Bachelor of Arts
Christian Studies Major
In keeping with the College mission to promote redemptive engagement with society, and in support of our
educational objectives, the goal of this program is to give students a broad base of Arts and Science
alongside an integrated and interdisciplinary approach to Christian thought and history. The Christian
Studies Major consists primarily of biblical, theological and historical courses. The biblical and theological
courses aim to provide students with the means to interact critically with the Christian tradition and
thought, while the historical courses seek to understand the diverse expressions of Christianity in
contemporary and historical societies both in Canada and around the world.
Students who complete the Christian Studies Major will have a thorough grounding in the academic study
of Christianity. This grounding will include an understanding of the broad contours of the Christian Bible as
well as historic expressions of the Christian faith. In addition to this, graduates will have had opportunities
to reflect critically on the wide range of issues affecting the role of faith and religion in society. Graduates
will thus be able to take their place in society better equipped to understand the world and to make a
positive contribution to the resolution of some of society’s most pressing needs today.
PROGRAM PLANNING GUIDE
This program planning guide is designed to help you plan your degree program. When you have met a
requirement, place a check mark beside it. When all of the requirements are checked, you should be
eligible for graduation.
Please remember that this is only a guide – the Academic Calendar is the final authority on academic
questions, including academic policies and program requirements. Students are responsible for the
accuracy of their own programs. This is not a graduation check or an application for graduation.
General Requirements
Completion of 120 credits;
Completion of core requirements (see inside);
Completion of Christian Studies requirements (see inside);
A minimum of 72 credits taken at the 200 level or higher;
A minimum of 3 credits taken in each of 6 different disciplines;
A maximum of 72 credits taken in any one discipline;
At least 102 credits in the Arts & Sciences
A cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of at least 2.0 is required to graduate, with a GPA
of 2.0 in Religion courses.
BA Christian Studies Major
Core Requirements
The following courses fulfill the requirements of the AUC-NUC core. These courses are common to all
Bachelor of Arts degrees at AUC-NUC and reflect our approach to liberal arts education.
EN 110
Effective Writing
3 credits in English at the senior level
HI 141 World Civilizations to 1500 or HI 142 World Civilizations since 1500
PH 125
Introduction to Philosophy
6 credits in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geology, Math, Physics or Science
3 credits in Fine Arts, Music or Theatre
PS 121
Introduction to Psychology
SO 121
Principles of Sociology
General Religion Requirements
REL 105
The Bible and the Reader
REL 115
The Nature of Religion
REL 130
Introduction to World Religions
REL 161
The Christian Faith
REL 205
Traditions & Turning Points
One of the following courses
REL 400
Credit Study Travel (minimum 3 credits)
Please note that this course must be taken before your final year of study
REL 495
Senior Research Project (3 credits)
Christian Studies Requirements
12 courses (36 credits) chosen from the following, with at least 3 courses (9 credits) in each of 3 areas (see
lists on last page)
Biblical Literature & Interpretation
Christian History & Thought
BA Christian Studies Major
Spirituality
Social Sciences
Arts & Science Electives (21 credits required)
(see academic calendar p. 22)
Open Electives (18 credits required)
(see academic calendar p. 22)
BA Christian Studies Major
Christian Studies Requirement Options
Biblical Literature & Interpretation
REL 220 Pentateuch
REL 240 Jesus and the Gospels
REL ___ NT Book study:
REL 250 Paul’s Pastoral Epistles
REL 252 Corinthian Correspondence
REL 253 The Book of Hebrews
REL 255 NT Book Study (various)
REL 350 The Book of Revelation
REL 351 Letters from Prison
REL 352 Gospel & Letters of John
REL 355 NT Book Study (various)
REL 450 Romans
REL ___ OT Book study
REL 230 Genesis
REL 231 Isaiah
REL 255 OT Book Study (various)
REL 331 Job
REL 332 Psalms
REL 333 Proverbs
REL 355 OT Book Study (various)
REL 320 Clarion Voices – Jesus of Nazareth
REL 330 Clarion Voices – The Apocalyptic
Imagination
REL 340 Life and Letters of Paul
REL 415 Hermeneutics
REL 490 Independent Study
(where the topic is related to Biblical
Literature & Interpretation)
Spirituality
REL 265 Classic Spiritual Disciplines
REL 302 Life in the Spirit
REL 360 Spaces of the Heart
REL 361 Streams of Christian Spirituality
REL 364 Prayer Paths to God: the History &
Practice of Christian Prayer
REL 365 Into the Wasteland: Exploring the
Desert/Wilderness
REL 366 Spiritual Companions
REL 368 Messages from Heaven/Musings of the Soul
REL 371 The Church and Contemporary Spiritualities
REL 490 Independent Study
(where the topic is related to Spirituality)
Christian History & Thought
HI 260 Christian History to the Reformation
HI 261 Christian History Since the Reformation
HI 360 Christian Origins
HI 361 Christianity in the Second Century
PH 202 Ethics
PH 203 Philosophy of Religion
REL 235 God & Evil
REL 260 Theology I
REL 261 Theology II
REL 358 History & Polity of the Church of
Nazarene
REL 362 Alliance History & Thought
REL 363 Contemporary Theology
REL 367 Theologies from the Margins
REL 369 Trajectories in Sixteenth Century
Reformation Thought
REL 372 Christian Ethics
REL 373 Wesleyan Theology of Holiness
REL 375 Theology of Mission
REL 401 Biblical Theology
REL 405 Special Topics in Religion
REL 460 Theology Seminar
REL 490 Independent Study
(where topic is related to Christian History &
Thought)
Social Sciences
PS 340 Psychology of Religion
SO 220 Social Problems
SO 300 Ethnic Relations
SO 320 Sociology of Relgion
SO 340 Religion and Culture in Canada
Other courses
REL 281 Muslim Faith and Practice