Campuses:
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Twin Cities Campus
Biblical Studies B.A.Classical and Near Eastern Religions and Cultures
College of Liberal Arts
The Biblical Studies major is centered on the study of ancient Mediterranean religious thought and practice, extending from the 2nd millennium BCE into Late Antiquity, encompassing the Hebrew Bible and its ancient Near Eastern contexts, Greco-Roman polytheism, and the classical contexts in which rabbinic Judaism and Christianity developed. The major is rooted in ancient texts; it concentrates on the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament, and related texts by studying them in the ancient languages and by situating them in their broad historical, intellectual, and religious contexts. This interdisciplinary program covers a diverse range of religious traditions, focusing on pivotal cultural encounters and interchanges in the ancient world. Students also have an exceptional opportunity to explore the vital relationships between past and present as they examine the ancient origins of modern religions. Students in this program gain a solid grounding in at least one relevant ancient language (Greek, Hebrew) and also study different methods of textual interpretation, both ancient and modern.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
Admission Requirements
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the
Office of Admissions
website.
General Requirements
All students in baccalaureate degree programs are required to complete general University and college requirements including writing and liberal education courses. For more information about University-wide requirements, see the
liberal education requirements.
Required courses for the major, minor or certificate in which a student receives a D grade (with or without plus or minus) do not count toward the major, minor or certificate (including transfer courses).
Program Requirements
Students are required to complete 4 semester(s) of
any second language.
with a grade of C-, or better, or S, or demonstrate proficiency in the language(s) as defined by the department
or college.
No course may be used to fulfill more than one major requirement. Students who double major and choose to complete the senior project requirement in their other CLA major must take an appropriate 4-credit upper-division CNES elective in substitution for the CNES senior project course.
Beginning fall 2012, all incoming freshmen must complete the appropriate First Year Experience course sequence. Specific information about this collegiate requirement can be found at: http://www.class.umn.edu/degree_requirements/index.html.
Major Courses
GRK 3004 - Intermediate Greek Poetry
(4.0 cr)
or
HEBR 3102 - Intermediate Biblical Hebrew II
(4.0 cr)
Take a minimum of 15 credits in at least two of the following three content areas: Hebrew Bible, New Testament and Early Christianity, and Early Judaism.
Hebrew Bible
Other courses in history, art history, medieval studies or other related departments may be used with pre-approval from the director of undergraduate studies. Note: GRK 5100 & 5200, HEBR 3200/5200, and LAT 5100 & 5200 may only count if an appropriate author or text is studied. Pre-approval from the director of undergraduate studies is required.
Take 0 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
AKKA 5011 - Elementary Akkadian I
(3.0 cr)
·
AKKA 5012 - Elementary Akkadian II
(3.0 cr)
·
AKKA 5300 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 5115 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
CNRC 3103 - Ancient Greece: Alexander and the East
[HIS]
(3.0 cr)
·
CNRC 3182 - Egypt and Western Asia: Art and Archaeology of Ancient Egypt and Western Asia
[AH, GP]
(3.0 cr)
·
CNRC 3201 - The Bible: Context and Interpretation, World of the Hebrew Bible
[LITR]
(3.0 cr)
·
CNRC 3202 - Bible: Prophecy in Ancient Israel
(3.0 cr)
·
CNES 3203 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
CNRC 3502W - Ancient Israel: From Conquest to Exile
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
CNRC 5502W - Ancient Israel: From Conquest to Exile
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
CNES 3503 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
CNES 5503 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
CNRC 3535 - Death and the Afterlife in the Ancient World
[AH]
(3.0 cr)
·
CNES 5535 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
CNRC 5051 - Before Herodotus: History and Historiography of Mesopotamia and the Ancient Near East
(3.0 cr)
·
CNES 5701 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
CNRC 5713 - Introduction to Ugaritic
(3.0 cr)
·
GRK 5100 - Advanced Reading
(3.0 cr)
·
GRK 5200 - Advanced Readings in Greek Prose
(3.0 cr)
·
HEBR 3200 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
HEBR 5200 - Advanced Classical Hebrew
(3.0 cr)
·
HIST 3051 - Ancient Civilization: Near East and Egypt
[HIS]
(3.0-4.0 cr)
·
LAT 5100 - Advanced Readings in Latin Poetry
(3.0 cr)
·
LAT 5200 - Advanced Readings in Latin Prose
(3.0 cr)
·
RELS 3115 - Midrash: Reading and Retelling the Hebrew Bible
(3.0 cr)
·
RELS 5115 - Midrash: Reading and Retelling the Hebrew Bible
(3.0 cr)
·
RELS 3504 - Apocalypticism, Cosmic Warfare, and the Maccabees: Jewish Strategies of Resistance in Antiquity
(3.0 cr)
·
RELS 5504 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
New Testament and Early Christianity
Other courses in history, art history, medieval studies or other related departments may be used with pre-approval from the director of undergraduate studies. Note: GRK 5100 & 5200 and LAT 5100 & 5200 may only count if an appropriate author or text is studied. Pre-approval from the director of undergraduate studies is required.
