Church History III: The Arab Conquest to Modernity 2
Church History III: The Arab Conquest to Modernity 2 (CHHT 605) will cover the early modern period to the rise of Egyptian nationalism (early twentieth century). Students will build a developed framework of the period by examining a variety of secondary sources written from different perspectives. This eight week course…
Introduction to Coptic Language
In this course, you will learn to read Bohairic Coptic in its modern pronunciation, with an eye towards use in the Divine Liturgy. You will also learn the basics of Coptic grammar and syntax. No prior knowledge of Coptic is needed in order to enroll in this course.
Church History III: The Arab Conquest to Modernity (1)
Church History III: The Arab Conquest to Modernity (1) (CHHT 604) will examine Egypt’s medieval period and the different houses of Islamic rule. Students will delve into the History of the Patriarchs as the primary source for the period, supplemented by secondary sources from both within and without the tradition.…
Church History I: The Early Church & Coptic History (2)
Church History I: The Early Church and Coptic History 2 (CHHT 602) will attempt to frame the decline of Alexandria’s importance on the universal church stage in the fourth and fifth centuries. Students will examine primary sources that trace the rise of Rome’s theological (and the simultaneous decline of its…
World Religions
This course (WREL 601) is an introduction to world religions in which other religions are compared to Christianity, especially Coptic Orthodox Christianity. We will address common grounds between these religions and Christianity, as well as differences and divergences. Besides the main Abrahamic religions–Judaism, Christianity, and Islam–you will study Hinduism, Buddhism,…
Comparative Theology
This course (THEO 621) is designed to compare and contrast Coptic Orthodox Christianity to other faiths in the world, including Roman Catholicism, aspects of the Magisterial and Radical Reformation, Evangelicalism, and Pentecostalism. You will also learn about non-mainstream Christians such as Mormons, Christian Science, and Jehovah’s Witnesses, analyzing why exactly…
Sports Leadership Ministry
This course will prepare church leaders and coaches to minister youth through sports and to play for the glory of God. How can the Bible be practically applied to sports and recreational activities? This course will help you guide youth to better understand how to integrate faith and sports in…
Educational Psychology
In this course, you will learn how to translate theories into practices that you can use in your Sunday school class. You will be exposed to current issues and emerging trends in the field of educational psychology. How does one become an “intentional teacher,” who reflects on his or her…
Education: Middle & High School
The success of Sunday school teaching depends completely on God’s grace (Acts 2:37). God’s grace will be bestowed upon those who labor heard preparing themselves to carry such responsibility of teaching the word of God. In this course you will engage with the leading theories of middle and high school…
Health & Sex Education
The world has changed many definitions regarding the family structure, gender, sexual orientation, marriage, etc. Christian leaders should redefine all values as structured by God from the beginning. In this course, as a Christian leader, you will learn how to remain faithful to these values biblically, how to teach them…
Education: Stewardship (Amin al-Khidma)
This course is for Sunday school and church leaders. In our rapidly changing and ever-complex world, we often suffer crises in leadership. While guiding your Sunday school youth, you will learn how to become a transformational leader. Many leaders work within situations; transformational leaders change situations. Christian leadership is all…
Education: Elementary Sunday School
The success of Sunday school teaching depends completely on God’s grace (Acts 2:37). God’s grace will be bestowed upon those who labor heard preparing themselves to carry such responsibility of teaching the word of God. In this course you will engage with the leading theories of elementary school education. The…
Education: Classroom Management
Teaching Sunday School relies entirely on the grace of God (Acts 2:37). The grace of God will be conferred on those who work hard to prepare themselves to serve Sunday school. A lot of time is being wasted in Sunday school while managing the classroom. This course, by using a…
Education: Instructional Technology & Motivation
In teaching Sunday School, one ought to rely on the grace of God (Acts 2:37). The grace of God will be conferred on those who prepare themselves to serve in Sunday school. In this course, you will learn effective classroom strategies along with research-based strategies for increasing Sunday School students’…
Patristic Scriptural Exegesis
Patristic Scriptural Exegesis will offer the methods and tendencies of a pre-modern hermeneutic of Scripture. The Church Fathers and Mothers read Scripture with certain assumptions, likely different than contemporary assumptions and methodologies. How did they read Scripture? Can we develop something of a Patristic lectio divina (Sacred reading) and apply…
Coptic Hymnology III (Festal Hymns)
Coptic Hymnology III will focus on moderate to advanced Coptic Festal hymns for the Feasts of the Nativity, Resurrection, and Pentecost in the Coptic liturgical calendar. More specifically, these hymns will include: Is Pateer (long), Tobh Hina (long), Ee-Parthenos, O Nim Nai, Kata Nikhoros, Tolithos, Teen Anastasin, Piepnevma. Each week…
Coptic Hymnology II (Lenten Hymns)
Coptic Hymnology II will focus on moderate to advanced Coptic hymns in the Lenten season of the Coptic liturgical calendar. More specifically, these hymns will be taken from the weekday liturgies of the Great Lent season. They will include: Long Kyrie Eleyson (Verses of Cymbals), Alleluia Ei-e-ee, Nefsenti, Share Efnouti,…
Coptic Hymnology I (Annual Hymns)
Coptic Hymnology I will focus on moderate to advanced Coptic hymns in the ordinary or annual season of the Coptic liturgical calendar. More specifically, these hymns will be from the Divine Liturgy, including Matins, the Offertory, and the Liturgy of the Word. The hymns will include Tengosht (long), Sotis, Al…
Patristic Scriptural Exegesis
Patristic Scriptural Exegesis will offer the methods and tendencies of a pre-modern hermeneutic of Scripture. The Church Fathers and Mothers read Scripture with certain assumptions, likely different than contemporary assumptions and methodologies. How did they read Scripture? Can we develop something of a Patristic lectio divina (Sacred reading) and apply…
Introduction to the Desert Fathers (St. Antony)
Introduction to the Desert Fathers is a course that examines some of the lives and the sayings of some of the Coptic Desert Fathers. The course will place a great emphasis on St. Antony the great by studying The Life of Antony by St. Athanasius of Alexandria, The Seven Letters…
Pastoral Theology
Pastoral Theology is typically understood as a course for preparation for the priesthood, but in reality is a course for laity taking on “Pastoral Roles.” A presentation of classical ancient texts such as On the Priesthood by St. John Chrysostom & St. Cyril of Alexandria and On the Pastoral Rule…
Coptic Canon Law
Canon Law is an understudied area of Coptic Orthodox Ecclesiology. The Church is governed first and foremost by Christ the head of the Church, and the body of Christ consisting of the Bishops (represented in the Holy Synod) and the Priest, Deacons and laity. Students will survey primarily the Alexandrian…