Course Descriptions

The coursework at New Saint Andrews College is divided into four major categories: Cultural Colloquia, Language Colloquia, one-term Electives, and the Senior Thesis. Most colloquia are yearlong overview courses, and all are required for the Bachelor's degree. The electives are designed to provide more specific focus on particular questions in theology, history, philosophy, language, and literature.

Course descriptions follow below. The stated prerequisites for any course may be waived only upon approval by the Dean.

For the course descriptions in the current catalog (pdf), link here.

CULTURAL COLLOQUIA

Lordship

Four terms. First-year course.
Mr. Benjamin Merkle
The Lordship Colloquium is an intensive introduction to biblical worldview thinking. The title of the course is taken from the fact that Christ’s lordship over all is what gives meaning to all. Four different aspects of His lordship are addressed in the four terms of the school year. Jerusalem Term is given to the study of Christ’s lordship over creation; this segment is called Lord of Creation. Here students consider a theology of history, as well as the various aspects of the creation-evolution debate. Nicea Term addresses the important study of covenant theology, reformational soteriology, and justification by faith alone. This segment is called Lord of Redemption. Chalcedon Term concerns practical Christian ethical behavior, and is called Lord of Righteousness. In this term, the students cover practical obedience, knowing God, assurance of salvation, marital ethics, and education. The Westminster Term addresses the corporate implications of Christ’s lordship in the church, in the state, and in history. This last segment is called Lord of Lords. During this course students will also study the major creeds of the Church and will memorize the Heidelberg Catechism. A major paper is assigned each term.

Classical Rhetoric

Four terms. First-year course.
Mr. Nathan Wilson
Rhetoric has held a fundamental place in curricula throughout Western history. This course is structured around the canons of classical rhetoric, which offer an outline for the fundamentals of learning. The structure of the course emerges from close readings of Aristotle’s Rhetoric, the Rhetorica ad Herennium, and Quintilian’s Institutio Oratoria. The course begins with a systematic introduction to reading, which is designed to aid the student in all his studies at New Saint Andrews. Formal and informal Logic are introduced in the second term, when students study basic principles of argument. The third term focuses on persuasive writing and its fundamental components: stasis, style, arrangement, and proof. The fourth term brings together basic rhetorical principles and focuses on speech. Throughout the course, students will study some of the Western world’s best examples of rhetorical theory and practice. Students must put rhetorical principles into practice regularly in prepared oral, impromptu oral, and written, as well as interpretive readings. We offer this integrative course where other institutions offer separate courses in logic, writing composition, and speech.

Principia Mathematica

Four terms. First-year course.
Dr. Mitchell O. Stokes

Early in the rise of the liberal arts curriculum, the arts which made up the quadrivium (arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, and music) emerged from the Pythagorean division of mathematics. Math and philosophy, including “natural philosophy” or what we today call “science,” are integrated basics within the Western intellectual tradition. In this colloquium, students not only solve math problems, they trace historical development of mathematics and the conceptual relations among its various sub-disciplines of mathematics. This includes astronomy and physics, disciplines for which much of mathematics was created. Students confront theological and philosophical issues about knowledge, reality, and human nature that mathematics raises. The colloquium is framed around the interaction of the two mathematical realms, numbers and figures. These are key to the history, conceptual relations, and applications of mathematics. Students study Euclid’s Elements, the seminal work which set the trajectory for much of the rest of mathematics. From the Elements the course moves on to trigonometry and its important applications, leading to Analytic Geometry. Descartes and Fermat developed Analytic Geometry in the 1600s as a way to unite the realm of figure (geometry) and the realm of number (algebra, or “generalized arithmetic”). This precipitated the development of the calculus, on which a significant proportion of the course focuses. Throughout the course, these developments are applied to physical problems, thus physics is integral to both the structure and content of Principia Mathematica. The course closes with a study of mathematical or symbolic logic and important 20th century developments in the foundations of mathematics, including Gödel’s surprising results about the nature of mathematical systems.

