RELS 100 Introduction to the Religions of the World (3 crs)

Basic teachings of the world's major religions including tribal traditions, Western religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam), Indian religions (Hinduism and Buddhism), and Far Eastern religions (Confucianism, Taoism, and Shinto).

Attributes: Foreign Culture, Cultural Diversity 1 cr., GE IVB Humanities-Philosophy/Religious Studies, LE-DDIV Design for Diversity, LE-K3 Humanities, LE-R1 Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

RELS 110 Basic Issues in Religion (3 crs)

A study of the meaning of religion, the nature of religious thought, and an examination of such issues as God, salvation, evil, and selected topics in the relation between religion and the secular world.

Attributes: Foreign Culture, GE IVB Humanities-Philosophy/Religious Studies, LE-K3 Humanities, LE-R2 Global Perspectives

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

RELS 203 Women and World Religions (3 crs)

• Credit may not be earned in both RELS 203 and WGSS 203. No credit if taken after ANTH 354 or RELS 354.

Survey of women's religious lives. Impact of patriarchy is examined and compared to matrilineal societies. Feminist reading of religious texts is explored.

Attributes: Foreign Culture, Cultural Diversity 1 cr., GE IVB Humanities-Philosophy/Religious Studies, LE-DDIV Design for Diversity, LE-K3 Humanities, LE-R1 Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

RELS 210 Religion and Morality (3 crs)

Relations between religious meanings and moral values among majority and minority religions of Eastern and Western cultures.

Attributes: Foreign Culture, GE IVB Humanities-Philosophy/Religious Studies, LE-R1 Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

RELS 230 Old Testament/Hebrew Bible (3 crs)

Scriptural heritage from ancient Israel which has profoundly influenced Western civilization; the resources of recent Biblical studies are utilized.

Attributes: GE IVB Humanities-Philosophy/Religious Studies

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

RELS 240 New Testament (3 crs)

A unified study of the New Testament from historical, theological, and literary perspectives. Contributions of recent Biblical scholarship included.

Attributes: GE IVB Humanities-Philosophy/Religious Studies, LE-K3 Humanities

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

RELS 290 Sacred Earth: Religion and Nature (3 crs)

Sacred Earth explores the historical, cultural, religious, and spiritual concerns of humanity's relationship with "Nature" and environments, converging varieties or cultural expressions of the "sacred earth" in religious traditions, contemporary society, environmentalism, and science.

Attributes: Foreign Culture, Cultural Diversity 1 cr., GE IVB Humanities-Philosophy/Religious Studies

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

RELS 291 Special Topics (1-3 crs)

Topics, issues, literature, or movements not typically covered in regular religious study courses and of special interest to students and faculty.

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

RELS 303 Early Christianity (3 crs)

Principal ideas, movements, and persons in the development of Christianity from the New Testament Church to the Reformation.

Attributes: GE IVB Humanities-Philosophy/Religious Studies, LE-K3 Humanities, LE-R2 Global Perspectives

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

RELS 304 Modern Christianity (3 crs)

Principal ideas, movements, and persons in the development of Christianity from the Reformation to the twenty-first century.

Attributes: GE IVB Humanities-Philosophy/Religious Studies, LE-R2 Global Perspectives

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

RELS 307 Judaism (3 crs)

Judaism from its earliest times to the twenty-first century, including its history, literature, and lifestyles.

Attributes: GE IVB Humanities-Philosophy/Religious Studies, LE-K3 Humanities, Undergraduate/Graduate Offering

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

RELS 309 Islam (3 crs)

Introduction to the main elements of Islam, through study of its history, the role of Muhammad, the Qur'an, basic beliefs and observances, the dynamics of the movement, and its current world status and influence.

Attributes: Foreign Culture, GE IVB Humanities-Philosophy/Religious Studies, LE-K3 Humanities

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

RELS 312 Buddhism: Past and Present (3 crs)

Study of central teachings, practices, and institutions of major sects of Buddhism, both past and present. Emphasis on development of Buddhist thought in India and on Buddhism as practiced by several contemporary forms of Buddhism.

Attributes: Foreign Culture, GE IVB Humanities-Philosophy/Religious Studies, LE-K3 Humanities, LE-R2 Global Perspectives

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

RELS 314 Hinduism (3 crs)

A survey of aspects of Hinduism utilizing secondary and primary sources. The Upanishads, Yoga, Tantrism, village and temple Hinduism. Emphasis on philosophical developments and lifestyles.

Attributes: Foreign Culture, GE IVB Humanities-Philosophy/Religious Studies, LE-K3 Humanities

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

RELS 315 Psychology of Religion (3 crs)

An examination of the human experience, using languages of psychology and religion to understand what religion means.

Attributes: GE IVB Humanities-Philosophy/Religious Studies, LE-I1 Integration

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

RELS 323 Chinese and Japanese Religions (3 crs)

Examines the formative religions of China and Japan, including Chinese and Japanese folk religions, the Religion of the I Ching (Yin/Yang), Confucianism, Taoism, Neo-Confucianism, and Shinto.

Attributes: Foreign Culture, GE IVB Humanities-Philosophy/Religious Studies, LE-K3 Humanities

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

RELS 326 Asian Religious Philosophies (3 crs)

Prerequisite: One course in religious studies, one course in philosophy, or consent of instructor.

Philosophical approaches to major religious traditions of India, China, and Japan. Included will be Hindu, Buddhist, Yin-Yang, Taoist, and Neo-Confucian thinkers. The course will conclude with a consideration of the Kyoto School's attempted synthesis of Western and Eastern thought.

