Religion
- SHERRY FOHR, religion program coordinator
The study of religion provides a means for understanding human history, experience, and society through the examination of religious traditions and other forms of meaning-making. Students are challenged to reflect upon broad questions of human society and culture, as well as personal questions of ethics and responsibility.
Thus, studying religion is by nature interdisciplinary and complements the study of other areas of the humanities, arts and sciences. Women’s issues and gender analysis are given particular attention and student research is emphasized.
The General Education Program is a requirement for all degrees. The requirements listed below are approved for the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Fine Arts.
ENG 101 | 3 hours |
Language and Culture | 9 hours |
MTH 108 or higher | 3 hours |
One course designated as Quantitative reasoning | 3–4 hours |
Health and Well-being Wellness | 2 hours |
Activity course | 1–2 hours |
Humanities | 6 hours |
Literature | 3 hours |
Fine Arts | 6 hours |
Natural Science | 7–8 hours |
Social Science | 6 hours |
Total | 49–52 hours |
Graduation requirements but not a separate course:
- First Year Seminar
- Writing Intensive course
- Non-European/non-Anglophone course Capstone experience.
- For more information see the GEP requirements in this catalog.
Degrees and Certificates
-
Interfaith Studies Minor, Minor -
Minor in Religion, Minor -
Pre-Ministry -
Religion Major, Bachelor of Arts, BA
Classes
REL 100: INTRODUCTION TO RELIGION
REL 104: INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS
REL 125: FIRST YEAR SEMINAR
REL 199H: FRESHMAN HONORS SEMINAR
A study of a selected subject within the disciplines which will vary from term to term. The course is designed to encourage student participation in the intellectual processes through class discussion, research and writing, special projects, problem solving, and evaluation and defense of positions. When the subject matter duplicates that of another course, credit toward graduation will be granted for only one of the courses. Offered periodically in rotation with seminars in other disciplines.
GEP credit.
REL 200: THE CHRISTIAN TRADITION
REL 201: SPECIAL TOPICS IN INTERFAITH STUDIES
Studies in selected topics concerning interfaith and diversity literacy, dialogue and/or cooperation. May be repeated for credit if subject matter is not duplicated. Interfaith Studies.
GEP, Major, Minor, Elective credit.
REL 205: INTRODUCTION TO HEBREW BIBLE AND EARLY JEWISH LITERATURE
REL 206: INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW TESTAMENT AND EARLY CHRISTIANITY
REL 250: APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE AND MOVEMENTS
REL 261: INTRODUCTION TO BUDDHISM
An introduction to Buddhism as it has developed in various world contexts. Non-European/non-Anglophone.
GEP, Major, Minor, Elective credit.
REL 262: JUDAISM AS A CIVILIZATION: AN INTRODUCTORY COURSE IN JEWISH CULTURE, HISTORY AND TRADITION
REL 263: JAINISM
Either REL 100, REL 104, or permission of the instructor.
REL 264: HINDU RELIGION AND CULTURE
REL 265: CHINESE PHILOSOPHY
This course explores the intellectual texts and traditions of China in the classical period, with an emphasis on Confucianism, Mohism, Daoism, and Legalism. Special attention may be devoted to comparing these Chinese traditions with dominant Western interpretations and alternative philosophies and religions. Supplemental material may explore artistic representations of classical Chinese thought, as well as the continuing relevance of such traditions in contemporary Chinese society. Non-European/non-Anglophone. Cross listed with PHI 265. Interfaith Studies.
GEP, Major, Minor, Elective credit.
REL 299H: INTERDISCIPLINARY HONORS COURSE
This course is team taught by members in two departments and is open to Nisbet Honors Program participants and to others who meet Honors Program guidelines. All students registering for these courses must register not only through the Honors Program but also with their adviser and the Registrar’s Office.
GEP, Major, Elective credit.
REL 301: SPECIAL TOPICS IN INTERFAITH STUDIES
REL 302: FROM CREED TO CHRISTENDOM: CHRISTIANITY FROM 300-1300
REL 303: THEMES IN RELIGIOUS ETHICS
REL 305: WOMEN AND RELIGION
A survey of important themes significant to the impact of religion on women and women on religion, historically and in the modern world. A variety of religious traditions and cultures will be discussed. A special focus of the course is recovering the narratives of women’s religious experience. GEP Humanities/Women’s Studies.
Either REL 100 or REL 104.
GEP, Major, Minor, Elective, CCW credit.
REL 306: FIELD STUDIES IN RELIGION
REL 308: RELIGION IN AMERICA
REL 309: STUDIES IN RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS
Studies in selected topics in religious thought, culture and history. Recent course topics have included the history of the Black Church, the history and literature of Englishwomen in the Reformation, and a critical comparison of Jesus, Martin Luther, and Karl Marx. May be repeated for credit if subject matter is not duplicated.
GEP, Major, Minor, Elective credit.
REL 310: INTERFAITH COOPERATION
REL 311: LOVE AND KINDNESS
REL 100, REL 104, or permission of the instructor.
REL 312: EVANGELICALS IN THE SOUTH
REL 313: STUDIES IN RELIGIOUS THOUGHT
Either REL 100, REL 104, or permission of the instructor.
REL 330: STUDIES IN RELIGION AND CULTURES
Either REL 100, REL 104, or permission of the instructor.
REL 331: STUDIES IN RELIGION
REL 340: RELIGION AND LITERATURE
Either REL 100, REL 104, or permission of the instructor.
REL 341: AMERICAN FILM AND RELIGIOUS PLURALISM
This course explores how religion has appeared in a variety of American films with regard to questions of how various forms of religious identity interact with American culture and how various religions can coexist with one another. Interfaith Studies
GEP, Major, Minor, Elective credit.
REL 342: PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION
REL 346: JESUS IN ANCIENT AND MODERN MEDIA
REL 350: RELIGION INTERNSHIPS
Pass/fail grading. Offered as needed.
permission of the department.
Major credit.
REL 354: INTERFAITH INTERNSHIP
permission from a co-director of interfaith studies.
REL 355: THE BIBLE, GENDER, AND SEXUAL LITERACY
An exploration of the influence of the Bible upon the construction and understanding of gender roles, identities, and sexual mores. The dual emphasis will be both the text itself and the history of its interpretations. GEP Humanities/Women’s Studies.
GEP, Major, Minor, Elective, CCW credit.
REL 356: WOMEN IN CHRISTIAN REFORMATIONS
REL 380: RESEARCHING ASIAN TRADITIONS
REL 104, 260, 261, 263 or 264 or permission of the instructor.
REL 391: THEORY AND METHOD IN RELIGIOUS AND INTERFAITH STUDIES
REL 100 or REL 104.
REL 406: INTERFAITH FIELD STUDIES
REL 100 or REL 104, or permission from the instructor.
REL 470: ISLAMIC AND MIDDLE EAST POLITICS
REL 490: DIRECTED INDEPENDENT STUDY IN SELECTED TOPICS
permission of the instructor.
REL 491: SENIOR PROJECT IN RELIGION
In consultation with religion faculty, the senior student will choose a topic on which to conduct a major research project. While all capstone projects will ultimately culminate in written form, the form might vary: classic senior research thesis, sophisticated analytical article, written research talk or position paper are some possibilities. Whatever the format, the project should reflect the student’s development in coursework and independent research. Each senior will present the project in some form in the spring of the student's senior year. Capstone.
Major credit.