Course Offerings
Religion
1111. Church Internship: Christian Education 1 hour
A reflective study of the ministry of the church focusing on its ministry of
Christian education and involving observation in a church setting, reflection
on ministry with church leaders, and weekly seminars under the leadership
of the religion faculty.
1112. Church Internship: Worship 1 hour
A reflective study of the ministry of the church focusing on the ministry
through worship and involving observation in a church setting, reflection on
ministry with church leaders, and weekly seminars under the leadership of
the religion faculty.
1113. Church Internship: Evangelism and Membership Care 1 hour
A reflective study of the ministry of the church focusing on its ministry in
membership care and evangelism and involving observation in a church
setting, reflection on ministry with church leaders, and weekly seminars
under the leadership of the religion faculty.
1114. Church Internship: Administration and Missions 1 hour
A reflective study of the ministry of the church focusing on its ministry
through administration, social concerns, and missions and involving
observation in a church setting, reflection on ministry with church leaders,
and weekly seminars under the leadership of the religion faculty.
1201. Introduction to Christian Education 2 hours
An approach to the meaning of Christian education.
1311. Introductory Studies in the Old Testament 3 hours
Survey of Old Testament tradition, emphasizing its historical development
and cultural setting, with writing assignments designed to enhance students’ appreciation of religious values.
1312. Introductory Studies in the New Testament 3 hours
Survey of New Testament tradition, emphasizing its historical development
and cultural setting, with writing assignments designed to enhance students’ appreciation of religious values.
1313. Introduction to Ethics (PHI 1313) 3 hours
An examination of the traditions of moral thought, including an analysis
of how traditional problems and processes are reflected in contemporary
moral debates, with writing assignments designed to enhance students’ appreciation of ethical and moral values.
1321. Introductory Studies in World Religions 3 hours
A survey of selected world religions, emphasizing the diversity of religious
experience in human life, with writing assignments designed to enhance
students’ appreciation of religious values.
1322. Ways of Being Religious 3 hours
A comparative study of core beliefs, ideals and practices of varying religious traditions. The thematic focus of the course will be upon topics such as the nature of the divine, salvation, the nature of evil, morality and the experience of death.
2201. Christian Hymnody 2 hours
A survey of hymns, various hymn types and styles, and issues in hymnody
designed for persons preparing for various forms of Christian ministry. Includes an introduction to the fundamentals of hymnody.
2321. An Introduction to Asian Religions 3 hours An introduction and historical overview of the development of a selection of the religious traditions of Asia, with particular emphasis upon the South Asian traditions of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism and the East Asian traditions of Confucianism and Taoism.
2322. An Introduction to Mediterranean Religions 3 hours An introduction and historical overview of the development of the primary religious traditions established within the Mediterranean region, with particular emphasis upon Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
3113. Advanced Church Internship: Interpersonal Skills 1 hour
Introduction to the principles and procedures of relationship building and
reflection upon the dynamics of multiple staff relationships. The students
are required to have an intern supervisor in a local church or church
agency or institution.
3114. Advanced Church Internship: Ministerial Care 1 hour
and Counseling
A study of the practical aspects of counseling that are vital for the church
staff member. Students in this course are required to have an intern
supervisor in a local church or church agency or institution.
3311. Worship and Communication Skills 3 hours
A study of the meanings, principles, and structures of Christian worship and
practice in communication skills.
3321. The Hindu Religious Tradition 3 hours
An exploration of the primary beliefs, ideals and rituals that define the Hindu religious culture and tradition. The course will explore the philosophical insights of the community and engage primary texts that serve the community.
3322. The Buddha and His Teachings 3 hours
A consideration of the personal insights of the Buddha and the employment of these insights by the Buddhist community. The course will consider the distinctive beliefs, ideals and rituals that define this community.
3323. Islam 3 hours
An examination of the historical development, doctrine, ritual and key texts of the Muslim community. The course will consider Islam from its classical origins to its modern incarnation as a global religion.
3325. Classical Judaism 3 hours
An exploration of the Jewish tradition, through and examination of the community’s philosophical ideals, history, ritual practice and textual expression.
3341. Religion and Personality 3 hours
A study of individual and group relationships utilizing a blending of psychology and theology.