Attributes: GE IVB Humanities-Philosophy/Religious Studies

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

RELS 330 Indigenous Religions of the Americas (3 crs)

Prerequisite: One course in RELS, PHIL, AIS, LAS, or consent of instructor.

• Credit may not be earned in both RELS 330 and AIS 330.

This course will introduce indigenous religions in the cultural contexts of Latin America and North American Indian nations. It will study historical religious development from Pre-Columbian, through colonial experience, to present day cultural movements.

Attributes: Foreign Culture, Cultural Diversity 2 cr., GE IVB Humanities-Philosophy/Religious Studies

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

RELS 334 Music in Judaism, Christianity and Islam (3 crs)

Prerequisite: One course in religious studies.

• No credit if taken after IDIS 354 when offered as Music of Devotion.

This course addresses music in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. A variety of traditional and contemporary musical styles will be considered, with emphasis on how these styles have shaped Jewish, Christian, and Muslim devotion.

Attributes: GE IVB Humanities-Philosophy/Religious Studies, LE-K3 Humanities

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

RELS 342 African American Religion (3 crs)

Lecture/Discussion Hours; 3An examination of African American religion in the past and present. In addition to a substantial focus on the Christian tradition, significant attention is given to other perspectives including Vodou and the Nation of Islam.

Attributes: Cultural Diversity 3 cr., GE IVB Humanities-Philosophy/Religious Studies, LE-DDIV Design for Diversity, LE-K3 Humanities, LE-R1 Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

RELS 345 Philosophy of Religion (3 crs)

Prerequisite: One course in philosophy or consent of instructor or RELS 210, RELS 315, RELS 350, RELS 470; or RELS 353/WMNS 353; or RELS 450/PHIL 450.

• Credit may not be earned in both PHIL 345 and RELS 345.

Critical study of the subject of religion, including the nature, grounds, and limits of religious claims.

Attributes: GE IVB Humanities-Philosophy/Religious Studies, Undergraduate/Graduate Offering

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

RELS 348 Religious Themes in Literature (3 crs)

An exploration of religious beliefs and practices of diverse people through literature. A portion of the course will focus on works of African American, Native American, Hispanic American, and Southeast Asian American authors.

Attributes: Cultural Diversity 1 cr., GE IVB Humanities-Philosophy/Religious Studies, LE-K3 Humanities

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

RELS 378 The Holocaust, 1933-1945 (3 crs)

The destruction by the Nazis of Jewish life in Europe, with reference to its sociological and political dimensions.

Attributes: GE IVB Humanities-Philosophy/Religious Studies, LE-K3 Humanities

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

RELS 390 Religion in America (3 crs)

Prerequisite: One course in Religious Studies

America's many religious traditions from the colonial period to the present, emphasizing diversity of religious expressions, development and transformation on American soil, commonalities and conflicts, and challenges to a pluralistic United States.

Attributes: Cultural Diversity 1 cr., GE IVB Humanities-Philosophy/Religious Studies, LE-K3 Humanities

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

RELS 395 Directed Studies (1-3 crs)

Prerequisite: Minimum sophomore standing.

Consent: Department Consent Required

Study of a particular problem or special area in the field of comparative religion studies.

Repeat: Course may be repeated

RELS 396 Research Apprenticeship in Religious Studies (1-3 crs)

Prerequisite: One course in religious studies

Consent: Department Consent Required

Qualified students, recruited and closely supervised by an instructor, engage in a research project with the faculty member.

Repeat: Course may be repeated for a maximum of 3 credits

RELS 397 Student Academic Apprenticeship in Religious Studies (1-3 crs)

Prerequisite: One course in religious studies

Consent: Department Consent Required

Qualified students, selected and supervised by an instructor, assist teaching and learning in a course within the department while working closely with a faculty member.

Attributes: Service-Learning Optional Half

Repeat: Course may be repeated for a maximum of 3 credits

RELS 399 Independent Study - Juniors (1-3 crs)

Prerequisite: Minimum junior standing.

Consent: Department Consent Required

Individual project under the direction of a faculty member.

Repeat: Course may be repeated

RELS 490 Seminar in Religious Studies (3 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to religious studies majors and minors. Minimum junior standing, or consent of instructor.

The content of the seminar is determined by the department in designating the instructor.

Attributes: LE-S3 Creativity

Repeat: Course may be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

RELS 491 Special Topics (1-3 crs)

Prerequisite: Minimum sophomore standing.

• May be repeated if topics differ with permission of adviser or department chair.

Content will be determined by initiative of students and department, such as topics in comparative religions, scriptural research, historical and systematic theology, sects, and movements.

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

RELS 498 Internship in Religious Studies (1-3 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to religious studies majors and minors.

Consent: Department Consent Required

Assignment in an area of religious studies emphasizing practical experience in the technical or professional aspects of the discipline. Interns will work closely with a professional in the field.

Attributes: Service-Learning Optional Half, Internship

Repeat: Course may be repeated for a maximum of 3 credits

RELS 499 Independent Study - Seniors (1-3 crs)

Prerequisite: Minimum senior standing.

Consent: Department Consent Required

Individual project under the direction of a faculty member.

Repeat: Course may be repeated

RELS 507 Judaism (3 crs)

• Dual-listed with RELS 307. Credit may not be earned in both courses.

Judaism from its earliest times to the twenty-first century, including its history, literature, and lifestyles.

Grading Basis: No S/U Grade Option

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

RELS 797 Independent Study (1-3 crs)

Individual project under the direction of a faculty member.

Repeat: Course may be repeated for a maximum of 3 credits

Grading Basis: No S/U Grade Option