Courses

One of the best ways to discover a degree program is to check out the course listings. By simply clicking on the course titles below, you can get a preview of the classes you will attend as a student at Indiana Wesleyan University.

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BIL-202 Inductive Bible Study3 Hours
- This course studies the basic principles involved in the study of the Bible. Assumptions concerning scriptural authority are presented as well as procedures for careful observation, analysis and interpretation of the text. Particular attention is given to the use of scriptures as a foundation for expository preaching and theological reflection. This course is the prerequisite for all upper-level Bible courses offered in the Division of Religion and Philosophy. Prerequisites: BIL-101 and BIL-102 or permission of the department. Not available to students with credit in BIL-201.
REL-331 History of Christianity I3 Hours
- A study of the major events, personalities, and issues of church history from the Apostolic Age to Luther. Special attention is given to the teachings of the church fathers and the Protestant reformers. Open to juniors and seniors.
REL-332 History of Christianity II3 Hours
- A study of the major events, personalities, and issues of church history from the Protestant Reformation to present times. Special attention is given to American church history and contemporary trends. Open to juniors and seniors. Prerequisite: REL-331.
THE-233 Christian Theology I3 Hours
- This course lays the foundation for all advanced theology courses, by laying out the basic tenets of the Christian faith. Special attention is given to the doctrine of God, Christology, Biblical Authority and Eschatology. Wesleyan/Arminian perspectives are compared with other traditions of Christian faith. Students intending to take only one course in theology should enroll in THE-232; Basic Christian Doctrine.
THE-424 Christian Theology II: Salvation /Holiness3 Hours
- An intensive study of soteriology, including the doctrines of sin, prevenient grace, justification, sanctification and glorification from a Biblical, historical and practical perspective. The Wesleyan Arminian tradition will provide the theological framework for this course, we will examine other theological views from this perspective. Special attention will be given to John Wesley's doctrine of holiness. Prerequisite: THE-233 or THE-232.
THE-310 Christology3 Hours
- This course examines the person and work of Jesus Christ. Students will explore the historical and theological development of orthodox Christology and attendant debates from the New Testament to today. Particular attention will be given to the relevance of Christ's theandric nature, earthly life, offices, atonement, resurrection, session, and second coming for Christian faith. Prerequisite: THE-233.
THE-311 Ecclesiology3 Hours
- Ecclesiology addresses the doctrine of the Church with a special focus upon the nature and mission of the Church. The biblical, historical, theological, and practical aspects of ecclesiology will be examined from both a Protestant and Roman Catholic/Eastern Orthodox perspectives, while considering major contemporary theological proposals. This class will also examine the historical problem of ecclesiology in the Wesleyan-Arminian tradition, address contemporary Wesleyan expressions of the Church, and work toward a biblically and theologically informed ecclesiology. Prerequisite: THE-232 or THE-233.
THE-425 Patristic Theology3 Hours
- The purpose of this course is to immerse students in the primary theological sources of the Patristic period, which form the interpretative foundation for theological orthodoxy. Specifically, students will read, examine and discuss the major theological treatises of the Doctors of the Eastern Church - Athansius, Basil the Great, Gregory Naziansus, and John Chrysostom and the Doctors of the Western Church - Ambrose, Augustine, Jerome, and Gregory the Great. Principal attention will be given to their systematic treatments of Christian doctrine. Prerequisites: THE-232 or THE-233.
PHL-280 Ancient and Medieval Philosophy3 Hours
- A survey of the history of philosophy from the pre-Socratics to Bacon. Prerequisite: PHL-180.
PHL-281 Modern and Contemporary Philosophy3 Hours
- A survey of the history of philosophy from Descartes to the present. Prerequisite: PHL-180.
PHL-282 Ethics3 Hours
- A study of the fundamental ethical problems of the individual and society and a survey of the various fields of practical ethics. Prerequisite: PHL-180 or permission of department.
PHL-285 Logic3 Hours
- The fundamental principles of classical and modern logic. An investigation of the basic principles of reasoning, both inductive and deductive. Not open to freshmen. Prerequisite: PHL-180.
PHL-334 Philosophy of Religion3 Hours
- An investigation of the characteristics and significance of the nature of humanity and human religious experiences. Consideration will be given to the evidences for the nature of theism, the major challenges to the Christian faith, the persistent problems of naturalism versus supernaturalism, the existence of the non-Christian religions, and of evil in God's world. Prerequisite: PHL-180.
PHL-438 Religions of the World3 Hours
- A careful study from the philosophical perspective of the great oriental religious systems and the more recent cults that have emerged from these systems. Comparisons and differences will be noted and their major influence upon their respective cultures will be assessed. Especially recommended for missionary candidates. This course may be counted toward an Intercultural major or minor. Prerequisite: PHL-180. Meets General Education intercultural requirement.
PHL-480 Toward a Philosophy of World Changing2 Hours
- This capstone course for Religion and Philosophy majors will explore contemporary questions concerning the points of interface and tension of religion and philosophy with contemporary society. In a seminar setting, each participant will select and research a particular issue confronting society, synthesize insights gained in prior coursework, and explore possible ramifications and responses to this issue. Restricted to senior Religion and Philosophy majors.

