Religious Studies Program
Brian Britt, Director
Professor: E. Struthers Malbon
Associate Professor: B. Britt
Assistant Professors: A. Abeysekara; G. Kao; R. Scott
Religion is a topic as broad as the study of people, their histories, literatures, arts, and ways of thinking. To study religion is to explore the many ways people in various cultures and times have expressed their deepest convictions about the nature of life, death, and the universe.
Studies in religion offer an examination of the values and sacred traditions that have been cherished and contested throughout history. Courses in religious studies use a variety of approaches. Some are descriptive in character, dealing with historical or contemporary forms of religious phenomena and thought. Others employ literary methods in the study of sacred texts or engage the student in reflection about contemporary religious and secular thought and issues. By examining a diversity of traditions and viewpoints, a program in religious studies provides the resources for an intellectually responsible appraisal of one's own value commitments. As a part of a broad liberal arts education, a minor in religious studies may lead to graduate study in a variety of fields or to professional training in ministerial or social service vocations.
The Religious Studies minor may be completed by any student whose major requires or permits a minor. The Religious Studies minor may also be chosen as one of two individually-selected minors (or concentrations) as part of the Interdisciplinary Studies (IDST) degree. For the Religious Studies minor, a student must complete a total of 18 semester hours (usually 6 courses) in Religion, including 6 hours at the 1000 level, 6 hours at the 2000-4000 level, and 6 hours at the 3000-4000 level. In the process of meeting these requirements, the student must also satisfy a diversity requirement by successfully completing one of the following REL courses: 1014, 2144, 2234, 2734, 2744, 3214, 3224, 3234, or 4074 or 4324 with an appropriate and approved topic.
Many religious studies courses fulfill requirements for the University Core Curriculum. The following courses are approved for Area 2 (Ideas, Cultural Traditions, and Values): REL 1014, 1024, 1034, 1044, 2124, 2234, 2414, 2424, 3024, 3214, 3224, 3414, 3424. REL 1024, 2234 and 2464 are also approved for Area 7 (Critical Issues in a Global Context).
Religous Studies Courses (REL)
1014: ASIAN RELIGIONS
The nature of "religion," approaches to understanding "religion," traditional and contemporary features of Asian "religions" (including Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shinto), including their manifestations in the USA and their involvement in critical issues in a global context. Previously taught as 1015. (3H,3C) I.
1024: JUDAISM, CHRISTIANITY, ISLAM
The nature of "religion," approaches to understanding "religion," traditional and contemporary features of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, including their manifestations in the USA and their involvement in critical issues in a global context. Previously taught as 1016. (3H,3C) II.
1034: RELIGION AND THE MODERN WORLD
Modern challenges to traditional religion and responses to these challenges, including conservative, liberal, and radical responses; science and religion; issues of race and gender; church and state issues. Previously taught as 1025. (3H,3C) I,II.
1044: RELIGIOUS ETHICS
Influential representative social and religious ethical perspectives from the mid-sixties to the present; ethical reasoning on current pressing and perennial social issues based on historical and ethical analysis of case studies; theoretical assumptions about morality as the relation between justice and the good. Previously taught as 1026. (3H,3C) I,II.
2104 (GR 2104): GREEK NEW TESTAMENT
Readings from the New Testament in Greek, with attention to grammatical analysis, historical background and other clues to interpretation. Taught even years. May be repeated with different content for a maximum of 9 credits. Pre: GR 1106. (3H,3C)
2124: RELIGION IN AMERICAN LIFE
The role of religion in American life in selected periods from the original settlements to the present; the influence of religious institutions and movements in American history and the impact of the "American experience" on religious life and expression. Alternate years. (3H,3C)
2144 (BLST 2144): AFRICAN RELIGIONS
The role of religious (or belief) systems in African societies, especially the three predominant religious traditions in Africa: the so-called African Traditional Religions, Islam, and Christianity; the universe of religious systems and religious experiences and processes of Africa, in particular, Sub-Saharan Africa; critical examination of the mythic stature of Africa's "religions" within Western cultural (and scholarly) world views and institutions.(3H,3C)
2234 (WS 2234): WOMEN, ETHICS, AND RELIGION
Women's religious ethical formation; the roles and understanding of women in traditional and major modern religious traditions; authoritative writings and practices of various traditions as they focus on issues of sex and gender; gynocentric methods of study of women, ethics, and religion; feminist and womanist approaches to liberation and social change. (3H,3C)
2414 (JUD 2414): HEBREW BIBLE/OLD TESTAMENT
Introduction to the academic study of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament); a variety of scholarly approaches to the Bible, including historical-critical, literary, and gender studies methods. Emphasis on developing skills in critical thinking, reading, and writing about the Bible. Previously taught as 2405. (3H,3C) I.
