Biblical Archaeology is an integrative discipline that lies at the intersection of biblical studies, ancient languages, and the social sciences. Students in this major are trained to study the Bible within its long-term geographic, historical, cultural, and social contexts. In addition to core courses in archaeology, history, and ancient languages (including biblical languages), the major requires participation in an approved archaeological excavation and an interdisciplinary emphasis in Anthropology, Ancient Languages or Geology.
The combination of these disciplines provides a strong liberal arts foundation for a variety of vocations as students will be equipped to think historically, linguistically, and archaeologically. Of particular importance for the Christian is the way in which biblical archaeology provides a foundation for biblical study. Today as never before the cultural setting of the biblical text is accessible through archaeological and linguistic discoveries in the Near East. By mooring Scripture in ancient lifeways, it is possible to clarify and enliven its message while exploring its contemporary relevance.
Requirements for a major in Biblical Archaeology are 36 hours beyond the 12 hours from general education requirements:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | ||
| Old Testament Archaeology | ||
or ARCH 213 | New Testament Archaeology | |
| Christian Thought | ||
or BITH 374 | Systematic Theology | |
| Greek or Hebrew language competency | ||
| Core Requirements | 16 | |
| Archaeology of the Classical World | ||
or ARCH 456 | Jewish Backgrounds of the New Testament | |
or BITH 456 | Jewish Backgrounds of the New Testament | |
| Statecraft and International Relations in the Ancient Near East | ||
| Archaeology of Biblical Lands | ||
| Select 6 credits of biblical studies in New Testament OR Old Testament: | 6 | |
| New Testament | 6 | |
| BITH 451 | Greek Exegesis (taken twice) | 4 |
| or BITH 459 | Greek Exegesis | |
| BITH 452 | Issues in Modern New Testament Studies | 2 |
| Old Testament | 6 | |
| BITH 443 | Hebrew Exegesis (taken twice) | 4 |
| or BITH 444 | Hebrew Exegesis | |
| BITH 431 | Issues in Modern Old Testament Studies | 2 |
| Electives | ||
| Select 6 credits from the following: | 6 | |
| Studies in Biblical Lands and Historical Geography | ||
| Historical Geography and Jerusalem, the Holy City | ||
or ARCH 369 | Religions of Israel and the Near East | |
| Physical Settings of the Bible | ||
| Archaeology of Jerusalem I | ||
| History of Ancient Israel | ||
| Biblical Archaeology I | ||
| Cultural Backgrounds of the Bible | ||
| Biblical Archaeology II | ||
| History of the Second Temple Period | ||
| Hermeneutics of Old Testament Texts in Jewish and Christian Tradition | ||
| Parable of Jesus and Rabbinic Meshalim | ||
| Archaeology of Jerusalem II | ||
| Capstone | ||
| Advanced Archaeological Study 1 | ||
| Senior Seminar | ||
| Interdisciplinary Emphasis | ||
| Select six credits of 300-level courses 2 | 6 | |
| Field Experience | ||
| Select one of the following, field experience involves excavation, interpretation, and studies in related regional archaeology: | 4 | |
| Archaeological Field Work | ||
| Archaeological Field Work: Tel Shimron, Israel | ||
| Archaeological Science | ||
- 1
Prerequisite:
- 2
Six hours in a single interdisciplinary emphasis (300-level courses from either Anthropology, Sociology, Classical Languages, Geology, or Biblical Studies).