Take 0 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
ARTH 5115 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
CNRC 3071 - Greek and Hellenistic Religions
[HIS]
(3.0 cr)
·
CNRC 5071 - Greek and Hellenistic Religions
(3.0 cr)
·
CNRC 3072 - The Birth of Christianity
[AH]
(3.0 cr)
·
CNRC 5072 - The Birth of Christianity
[AH]
(3.0 cr)
·
CNES 3073 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
CNES 5073 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
CNRC 3106 - Ancient Rome: The Age of Nero
(3.0 cr)
·
CNES 3107 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
CNES 3108 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
CNES 3109 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
CNRC 3182 - Egypt and Western Asia: Art and Archaeology of Ancient Egypt and Western Asia
[AH, GP]
(3.0 cr)
·
CNRC 3201 - The Bible: Context and Interpretation, World of the Hebrew Bible
[LITR]
(3.0 cr)
·
CNES 3203 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
CNRC 3535 - Death and the Afterlife in the Ancient World
[AH]
(3.0 cr)
·
CNES 5535 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
CNRC 3601W - Sexuality and Gender in Ancient Greece and Rome
[AH, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
CNES 5601 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
CNES 5188 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
COPT 5001 - Elementary Coptic
(3.0 cr)
·
COPT 5002 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
GRK 5100 - Advanced Reading
(3.0 cr)
·
GRK 5200 - Advanced Readings in Greek Prose
(3.0 cr)
·
HIST 4072 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
HIST 4073 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
LAT 5100 - Advanced Readings in Latin Poetry
(3.0 cr)
·
LAT 5200 - Advanced Readings in Latin Prose
(3.0 cr)
Early Judaism
Other courses in history, art history, medieval studies or other related departments may be used with pre-approval from the director of undergraduate studies. Note: GRK 5100 & 5200, HEBR 3200/5200 and LAT 5100 & 5200 may only count if an appropriate author or text is studied. Pre-approval from the director of undergraduate studies is required.
