
The church music major, offered through the music department, provides skills and background knowledge for performance in keyboard and voice, as well as leadership of choirs and administration of larger music programs. Students may take this major with a minor in religion with or without plans for seminary and ordination. See "Music" for details.

Parish Nurse Program
The parish nurse program, coordinated through the DWU Department of Nursing, provides training experiences for nurses who want to work as parish nurses in church or institutional settings. A pilot program at Mitchell's Wesley Acres Retirement Residence and an annual Spiritual Care Conference, sponsored by the religion and nursing departments, help prepare nurses for this new and expanding field. See www.dwu.edu/religion or www.dwu.edu/nursing for more information about parish nursing.

Individualized Majors and Minors
The religion and philosophy department provides opportunities for special interdisciplinary programs that help prepare students to work in other church-related areas such as Christian education, church administration or other types of diaconal ministry.

Course Descriptions
Religion (REL)
101 Philosophy of Life 3 hours F,S
(Refer to PHL 101)

201 Introduction to the Bible 3 hours F
This course is an introductory user’s guide to the Bible, including basic selected content, historical background of people and writing, theories of interpretation, introduction to resources and application to current issues.
General Education: Philosophical/Theological Conceptions

210 Understanding the Old Testament 3 hours TBA
Students explore the basic teachings of the Hebrew Scriptures as represented in the teachings, prophets and poetry of the Old Testament. This course gives attention to the Old Testament's meaning in its own historical setting, as well as its connections to the New Testament and Christianity.
General Education: Philosophical/Theological Conceptions

215 The Life and Teachings of Jesus 3 hours S
This course examines the Gospels in their historical setting and contemporary significance, and is aimed at understanding what we know about Jesus and the lifestyle he lived and taught.
General Education: Philosophical/Theological Conceptions

216 The Life and Letters of Paul 3 hours F07
This course examines Paul’s life and letters in the context of the growth and problems of the early churches.
General Education: Philosophical/Theological Conceptions

225 Introduction to Religious Beliefs 3 hours S
This course is an introduction to what various religious thinkers and groups have suggested people could understand about the central topics of religious life. Topics include what people can believe about God, the purpose of life, suffering, afterlife, faith, Scripture, Jesus and other prophets, other religions, heaven and hell, angels and the universe.
General Education: Philosophical/Theological Conceptions

240 Sexuality, Spirituality and Loving 3 hours S
A study of the ethics of sexuality and the values associated with our physical existence, this course examines the basic physiology of human reproduction and discusses emotional and ethical issues surrounding sexual relationships. The course also gives attention to diverse beliefs about spirituality and sexuality in Judaism, Christianity and their Scriptures.
General Education: Philosophical/Theological Conceptions

250 Practicum in Church Work 3 hours F,S,SU
This is an opportunity for guided experience in local or area churches to explore and become acquainted with various phases of church work. Students can take REL 250 or REL 450 as part of a regular semester’s program, as a full-time internship during a summer or as a full professional semester. Only three hours may count toward a major.

299 Selected Topics - Basic 1-3 hours TBA

314 World Religions 3 hours F,S
This course is a comparative survey of the major religious systems of the world, both Eastern and Western, with emphasis on those religions currently in practice.
General Education: Philosophical/Theological Conceptions, Cultural Awareness

315 American Religions 3 hours S07
This course is a study of religious groups in America, both historical and contemporary, including a survey of traditional denominations and their beliefs, as well as newer movements and cults.
General Education: Philosophical/Theological Conceptions

320 Philosophy of Religion 3 hours S08
(Refer to PHL 320)

330 Hellenistic Greek I 3 hours TBA
This course is the first half of a study of the Koine form of the Greek language, which was used in the Hellenistic world and in the New Testament. The two-semester sequence will provide a basic reading knowledge of the New Testament, the Septuagint and other early Greek literature. This course is offered directed study and does not count toward religion and philosophy major or minor.

331 Hellenistic Greek II 3 hours TBA
This course is the second half of a study of the Koine form of the Greek language, which was used in the Hellenistic world and in the New Testament. The two-semester sequence will provide a basic reading knowledge of the New Testament, the Septuagint and other early Greek literature. This course is offered directed study and does not count toward religion and philosophy major or minor.

