2023-24 Academic Catalog

BIST Course Descriptions

Table of Contents

BIST 500 Biblical Foundations for Spiritual Directors

2 hours

Covers the primary content of either BIST501 or BIST503 on alternating years with special attention to equipping spiritual directors for critical and judicious understandings of scripture. Possible theological themes may include trauma, lament, identity and divine presence and absence. Requirements: Students must be enrolled in MASD program.

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BIST 501 Old Testament Introduction

3 hours

Introduces students to the literature of the Old Testament in its socio-historical, literary, and theological contexts with particular interest in spiritual formation and Christian practice. Students will explore the contents of the Old Testament, the history of ancient Israel, historical geography, and interpretive approaches that explore the literary features of the Old Testament and its historical and cultural contexts.

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BIST 502 New Testament Introduction

3 hours

Introduces students to the literature of the New Testament in its socio-historical, literary, and theological contexts with particular interest in spiritual formation and Christian practice. This course will discuss the history that leads up to the New Testament; the voices in early Christianities represented in the Gospels, Pauline, and other letters, and the churches and/or persons who first received them; as well as the voices of those who read them today. Besides introducing the general information on each book, this course will also highlight different themes in the books of the New Testament.

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BIST 503 Engaging the Old Testament

3 hours

Building on the foundation of BIST 501 through hermeneutics, the study of ancient and modern methods of biblical interpretation, this course introduces a variety of analytical and critical approaches, from the development of biblical exegesis and hermeneutics in early Jewish and Christian tradition to modern-day readings of the Old Testament. Topics include: textual witnesses, reception history, issues of translation, historical-criticism, reader-response criticism, canonical analysis; postcolonial, feminist, womanist, intersectional, and minority readings. Prerequisite: BIST 501.

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BIST 504 Interpreting the New Testament

3 hours

Building on the skills and knowledge of BIST 502, this course engages students with the nature of interpretation (hermeneutics) as well as methods and tools that support interpretation (exegesis). Special emphasis will be placed on key moral and theological concerns today and how a variety of viewpoints, methods, and approaches help the reader of the Bible move from ancient text to modern life. Topics include: historical criticism, reception history, literary criticism, rhetorical criticism; postcolonial, feminist, womanist, intersectional, and minority readings. Prerequisite: BIST 502.

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BIST 511 Introducing Biblical Hebrew

3 hours

This course is the first of a two-course sequence in Biblical Hebrew language. Introduces Hebrew grammar and syntax and includes reading and analysis of selected Old Testament texts, and introduction to digital and print resources, such as grammars, lexicons and biblical language software.

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BIST 512 Interpreting the Hebrew Testament

3 hours

This course is the second of a two-course sequence in Biblical Hebrew language. Students continue to develop mastery of Biblical Hebrew morphology and syntax, primarily through reading selected Old Testament texts. Advanced exegetical methods are introduced. Prerequisite: BIST 511.

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BIST 515 Advanced Topics in Biblical Studies: Old Testament - Book Study

3 hours

This course will apply the interpretive skills developed in BIST 503, with special attention on the exegetical issues of the designated Old Testament book. Prerequisite: BIST 503 or permission of instructor.

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BIST 521 Introducing New Testament Greek

3 hours

This course is the first of a two-course sequence in Koine Greek language. Introduces Greek grammar and syntax and includes reading and analysis of selected New Testament and Septuagint texts, and introduction to digital and print resources, such as grammars, lexicons and biblical language software.

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BIST 522 Interpreting the Greek Testament

3 hours

This course is the second of a two-course sequence in Koine Greek language. Students continue to develop mastery of Greek morphology and syntax, primarily through reading selected New Testament and Septuagint texts. Advanced exegetical methods are introduced. Prerequisite: BIST 521.

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BIST 530 Sacred Stories of Formation

3 hours

Examines and reflects on stories of various persons in both the Old and New Testaments that emphasize narratives of spiritual transformation. In particular, students will reflect on the patterns and practices of formation. The course will invite deep reflection on character building, ethical formation, and the application of such narratives to Christian ministry contexts.

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BIST 533 Scripture in Context: Old Testament, Ancient Near East, and Today

3 hours

This course explores the ancient Near Eastern context for the Old Testament through study of extra-biblical texts and Levantine archaeology. Special attention will be given to Levantine inscriptions and elements from the material record that contribute to an informed understanding of the world of the Old Testament.

