RELG100: Religions of the World

The major religious traditions, with emphasis on basic beliefs and on the nature and diversity of religious awareness. Meets Gen Ed 2002 - Humanities, Philosophy or Religion. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

RELG101: Introduction to Religion

An inquiry into man's religious questions and expressions, their implications, and their critical appreciation and assessment. Meets Gen Ed 2002 - Humanities, Philosophy or Religion. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

RELG106: African Religious Traditions

An introduction to the indigenous cosmological concepts, ritual practices, and value systems of the peoples of sub-Sahara Africa. Variations on African religious beliefs and practices in the West Indies, such as Voodoo in Haiti, Santeria in Cuba, and Candomble in Brazil will also be examined. Meets General Education 2002, K2 NonWestern requirement. Meets World Cultures Requirement. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

RELG108: African-American Religious Experience

The course will aim at engaging students in an active examination of the role of religion in the life of African-Americans from the period of slavery to the present. Students will be expected to read extensively from a list of recommended texts and to write critical analyses on assigned topics. The style of instruction will combine lecture with discussion, thereby encouraging students to develop skills in critical thinking as well as the art of verbal expression. Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Cultures. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

RELG110: Native American Religions

An introduction to the religious traditions and spirituality of the Native American peoples. The course recognizes the value of oral tradition and ritual practices in Native American religions and cultures as well as the variety that exists within this set of traditions. Meets GenEd 2002-Social Science, Non-Western Cultural Perspectives. Meets Multicultural Awareness Requirement. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

RELG116: Islamic Religious Traditions

The course will start by examining the rise of Islam through the eyes of two fundamental Islamic texts, the Qur'an and the biography of Prophet Muhammad. It will then explore the history of Islam's formative and classical periods (632-1258 CE) in terms of theology, philosophy, jurisprudence, and mysticism, while emphasizing diversity of perspectives. The heart of Islam will be approached through the teachings of the Qur'an, hadith and the Islamic intellectual tradition. The encounter between Islam and other religious traditions will also be traced briefly. Major trends in contemporary Islam (traditionalism, liberalism, revivalism, etc.) will be identified and discussed through the writings of their major proponents. Meets General Education 2002, K2 NonWestern requirement. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

RELG200: Old Testament: Genesis to Joshua

The evolution of the ancient Hebrew world view as developed in the biblical books covering the early period of Israelite history. The course includes a close reading of the books of Genesis, Exodus and numbers, comparison with contemporary Middle Eastern religious texts and study of the biblical story from the creation through the career of Moses (circa 1250 B.C.E.). (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

RELG202: Old Testament: Joshua to Daniel

The history and theology of Israelite religion as seen in the biblical books covering the middle and late periods (1150-165 B.C.E.). (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

RELG204: New Testament: Jesus and the Gospels

The story of Jesus of Nazareth as told in the gospels of Mark and Matthew. The course explores Old Testament backgrounds, Jesus' place in the Jewish religious context of first century Israel, the question of the historical Jesus and the origins of and relationships between the various gospel traditions. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

RELG205: Religion and Ethical Issues

An examination of religious perspectives on classic and contemporary ethical issues. Topics addressed include violence and war, biomedical issues, environmental issues, education, censorship, and marriage/family issues. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PHIL 100 or PHIL 102 or PHIL 106 or RELG 100 or RELG 101 or RELG 102.

RELG206: New Testament: Paul and the Early Church

A close study of Luke-Acts, John, selected letters of Paul and other later epistles. The course explores the development of the theology and institutions of the early church as revealed in New Testament documents of the first and early second centuries. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

RELG212: Asian Religions

The cultural and theological bases for the faith and practice of major Eastern religions--Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Taoism. Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Cultures. Meets Gen Ed 2002 - Non-Western Cultural Perspectives. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: ENWR 105 or HONP 100.

RELG213: Buddhism

The exploration of Buddhist teachings, practices, history, and religious art in various Asian countries, notably India, Southeast Asia, Japan, and Tibet (may vary). No prerequisites, but RELG 100, Religions of the World, is suggested. Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Cultures. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

RELG214: Classical Texts of Asian Religions

This course emphasizes critical analysis and interpretation of primary textual sources. Students will read and examine primary documents from each of the Asian religions, their traditional interpretations and recent understandings and applications of these texts. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

RELG215: Hinduism

An introduction to Hindu religious traditions, including philosophy, yoga practice, ritual workship, and sacred art. No prerequisites, but RELG 100 Religions of the World is suggested. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

RELG217: Taoism

An introduction to Taoist religious texts and traditions, including Tao Te Ching and Chuang Tzu; Taoist connections with traditional Chinese medicine and martial arts; Taoist ritual traditions; and sacred art. No prerequisites, but RELG 100 Religions of the World is recommended. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

RELG218: Death, Dying and Afterlife

This course is designed to give students the opportunity to study cross-cultural religious practices and attitudes toward death, dying and the afterlife. The course will cover the grieving process, rituals of death, and various cultural attitudes toward death, including symbolic "deaths" (initiations), and belief in limbo states, soul-survival, ghosts, heaven, hell, and karma and reincarnation. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

RELG221: Religion and Culture

The interrelation of religion and culture in the formulation of human values and views, life-styles and institutions. Meets Gen Ed 2002 - Humanities, Philosophy or Religion. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

RELG223: Religion in North America

The growth and development of various religious movements-- Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, and sectarian minorities-- from colonial times to the present. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

RELG225: Religion and Social Change

The impact of economic, social and political movements on religious belief and the ways in which religion has both furthered and impeded social development. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

RELG256: Religion in Latin America

A survey of the ways religion, both indigenous and Western, has interacted with culture and society in Latin America. Particular emphasis is given to the diversity of religious expressions, including indigenous relitions (Mayan, Aztec, and Quechua), syncretistic religions (i.e., Voodoo and Santeria), alternative and evangelical forms of Christianity, contemporary popular religious expression, and liberation theology. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: ENWR 105 or HONP 100.

