The History of Ideas program is designed to equip undergraduate men and women with the skills needed to think clearly and accurately about the world in which they live and to challenge them to live faithfully in the home, the church, and the world. Building upon the historical and theological framework established in the Christian Worldview program, this major focuses upon many of the great works of Western Civilization as well as representative works from non-Western traditions with a view to equipping students to evaluate the seminal ideas in the history of thought in light of the self-disclosure of the triune God. This program will not merely focus on the development of abstract ideas, but will also challenge students to examine major developments in the history of thought in light of the key people, significant historical events, and technological changes that influenced them. Additionally, the program will demonstrate the role of the affections and the heart in the development, transformation, and spread of philosophies, religions, and worldviews.
As students progress through the program, they will discover how great thinkers have approached the central questions faced by all human beings: Who or what governs reality? What is valuable and good? What are human beings? What is the central problem in the world? And what is the solution to that problem? The program will train students to synthesize ideas from a range of disciplines, including philosophy, theology, history, literature, and the arts. This synthesis of ideas will culminate in the completion of a senior thesis during the final semester. Finally, throughout the program, all ideas found in the Great Books are measured against the Person found in the Greatest Book. All things were created by, hold together in, and exist for Jesus Christ. He is the measure of all things and, therefore, students in the History of Ideas major will be equipped to evaluate all claims to truth, goodness, and beauty in light of him.
Questions?
Email the college with questions regarding the 4-year degree in the History of Ideas.