JUC Online Semester Learning
Semester Learning Online Courses
JUC Online Semester Learning is a unique offering of courses during the Spring and Fall semesters, following our traditional M.A. course schedule. Study live online or asynchronously under the teaching of our expert faculty, who are deeply familiar with the history, lands, cultures, and languages of the Bible.
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Note: Courses are listed in Eastern Time Zone
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Archaeology of the Galilee |
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Thursdays 11:00am-1:30pm Eastern Time |
Instructors: Dr. Chris McKinny and Dr. Kyle Keimer |
$510 audit
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This course will focus on the history and archaeology of the Galilee from the Middle Bronze Age through the Roman Period. The Upper Galilee is heavily faulted and difficult to navigate, while the Lower Galilee is marked by broad east-west running valleys divided by several ridges. In the east is the imposing depression in which the Sea of Galilee sits. Israelites battled Canaanites in the Galilee, local kingdoms such as Israel, Tyre, and Aram-Damascus jockeyed for control of important trade routes through the region, and Jesus began his ministry in Galilee of the Nations. Join Drs. Chris McKinny and Kyle Keimer as they investigate the archaeology, history, and cultures of this complex and diverse region. 3 credit hours. Offered online only. |
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Faculty BiographiesDr. Chris McKinny: B.A., The Master's College; M.A., Jerusalem University College; M.A., Bar Ilan University; Ph.D., Bar Ilan University. Research Fellow, Gesher Media. Excavations at Tel Burna, Tell es-Safi, Kiriath-jearim, and Horvat Eres. Senior staff member, Tel Burna Archaeological Project. Ordained minister. Published author. Began teaching at JUC in 2021.
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Geographical Voices in the Psalms |
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Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00pm-10:15pm Eastern Time |
Instructor: Dr. Paul Wright |
$510 audit
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While the Psalms are for everyone, they are embedded in experiences of people who lived in a particular place—the land of ancient Israel—and at a particular time. The realities of that land, many of which can be experienced yet today, provided ready images for the psalmists who used them as voices to point to larger realities, those of God, us and the journey that binds us together. 3 credit hours. Offered online only. |
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Faculty BiographyDr. Paul Wright: B.A., Bethel University; M.A., Institute of Holy Land Studies / Jerusalem University College; M.A., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; M.Phil, Ph.D., Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion. 10th President, Jerusalem University College (2002-2021). Visiting faculty, Tantur Ecumenical Institute for Theological Studies (2002-2020). Excavations at Giloh, Ramat Rahel, and Tel Rehov. Ordained minister. Published author. Began teaching at JUC in 1996. |
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Literature of Ancient Israel’s Neighbors |
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Asynchronous |
Instructors: Dr. Bryan Beyer |
$510 audit
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A survey of key pieces of literature from ancient Israel’s neighbors, including Egypt, Mesopotamia, Syria, and others. The goal is to place biblical literature within its historical context, noting both points of similarity and contrast and highlighting both parallels and the uniqueness of the biblical text. This course is offered asynchronously. 3 credit hours. Offered online only. |
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Faculty BiographyDr. Bryan Beyer: B.A., Colorado State University; M.Div., Denver Conservative Baptist Seminary; Ph.D., Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. Faculty, Columbia International University (1985-2021). Published author. Began teaching at JUC in 2006. |
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Physical Settings of the Bible |
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Mondays 8:00pm-10:30pm Eastern Time |
Instructor: Chandler Collins |
$680 audit
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A study of the physical features of the land of the Bible with an emphasis on the geographical elements of various regions and how geography influenced and affected aspects of biblical and extra-biblical history. Relevant archaeological, historical and biblical material is integrated into the lectures and field studies, correlating it to the sites visited, the ancient network of roads, and geographical elements of the land. Online only. To apply this course toward the JUC M.A. BHG program, all in-land field studies must be completed within 1 year of the end date of this course. 4 credit hours. Offered online only. |
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Faculty BiographyChandler Collins: B.A., Moody Bible Institute; graduate studies, Jerusalem University College; M.A., M.A., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Ph.D. Candidate, Bar Ilan University. Excavations at Khirbet Qeiyafa and Abel Beth Maacah. Former Dean at Jerusalem University College. Began teaching at JUC in 2017. |
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Note: Courses are listed in Eastern Time Zone
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The Arab-Israeli Conflict: 1914-2022 |
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Mondays 11:00am-01:30pm Eastern Time |
Instructor: Dr. Jonathan Kaplan |
$510 audit
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This course surveys the causes and expressions of the Arab-Israeli conflict over the Holy Land from its roots prior to the First World War until recent times, as well as the major efforts to bring about its peaceful resolution. As it progresses chronologically, the class will consider conflicting narratives and examine the religious, nationalist, interstate, social, and international dimensions of the conflict. Discussions are based on graphic presentations and an analysis of key documents. 3 credit hours. Offered online only. |
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Faculty BiographyDr. Jonathan Kaplan: B.A., M.A., Ph.D., in Modern Jewish History, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Recipient of the Herzl Fellows Award. Past Vice Provost, Rothberg International School at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Born in the U.S., resided in Israel since 1972. Published author. Began teaching at JUC in 1986. |
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Biblical Archaeology I |
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Thursdays 11:00am - 01:30pm Eastern Time |
Instructors: Dr. Chris McKinny and Dr. Kyle Keimer |
$510 audit
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This course is a survey of the results of archaeological investigations in the land of the Bible from proto-historical periods to the end of the Judean Monarchy. Emphasis is placed on relating archaeological finds to historical records, including the Old Testament. 3 credit hours. Offered online only. |
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Faculty BiographiesDr. Chris McKinny: B.A., The Master's College; M.A., Jerusalem University College; M.A., Bar Ilan University; Ph.D., Bar Ilan University. Research Fellow, Gesher Media. Excavations at Tel Burna, Tell es-Safi, Kiriath-jearim, and Horvat Eres. Senior staff member, Tel Burna Archaeological Project. Ordained minister. Extensive publications. Began teaching at JUC in 2021.