RELG262: Philosophy of Religion

A philosophical examination of religion. It includes the nature and shape of religious experience: criteria for meaning within religious thought and language, metaphysical and epistemological implications of such questions as the nature and existence of God, and the possibility of life after death. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

RELG263: Religion and Psychology

The views of faith and the religious person reached by such major psychological approaches as the Freudian, neo-Freudian, analytic-ego, existential and Jungian. The implications of such psychology for Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant believers and religious thinkers. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

RELG267: Women and Religion

Focuses on women's own experience in religions and the various perspectives of women held by both Eastern and Western religious traditions. The course deals with questions such as the nature of women, patriarchy and religion, and roles of women in religions. Meets the University Writing Requirement for majors in Religious Studies. Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Cultures (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

RELG273: The Holocaust: Religious Perspectives

A study of Nazi extermination of 6,000,000 Jews during World War II and the moral and religious issues raised by this event. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

RELG300: Classics of Western Religious Thought

Selected works of significant theologians of the Western tradition on issues such as the nature of God, christology, soteriology, ecclesiology, theodicy, etc. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: A PHIL or RELG course; or PHIL or RELS major or minor; or departmental approval.

RELG301: Jewish Spirituality and Mysticism

The writings of Rosenzweig, Buber, Heschel, Rubenstein, Fackenheim, Plaskow, Wyschogrod and others will be examined in detail. They will be studied in the context of the religious crisis of modern society which has generated Existentialism, Death of God Theology and radical shifts in Jewish life (the Holocaust and the rebirth of Israel). Students will be introduced to popular Jewish religious practice in America and elsewhere as well as to the most complex Jewish Theological speculation of this century. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: A PHIL or RELG course; or PHIL or RELS major or minor; or departmental approval.

RELG304: Feminist Theology and Spirituality

This course examines primary religious documents, their traditional interpretations, and recent feminist interpretations of these documents. It considers feminist criticisms of traditional Western religious thought as it relates to women. It also explores recent developments in feminist theology, such as female-centered religious ritual and practice and eco-feminist/creation spirituality. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: RELG 267.

RELG320: Religious Ethical Thinkers

An examination of selected ethical thinkers in the world's religious traditions. Students read the works of specific thinker/s in depth and explore their significance. Students are encouraged to consider the ways in which the ideas and/or practices of the thinker/s can be applied to contemporary ethical problems. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Any 200-level Philosophy or Religion course.

RELG322: Ideals of Peace

This course introduces students to the pacifist tradition in philosohpy and religion, from its origins as a set of religious and philosophical ideals, to its current multifaith, secular, and political forms. Students will examine and evaluate both pacifist thought and peace activism. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Any 200-level Philosophy or Religion course.

RELG326: Theology

An introduction to the theological efforts of Jews, Christians, and Muslims to wrestle out "the meaning of" their communal faith in rational, speculative, critical, and creative ways. Includes study of how the most influential Jewish and Christian theologians shaped Western culture, and of how recent and contemporary criticism challenges theological approaches. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: A PHIL or RELG course; or PHIL or RELS major or minor; or departmental approval.

RELG332: Myth, Meaning and Self

Selected psychological investigations and/or theories of religious phenomena; the implications for constructive theology and positive religious response. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: A PHIL or RELG course; or PHIL or RELS major or minor; or departmental approval.

RELG350: Selected Study in World Religions

Topics announced each semester. May be repeated three times for a maximum of 12.0 credits. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: A PHIL or RELG course; or PHIL or RELS major or minor; or departmental approval.

RELG352: Selected Study in Religious Texts

Topics announced each semester. May be repeated three times for a maximum of 12.0 credits. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: A PHIL or RELG course; or PHIL or RELS major or minor; or departmental approval.

RELG355: Selected Study in Religion and Culture

Topics announced each semester. May be repeated three times for a maximum of 12.0 credits. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: A PHIL or RELG course; or PHIL or RELS major or minor; or departmental approval.

RELG357: Selected Study in Religious Issues

Topics announced each semester. May be repeated three times for a maximum of 12.0 credits. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: A Philosophy (PHIL) or Religion (RELG) course; or PHIL or Religious Studies (RELS) major or minor; or departmental approval.

RELG460: Seminar in World Religions

Cooperative research seminars in major movements, problems, theologians or works. Topic announced each semester. May be repeated three times for a maximum of 12.0 credits. (3 hours seminar.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: A PHIL or RELG course; or PHIL or RELS major or minor; or departmental approval.

RELG462: Seminar in Religious Texts

Cooperative research seminar in major movements, problems, theologians. Topic announced each semester. May be repeated three times for a maximum of 12.0 credits. (3 hours seminar.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: A PHIL or RELG course; or PHIL or RELS major or minor; or departmental approval.

RELG465: Seminar in Religion and Culture

Cooperative research seminars in major movements, problems, theologians. Topic announced each semester. May be repeated three times for a maximum of 12.0 credits. (3 hours seminar.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: A PHIL or RELG course; or PHIL or RELS major or minor; or departmental approval.

RELG467: Seminar in Religious Issues

Cooperative research seminars in major movements, problems, theologians or works. Topic announced each semester. May be repeated three times for a maximum of 12.0 credits. (3 hours seminar.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: A PHIL or RELG course; or PHIL or RELS major or minor; or departmental approval.