Natural Philosophy

Four terms. Second- and third-year course.
Dr. Gordon Wilson
This colloquium offers an appetizing introduction to the life sciences and mathematics. The first term introduces the students to the scientific method, its origin, utility, and limitations. The students will then explore the dynamic realm of the living cell emphasizing its wonderfully designed inner workings and architecture. In the second term students will receive a survey the organ systems of the human body with an emphasis on how each system functions in concert with the other systems for the overall good of the body. During the third term the students will be introduced to a portion of the mathematical foundations of the West. In particular, they will work through sections of Euclid’s Elements so that students will be able to discuss and prove Euclid’s early propositions. In addition, non-Euclidean geometry will be discussed against the backdrop of Euclidean geometry. In the last term, students will survey the bewildering diversity of life on earth focusing on the basic structure and natural history of all kingdoms and major phyla. The overarching theme will be the glory of God. As students explore the unity, diversity, and complexity of life they will gain 1) a wonder, curiosity, and a deep appreciation of the living world, 2) a biblical understanding of man’s dominion over it, and 3) a greater reverence for and desire to worship the Lord of all Creation.

Principia Theologiae

Four Terms. Second-year course.
Dr. Peter Leithart
Principia Theologiae is a colloquium in biblical theology and hermeneutics, structured by a reading of the entire Bible. During the first term, the students are introduced to basic concepts in theology and fundamental hermeneutical principles, and examine some aspects of the doctrines of God, creation, and sin. The second term is a survey of the Old Testament that pays particular attention to broad themes and structures of the Old Testament. For their hermeneutics project, students produce an analytical outline of an Old Testament book. Chalcedon Term focuses on Christology by means of a study of the gospels, and examines typology in the four gospels. During the final term, students examine key issues in Acts, the New Testament epistles, and Revelation. Systematic and historical theology are covered by readings, quizzes, and oral presentations by the students. Students will write at least two exegetical papers in this course.

Music

Four terms. Second- and third-year course.
Mr. Mark Reagan
The Music Colloquium is divided into three areas of instruction: sight singing, music theory, and music history. In sight singing, the students will learn to sing at sight simple melodies such as a hymn or psalm. They will learn both major and minor keys through solfeggio training. They are expected to master, in speed and accuracy, the notes of the treble, bass and alto clefs. They also learn rhythm through percussion lessons. In music theory, the first term is an overview of the elements of music. The second and third terms emphasize harmonic analysis, and the fourth term focuses on rhythmic analysis. The music history section traces the development of Western music from ancient civilizations (Hebrew, Greek, and Roman) to the present day. Readings in primary sources supplement the main text. All students in this colloquium are required to participate in the New Saint Andrews Choir.

Classical Culture & History

Four terms. Prerequisite: Second-year status.
Mr. Christopher Schlect
A biblical view of history understands that similar events recur, for God's providence is coherent and human nature remains the same. On this foundation, students learn not only what happened in the past, but how to learn from it. Important to our study of Western history is the history of history; that is, we examine various ways of looking at the past. To accomplish this, the course is based on a careful reading of primary sources, and especially great works of historical literatureÑnotably, Herotodus, Thucydides, Plutarch, Bede, William of Malmesbury, and selections from medieval hagiography. Other readings on history and historiography are also required. Among other assignments, students in this colloquium write at least one paper involving focused library research, and another paper on source analysis.

Traditio Occidentis

Eight terms. Prerequisite: Third- and fourth-year status.
Mr. Joshua Appel and Dr. Mitchell O. Stokes
The Gospel of Jesus Christ and the advance of Christendom are historically expressed in various cultural manifestations, including art, architecture, literature, philosophy, and politics. The story of this advance involves notable challenges to and corruptions of the Gospel. This colloquium studies this cultural story by integrating and synthesizing the cultural output of the West, from the pre-Christian classical civilization up through the present day. Organized chronologically, the course enables students to see connections between the leading philosophical ideas of Western civilization and their incarnation in arts, literature, and architecture. The philosophy component traces the history of the Western pursuit of objective knowledge, while setting forth a Christian framework of knowledge and reality. The art and architecture component surveys the most important artistic and architectural styles and movements of the West, with special attention to medieval cathedral architecture, and the literature component examines the major works of Western literature.

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LANGUAGE COLLOQUIA

Beginning Latin

Four terms. First-year course.
Miss Natali Miller
This course offers study in Latin morphology, vocabulary, and the employment of this knowledge by translating lengthy passages. The particular goals of this class are to instill the student with: (1) a repertoire of common classical Latin vocabulary; (2) an ability to understand and recognize Latin morphology through the subjunctive; (3) an inceptive ability to translate Latin passages; and (4) a love for this classical language.