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BIST 534 Scripture in Context: New Testament, Early Judaism, and Today

3 hours

This course reviews both the Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts of the New Testament. Students will engage primary texts through translation with particular emphasis on the contribution of these texts to an informed understanding of the New Testament.

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BIST 535 Advanced Topics in Biblical Studies: New Testament - Book Study

3 hours

This course will apply the interpretive skills developed in BIST 504, with special attention on the exegetical issues of the designated New Testament book. Prerequisite: BIST 504 or permission of instructor.

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BIST 545 Advanced Topics in Biblical Studies: Old or/and New Testament

3 hours

This course will examine a special topic in the Old Testament or/and the New Testament. Building on the hermeneutical skills developed in either BIST 503 or 504, students will engage with important voices in scholarship related to the topic. Prerequisite: BIST 503 or 504, or permission of instructor.

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BIST 552 Advanced Seminar in Northwest Semitics II

2 hours

Studio course: Through weekly readings in Hebrew in biblical and extra-biblical texts (Dead Sea Scrolls, Northwest Semitic inscriptions, Targums, etc.), students will develop stronger competencies in all aspects of the biblical languages. Prerequisites BIST 511 or permission of instructor. (Note: it is required that students take both BIST 551 and BIST 552).

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BIST 555 Seminar in Biblical Studies I

2 hours

A small group of students study a specially selected topic with a professor. (Note: it is required that students take both BIST 555 and BIST 565).

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BIST 556 Bible and Contemporary Culture I: Methods

2 hours

The course explores the usage of the biblical themes and metaphors in various avenues in which Christianity and culture intersect, including politics, art, and various traditional and social media outlets. The course will help the students to develop tools for sophisticated analysis of popular culture. (Note: it is required that students take both BIST 556 and BIST 557).

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BIST 557 Bible and Contemporary Culture II: Exploring Film

2 hours

As films fulfill the human need to “share a common memory,” this course investigates the use of biblical narratives and themes in a broad selection of films, both major studio and independent. Students will analyze and assess the methods in which the artists engage with biblical materials, expanding their ability to discuss biblical themes across popular culture. (Note: it is required that students take both BIST 556 and BIST 557).

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BIST 562 Advanced Seminar in Greek I

2 hours

Through weekly readings in Greek in biblical and extra-biblical texts (Septuagint, Greek Apocrypha and Greek Pseudepigrapha, Attic Greek texts, etc), students will develop stronger competencies in all aspects of the biblical languages. Prerequisite: BIST521 or permission of instructor.

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BIST 563 Advanced Seminar in Greek II

2 hours

Through weekly readings in Greek in biblical and extra-biblical texts (Septuagint, Dead Sea Scrolls, etc.), students will develop stronger competencies in all aspects of the biblical languages. Prerequisite: BIST 521 and BIST 562 or permission of instructor.

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BIST 568 Teaching Apprenticeship I: Internship and Pedagogy

2 hours

This course combines instruction in pedagogy for higher education with a teaching internship in a higher-ed setting. Prerequisite: BIST 501 and BIST 503 or BIST 502 and BIST 504, dependent on emphasis.

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BIST 569 Teaching Apprenticeship II: Internship and Pedagogy

1 hour

This course is the second part of a three-course sequence. It combines instruction in pedagogy for higher education with a teaching internship in a higher-ed setting. Prerequisite: BIST 568.

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BIST 581 Thesis I: Research/Thesis

2 hours

First semester of research/thesis. The MA(TS) degree requires a thesis project. Students may choose either to write a traditional academic thesis or produce a project. The project is recommended for those students wishing to focus on a particular subject of interest, but who are not intending to go on to doctoral studies. Pass/No Pass.

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BIST 582 Thesis II: Research/Thesis

1 hour

Second semester of research/thesis. The MA(TS) degree requires a thesis/project studio. Students may choose either to write a traditional academic thesis or produce a project. The project is recommended for those students wishing to focus on a particular subject of interest, but who are not intending to go on to doctoral studies. Pass/No Pass. Prerequisite: BIST 581. First semester of research/thesis.

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BIST 585 Advanced Topics in Biblical Studies

3 hours

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BIST 595 Special Study

1-3 hours

An individualized course of research, involving in-depth study of a particular question, problem, or issue. The student must make application for the study prior to registration for the semester in which the study will be carried out. The application must be approved by the faculty member overseeing the study and the department chair.

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