关于生命的意义和目的的问题是人类存在的核心. 365betapp下载课程的每个领域都以某种方式触及这些问题, whether directly as in moral philosophy, epic poetry, and political thought, or indirectly as in studies of the history of medieval Europe, economic theory, and the physical structure of the universe. 生活:过去和现在(“生活”)和在西方宗教和历史的光芒下寻找价值(“搜索”)课程帮助学生思考这些问题，从而为整个课程提供基础.
《365betapp下载》的学生在教师的带领下组成小组，分析那些塑造和重塑思想的具有挑战性和争议性的文本, particularly in Western societies. Because of its prominence in world history, 这些课程特别关注圣经和与之相关的传统. 生活与探索课程力求通过批判性地考察所接受的观点和文本的逻辑和历史基础，使熟悉的事物变得陌生. They also make the unfamiliar familiar by studying traditions, artifacts, and issues that most students have not yet encountered. Through both programs, 学生们学会欣赏历史背景在价值观形成中的作用, beliefs, and practices and to reflect critically on their own values, beliefs, and practices. 《365betapp下载》强调了整个课程的核心技能:仔细阅读, analytical writing, critical thinking, and discussion.
At the start of their first year in the college, 学生选择追求生活或探索，通常留在他们选择的项目，直到他们完成它. The two programs share many features but also are distinctive. 下面的描述阐明了Life和Search之间的区别.
Life: Then and Now
选择“生活:过去与现在”项目的学生完成了三个学期的课程. 第一门课程在第一年的秋季和春季学期开设. 第三门课程可以在学生大学生涯剩余三年的任何时间进行.
生命序列的前两门课程是宗教研究101-102, The Bible: Texts and Contexts. 这些第一年的课程与圣经传统在对话与当代问题, and the topics they address include the following: The Bible and Nationalism; The Bible, Sex, and Gender; The Bible and Black Lives Matter; The Bible and Islam; The Bible and the Environment; and The Bible and African American History and Culture. Both courses emphasize careful textual analysis, clear and effective writing, and active discussion with peers.
第三个生命课程是从宗教研究的各种课程中选择的, Philosophy, and Ancient Mediterranean Studies. 这些课程建立在第一年发展的技能和知识基础之上，并进一步完善和扩大它们. 第三个生命课程是从一系列包括圣经高级研究的课程中挑选出来的, theology and ethics, philosophy, and the history of religions. With a wide variety of choices, 学生可以选择符合他们兴趣的第三门人生课程，并最好地补充他们的整体学术计划.
从西方历史和宗教的角度寻找价值
Throughout its sixty-six year history, 搜索体现了学院的指导关注，帮助学生成为有目的的男人和女人, 对自己的道德观进行批判性和智慧性的思考, 敏感而审慎地面对社会和道德生活的挑战. 鼓励学生直接参与文本，并通过与同龄人讨论来面对他们遇到的问题和问题, exploratory writing assignments, and ongoing personal reflection. 特别强调的是发展和培养批判性思维和写作技能的指导下，从学术学科横跨人文学科绘制的多样化的教师, Fine Arts, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences. 在这门课程中，学生通过与文化的声音和思想的顶峰的亲密接触而受到挑战和鼓舞, develop a respect and understanding of great moral, political, historical, and religious principles and quandaries, 更好地理解和应对复杂世界中人类价值观的多样性.
在第一年，教学大纲以圣经和古典传统为中心. 一个持续和深入的研究希伯来圣经和新约探索信仰, values, 以及古代以色列人和早期基督徒的理想. 与这一探索交织在一起的是对古代近东史诗传统和古希腊罗马文明丰富多样的源泉的考察, including epics, historiography, philosophy, poetry, and drama.
In the third semester of the sequence, students choose from among a number of disciplinary tracks, including literature, religious studies, politics, philosophy, history, and fine arts. The third semester covers the Renaissance, the Protestant and Catholic Reformations, the Scientific Revolution, the Enlightenment, and the Modern Era. 课程结束时，学生将学习19世纪和20世纪一些挑战西方思想基本原则的革命思想家和运动, culture, and religion.
在该系列的所有课程中，学生都要阅读原始文本(英文翻译)，这些文本鼓励他们亲身体会作者提出的观点, rather than relying on interpretation by secondary sources. 不断努力揭示古代价值观对当代世界的影响和影响, 以及西方文化与整个世界文明思想的相互交融.
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