Degree Program (Undergraduate)
Program Overview
The Wisconsin Inmate Education Initiative's Biblical Studies major prepares students to interpret the Bible accurately and to apply the Bible wisely in a wide variety of settings. The major prepares inmates for ministry to fellow inmates, positions of leadership in the church, or for a variety of other ministry positions at home or abroad.
This program is a cohort-based, 120-unit degree program that serves an adult non-traditional student population at a correctional institution in Wisconsin. Presently, the program is housed at the Fox Lake Correctional Institution. Students in the program also complete a minor in psychology as part of their degree program.
PROGRAM OUTCOMES
Students graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biblical Studies will be able to:
- Identify the basic elements of Christian ethics, exhibit Christian maturity and professionalism (e.g., integrity, responsibility), and describe their responsibilities in the context of ministry (biblical living).
- Analyze biblical texts in their historical, grammatical, and theological context and interpret the Scriptures accurately by applying linguistic, historical, theological, and philosophical methods (biblical interpretation).
- Apply a Christian worldview to contemporary settings, integrating Christian truths in order to be culturally relevant (biblical application).
- Explain the major doctrines of Christianity and articulate their own theological convictions by integrating scriptural interpretation, biblical philosophy, and critical thinking (theological integration).
General Education
Trinity's General Education curriculum includes an innovative approach to general education that is designed to foster connection, communication, critical thinking, and Christian faithfulness. The general education foundation includes study in eight spheres of exploration and discovery. Some general education courses may also fulfill major requirements.
Purpose
The general education program prepares students for life with tools for thinking and living biblically in the world, and for understanding the world critically and creatively.
As a result of Trinity's general education program, students will:
- Explore a broad range of ideas and perspectives, and connect them with a knowledge of God and a biblical worldview.
- Communicate effectively in a variety of settings with a diversity of contexts and audiences.
- Develop skills in critical thinking and analysis to address contemporary challenges in culture and society.
- Grow as integrated individuals who can apply biblical principles to real-world problems and serve both God and others through their vocations.
Graduation Requirements
It is our goal that every candidate for graduation give evidence of a true Christian life and character during their academic studies at TIU. All candidates are recommended for consideration as graduands by faculty vote. To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Arts degree from Trinity College, students must meet the following requirements within seven years of catalog date:
- Earn 120 units. Included in this are those units required in general education, the Biblical Studies major, and the Psychology minor.
- Earn an overall Trinity cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.00.
- Complete the general education requirements with a GPA of at least 2.00 in the general education curriculum.
- Fulfill the requirements of the Biblical Studies major with a GPA of at least 2.00 in the major. A minimum of nine (9) upper-division units in the major must be earned while in residence.
- Fulfill the requirements of the Psychology minor with a GPA of at least 2.00 in the minor.
- Complete at least 30 of the last 45 units of the bachelor's degree at Trinity, or in a nonresident program of study authorized by the faculty, as a regular student. Units completed through credit by examination (CBE) do not count toward these 30 units. Seniors who plan to matriculate in another college and transfer their final units to Trinity must make arrangements with the Academic Records Office prior to leaving Trinity.
- Apply for and complete graduation requirements. A student may complete degree requirements and graduate from Trinity at the end of one of three different completion semesters: fall, spring, or summer. The Application for Graduation is due on December 15 of the year prior to the anticipated graduation year for spring and summer graduands. For fall graduands, the Application for Graduation is due on July 15 of the anticipated graduation year. The following documentation must be filed with the Academic Records Office for review and verification of degree completion. These documents are facilitated by the academic leadership of the inmate education program.
- Attend the commencement ceremony. Permission to graduate in absentia must be obtained from the Dean of the College. Attendance at commencement does not necessarily indicate degree completion.
General Education Curriculum
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Thinking and Living Biblically in the World | 12 | |
| Understanding the Old Testament | ||
| Understanding the New Testament | ||
| Ethics and the Bible | ||
| Foundations for Adult Learning | ||
| Understanding the World Critically and Creatively | 12 | |
| Interpreting and Teaching the Bible | ||
| English Composition | ||
| Critical Thinking and Composition | ||
| Critical Topics in the 21st Century | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Diversity, Traditions, and Cultures | 3 | |
| Survey of Religious Diversity | ||
| The World of Ideas | 3 | |
| World Civilizations Since 1600 | ||
| The World of the Arts | 3 | |
| Studies in Fiction | ||
| The World of Mathematics | 3 | |
| Mathematics in the Modern World 1 | ||
| The World of Science and Nature | 4 | |
| Introductory Biology | ||
| The World of Contemporary Social and Political Life | 3 | |
| Introduction to Economics | ||
| The World of Mental and Physical Wellness | 6 | |
| Introduction to Psychology | ||
| Psychology of Addiction | ||
| Total Hours | 49 | |
Biblical Studies Major Curriculum
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BI 290 | Interpreting and Teaching the Bible 1 | 3 |
| BI 301 | Old Testament Pentateuch and Former Prophets | 3 |
| BI 303 | Old Testament Latter Prophets | 3 |
| BI 307 | Old Testament Writings | 3 |
| BI 331 | New Testament Synoptic Gospels and Acts | 3 |
| BI 333 | New Testament Pauline Epistles | 3 |
| BI 337 | New Testament General Epistles | 2 |
| BI 339 | New Testament Johannine Literature | 2 |
| BI 350 | Topics in the Bible | 1 |
| BRS 305 | Theology I: The God of the Gospel | 3 |
| BRS 306 | Theology II: The Gospel of God | 3 |
| BRS 338 | Theological and Sociological Foundations of Evangelism | 3 |
| BRS 340X | History of Christianity | 3 |
| BRS 400 | Bible and Ministry Senior Seminar | 3 |
| CM 172 | Introduction to Ministry | 3 |
| CM 181 | Spiritual Formation | 3 |
| CM 260 | Introduction to Intercultural Ministry | 3 |
| CM 331 | Theology and Practice of Discipleship | 3 |
| Total Hours | 47 | |
- 1
The 3 units for PSY 140 are counted in the General Education totals, so they are omitted from the total units for the Biblical Studies Major.
Psychology Minor Curriculum
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 140 | Introduction to Psychology 1 | 3 |
| PSY 220 | Interpersonal Skills Training | 3 |
| PSY 255 | Psychology of Addiction 1 | 3 |
| PSY 300 | Personality Theories | 3 |
| PSY 356 | Conflict Management | 3 |
| PSY 375X | Foundations of Christian Counseling | 3 |
| PSY 381 | Counseling Theories | 3 |
| PSY 382 | Crisis Counseling | 3 |
| PSY 383 | Marital Counseling | 3 |
| PSY 384 | Parent Education | 3 |
| Total Hours | 24 | |