Liberal Arts and Sciences Modules 2023-2024

Autumn Semester (September-December)

Classical & Theological Languages

  • Introduction to Classical Latin I
    This module provides an introduction to classical Latin, including pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, translation and syntax. The focus id directed towards developing the ability to read, comprehend and translate Latin.
  • Introduction to New Testament Greek I
    This module aims to give students an understanding of the basic grammar, syntax, and vocabulary of New Testament Greek.
  • Introduction to Biblical Hebrew I
    This module introduces students to the grammar (including morphology, parsing of words and phrases, and syntax) and translation of Biblical Hebrew.
  • Greek Readings
    This module will engage students in the study of the language, syntax, exegesis and theology of set texts from the New Testament Gospels and/or Epistles.
  • Hebrew Readings
    The module will engage students in the study of the language, syntax, exegesis and theology of set texts drawn from the Hebrew Bible.

English Literature

  • British Science Fiction
    This module surveys British science fiction with a focus on the analysis of both literary texts and cinematic productions and their relationship to British life and culture. The history and theory of the genre is engaged through the study of set texts and broad themes in the literary tradition such as Deep Time, Utopias and Dystopias, Evolution and Spirituality are investigated.
  • Explorations in Literature
    This module introduces a wide range of literary works which are central to the Western canon, ranging from ancient Greek texts in translation to the contemporary. The emphasis is on the reading and exploring of a diversity of primary texts and cultures. In addition to the set texts each student is required an additional text for their final research paper and presentation in seminar.

History

  • The European Reformations
    An examination of attempts at religious reform in continental Europe during the 16th century, which includes both reform of the Church and religious life, as well as reforms of society inspired by religious belief. Topics covered include later 15th century desire for reform; late medieval popular belief, and links between reform of social and religious life; Christian humanism and its influence; evangelical movements precipitated by Luther, Zwingli, the Anabaptists, and Calvin; the magisterial and radical Reformations along with their religious and social implications and the response of different social strata to them.

Human & Social Sciences

  • Biopolitical Investigations
    This module examines, compares, and critically assesses historical development of biopolitical theories and practices in four authors: Ivan Illich, Michael Foucault, Antonio Negri and Gorgio Agamben. Specific critical and theoretical tools will be provided through close reading of selected primary texts, leading to a constructive theological assessment and criticism of contemporary biopolitics.

Mathematics & Natural Sciences

  • Introduction to Astronomy (3 US credits + 1 lab-based credit)
    Following a brief historical introduction to astronomy, the module is organised into three topical sections. The first section introduces the basic physical principles of gravitation, electromagnetic radiation and spectra. Additionally, the tools and techniques of astronomical observation including telescopes, detectors, imaging, photometry, and spectroscopy are introduced. The second section involves the study of the Solar System, including the Moon, Mercury, Venus and Mars, the Giant Planets, and outer regions. This section concludes with an introduction to contemporary research on the formation of the Solar System and exoplanet discoveries. The third section introduces stellar, and more briefly, galactic and extragalactic, astrophysics. Topics for study include nuclear fusion and stellar interiors, the observational characteristics and classification of stars, and the stellar life-cycle. This section concludes with a brief introduction to the Milky Way, the classification and characteristics of external galaxies, the evolution and distribution of galaxies and cosmology.
  • Calculus I for Liberal Arts
    This module introduces differential and integral calculus with physical applications and transcendental functions throughout the course. An emphasis is placed on the historical role of calculus in the development of the natural sciences. Topics include: limits and continuity, the derivative and its application, an introduction to integration, and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus.

Music

  • British Music & Popular Culture Not offered in Autumn 2023
  • World Music
    This module explores traditional and popular forms of music from major regions of the world, with a focus on how music relates to its social, cultural and historical contexts. Students will develop a working knowledge of representative styles and regional characteristics of non-western traditions. This module may include travel to experience musical performances in concert settings.

Philosophy

  • Philosophy of Religion
    This module studies of the main problems in the philosophy of religion, including such topics as: the proofs of God’s existence; the justification of religious belief; religious diversity; the divine attributes; miracle; prayer; eternal life; the problem of evil. Topics include: the problem of religious plurality, ontological, cosmological, and teleological arguments for the existence of God, voluntarist theories of faith, epistemology, the problem of evil, miracles, the attributes of God (simplicity, omniscience, omnipotence), prayer, and eternal Life.

Religious Studies & Theology

  • Introduction to Christian Doctrine
  • Introduction the New Testament Gospels
  • Introduction to the Old Testament
  • Lutheran Confessions in Historical Context
    This module examines early modern European Church historical theology with special emphasis on  Lutheran Confessional writings.   This module comprises of the two parts. First part is a systematic reflection about cultural context of the late Renaissance, late Middle Ages and second part is a development of Lutheran doctrinal and confessional discourse which explores the Lutheran confessional texts included in the Book of Concord as a witness to the Gospel and guidance for faith and life. From their contents, especially the Creeds, the Augsburg Confession, Luther’s Catechisms and Formula of Concord, the course will define and describe the main themes of Lutheran theology and spirituality relevant for our present context.
  • World Religions
    This module examines several major non-Christian religious traditions of the world including Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism and Islam, in terms of their history, worldviews, beliefs and practices. Emphasis is placed on historical and geographical origins, later adaptations and developments, and methods of comparative analysis.