3351. Church Work with Children 3 hours
A study of psychological, sociological, and religious development of
children.
3352. Church Work with Youth 3 hours
A study of psychological, sociological, and religious development of youth.
3353. Church Work with Adults 3 hours
A study of psychological, sociological, and religious development of adults.
3354. Christian Leadership 3 hours
This course will introduce students to principles of leadership in the church
setting. Included in this course is a look at leadership styles, at types of
church polity, and at each person’s own personality type and how this
affects one’s own leadership style.
4113. Advanced Church Internship: Theological Issues and Applied Leadership in theChurch 1 hour
A specific project in ministry in the church will be developed and
implemented. The project will be determined by the particular aspect of
ministry for which students are preparing themselves and carried out under
an intern supervisor.
4114. Advanced Church Internship : Leadership Project and Credo 1 hour
This course is taken in the student's final semester in the Church Ministry
Program and includes completion of the senior project and the writing of a
theological credo.
4301. Christian Beliefs 3 hours
A study of the development of Christian thought.
4302. United Methodist Doctrine and Polity 3 hours
This course introduces students to the doctrinal standards of the United
Methodist Church, including basic Christian affirmations and distinctive
United Methodist emphases; and it introduces students to church polity
as set forth in The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church.
4340. Religious Mythology 3 hours
An interpretive consideration of primary myths drawn from a variety of religious traditions, with specific emphasis upon common themes and motifs that bind the works and point to underlying philosophical and theological commonalities and distinctions.
4342. Studies in Comparative Religion 3 hours
A topical analysis of a particular issue or ideal. The course will consider the manner in which this issue or ideal impacts a variety of diverse religious communities.
4343. Great Religious Minds 3 hours
A comparative examination of the life and thought of two or more key representatives of differing religious traditions.
4360. A Survey of Church History 3 hours
A study of church history from the Apostolic Age to the present with special
emphasis on the Wesleyan movement of the eighteenth century and its
development in America. (Students will not receive credit for this course if
they receive credit for REL 4361 or 4362.)
4361. History of the Christian Church I 3 hours
A study of church history from the Apostolic Age to the Reformation.
4362. History of the Christian Church II 3 hours
A study of the Christian church from the Reformation to the present, with
emphasis on its development in America.
4365. Wesleyan Heritage and History 3 hours
A study/tour of the history and heritage of Methodism. This course uses
Texas Wesleyan University historical sites in England as a laboratory for
study.
4366. Religious History of Scotland 3 hours
A study of the religious history of Scotland. This course uses historical sites
in Scotland as a laboratory for study.
4367. Religious History of Ireland 3 hours
A study of the religious history of Ireland. This course uses historical sites
in Ireland as a laboratory for study.
Philosophy
1313. Introduction to Ethics 3 hours
An examination of the traditions of moral thought, including an analysis of how traditional problems and processes are reflected in contemporary moral debates, with writing assignments designed to enhance students’ appreciation of ethical and moral values.
2301. Logic 3 hours
An introduction to the basic principles of logic.
2321. Introduction to Philosophy 3 hours
A representative survey of the major divisions and characteristic problems
of philosophy.
3311. Ancient and Medieval Philosophy 3 hours
A survey of the thought of the principal philosophers from the early Greeks to the seventeenth century.
3312. Modern Philosophy 3 hours
A survey of the theory of knowledge, metaphysics, ethics, and political philosophy of outstanding thinkers from the seventeenth century to the twentieth century.
3313. Contemporary Philosophy 3 hours
Prerequisite: 3 hours of philosophy or consent of instructor
Readings and analyses of selected writings of important philosophers of the twentieth century.
3331. Ethics 3 hours
Prerequisite: 3 hours of philosophy or consent of instructor
A survey and analysis of classical and contemporary ethical theory, based upon selected readings.
4301. Philosophy of Religion 3 hours
Prerequisite: 3 hours of philosophy or consent of instructor
An analysis of representative selections from the works of outstanding philosophers of religion.
Plans are being made for Study Abroad opportunities in Ireland and India for 2010. To read more, see the Study Abroad page.
2008 Wesleyan Ethics Bowl team finishes second in regional competition, readies for national compatition in Cincinnat, Ohio in 2009. Read more.
