Institute of Theology

1. OBJECTIVES

The main aim of the BA Program in Religious Studies is to foster interaction and dialogue between theology and human sciences. This program has been particularly tailored for those students who are interested in theology and religion from other perspectives than the priesthood vocation and / or would like to deepen their knowledge in this field as a complement to their major studies. This program benefits the university by initiating interdisciplinary dialogue, the Church of Antioch by enhancing the education of its flock, and society by creating a space of dialogue and critical thinking in such a pertinent issue.

 

2. ADMISSION AND REGISTRATION

The Institute Registrar processes admission to this program. All inquires, requests for application forms, and correspondence must be sent to the Office of the Registrar at the Institute of Theology. Pertinent to this program is the General Admission and Registration Rules determined in the UOB catalogue under the title of “Admissions and Registration” as well as in the paragraph related to undergraduate students.

 

3. ACADEMIC RULES AND REGULATIONS

As determined in the UOB Catalogue under the title “Academic Rules and Regulations” unless it be otherwise specified in the special regulations.

 

4. SPECIAL REGULATIONS

In accordance with the nature of the program and the services that will be offered through its implementation, the following special regulations are to be observed:

• Arabic is the main teaching language. Knowledge of English (ENGL 102 at least) is a requisite in order to use secondary literature.
• Application, entrance examination, and tuition fees will be set by the Institute Council at the end of each academic year for the coming period. The fees for this program are supported by the university. Any further information on the tuition fees will be given by the Office of the Registrar at the Institute.
• Residence on campus is not a requisite.
• Participation in the community life of the Institute is recommended when possible.
• This program does not prepare the student for priesthood ordination. Students who have followed this program must reside at the Institute more than two years and follow a special program of courses and community life in order to obtain the Institute’s recommendation for priesthood orders.
• No ecclesiastical recommendation is required to apply for this program.

5. THE PROGRAM CONTENTS (CURRICULUM)

The following spreadsheet shows the contents according to the fields of study: Biblical Sciences, Systematic Theology, History of the Church, Orthodox Liturgy, Pastoral Theology, Modern and Ancient Languages, Philosophy and Social Sciences.

Table: The Courses of the Bachelor of Religious Studies

6. BACHELOR OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES (BA) COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

 See course descriptions of the Bachelor of Theology (BTh), in addition to the following courses:

 

OLD TESTAMENT EXEGESIS I THEO 223

Credits: 2                                Hours: 30

Prerequisites: Introduction to the Old Testament THEO 202

This course offers a study of selected passages from the Pentateuch and the Historical Books, stressing their importance in the Old Testament in general. These passages are selected according to their position and theological and exegetical content so that students become better able to understand their contexts.

 

OLD TESTAMENT EXEGESIS II THEO 224

Credits: 2                                                Hours: 30

Prerequisites: Introduction to the Old Testament THEO 202, Old Testament Exegesis I THEO 223

 In this course, selected passages from the books of the prophets, Psalms and the Wisdom Literature in the Old Testament and their relation to the Pentateuch and the Historical Journeys will be studied.

 

EXEGESIS OF THE GOSPELS THEO 214

Credits: 2                                Hours: 30

Prerequisites: Introduction to the New Testament THEO 201

The course offers an exegetical study of selected passages from the synoptic gospels and the gospel of John. Students are introduced to the synchronic and narrative approach to the gospels of Mathew, Mark and the Lukan Dyptich, and to their most important theological theses about history, salvation, and the role of the disciples and the Church after the resurrection of Jesus. Students in the course also study selected passages from Johannine literature, chosen in such a way as to shed light on essential theological issues contained in the fourth gospel.

 

EXEGESIS OF THE EPISTLES THEO 215

Credits: 2                                                Hours: 30

Prerequisites: Introduction to the New Testament THEO 201

This course deals with selected passages from the Pauline epistles, chosen according to their sequence in such a way as to shed light on important theological issues contained within them. Old and actual discussions in biblical criticism are also discussed in this course, as well as the development of views related to the change of the circumstances which led to writing the epistles.

 

DOGMATICS THEO 236

Credits: 2                                                Hours: 30

Prerequisites: THEO 203

This introduction aims at clarifying the status of Dogma in the Church by highlighting the close connection between the doctrine and the way of life in Christianity. It deals with the most important Christian doctrines such as that of Christ’s salvation, the mystery of the Holy Trinity, Creation, ecclesiology and Christian eschatology.

 

CHRISTIAN – MUSLIM DIALOGUE THEO 291

Credits: 3                                                Hours: 45

Prerequisites: None

This course analyzes the issue of Christian – Muslim dialogue in all its aspects, from the rise of Islam until our days. It discusses the mutual views between Christians and Muslims throughout the ages and the changes they underwent from one historical period to another. The course covers the different theological, social, political, and cultural issues of controversy and dialogue between the two religions.

 

THE FIRST FORM OF CIVILZATION CVSQ 201

Credits: 3                                                Hours: 45

Prerequisites: None

This course focuses on the study of ancient Middle Eastern civilization and cultures. It analyzes the emergence of human society and examines three major themes: the quest for meaning, truth and power in Mesopotamia, and Greece and Rome. Selections from representative texts of each civilization are studied in detail, including the Epic of Gilgamesh, Plato’s Republic, and Aristotle’s Ethics.

 

INTRODUCTION TO MODERNITY CVSQ 203

Credits: 3                                                Hours: 45

Prerequisites: None

This course offers a study of western intellectual development since the Renaissance. The course discusses reason, power, and science in modern times through the works of Descartes, Kant, Hegel, Marx, Nietzsche and Freud, and examines political issues of democracy, pluralism and social contract in the writings of Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau.

 

CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES IN THE ARAB WORLD CVSQ 204

Credits: 3                                                Hours: 45

Prerequisites: None

This course reflects upon the situation in the Arab world through the study of east-west interaction since the end of the 18th century. Issues discussed are varied, including the Arab Awakening (An-Nahda), the rise of nationalisms, human rights, modernity vs. tradition, political regimes, and globalization.