Intermediate Latin

Two terms. Prerequisite: Beginning Latin.
Miss Natali Miller
Intermediate Latin is a course in reading and understanding the Latin Vulgate. During the course of the year, students will read the Novum Testamentum and the Psalmi. Special attention will be paid to the Actus Apostolorum, with the students reading and translating from that book during recitations and oral exams.

Beginning Greek

Four terms. Prerequisite: Beginning Latin.
Mr. John Schwandt
Not only do the greatest and most foundational classics come to us through the Greek language, it is the language of the New Covenant of the Holy Scriptures. This course not only equips students with a proficiency to decipher all the forms and basic syntax of the New Testament, it seeks to teach the language through Greek conversation and composition. Large portions of the lectures and oral final exams will be conducted in biblical Greek. Since Greek is taught primarily as a biblical language and secondarily as a classical language, the course will be taught using biblical pronunciation rather than classical pronunciation. The course will finish by guiding students through a New Testament epistle and introducing them to intermediate syntactical categories.

Intermediate Greek

Two terms. Prerequisite: Beginning Greek..
Mr. John Schwandt
Since one of the goals of a classical Christian education is to read the New Testament in Greek, New St. Andrews requires students to read, with understanding, one of the Gospels and a Pauline epistle in Intermediate Greek. The course begins with intermediate syntax and builds vocabulary corresponding to the Gospel and epistle studied. The course will also require a short classical reading to be completed outside of class. The course seeks to solidify the students' understanding and skill in translating Greek. It teaches students proper exegetical methods and literary skills as well as the content, purpose, and beauty of the gospel and epistle. Students will be required to write exegetical papers and reading notes.

Beginning Hebrew

Four terms. Prerequisite: Third-year status.
Mr. Benjamin Merkle
This course works through basic grammar and vocabulary. The goals of the course are to instill in the students (1) a repertoire of the most commonly used words in the Old Testament, (2) an ability to recognize all the morphology in the Old Testament, (3) an inceptive ability to translate biblical Hebrew, and (4) a love for this biblical language.

Intermediate Hebrew

Four terms. Prerequisite: Beginning Hebrew, third-year status.
Mr. Benjamin Merkle
This course reviews basic grammar and focuses on reading Hebrew prose, studies syntax, and introduces lexical semantics. Students will first read Jonah, then a selection from I Kings, and will finish with selections from Genesis. The course will instill in the students (1) a strengthened understanding of the morphology and vocabulary of Beginning Hebrew, (2) an understanding of intermediate Hebrew syntax, (3) an ability to exegete the Old Testament in the original language, and (4) a heightened love for the language.

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ELECTIVES

In order to earn the Bachelor of Arts degree, a student must take at least eight elective courses, usually in the third and fourth years of study. At least five weeks prior to each term, the Registrar will announce the elective courses that will be offered that term.

Electives present an opportunity for more focused study than the colloquia provide. They impart skills in analyzing key issues and in interpreting primary texts. Previous elective offerings have included Seminar in C.S. Lewis, Aesthetics, Seminar in Jane Austen, Semiotics, Seminar in Walker Percy, Poetry Writing, Septuagint Greek, Christian Apologetics, Trinity and Culture, Leviticus, Short Story Writing, Thucydides and International Relations, Seminar in William Shakespeare, Seminar in J. Gresham Machen, Seminar in J.R.R. Tolkien, French Reformation, Seminar in Norman Conquest, and others.

Electives in Directed Study

One term. Prerequisite: third-year status.
Supervising instructor: by special arrangement
The directed study electives allow a student to do close work, largely independently, but under the oversight of an instructor. The student and instructor must agree to work together and agree to a course outline with texts for a directed study at least six weeks prior to the term of the directed study.

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SENIOR THESIS

Thesis Requirements

Six terms. Third-year status in the B.A. program, and approved thesis proposal
Instructor by arrangement
The New Saint Andrews thesis should truly be a culminating effort that brings together all the disciplinary strands of the student's previous work. The thesis should evidence the skills and subtleties of prior work in theology, history, philosophy, and literature. As part of this, the thesis should not only be superbly reasoned, but also should reveal an engaging literary and rhetorical style. It may not simply repeat and summarize the common arguments that are found in the secondary literature, and it should aim to say something significant for the contemporary scene. It can focus on any approved topic within the four above fields and will be approximately 20,000 words in length.

A student preparing a thesis can use up to two independent studies for research and writing. To receive a high grade, the thesis must be defended in public. The faculty committee determines whether a thesis merits a public defense.

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