Winter Semester (January-April)

Classical & Theological Languages

  • Classical Latin II
    This module continues the introduction of the vocabulary, grammar and syntax of classical Latin and introduces students to the translation of set texts.
  • New Testament Greek II
    This module is a continuation from Greek I which reviews and consolidates the grammar and syntax of the Greek New Testament including the translation and exegesis of set texts.
  • Biblical Hebrew II
    This module is a continuation of the Biblical Hebrew I which concentrates on the morphology and grammar of weak verb forms and introduces students to the translation and exegesis of set texts.
  • Greek Readings
    This module will engage students in the study of the language, syntax, exegesis and theology of set texts from the New Testament Gospels and/or Epistles.
  • Hebrew Readings
    The module will engage students in the study of the language, syntax, exegesis and theology of set texts drawn from the Hebrew Bible.

English Literature

  • British Science Fiction
    This module surveys British science fiction with a focus on the analysis of both literary texts and cinematic productions and their relationship to British life and culture. The history and theory of the genre is engaged through the study of set texts and broad themes in the literary tradition such as Deep Time, Utopias and Dystopias, Evolution and Spirituality are investigated.
  • Hermeneutics and Literature
    Founded on classical, medieval and early modern ideas of Grammar, this modules surveys the development of the art of textual interpretation from the classical age, through the medieval era up to late modernism. Central texts will focus on philosophy, theology and literature from Plato, patristics, medieval Christian, Jewish and Islamic texts, Reformation interventions, and contemporary philosophical hermeneutics from Schleiermacher through to Strauss, Gadamer and Ricoeur.

History

  • The European Reformations

    An examination of attempts at religious reform in continental Europe during the 16th century, which includes both reform of the Church and religious life, as well as reforms of society inspired by religious belief. Topics covered include later 15th century desire for reform; late medieval popular belief, and links between reform of social and religious life; Christian humanism and its influence; evangelical movements precipitated by Luther, Zwingli, the Anabaptists, and Calvin; the magisterial and radical Reformations along with their religious and social implications and the response of different social strata to them.

Human & Social Sciences

  • Biopolitical Investigations
    This module examines, compares, and critically assesses historical development of biopolitical theories and practices in four authors: Ivan Illich, Michael Foucault, Antonio Negri and Gorgio Agamben. Specific critical and theoretical tools will be provided through close reading of selected primary texts, leading to a constructive theological assessment and criticism of contemporary biopolitics.

Mathematics & Natural Sciences

  • Calculus II
    Following a review of the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus this module introduces Liberal Arts & Sciences students to the intermediate-level study of calculus including the following: applications and techniques of integration, and introduction to first-order differential equations, and an introduction to sequences and series including the Taylor and Maclaurin series.
  • Calculus III
    This module introduces Liberal Arts & Sciences students to the advanced study of calculus including the following: parametric equations and polar coordinates, vectors and vector calculus, functions of several variables, multiple integration, and second-order differential equations.

Music

  • World Music
    This module explores traditional and popular forms of music from major regions of the world, with a focus on how music relates to its social, cultural and historical contexts. Students will develop a working knowledge of representative styles and regional characteristics of non-western traditions. This module may include travel to experience musical performances in concert settings
  • Jazz Composition & Arranging

Philosophy

  • Philosophy of Religion
    This module studies of the main problems in the philosophy of religion, including such topics as: the proofs of God’s existence; the justification of religious belief; religious diversity; the divine attributes; miracle; prayer; eternal life; the problem of evil. Topics include: the problem of religious plurality, ontological, cosmological, and teleological arguments for the existence of God, voluntarist theories of faith, epistemology, the problem of evil, miracles, the attributes of God (simplicity, omniscience, omnipotence), prayer, and eternal Life.

Religious Studies & Theology

  • World Religions
    This module examines several major non-Christian religious traditions of the world including Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism and Islam, in terms of their history, worldviews, beliefs and practices. Emphasis is placed on historical and geographical origins, later adaptations and developments, and methods of comparative analysis.
  • Lutheran Confessions in Historical Context
    This module examines early modern European Church historical theology with special emphasis on  Lutheran Confessional writings.   This module comprises of the two parts. First part is a systematic reflection about cultural context of the late Renaissance, late Middle Ages and second part is a development of Lutheran doctrinal and confessional discourse which explores the Lutheran confessional texts included in the Book of Concord as a witness to the Gospel and guidance for faith and life. From their contents, especially the Creeds, the Augsburg Confession, Luther’s Catechisms and Formula of Concord, the course will define and describe the main themes of Lutheran theology and spirituality relevant for our present context.
  • New Testament Epistles
    A survey of the New Testament epistles, with particular reference to the theology and historical context of the Pauline epistles and an in=depth study of prescribed set texts in English translation. The epistles of 1 Peter, James, and Hebrews will also be studied.
  • Science and Religion
    This introduction to the interdisciplinary field of Science and Religion is organised into two topical sections. The first section introduces the historical tensions and methodological differences between science and religion. Beginning with a discussion of the relationship between religion and science, often discussed in terms of models of conflict, independence, dialogue, and/or integration, several important events in the history of the relationship between science and religion are surveyed, concluding with an introduction to key themes in the philosophy of science and their relationship to theology. The second section of the module will extend the understanding of the relationship between science and religion by examining a series of key contemporary topics such as robotics, bioengineering and genetic modification, human life-extension, neurophysiological accounts of religious practices, and astrobiology.
    Not offered in Spring 2024