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Contexts of the Holy City |
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Mondays 8:00pm - 10:30pm Eastern Time |
Instructor: Chandler Collins |
$510 audit
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This course is an exploration of Jerusalem during key periods in biblical history, including the eras of: David and Solomon, Hezekiah, Jeremiah, Nehemiah, the Hasmoneans, Herod the Great and Jesus, the Apostles, and the Jewish War against the Romans. Our study will be aided by data about Jerusalem from extra-biblical texts, geography, and archaeology, as well as the cartography, photography, and accounts of early western explorers and local Jerusalemites. Important literary and theological themes related to Jerusalem will also be explored. 3 credit hours. Offered online only. |
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Faculty BiographyChandler Collins: B.A., Moody Bible Institute; graduate studies, Jerusalem University College; M.A., M.A., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Ph.D. Candidate, Bar Ilan University. Excavations at Khirbet Qeiyafa and Abel Beth Maacah. Former Dean at Jerusalem University College. Began teaching at JUC in 2017. |
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Cultural Backgrounds of the Bible |
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Thursdays 9:30pm - 12:00am Eastern Time |
Instructor: Dr. Oliver Hersey |
$510 audit
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This course is an analysis of various aspects of daily life in biblical times to provide focal points that help students understand biblical customs and ways of thought more accurately. The course integrates anthropology, archaeology, and geography to develop a culturally aware approach to reading and interpreting the Bible. 3 credit hours. Offered online only. |
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Faculty BiographyDr. Oliver Hersey: B.A. in Mathematics, Calvin College; M.A. in Biblical Archaeology and Ancient Near Eastern Languages, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; Ph.D. in Old Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. President of Jerusalem University College. Began teaching at JUC in 2021. |
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Orthodox Christian Voices in the Umayyad and Abbasside Periods |
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Wednesdays 09:30am - 12:00pm Eastern Time |
Instructor: Rev. Dr. Petra Heldt |
$510 audit
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The course examines the voices of Christian Orthodox theologians in the Middle East of the Umayyad (661-750 CE) and Abbasside (750-1258) periods, a time of growing religious and political Islamic claims. The authors explored in this course were both pious men and eminent scholars who wrote their works facing the destruction of their traditional cultural areas. Their writings influenced Eastern and Western theologies and are still among the current works of the churches that those authors produced. 3 credit hours. Offered online only. |
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Faculty BiographyRev. Dr. Petra Heldt: Mag. Theol., Humboldt University Berlin (Kirchliche Hochschule); Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Director of the Ecumenical Theological Research Fraternity in Israel. Ordained minister. Extensive publications. Began teaching at JUC in 1990. |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can take as many courses or studies as you would like.
Yes, we offer technical assistance through our North American office that operates from 9:00am-5:00pm EST. You are welcome to contact our team at support@juc.edu with your questions.
There are no scholarships available for JUC Online. However, we allow anyone to enroll in JUC Online Semester Learning courses for audit at a reduced rate. Additionally, the application fee is waived for Semester Learning courses.
Yes. If JUC M.A. students take all the required in-residence courses for their program (48 credits for M.A., 24 credits for Graduate Certificate, and 12 credits for Semester Abroad) they can take as many additional JUC Online courses as they would like. If a student does not take more than 16 credit hours in each semester, they will not be charged extra for JUC Online courses.
No, JUC Online courses do not replace any of the courses required to complete the 48-credit-hour in-residence M.A. programs even if the online course has the same name as an in-residence course. This is because field studies are foundational to JUC M.A. courses and an essential part of the curriculum that is required to complete a JUC program. However, JUC M.A. students who complete a JUC Online course may have the course included on their official transcript.
Lecture recordings may be provided at the discretion of each course instructor. In the case that recordings are provided for later viewing, please be aware that JUC Online students are required to attend lectures online in live time.
Spring 2023 Registration
New Online Students: The JUC Online application is open.
Returning Online Students: Begin registering for courses Friday, 21 October. Registration information will be provided via email.
Semester Learning Overview
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WHO: Open to All
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WHEN: 30 Jan. - 05 May 2023
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PRICE: Audit from $510; Credit from $2025
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COURSE CREDIT: Audit & Credit
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DEADLINE TO APPLY: 23 Jan. 2023