Certificate of Graduate Studies in Religion & Politics

Offers a biblical perspective of the religious, philosophical, and cultural foundations of Western civilization as expressed in education, law, ethics, biology, politics, science, psychology, sociology, economics and history. It will contrast biblical Christianity with the other principal worldviews in Western civilization: Secular Humanism, Marxism/Leninism and Cosmic Humanism (New Age), and will analyze public policy issues using each worldview.

Considers the nature of war and peace, including thought and practice from philosophical and religious viewpoints, with particular reference to the Christian tradition (e.g. just war theory) and the formal law of armed conflict.

Introduces key debates in philosophy of technology, considers impacts of new technological developments from political, philosophical, theological, psychological and sociological perspectives.  Considers transhumanism, Big Data and implications of autonomy and surveillance for democracy.

Considers the Bill of Rights (including the delicate relationship between church & state, freedom of speech and freedom of worship), the rights of liberty, equal protection and due process arising from the 14th Amendment, and the subsequent rise and effects of judicial policy-making (including the “right to privacy,” the “right to intimate sexual choice,” and the “right to die”). Cross-listed with EHEA 508, LAW 820, and MLAW 620.

Covers the basic aspects of religion and politics as reflected in scholarship and period sermons. There are also strong connections with scriptural principles relevant to the topic.

Exegetical course in the laws of the Bible, using the Decalogue as its own principle of organization. Develops the meaning of the laws in context and their appropriate applications, with emphasis on the nature of their applicability to policy issues such as pluralism, penology, lawful oaths, blue laws, church and state jurisdiction, gender roles, marriage, capital punishment and other topics. Cross-listed with LAW 811.

Examination of the philosophical and religious roots of early America from the colonial era to the formation of the Constitution.

Survey Islamic Law in three parts:  (1) Qur’anic foundations using the Qur’an itself and the history of its various interpretations; (2) “classical/historical/orthodox/traditional” Sharia itself; and (3) the application of Sharia in Muslim nations today and its relevancy to non-Muslim nations.  Cross-listed as LAW 812.

Presents the most influential threads of political thought and philosophy in the Islamic world from Muhammad and the Caliphate through modern jihadism.  Topics and authors examined include Sunni and Shi’ite theories of leadership, the Mamluk ideology, Ibn Khaldun, al-Farabi, Ibn Rushd, Sayeed Qutb, and others.

Biblical and theological foundations that determine the formation of Christian moral decision-making and shape a personal lifestyle. Examines selected contemporary moral issues in the light of Biblical teachings. Includes an overview of the prophetic call to the community, the marketplace and nation to mobilize the church in addressing crucial social issues. Cross-listed with DLDR 722 and RTCH 722.

In this exploding age of information, it is the objective of the library faculty to prepare graduates to be on the cutting edge of information technology. Information literacy is the ability to effectively access information for problem solving and decision-making; thus, the knowledge and abilities you glean from this course will open doors to lifelong learning. It is imperative for graduate study research. Since the information learned in this course is a vital foundation for all other coursework, its completion is required within the first semester of study. The course takes approximately ten hours to complete.