360 Death, Dying and Life after Death 3 hours F06
The course explores the biological process of dying, the various meanings that cultures attach to death and what different world religions teach about life after death. The course gives attention to near-death experiences, the process of grieving and the biblical concepts of immortality of the soul, resurrection of the body and eternal life.
General Education: Philosophical/Theological Conceptions

380 Classics in Christian Thought 3 hours F06
This survey of the great thinkers in the history of Christian thought examines crucial issues and theological ideas. These will serve as an introduction to the theological task of learning how to talk about God. Designed to acquaint students with the Christian heritage, this course also provides a basis for critically assessing the many theological claims in our world today.
General Education: Philosophical/Theological Conceptions

390 Contemporary Christian Thought 3 hours TBA
This course is an exploration of the thought of contemporary theologians and movements. The objective is to understand the variety of positions and attempt to understand and better communicate religious ideas to people in our own time. Key religious beliefs and issues will be the focus, with opportunity for discussion and development of the student’s personal understanding.
General Education: Philosophical/Theological Conceptions

415 Theology of John Wesley 3 hours F06
A survey of the history and theology of the United Methodist tradition, this course begins with John Wesley and the rise of early Methodism, and ends with contemporary thinking and issues in the United Methodist Church.
General Education: Philosophical/Theological Conceptions

450 Practicum in Church Work 3 hours F,S,SU
(Refer to REL 250)

460 Independent Study 1-3 hours F,S
Students complete individual work in religious topics.

461 Travel Seminar 1-3 hours F,S,SU
The seminar provides credit for travel on mission trips or visits to important sacred places. The course includes background reading and evaluative reports.

499 Selected Topics - Advanced 1-3 hours TBA

Course Descriptions
Philosophy (PHL)
101 Philosophy of Life 3 hours F,S
An introduction to the realms of philosophy and religion, this course consists of an examination of values for living and of the variety of systems of meaning that humans have constructed for themselves in answering life’s important questions.
General Education: Philosophical/Theological Conceptions

212 Introduction to Critical Thinking 3 hours F,S
This survey examines the methods of logical thinking and the rules for preciseness and certainty through deductive and inductive reasoning. The course emphasizes practical applications for recognizing common fallacies, propaganda and advertising techniques.
General Education: Philosophical/Theological Conceptions

220 Introduction to Ethical Issues 3 hours F
This course examines ethical decision making in the context of contemporary issues that are a part of our personal and social life, such as lying, sexual morality, capital punishment, war and euthanasia.
General Education: Philosophical/Theological Conceptions

305 Biomedical Ethics 3 hours S08
An examination of the ethical questions that arise in connection with selected biomedical issues, PHL 305 explores issues such as abortion, genetic engineering and euthanasia. This course is particularly useful for health care personnel, those interested in ministry or social work, and others with a general interest in these areas.
General Education: Philosophical/Theological Conceptions

306 Ethics and Technology 3 hours S08
This introduction to ethical theories examines their application to issues presented by modern technology and its uses, including ethics of information systems, robotics and humans, artificial intelligence, genome use and genetic engineering, assisted reproduction, modern methods of war and space exploration.
General Education: Philosophical/Theological Conceptions

310 Great Philosophers of the Western World 3 hours S07
This course surveys the ideas in Western history that have helped shape the modern mind through an examination of the great writings of these thinkers in their historical contexts.
General Education: Philosophical/Theological Conceptions

320 Philosophy of Religion 3 hours S06
A study of what philosophy and/or rationality have to say about religious topics, PHL 320 examines issues such as the nature and existence of God; the nature of mind, soul and body; the role of reason in religion; the purpose of life and the universe; the authority for ethics; the good life; and the significance of historical events.
General Education: Philosophical/Theological Conceptions

352 Political Thought 3 hours S08
(Refer to POL 352)

381 Business Ethics and Social Policy 3 hours S
(Refer to BUS 381)

460 Independent Study 3 hours F,S
Students complete individual work in philosophy.

499 Selected Topics - Advanced 1-3 hours TBA