Curriculum
Pedagogy
The College offers two degrees in Classical Christian Studies, an A.A. and a B.A. These tracks are designed to prepare students for vocational careers as educators in a Christian school, pastoral ministry, or other related fields. In addition to the emphasis on theological and biblical studies, the College requires classical studies that were traditionally associated with ministerial preparation:
- Bible and Theology
- Classical Languages
- History
- Literature
- Music
- Mathematics
- Philosophy
- Science
- Rhetoric
Students will cultivate the following skills while studying these disciplines:
- Persuasive communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Ability to contextualize
- Theological foundations
- Appreciation for beauty, truth, and goodness
Associate of Arts in Classical Christian Studies
16 courses * 3 SH = 48 credits
Plus additional 12 hours of electives
Year 1
1. Spiritual Formation I (1 Cr)
2. Introduction to Theology I
3. Classical Rhetoric I
4. Latin I
5. Music Literacy I
6. All-Freshman Reading I (1 Cr)
1. Spiritual Formation II
2. Introduction to Theology II
3. Classical Rhetoric II
4. Latin II
5. Music Literacy II
6. All-Freshman reading II
Year 2
1. Philosophy I
2. Science
3. Ancient History
4. Theology Elective
5. All-Sophomore Reading (1 Cr)
1. Philosophy II
2. Church History
3. Mathematics
4. Theology Elective
5. All-Sophomore Reading (1 Cr)
Bachelor of Arts in Classical Christian Studies
SAMPLE COURSE STUDY
120 Hours
*These courses may not be transferred into New Aberdeen.
Year 1
1. Spiritual Formation I (1 Cr)
2. Introduction to Theology I*
3. Classical Rhetoric I*
4. Latin I
5. Music Literacy I
6. All-freshman reading (1 Cr)
1. Spiritual Formation II*
2. Christian Worldview II*
3. Classical Rhetoric II*
4. Latin II
5. Music Literacy II
6. All-freshman reading
Year 2
1. Science
2. Language III
3. Ancient History*
4. Philosophy of Mathematics
5. All-Sophomore Reading (1 Cr)
1. Science
2. Language IV
3. American History
4. Mathematics
5. All-Sophomore Reading (1 Cr)
Year 3
1. Classical Literature I: Epic/Lyric*
2. Bible Exposition Elective
3. Philosophy I*
4. Principles of Economics
5. The Christian Calling and Career
Spring
1. Classical Literature II: Tragedy/Comedy
2. Bible Exposition Elective
3. Philosophy II*
4. Elective
Year 4
1. Reformed Theology I
2. Thesis I (Course)
3. Classical Pedagogy
4. Elective
1. Reformed Theology II
2. Thesis II (Dir. study)
3. Internship
4. Elective
Sample Electives
Four-genre literature courses
(Tragedy, Comedy, Lyric, Epic)
Specific period or author electives
(British, American, Poetry, etc.)
Upper-level studies in Latin, Greek, or Hebrew
Johannine or Pauline Literature
The Gospels
Wisdom Literature
Old Testament Prophets
Western Music History
American Music History
Music Theory and Sight-Singing
Biology
Astronomy
Physics
Pedagogy
Socratic methodology and other classical teaching strategies