2424: NEW TESTAMENT
Introduction to the academic study of the New Testament; a variety of scholarly approaches to the New Testament, including historical-critical, redaction critical, and literary methods. Emphasis on developing skills in critical thinking, reading, and writing about the New Testament as a way of understanding the faith and history of early Christianity. Previously taught as 2406. (3H,3C) II.
2464 (AAEC 2464) (STS 2464): RELIGION AND SCIENCE
Exploration of the relationships between religion and science in the western tradition. Topics include: basic frameworks for relationships between religion and science in historical and cultural context; types of human knowledge and truth; similarities and differences between science and religion; evolution; ecology; and contemporary issues. (3H,3C)
2734 (AFST 2734) (WS 2734): THE BLACK WOMAN IN THE U.S.
The emerging womanist perspective of "interstructured oppression" (i.e., the simultaneous effects of racism, sexism, and classism) as relevant to the contributions of Black women in the United States of America; views of Black women from African backgrounds, the Atlantic slave trade, and the progressive rise of womanist/feminist liberation movements in Black culture; contributions of Black women in the U.S. and globally. (3H,3C)
2744 (AFST 2744): THE BLACK CHURCH IN AMERICA
Interdisciplinary approach to African American religious experiences, utilizing traditional theological disciplines to analyze the ethos, pathos, logos, and theos that members of the African American faith communities pass down from generation to generation; the cultural, philosophical, and spiritual values of African American peoples viewed through the lens of Black non-fiction and fiction narratives; impact of the contexts of slavery and racism on Black life and religious expression. (3H,3C)
2964: FIELD STUDY
Pass/Fail only. Variable credit course.
2974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.
2984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.
3024: RELIGION AND LITERATURE
Analysis of literary works and critical debates in such areas as: pilgrimage, myth, disaster, and transcendence. Students will make presentations, develop their own research projects, and design sessions--with short reading assignments--later in the semester. As a final project, students will assemble a portfolio charting their work in the course. Alternate years. (3H,3C) II.
3214: RELIGION AND CULTURE IN INDIA
Interaction of religion and culture from Indus Valley civilization to the present; Brahmanism and Hinduism, the Buddha and his teachings, Parsis, Jains, Sikhs, and their respective literatures and rituals; modern reforms and recent trends. Alternate years. (3H,3C) I.
3224: RELIGIONS OF CHINA AND JAPAN
Religious movements in East Asia with reference to specific situations in China and Japan; Confucianism, Taoism, Mahayana Buddhism, Vajrayana, Shinto, Japanese Folk Religions, the "New Religions" of Japan; recent trends. Alternate years. (3H,3C)
3234: ISLAM
The rise of Islam under the Prophet Muhammad in Arabia and its spread across Asia and Africa. The development of Islam in the Middle Ages and its resurgence in the 20th century. Alternate years. Pre: 1024. (3H,3C)
3414: JESUS AND THE GOSPELS
Academic study of the four canonical gospels; Matthew, Mark, Luke, John; several scholarly methodologies; the problem of the historical Jesus; noncanonical gospels. Alternate years. Pre: 2414, (2424). (3H,3C) I.
3424: PAUL AND HIS INTERPRETERS
Academic study of the New Testament letters by or attributed to Paul; historical, literary, and theological context of the letters; classic and contemporary interpreters. Alternate years. Pre: 2414 or 2424. (3H,3C)
4074 (HIST 4074): TOPICS IN RELIGIOUS AND INTELLECTUAL HISTORY
Selected topics in the role of religion and intellectual systems in human history. May be repeated with different content. 3 other hours of history required. Junior standing or above required. (3H,3C)
4324 (HUM 4324): TOPICS IN RELIGION AND CULTURE
Selected topics from the religions of the world such as time and the sacred, preliterate religions, women and religion, religion and science, mysticism. May be taken three times for credit with different topics. Pre: 3 REL credits. (3H,3C)
4414: TOPICS IN BIBLICAL STUDIES
Selected topics concerning either the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) or the New Testament or both; a specific subject, theme, or biblical book chosen for careful, detailed analysis. Alternate years. Pre: (2414 or 2424 or 3414 or 3424). (3H,3C)
4964: FIELD STUDY
Pass/Fail only. Variable credit course.
4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.
4984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.
4994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Variable credit course.
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