41 credit hours

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PHL-280 Ancient and Medieval Philosophy3 Hours
- A survey of the history of philosophy from the pre-Socratics to Bacon. Prerequisite: PHL-180.
PHL-281 Modern and Contemporary Philosophy3 Hours
- A survey of the history of philosophy from Descartes to the present. Prerequisite: PHL-180.
PHL-282 Ethics3 Hours
- A study of the fundamental ethical problems of the individual and society and a survey of the various fields of practical ethics. Prerequisite: PHL-180 or permission of department.
PHL-285 Logic3 Hours
- The fundamental principles of classical and modern logic. An investigation of the basic principles of reasoning, both inductive and deductive. Not open to freshmen. Prerequisite: PHL-180.
PHL-334 Philosophy of Religion3 Hours
- An investigation of the characteristics and significance of the nature of humanity and human religious experiences. Consideration will be given to the evidences for the nature of theism, the major challenges to the Christian faith, the persistent problems of naturalism versus supernaturalism, the existence of the non-Christian religions, and of evil in God's world. Prerequisite: PHL-180.

18 credit hours

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THE-232 Basic Christian Doctrine3 Hours
- This course examines the basic beliefs of historic Christianity as summarized in the Apostles' Creed and connects them to Christian practices. Specifically, the doctrines of revelation, God, creation, fall, and sin, the person and work of Christ, the person and work of the Holy Spirit, the church, salvation, and human destiny will be covered. Focus will be placed on the common understanding of Christian theology in the major Christian theological traditions, while also taking note of their distinctive beliefs.
THE-233 Christian Theology I3 Hours
- This course lays the foundation for all advanced theology courses, by laying out the basic tenets of the Christian faith. Special attention is given to the doctrine of God, Christology, Biblical Authority and Eschatology. Wesleyan/Arminian perspectives are compared with other traditions of Christian faith. Students intending to take only one course in theology should enroll in THE-232; Basic Christian Doctrine.
THE-424 Christian Theology II: Salvation /Holiness3 Hours
- An intensive study of soteriology, including the doctrines of sin, prevenient grace, justification, sanctification and glorification from a Biblical, historical and practical perspective. The Wesleyan Arminian tradition will provide the theological framework for this course, we will examine other theological views from this perspective. Special attention will be given to John Wesley's doctrine of holiness. Prerequisite: THE-233 or THE-232.
REL-331 History of Christianity I3 Hours
- A study of the major events, personalities, and issues of church history from the Apostolic Age to Luther. Special attention is given to the teachings of the church fathers and the Protestant reformers. Open to juniors and seniors.
REL-332 History of Christianity II3 Hours
- A study of the major events, personalities, and issues of church history from the Protestant Reformation to present times. Special attention is given to American church history and contemporary trends. Open to juniors and seniors. Prerequisite: REL-331.

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THE-310 Christology3 Hours
- This course examines the person and work of Jesus Christ. Students will explore the historical and theological development of orthodox Christology and attendant debates from the New Testament to today. Particular attention will be given to the relevance of Christ's theandric nature, earthly life, offices, atonement, resurrection, session, and second coming for Christian faith. Prerequisite: THE-233.
THE-311 Ecclesiology3 Hours
- Ecclesiology addresses the doctrine of the Church with a special focus upon the nature and mission of the Church. The biblical, historical, theological, and practical aspects of ecclesiology will be examined from both a Protestant and Roman Catholic/Eastern Orthodox perspectives, while considering major contemporary theological proposals. This class will also examine the historical problem of ecclesiology in the Wesleyan-Arminian tradition, address contemporary Wesleyan expressions of the Church, and work toward a biblically and theologically informed ecclesiology. Prerequisite: THE-232 or THE-233.
THE-420 The Life and Legacy of Augustine Of Hippo3 Hours
- A study of one of the most influential shapers of Western Christianity by examining his life, his basic interpretation of salvation and the church, and his subsequent impact upon Roman Catholic and Protestant theology alike. Special attention given to his own writings, especially the Confessions. Prerequisite: REL-331 or REL-241.
THE-425 Patristic Theology3 Hours
- The purpose of this course is to immerse students in the primary theological sources of the Patristic period, which form the interpretative foundation for theological orthodoxy. Specifically, students will read, examine and discuss the major theological treatises of the Doctors of the Eastern Church - Athansius, Basil the Great, Gregory Naziansus, and John Chrysostom and the Doctors of the Western Church - Ambrose, Augustine, Jerome, and Gregory the Great. Principal attention will be given to their systematic treatments of Christian doctrine. Prerequisites: THE-232 or THE-233.
THE-428 The Theology of John Wesley3 Hours
- The theology of John Wesley introduces students to the thought of John Wesley. While the historical background and history of the Methodist movement are considered, the focus is upon Wesley's theology through a study of Wesley's Standard Sermons and key treatises and letters. All major doctrines in John Wesley's theology will be addressed. However, because Wesley's theology of salvation is addressed substantially in REL-424: Theology II, Wesley's soteriology will not be a focus. Prerequisite: REL-232 or REL-233.

18 credit hours

* Students choose between either THE-310, THE-311, or THE-425; and between either PHL-280, PHL-285, or PHL-438. 6 credit hours of Advanced Bible electives and 3 credit hours of a Theology elective are also required.
¹ Any three credit hours with a PHL prefix of 200 or higher are also required.
² Students choose from either THE-233 or THE-232. Christian Ministries and Youth Ministries majors must maintain 15 unique credit hours to minor in Theology.

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Courses

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Philosophy Minor¹

Theology Minor²

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Philosophy Minor1

Theology Minor2

Philosophy Minor¹

Theology Minor²