4. Becoming Thinking Christians : The general education program at Biola aims at assisting our students to develop an intellectually mature understanding and practice of their Christian faith. To accomplish this, the program provides students with biblically–informed critical assessments of beliefs and practices prominent in the contemporary world, and it trains them to make their own Christian assessments of these things. A goal of every course is to challenge the students to put their maturing Christian thinking to use in the conduct of their lives. Biblical & Theological Studies Requirement Thirty units of biblical studies and theology must be included in the program of each student. Each student must take at least one course each semester until the requirement has been fulfilled. The following are required:
General Education Program
The general education program at Biola is designed to support the University’s distinctively Christian mission by giving specific attention to four themes: (1) developing intellectual skills, (2) educating whole persons, (3) understanding our Christian heritage, and (4) becoming thinking Christians. All four themes presuppose the hallmarks of any genuine University education which are honest inquiry after truth and the development of creativity. The knowledge and skills gained from courses in general education will be further developed by students in their major fields of study and in their life long learning.
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Philosophy of General Education
1. Developing Intellectual Skills : Because all students need to strengthen and supplement the set of intellectual skills they acquired in their primary and secondary education, Biola devotes part of its general education requirement to specific and intensive training in those skills. Cultural, technological, and other developments may from time to time require changes in the list of skills studied in our general education courses. 2. Educating Whole Persons : Our general education courses seek to educate students as human beings rather than as prospective members of particular professions. This “whole person” approach to education is designed to help prepare our students to succeed in their roles in the family, the church, and the larger society of our culturally diverse world. It pays particular attention to the spiritual formation and character development of students by faculty members who are open and honest about their own need for growth. To assist students in their holistic development, the program includes traditional education in the arts and sciences, supplemented by contemporary explorations of important issues. As a Christian University, Biola rests its primary understanding of what “whole persons” are and need on the basis of the central teachings of the Christian faith. This understanding guides every aspect of our general education program. 3. Understanding Our Christian Heritage : An essential element of Biola’s general education program is its requirement in biblical and theological studies. This curricular emphasis is integral to Biola’s institutional history, and it is foundational to a mature understanding of our heritage as Christians. Although the biblical and theological courses may address any aspect of the Christian heritage right up to contemporary developments, they are supplemented across the general education curriculum by other courses that give students further exposure to the broad range of Christian thought and cultural contribution since the close of the New Testament canon.
Foundational Courses BBST 103
Biblical Interpretation & Spiritual Formation Foundations of Christian Thought Old Testament History & Literature New Testament History & Literature
3
3
BBST 105
3
BBST 109
3
BBST 110
Intermediate Courses BBST 251 Theology I
3
Theology II
3
BBST 254
Early Christian History–Acts
3
BBST 306
Elective Courses
Upper Division Bible Elective Upper Division Bible Elective
3
3
Integration Seminar 3 May be repeated with different content for a maximum of six units counted toward graduation
BBST 465
Students who select a liberal arts major may count only a total of 30 units of biblical studies and theology toward the required units for a degree. In the BOLD Program, elective units counting toward the graduation requirement cannot be taken in biblical studies. (Biblical studies and Christian education majors may count unlimited biblical studies or theology units toward the required units for a degree.) Challenge exams are available (see Biblical Studies section). Part–time students (less than 12 units per semester) are required to include at least one biblical studies and theology course within each 15 units completed at Biola University unless the 30 units requirement has been met. Part–time students seeking a degree from Biola University must complete the entire requirement as outlined above.
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