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THE101: Introduction to Sacred Scripture

Encountering Jesus Christ through the Word of God

THE101: Introduction to Sacred Scripture

Course Title:

THE101: Introduction to Sacred Scripture

Level:
Associate Degree (100-level)

Credits: 3.0

Investment: $450.00
(Payment Plans Are Available)

Registration Investment:
(Choose One)

THE101 Introduction to Sacred Scripture course poster

Pay in full $450 · 2 payments of $225 · 3 payments of $150 · 4 payments of $112.50. 12 months of course access from enrollment. Rolling enrollment — begin when you are ready.

Course Description:

This foundational course provides students with a comprehensive introduction to Sacred Scripture, examining the Bible as God's inspired Word to humanity. Students explore divine revelation, biblical interpretation, the formation of the canon, and the major themes and narratives of both the Old and New Testaments. Through textbook readings, close reading of the biblical text itself, and rigorous academic writing, students develop the skills to read Scripture within the living Tradition of the Catholic Church — with both intellectual understanding and spiritual formation, encountering Jesus Christ through the Word of God.

Course Objectives — THE101

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Articulate the Catholic understanding of divine revelation and biblical inspiration.

  • Explain the formation and canonization of Sacred Scripture.

  • Apply proper principles of Catholic biblical interpretation.

  • Identify the major literary forms and genres within the Bible.

  • Trace the unified narrative of salvation history from Genesis to Revelation.

  • Analyze key themes, figures, and events in both Testaments.

  • Integrate Scripture study with prayer and spiritual formation.

  • Communicate biblical concepts effectively through academic writing.

Target:

This course is designed for:

  • Beginning theology students in the Associate of Arts in Theological Studies, and any student preparing for advanced study in Scripture and ministry.

Prerequisites:

  • None

Topics:

The course will cover the following major topics:

Course Orientation

Module 01: Foundations of Divine Revelation

Module 02: Scripture and Tradition

Module 03: Biblical Inspiration and Inerrancy

Module 04: The Formation of the Canon

Module 05: Catholic Biblical Interpretation

Module 06: Creation and the Patriarchs

Module 07: Exodus and the Sinai Covenant

Module 08: Law and Wilderness

Module 09: Conquest Through the United Kingdom

Module 10: Divided Kingdom and Exile

Module 11: Wisdom Literature and the Prophets

Module 12: The Gospels and the Life of Christ

Module 13: The Gospel of John and Acts of the Apostles

Module 14: The Pauline Letters

Module 15: Catholic Epistles and Revelation

Module 16: Scripture in the Life of the Church

Final Examination and Course Completion

Materials included:

Course lessons, readings, and assignments in the portal, drawn from the course texts below. The Catechism of the Catholic Church and Dei Verbum are read free online at vatican.va.

Assessment and certification:

The course is graded on a 1,000-point scale: sixteen written assignments (25 points each), ten graded discussion responses (10 points each), a Midterm Examination after Module 5 (100 points), a Scripture Analysis Paper (100 points), a Personal Integration Essay (100 points), and a Final Comprehensive Examination (200 points). A passing score of 80 is required on both examinations. On completing all requirements, students receive the Course Completion Credential for THE101. Grading scale: A 93–100 · A− 90–92 · B+ 87–89 · B 83–86 · B− 80–82 · C+ 77–79 · C 73–76 · C− 70–72 · D+ 67–69 · D 63–66 · F below 63. All written work in APA format (7th edition).

Enrollment and policies:

  • Asynchronous online — study on your own schedule, with 12 months of access from enrollment

  • Rolling enrollment — start at any time

  • Assignments are submitted through the course portal (.docx or .pdf), named LastName_FirstName_THE101_Assignment#.docx

  • Late submissions accepted up to 3 days, with a 10% penalty per day; work more than 3 days late receives zero credit

  • Saint Michael's maintains a strict honor code: plagiarism or academic dishonesty results in a zero for the assignment and referral under the college's Academic Integrity Policy

  • Instructor: Rev. Dr. Sean Alexander, Chancellor

Textbook

Required textbook: Emily Stimpson Chapman, The Word of Truth: An Introduction to Sacred Scripture. TAN Books, 2021. ISBN 9781505120646. Also required: a Catholic Bible (RSV-CE, NABRE, or Douay-Rheims). Companion workbook (recommended): The Word of Truth Workbook, ISBN 9781505120653. Recommended: The Great Adventure Catholic Bible (RSV-2CE), ISBN 9781954882720.

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