Take 0 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
ARTH 5115 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
CNRC 3106 - Ancient Rome: The Age of Nero
(3.0 cr)
·
CNRC 3182 - Egypt and Western Asia: Art and Archaeology of Ancient Egypt and Western Asia
[AH, GP]
(3.0 cr)
·
CNRC 3201 - The Bible: Context and Interpretation, World of the Hebrew Bible
[LITR]
(3.0 cr)
·
CNES 3203 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
CNRC 3535 - Death and the Afterlife in the Ancient World
[AH]
(3.0 cr)
·
CNES 5535 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
CNRC 3601W - Sexuality and Gender in Ancient Greece and Rome
[AH, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
CNES 5601 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
CNES 5188 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
GRK 5100 - Advanced Reading
(3.0 cr)
·
GRK 5200 - Advanced Readings in Greek Prose
(3.0 cr)
·
HEBR 3200 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
HEBR 5200 - Advanced Classical Hebrew
(3.0 cr)
·
HEBR 3300 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
HEBR 5300 - Post-Biblical Hebrew: Second Temple Period
(3.0 cr)
·
HEBR 3400 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
HEBR 5400 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
HIST 4072 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
HIST 4073 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
LAT 5100 - Advanced Readings in Latin Poetry
(3.0 cr)
·
LAT 5200 - Advanced Readings in Latin Prose
(3.0 cr)
·
RELS 3034 - Introduction to Jewish History and Cultures
[HIS]
(3.0 cr)
·
RELS 3115 - Midrash: Reading and Retelling the Hebrew Bible
(3.0 cr)
·
RELS 5115 - Midrash: Reading and Retelling the Hebrew Bible
(3.0 cr)
·
RELS 3204 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
RELS 5204 - The Dead Sea Scrolls
(3.0 cr)
CNES Core Courses
Take 3 or more course(s) totaling 9 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
CNRC 3072 - The Birth of Christianity
[AH]
(3.0 cr)
·
CNRC 3103 - Ancient Greece: Alexander and the East
[HIS]
(3.0 cr)
·
CNRC 3106 - Ancient Rome: The Age of Nero
(3.0 cr)
·
CNES 3107 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
CNES 3108 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
CNRC 3201 - The Bible: Context and Interpretation, World of the Hebrew Bible
[LITR]
(3.0 cr)
·
CNRC 3502W - Ancient Israel: From Conquest to Exile
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
CNRC 3535 - Death and the Afterlife in the Ancient World
[AH]
(3.0 cr)
·
CNRC 3601W - Sexuality and Gender in Ancient Greece and Rome
[AH, WI]
(3.0 cr)
Senior Project
CNRC 3951W {Inactive}
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
|
|
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CNRC/CNES/Hist/RelS1082/H/3092 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CNRC1201/3201,JWST1201/3201,RE |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Grk 3004/Grk 5004 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Hebr 3102/Hebr 4107 |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ArtH 3182/CNES 3182/RelS 3182 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CNRC1201/3201,JWST1201/3201,RE |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CNES 3202/JwSt 3202/RelS 3202 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CNES 3502W/Hist 3502/RelS 3502 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CNES 3502W/Hist 3502/RelS 3502 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CNES 3535/CNES 5535/RelS 3535/ |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CNES 5051/Hist 5051 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 18.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 -4.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 18.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 18.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CNES 3115/JwSt 3115/RelS 3115 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CNES 3115/JwSt 3115/RelS 3115 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CNES 3504/JwSt 3504/RelS 3504 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CNES 3071/CNES 5071/RelS 3071/ |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CNES 3071/CNES 5071/RelS 3071/ |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CNES 3072/CNES 5072/RelS 3072/ |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CNES 3072/CNES 5072/RelS 3072/ |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ArtH 3182/CNES 3182/RelS 3182 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CNRC1201/3201,JWST1201/3201,RE |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CNES 3535/CNES 5535/RelS 3535/ |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CNES 3601/CNES 5601 |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 18.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 18.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 18.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ArtH 3182/CNES 3182/RelS 3182 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CNRC1201/3201,JWST1201/3201,RE |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CNES 3535/CNES 5535/RelS 3535/ |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CNES 3601/CNES 5601 |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 18.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 18.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 18.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 18.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Hist 1534/JwSt 1034/RelS1034 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CNES 3115/JwSt 3115/RelS 3115 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CNES 3115/JwSt 3115/RelS 3115 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CNES 3204/RelS5204/JwSt 3204/ |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CNES 3072/CNES 5072/RelS 3072/ |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CNRC1201/3201,JWST1201/3201,RE |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CNES 3502W/Hist 3502/RelS 3502 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CNES 3535/CNES 5535/RelS 3535/ |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CNES 3601/CNES 5601 |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |