Humanities

ARAE101 Arabic
The syllabus of this subject was prepared especially for the person who speaks the Arabic language but is unable to read it. Thus, this course uses a modern and easy educational syllabus to learn reading and writing, especially the Holy Bible and Church books. By the end of this course, the student will be able to read and write Arabic.

ARCE102 Coptic Art & Architecture
Historical and developmental aspects of Coptic Art and Architecture are presented. Topics include the historical development of the layout of the Coptic Churches and Monasteries as well as the historical development of various elements such as the dome, the niche, lighting, etc. Other aspects covered in the course include the influence of other cultures and case studies of some of the ancient churches in Old Cairo and some of the ancient monasteries in Egypt that stand until today. Although the course provides an emphasis on ecclesiastical art and architecture, the secular aspects of Coptic Art and Architecture are also discussed.
The course concludes with a practical outline of the traditional, symbolic and technical aspects of Coptic Iconography.

COPE103 Coptic I
The purpose of this course is to enable the student to read, write and comprehend the Coptic language. The course consists of: Basic rules of Coptic grammar, a study of wide range of Coptic vocabulary used colloquially and in Church texts, as well as a study of prayers and hymns of the Coptic Church.

COPE104 Coptic II
The course begins with a revision of the Coptic grammar. This course concentrates on the translation of Coptci liturgical texts.

GREE105 Greek (Koine)

The New Testament and the majority of the writings of our Church Fathers were written in Koine Greek. This introductory course will help you study the Scriptures and the tradition of the Church. You will also be able to follow most of the parts of the Liturgy sung by the people, many deacons’ hymns and more than half of the seasonal pieces. For ten weeks we will study Koine Greek grammar, and then spend two weeks reading from the Gospel according to Saint Mark and the Epistle of Saint Paul to the Romans.

HEBE106 Hebrew
This subject provides an introduction to the language of the Old Testament. Some basic grammatical rules and limited vocabulary will be presented. The aim of the subject is to enable the student to read the Old Testament in its original language with the aid of a dictionary.

COME107 Comparative Religion
This subject explores other religions such as Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Modern Atheism. In addition, the student is introduced to modern sects such as Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witnesses and The Occult. These religions and sects are studied and compared with the Christian faith.

Biblical Studies

NEWC201 New Testament I
This subject provides a general introduction to the New Testament, its social, historical and political background. The emphasis in this part of the New Testament curriculum will on the four gospels, and the distinctive features in each gospel.

NEWE202 New Testament II
This course presents a survey of some of the books of the New Testament, from the Book of Acts to Revelation. Emphasis is placed on the historical and geographical background as well as the main spiritual teaching in each book.

OLDC203 Old Testament I
The syllabus of this subject attempts to cast the essential introductory light upon the books of the Old Testament, especially the historical and geographical circumstances. The topics covered in this subject include: Manuscripts of the Holy Bible, English Translations, the second Canonical Books, Biblical archaeology, Geography of the Bible, History of the Jewish people, patterns of interpretation of the, etc.

OLDE204 Old Testament II
The syllabus of this subject will concentrate on introducing and comprehending some of the books of the Old Testament. This subject will present an analysis of the books from Genesis to Esther.

OLDE205 Old Testament III
The syllabus of this subject consists of an introductory study and analysis of the books of the Old Testament from Job to Malachi. The study includes the historical and geographical backgrounds of each of these books.

Church History

HISC301 Church History I
An illustration will be made of the political, religious and cultural environment in which Christianity was established. This subject deals with the interaction between these environments. The way in which Christianity faced these adverse situations and the history of its victories over them is dealt with here, as well as what Christianity offered the world in the first three centuries.

HISE302 Church History II
This subject focuses on the severe theological conflict that the church and its leaders were under from the end of the third century to the middle of the fifth century. This theological conflict was regarding, the divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, the divinity of the Holy Spirit and the relationship between the divine and human nature in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ. The reasons for the first split in the church and the recent attempts for unity amongst the Orthodox Churches is dealt with here.

HISE303 Church History III
The subject consists of a number of topics that relate essentially to the division of the Christian Church during the Eleventh Century between the Byzantine Church (the Patriarchate of Constantinople) and the Catholic Church (the Patriarchate of Rome). This is followed by the great schism of the sixteenth century, which led to the rise of Protestantism and the Church of England. The subject also covers the modern revival of the Coptic Church that began in the nineteenth century.

PATE304 Patristics I
This subject covers the life, writings, doctrines and thoughts of some of the Orthodox Fathers of the early Church. It presents the living story of the early Church in all its aspects of worship, pastor-ship, social concepts, preaching and spirituality.

PATE305 Patristics II
This subject covers the study of the lives, writings, doctrines, opinions and thoughts of the Church Patriarchs in its early era. The aim of this subject is to gain a glimpse of the worship, pastor-ship, spiritual depth, evangelism and social life of the early Church

Liturgical Studies

RITC401 Ritual Theology
This course will cover the Church Rituals in detail. Subjects covered will include the shape of the Church and direction as well as the spiritual and theological meaning behind the Rituals of the Sacraments and Liturgical services. This course aims to give the student a deep spiritual understanding of the Rituals used in the Church.

HYMC402 Hymns I
This is an introductory course for beginners in both Coptic and Coptic Hymns. The student will study the basic Coptic grammar and a wide range of Coptic vocabulary. In addition, the study will include general knowledge about all Coptic hymns. Students should be able to, by the end of the course read with ease parts of the book of Epsalmodia (Coptic Psalmody) and recognize meanings of common words.
The student studies the names of hymns and their occasions and the various tunes of joy… sadness… etc. of hymns. He/She learns also a cross-section of hymns including seasonal hymns. Students are expected to know when and how any hymn is sung and to sing the selected hymns accurately.

HYME403 Hymns II
This course presents the order of melodies of the Coptic Psalmody.

Pastoral Theology & Practice

SPIC501 Spiritual Theology
This course discusses the basic fundamentals of the spiritual life such as repentance, confession, prayer and the Eucharist. Other important spiritual topics are presented such as faith, glory, humility, Heavenly Kingdom, etc.

PASC502 Pastoral Theology
This is a newly developed syllabus. It covers issues of both Ministry and Pastorship in their broad sense, especially in countries of settlement. This study focuses on the sublimacy of serving within the Ministry through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the qualities necessary in the personality of the minister, his spiritual, psychological and theological preparation. The study discusses the type of inter-relationship among ministers, the relationship between a minister and those ministered. It also shows the various scopes of ministry and pastorship. It also demonstrates illuminating examples of ministers in the Holy Bible, in the ancient Church and in contemporary history.

EDUC503 Christian Education
This course provides parents and Sunday School teachers with the essential educational and psychological knowledge about the child, his/her basic needs, his/her cognitive development, his/her problems, and parent-child relationship. The course covers also the contents and methods of Christian instruction.

CANE504 Church Canon
This course presents an introduction to the Church Canons. These comprise the Apostolic Canons, Ecumenical Canons, Regional Canons and Canons of individual Fathers.

FAME505 Christian Family
The syllabus of this subject has been especially prepared to cater for the needs of the Christian family in lands of settlement. The study covers a number of essential issues necessary for the stability of the family. They include:
The Christian family and the Bible
The Christian family in church history and within the patriarchal concept
The betrothal period and the importance of family education for betrothed and their families
The Christian family and the spiritual and moral trends of the contemporary society
The family and the media; the family as an educational environment for children; causes of success or failure of marriage
Psychology of communication between spouses
The role of the family roots in the stability of the family
The early years of marital life.

MISE506 Theology of Mission
This course deals with the role of the church in reaching out to those from outside the church. This course begins with an outline of the Biblical and ecclesiastical basis for outreach. The characteristics of missionary work are set out. These are presented with case studies from the missionary work of the Coptic Church in Africa and the lands of migration.

Theology

DOGC601 Dogmatic Theology
This subject discusses the fundamentals of Christian Dogma. In particular, Orthodox theological thought in respect of the divinity of the Lord Christ and the divinity of the Holy Spirit, followed by a study of the church, its theological concept and its authority, as well as a study of eternity i.e. the after-death (eschatology); sources of religion; tradition and the Holy Bible; the visible and invisible creatures and many other introductory topics that form the basic of theological science.

COMC602 Comparative Theology
This subject presents the position of the Coptic Orthodox Church regarding the beliefs and doctrines of the Protestant and Catholic Churches, using Biblical, theological and historical arguments. Issues that are addressed include such topics as priesthood, infant baptism, purgatory, procession of the Holy Spirit, supremacy and infallibility of the Catholic Pope, repentance and confession and intercession of saints.

MORE603 Moral Theology
This subject deals with the general morals and ethics to which a Christian person must be committed in his/her relationship with God and then with his/her fellows. The course outline includes the following:

SYSE604 Systematic Theology
This course presents Christian doctrine as the ultimate answer to the recurring questions of philosophers throughout the ages. It sets out to prove, through logical steps, the existence of God; His oneness; the necessity of the incarnation, crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord and the existence of spiritual beings.