REL - Religion
Basic forms of religious thought, practice, and expression studied as a component of human life; includes a survey of major religious traditions. This course may be offered in an online format. May be offered as Writing Intensive. (University Program Group I-A: Human Events and Ideas)
Credits
3(3-0)
Exploring religious and nonreligious ways that humans from diverse societies find value or meaning in human life and propose to live it well. May be offered as Writing Intensive. Identical to
PHL 102. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. (University Program Group I-A: Humanities: Human Events and Ideas)
Credits
3(3-0)
Cross Listed Courses
PHL 102
An introduction to the varieties of religious thought, practice, and expression in America; emphasis on the interactions between religious traditions and American culture and politics. May be offered as Writing Intensive. (University Program Group I-A: Human Events and Ideas)
Credits
3(3-0)
Introduction to the religious expressions of Americans who have experienced racial discrimination, with emphasis on Native American, African-American, and Hispanic-American communities. May be offered as Writing Intensive. (University Program Group IV-C: Studies in Racism and Diversity in the United States)
Credits
3(3-0)
Explores gender as a category of analysis in the academic study of religion, including opportunities and challenges for women in major religious traditions. Identical to
WGS 207. Credit may be earned in more than one of these courses. May be offered as Writing Intensive. Recommended:
ENG 201. (University Program Group IV-A: Studies in Discrimination)
Credits
3(3-0)
Cross Listed Courses
WGS 207
Study of the basic character of Chinese religious traditions. Examines Chinese Buddhism, Confucianism, Chinese folk religions, and Daoism. (University Program Group IV-B: Studies in Cultures Outside of the Anglo-American Tradition)
Credits
3(3-0)
Study of Japanese religious traditions including Japanese Buddhism, Shinto, Japanese folk religions, and the New Religions of Japan. (University Program Group IV-B: Studies in Cultures Outside of the Anglo-American Tradition)
Credits
3(3-0)
Major features of religious traditions arising from or dominant within India, including Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, Muslim and Sikh traditions. May be offered as Writing Intensive. (University Program Group IV-B: Studies in Cultures Outside of the Anglo-American Tradition)
Credits
3(3-0)
Introduction to religious and ethical thought in personal, social and institutional contexts. Topics such as violence, sexism/heterosexism, racism, ecology or poverty may be examined. May be offered as Writing Intensive. (University Program Group I-A: Human Events and Ideas)
Credits
3(3-0)
Origins, development, and contemporary character of African-American religion, including Christianity, Islam, and new religious movements. May be offered as Writing Intensive. (University Program Group IV-C: Studies in Racism and Diversity in the United States)
Credits
3(3-0)
The literature, history, and religion of ancient Israel in its Near Eastern context as disclosed through study of the Hebrew Bible in English translation. May be offered as Writing Intensive. (University Program Group I-A: Human Events and Ideas)
Credits
3(3-0)
Intensive study of selected portions of New Testament literature, with an introduction to the Hellenistic-Roman age through study of selected background documents. May be offered as Writing Intensive. (University Program Group I-A: Human Events and Ideas)
Credits
3(3-0)
Study of myth and myth-making as expressions of humankind's quest for order and meaning in life. Examines myth in general and in specific cultural settings.
Credits
3(3-0)
The history and theory of European witchcraft and demonology. Includes anthropology of witchcraft in non-Christian societies, gender and intersectionality, and new religious movements, like Wicca. Identical to
WGS 302. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. May be offered as Writing Intensive. Recommended:
ENG 201. (University Program Group IV-A: Studies in Discrimination)
Credits
3(3-0)
Cross Listed Courses
WGS 302
Interdisciplinary study of goddesses in selected cultures, ancient and modern. Uses intersectionality to analyze opportunities and challenges inherent in gendering gods, including borrowing/reinventing goddesses today. Identical to
WGS 303. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. May be offered as Writing Intensive. Recommended:
ENG 201. (University Program Group IV-A: Studies in Discrimination)
Credits
3(3-0)
Cross Listed Courses
WGS 303
Surveys classic and contemporary psychological theories of religion, including the behavioral, comparative, and cognitive perspectives; also explores the psychological role of religion in human life.
Credits
3(3-0)
Exploration of mystic experience, including consideration of its place in religious life, its modes of expression, and the major mystical figures in the world’s religions. May be offered as Writing Intensive.
Credits
3(3-0)
Development of the Christian religious tradition from Jesus of Nazareth to its major contemporary branches: Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism, and Protestantism. May be offered as a Writing Intensive. (University Program Group I-A: Human Events and Ideas)
Credits
3(3-0)
Muhammad and the Qur'an, the Sunni and Shi`a split; nine subcultures of the Muslim world; Shari`a; women in Islam; jihad; terrorism; Islamism, and Sufism. May be offered as Writing Intensive. Prerequisite: 15 credit hours. (University Program Group IV-B: Studies in Cultures Outside of the Anglo-American Tradition)
Credits
3(3-0)
Judaism as a multifaceted approach to identity and lifestyle, both personal and societal; religious expressions such as Torah, myth, ritual, festivals, holy days. May be offered as Writing Intensive. (University Program Group I-A: Human Events and Ideas)
Credits
3(3-0)
The general nature of the Buddhist tradition, with attention to particular developments within it (e.g., tantra, Zen). Primarily examines Buddhism's role in selected Asian cultures. This course may be offered in an online or hybrid format. (University Program Group IV-B: Studies in Cultures Outside of the Anglo-American Tradition)
Credits
3(3-0)
Religious and cultural explanations of death and responses to dying, death and mourning; religious, ethical, biomedical ethical and legal issues, e.g., health care, suicide, abortion, euthanasia. This course may be offered in an online or hybrid delivery format. May be offered as Writing Intensive. (University Program Group I-A: Human Events and Ideas)
Credits
3(3-0)
Examines the interrelations of film and religion, including the representation of religion in film and the ways film functions religiously in modern media culture. May be offered as Writing Intensive. Prerequisites: 45 credit hours completed.
