Use this tool to find descriptions of courses currently offered at APU. For more information on academic programs, requirements, and policies, see the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs.
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Discipline: UBBL: Biblical Studies
31 ResultsUBBL 100
Introduction to Biblical Literature: Exodus/Deuteronomy
Units: 3
This course introduces Old Testament biblical literature, hermeneutics,
and literary critical methodologies with a primary focus on the books of
Exodus and Deuteronomy. Students learn to observe the overall structure
of these books, their historical settings, and modern approaches to their
literary analysis. Students learn to interpret individual texts within each
book. Students study how Deuteronomy uses the material of Exodus to
communicate God’s Word to a new generation. Meets the General Studies core requirement in God's Word and the Christian Response.
UBBL 100H
Exodus/Deuteronomy (Honors)
Units: 3
This course introduces Old Testament biblical literature, hermeneutics, and inductive methodology with a primary focus on the books of Exodus and Deuteronomy. Students learn to observe the overall structure of these books, their historical settings, and modern approaches to their literary analysis. Students learn to interpret individual texts within each book. Students study how Deuteronomy uses the material of Exodus to communicate God's Word to a new generation.
Meets the general studies core requirement in God's Word and the Christian Response.
Meets the general studies core requirement in God's Word and the Christian Response.
UBBL 230
Luke/Acts
Units: 3
This course introduces New Testament biblical literature, hermeneutics,
and literary critical methodologies with a primary focus on the Gospel of
Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. Special attention is given to the
meaning of the texts with regard to their political, cultural, religious,
and geographical settings; the literary structures and genres employed;
and how those texts are relevant for faithful Christian living. Meets the General Studies core requirement in God's Word and the Christian Response. Prerequisite: UBBL 100 or department approval
UBBL 230H
Luke/Acts (Honors)
Units: 3
This course introduces New Testament biblical literature, hermeneutics,
and literary critical methodologies with a primary focus on the Gospel of
Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. Special attention is given to the
meaning of the texts with regard to their political, cultural, religious,
and geographical settings; the literary structures and genres employed;
and how those texts are relevant for faithful Christian living. Meets the General Studies core requirement in God's Word and the Christian Response. Prerequisite: UBBL 100 or department approval
UBBL 310
I and II Samuel
Units: 3
Students study the books of I and II Samuel, giving special attention to the text with regard to its politics, culture, religions, geographical setting, and literary genre. Meets the general studies core requirement in God's Word and the Christian Response. Prerequisite(s): completion of UBBL 100- and 200-level General Studies Bible requirements or department approval
UBBL 311
Hebrew Prophets I
Units: 3
This course offers a critical and exegetical study of the pre-exilic prophets, with special consideration given to the social, political, and religious conditions of their times. Attention is given to the ministry and message, both for their time and the present age. Meets the General Studies core requirement in God's Word and the Christian Response. Prerequisites: completion of 100- and 200-level General Studies Bible requirements or department approval
UBBL 312
Hebrew Prophets II
Units: 3
This course offers a critical and exegetical study of the exilic and post-exilic
prophets, with special consideration given to the social, political, and
religious conditions of their times. Attention is given to their ministry
and message, both for their time and the present age. Meets the General
Studies core requirement in God's Word and the Christian Response. Prerequisite: completion of 100- and
200-level General Studies Bible requirements or department approval
UBBL 320
Hebrew Poetical and Wisdom Literature
Units: 3
Students undertake an advanced study of Hebrew poetry
and wisdom literature. Attention is given to the
development of the literature as well as an
investigation of each book's composition. Meets the
general Studies core requirement in God's Word and the
Christian Response. Prerequisites: completion of 100-
and 200-level General Studies Bible requirements or
department approval
UBBL 320H
Hebrew Poetical and Wisdom Literature (Honors)
Units: 3
Students undertake an advanced study of Hebrew poetry and wisdom literature. Attention is given to the development of the literature as well as an investigation of each book's composition.