Credits
3(3-0)
Examination of the religious and spiritual components of Rock ‘n’ Roll historically and thematically. Themes include lyrics, music, concerts, spokespersons, fandom, album art, and costumes. May be offered as Writing Intensive. Pre/co-requisite: 30 credit hours.
Credits
3(3-0)
Studies major issues in modern religious thought: e.g., religion and science; theologies of liberation; Christianity and the encounter of world religions.
Credits
3(3-0)
The development of African-American religion from 19th century to the present through an examination of the nature and function of religious song. No knowledge of music theory required.
Credits
3(3-0)
Examines the civil rights movement from 1954 to 1980s; based on PBS series: Eyes on the Prize. Identical to
PHL 345,
PSC 325,
SOC 345. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisites: Any one of the following:
HST 110,
HST 111,
HST 112, LAR 145,
PSC 100,
PSC 105,
PSC 125,
REL 140,
SOC 100. (University Program Group IV-C: Studies in Racism and Diversity in the United States)
Credits
3(3-0)
Cross Listed Courses
PHL 345/PSC 325/SOC 345
Impact of and resistance to racism treated in theoretical works (theology, ethics, social sciences) and illustrated in the lives and creative works of African Americans.
Credits
3(3-0)
Psychological and spiritual phenomenon of prophetism in the Ancient Near East; intensive study of Old Testament prophetic literature; historical context, literary form, theological content.
Credits
3(3-0)
Examines the interaction of European, African, and Native American religions and the 'heresies' that developed as a result of their interaction during the colonial period. Identical to
HST 361. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. May be offered as Writing Intensive. (University Program Group IV-B: Studies in Cultures Outside of the Anglo-American Tradition)
Credits
3(3-0)
Cross Listed Courses
HST 361
Exploration of apocalyptic thought and literature; examination of its significance and continuing influence; evaluation of its method and approach.
Credits
3(3-0)
Examination of representative biblical codes of conduct, their underlying ethical principles, and their application to perennial moral issues, such as killing, sexuality, and economic justice.
Credits
3(3-0)
Study of Jesus' teaching, its environment, sources and methods used for its recovery, literary forms in which it was transmitted, and reconstruction of its contents.
Credits
3(3-0)
Study of Paul's environment, life, work, and letters and his influence on the subsequent history of Christian thought.
Credits
3(3-0)
Historical introduction to Muslim terrorists, jihad, and Islamism; exploration of the psychology of terrorism and of the contested designations of martyrdom and suicide. Prerequisite: 45 credit hours completed.
Credits
3(3-0)
A survey of women's lives, roles, and issues such as gender segregation, education, and veiling among the peoples of Muslim societies and cultures. Prerequisite: 45 credit hours completed.
Credits
3(3-0)
A survey of the various phenomena that comprise Sufism: mystical knowledge, spiritual practice, and culture; inner spirituality; master- disciple relationships; Sufi fellowships; and saint veneration. May be offered as Writing Intensive. Prerequisite: 15 credit hours.
Credits
3(3-0)
Israel and Palestine from ancient times to the present, including background to contemporary Zionism and the conflict with Arab nationalism. Identical to
HST 382. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses.
Credits
3(3-0)
Cross Listed Courses
HST 382
Each offering studies a selected topic using readings, discussions, lectures, and research as appropriate. May be offered as Writing Intensive.
Credits
1-9(Spec)
Advanced independent study for the interested and qualified student. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
Credits
1-9(Spec)
Advanced independent study for the interested and qualified student. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
Credits
1-9(Spec)
Advanced study for the interested and qualified student. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
Credits
1-9(Spec)
A scholarly study of a limited portion of the Bible, making use of historical, linguistic, and archaeological studies. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
Credits
1-9(Spec)
The direct study of the Greek Old and/or New Testament. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
Credits
1-9(Spec)
The study of religion as an academic discipline, including a selection of leading scholarly approaches to the investigation of religious phenomena. Writing Intensive. Prerequisites: 9 credit hours in Religion.
Credits
3(3-0)
A seminar supporting research projects in religion, primarily intended for seniors who are religion majors. Writing Intensive. Prerequisites: for undergraduates, a signed Religion major with completion of REL 501. For graduate studies, permission of instructor.
Credits
3(3-0)
Advanced study of selected topics using readings, discussions, lectures, and research as appropriate.
Credits
1-6(Spec)