Meets the general studies core requirement in God's Word and the Christian Response. Prerequisite(s): completion of 100- and 200-level general studies Bible requirements or instructor's permission
Meets the general studies core requirement in God's Word and the Christian Response. Prerequisite(s): completion of 100- and 200-level general studies Bible requirements or instructor's permission
UBBL 330
Life and Teachings of Jesus
Units: 3
The life, ministry, and teachings of Jesus Christ are the focus of this course. Special attention is given to the content of the synoptic gospels as well as the social, political, and religious conditions of the time. Meets the General Studies core requirement in God's Word and the Christian Response. Prerequisites: completion of 100- and 200-level General Studies Bible requirements or department approval
UBBL 330H
Life and Teachings of Jesus (Honors)
Units: 3
The life, ministry, and teachings of Jesus Christ are the focus of this course. Special attention is given to the content of the synoptic gospels as well as the social, political, and religious conditions of the time. Meets the general studies core requirement in God's Word and the Christian Response and counts for 3 of 21 units of honors courses required. Prerequisite(s): completion of 100- and 200-level general studies Bible requirements or department approval
UBBL 340
Romans and Galatians
Units: 3
This course provides an analytical, exegetical, and expositional study of
the biblical texts of Romans and Galatians. Special attention is given to
the nature of Paul’s ministry, the theological, social, and practical issues
he addressed, and how these texts are relevant for faithful Christian
living. Meets the General Studies core requirement in God’s Word and
the Christian Response. Prerequisites: Completion of 100- and 200-level
General Studies Bible requirements or department approval
UBBL 340H
Romans and Galatians (Honors)
Units: 3
This course provides an analytical, exegetical, and expositional study of
the biblical texts of Romans and Galatians. Special attention is given to
the nature of Paul’s ministry, the theological, social, and practical issues
he addressed, and how these texts are relevant for faithful Christian
living. Meets the General Studies core requirement in God’s Word and
the Christian Response and counts for 3 of 21 units of honors courses required. Prerequisites: Completion of 100- and 200-level
General Studies Bible requirements or department approval
UBBL 341
Thessalonian and Corinthian Epistles
Units: 3
Paul's letters to the churches at Thessalonica and
Corinth are studied, with attention given to the nature
of Paul's ministry and the doctrinal and practical
issues he addressed. Meets the General Studies core
requirement in God's Word and the Christian Response.
Prerequisites: completion of 100- and 200-level
General Studies Bible requirements or department approval
UBBL 343
The General Epistles
Units: 3
This course covers Hebrews, James, I and II Peter, and
Jude as they relate to the theological and ethical
content of Christianity. Meets the General Studies core
requirement in God's Word and the Christian Response.
Prerequisites: completion of 100- and 200-level
General Studies Bible requirement or department approval
UBBL 350
Geographical and Historical Setting of the Bible
Units: 3
This comprehensive course of study emphasizes the
geography, history, and archaeology of Israel in
biblical times, as well as introduces the postbiblical
history of the land, the Holocaust, and the complex
social issues facing the modern nation of Israel. The
course may include a 10-day tour of the Bible lands.
Meets the General Studies core requirement in God's Word
and the Christian Response/Bible. Prerequisites: completion of 100- and 200-level General Studies Bible requirement or department approval
UBBL 420
The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Biblical World
Units: 3
This course investigates the discovery of the Dead Sea
Scrolls in the late 1940s and the subsequent events
surrounding their acquisition and scholarly evaluation.
The archaeological excavation of the Qumran site, the
implication of the findings for the understanding of the
community that populated it, and the texts associated
with it are explored as well. The importance of the
scrolls for the text, critical study of the Old
Testament, and the history of Judaism at the time of
Jesus are considered, and various interpretations of the
identity of the Qumran sectarians are evaluated.
Prerequisite: completion of a 300-level UBBL course or department approval
UBBL 430
Johannine Literature
Units: 3
Johannine theology, as found in the Gospel and Epistles of John, is the basis of this course. Special attention is given to John's concept of God, the logos, the Spirit, life, light, love, and knowledge. John's treatment of the Gnostic problem is studied. Meets the General Studies Upper-division Writing Intensive requirement. Prerequisite: completion of a 300-level New Testament course or department approval
UBBL 442
Prison and Pastoral Epistles
Units: 3
This course is a study of Pauline theology as revealed in these two groups
of letters. Special attention is given to Pauline christology and ecclesiology
and their practical relevance for the contemporary Church. Prerequisite:
completion of a 300-level New Testament course or department approval
UBBL 450
Ancient Near Eastern History
Units: 3
Ancient Near Eastern world's history and culture are studied. This course includes events from the rise of the Sumerians to the division of Alexander's empire. Special attention is directed to the Sumerians, Hittites, Egyptians, Assyrians, Phoenicians, and Hebrews and their contributions to present day culture. Meets the General Studies Upper-division Writing Intensive requirement. Prerequisite: completion of a 300-level Old Testament course or department approval
UBBL 451
Greco-Roman World
Units: 3
The Greco-Roman world, from the time of Alexander the Great to
Marcus Aurelius, is covered. Attention is given to historical geography,
politics, society, religious movements, and intellectual currents through
the study of primary texts as well as secondary studies. Prerequisite:
HIST 120, UBBL 230, a 300-level UBBL course, or department approval
UBBL 460
Theology of the Old Testament
Units: 3
The basic theology of the Old Testament, including the
subjects of God, revelation, humanity, redemption, and
the Messiah, is covered in this course. Meets the General
Studies core requirement in God's Word and the
Christian Response. Prerequisites: UBBL 100 and a 300-
level Old Testament course, or department approval
UBBL 461
Theology of the New Testament
Units: 3
This course is a study of the theology of the New
Testament in its own historical setting, categories, and
thought forms and on its own terms. The course describes
what the New Testament's major authors (Matthew, Mark,
Luke, John, and Paul) said about God, Jesus Christ, the
Holy Spirit, the Church, the last times, etc. Special
attention is given to methodology and the inductive
investigation by the student of theological themes.
Meets the General Studies core requirement in God's Word
and the Christian Response. Prerequisite: completion of
a 300-level New Testament course or instructor's
permission
UBBL 462
Global Biblical Interpretation
Units: 3
This course examines how Christians in the non-Western world have received the Bible and have made it meaningful to their own cultural concerns. Students examine alternate approaches to the science and art of biblical interpretation, approaching non-Western interpretation of the Bible from theoretical, sociological, literary-critical, theological, and practical perspectives. Prerequisites: UBBL 100, UBBL 230, and one 300-level UBBL course or department approval
UBBL 470
The Religious Development of Israel
Units: 3
Students undertake a critical analysis of the development of Israel's religious consciousness. Attention is given to the sociocultural background of Israel. Prerequisites: any 3XX or 4XX Old Testament course or department approval
UBBL 471
History of Biblical Interpretation
Units: 3
This is an upper-division humanities course that introduces the student to the rich history of the interpretation of biblical writings. The focus rests on the ways in which the various faith communities, Jewish as well as Christian, received the writings, rendered them comprehensible and relevant to contemporary concerns, and passed them on to subsequent generations. The chronological range covered by this course begins during the biblical period itself and extends to the present day. Prerequisite: completion of a 300-level Old Testament or New Testament course or department approval
UBBL 472
Biblical Apocalyptic
Units: 3
Students learn about the rise and development of the apocalyptic
literature found in the collections of the Old Testament, Pseudepigrapha,
Apocrypha, and New Testament. Special attention is given to Daniel,
Matthew 24–25, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, and Revelations and how those
texts are relevant for faithful Christian living. Prerequisite: completion of
a 300-level New Testament course or department approval
UBBL 476
Women in the Biblical Tradition
Units: 3
This course introduces the student to how women are depicted in
biblical tradition. It includes careful reading of narratives about women
in the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, as well as the reception of
and expansion on those narratives in early Church tradition. Furthermore,
the student explores the way contemporary readers/hearers encounter
these texts in light of their own cultural location and faith perspectives.
Meets the General Studies Upper-division Writing Intensive requirement.
Prerequisite(s): completion of 100-, 200-, and 300-level general studies
UBBL requirements or department approval
UBBL 496
Senior Seminar: Biblical Theology and Ethics
Units: 3
This senior seminar examines an important theological and ethical issue facing Christians today. This course explains selected methods and content from the fields of biblical theology and biblical ethics and prepares students to articulate various ways in which the Christian faith can be lived out in the contemporary world. The seminar format includes an oral presentation and a thesis. Meets the General Studies Senior Seminar requirement. Prerequisites: completion of one of each 100-, 200-, and 300-level UBBL General Studies courses and one General Studies Doctrine course
In addition to the prerequisites listed above, a student intending to register for Senior Seminar must meet the following prerequisites.
1. Completion of a minimum of 90 units
2. Completion of the Upper-division Writing Intensive requirement
3. Completion of God’s Word and the Christian Response units, according to the following:
• For students transferring in 0–27 units: 9 units of God’s Word and the Christian Response
• For students transferring in 28–59 units: 6 units of God’s Word and the Christian Response
• For students transferring in 60 or more units: 3 units of God’s Word and the Christian Response
In addition to the prerequisites listed above, a student intending to register for Senior Seminar must meet the following prerequisites.
1. Completion of a minimum of 90 units
2. Completion of the Upper-division Writing Intensive requirement
3. Completion of God’s Word and the Christian Response units, according to the following:
• For students transferring in 0–27 units: 9 units of God’s Word and the Christian Response
• For students transferring in 28–59 units: 6 units of God’s Word and the Christian Response
• For students transferring in 60 or more units: 3 units of God’s Word and the Christian Response
UBBL 497
Readings
Units: 1–4
This is a program of study concentrating on assigned readings, discussions, and writing arranged between, and designed by, a student of upper-division standing and an approved professor. This course may be repeated for credit. An independent study fee is assessed for each enrollment in this class.
UBBL 498
Directed Research
Units: 1–4
This course provides instruction in research design and technique, and gives students experience in the research process. The 1-unit expectation encompasses no less than 30 hours of work with accompanying reading, log, writing, and seminar presentation within the department or in a university research symposium. No more than 1 unit may be used to fulfill preparatory readings requirement. An independent study fee is assessed for each enrollment in this class. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing
