Religious Studies (REL)

REL 2601    Introduction to World Religions    3 s.h.

A survey of the major world religions exploring their distinctive features and common threads. A study of their founders, systems of thought, symbols, and sacred literatures.
Gen Ed: Arts and Humanities, International Perspectives, Social and Personal Awareness.

REL 2602    Introduction to Religious Studies    3 s.h.

Examines the religious features of doctrines, myths or practices and surveys various methods by which religion is explored and scrutinized.

REL 2605    Myth, Symbol, and Ritual    3 s.h.

An introduction to the nature and function of myth, symbol, and ritual. Myth interpretation, the relationship between societies and their myths, and the cultural use of myths, symbols, and rituals in religious and spiritual contexts.
Gen Ed: Arts and Humanities.

REL 2610    Global Ethics    3 s.h.

Examination of morality and justice from a global perspective, including such topics as war, terrorism, and states; poverty and the global economy; religion, gender, and identity; globalization and the environment; and markets and intellectual property.
Cross-Listed:as PHIL 2610.
Gen Ed: Arts and Humanities.

REL 2611    Judaism Christianity and Islam    3 s.h.

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Examines the origins, foundational texts, beliefs and practices, intellectual and spiritual dimensions, and cultural norms and values of each religion, as well as the structures of authority in the community founded by each religion and the factors that have promoted the survival of each.

REL 2617    Introduction to Asian Religions    3 s.h.

A survey of the religions of India, China, and Japan, their systems of thought, moral values, and methods of personal transformation.
Gen Ed: Arts and Humanities, International Perspectives, Social and Personal Awareness.

REL 2621    Religion and Moral Issues    3 s.h.

The relation of specific religious and moral issues to questions of personal conduct and social policy.
Gen Ed: Arts and Humanities.

REL 2621H    Honors Religion and Moral Issues    3 s.h.

The relation of specific religious and moral issues to questions of personal conduct and social policy.
Gen Ed: Arts and Humanities.

REL 2623    Introduction to Christianity    3 s.h.

Introduction to the Christian religion, exploring its origins, emergence as the official religion of the Roman Empire, and global expansion into one of the largest religions of the world. Attention is given to core beliefs, events, and persons of significant impact, to the diversity of approaches available within the Christian tradition, and to such contemporary issues as gender, the environment, and war. No familiarity is presupposed with the Bible, Christianity, or the academic study of religion.

REL 3712    Philosophy of Religion    3 s.h.

The philosophical investigation of religious questions such as existence and nature of the divine, the problem of evil, death and immortality, religion and science, and religious experience.
Prereq.: 12 credits of undergraduate coursework.
Cross-Listed: PHIL 3712.

REL 3720    The World of Islam    3 s.h.

The study of the origins and development of classical and modern Islam, including the Prophet Muhammad, the Quran, and Muslims in America.
Prereq.: 12 credits of undergraduate coursework.

REL 3722    Popes Saints and Rebels    3 s.h.

The origin and development of Christianity; examination of the life and teachings of Jesus; Christian theology, liturgy, and symbolism; and divisions of contemporary Christianity.
Prereq.: 12 credits of undergraduate coursework.

REL 3726    Buddhist Beliefs Practices and Debate    3 s.h.

An Introduction to Buddhist traditions, their historical development in countries like India, China, Tibet and Thailand, and Buddhist positions on contemporary issues. Special attention to practices, beliefs, and ethics.
Prereq.: 12 credits of undergraduate coursework.

REL 3728    Hindu Traditions    3 s.h.

Examines Yoga, meditation, karma, reincarnation, and major devotional and ceremonial traditions that have developed around Shiva, Vishnu, and the Goddess. A central part of the course is the study of the dynamics between popular worship and the contemplative traditions of Hindu culture.
Prereq.: 12 credits of undergraduate coursework.

REL 3731    Hebrew Scriptures    3 s.h.

A critical analysis of the Hebrew scriptures in terms of historical background, textual development, and religious and ethical themes.
Prereq.: One 2600-level REL course or HIST 2600.

REL 3732    Jesus and the Gospels    3 s.h.

The life and teachings of Jesus in their historical context. Examination of the ways in which Jesus is interpreted within the synoptic gospels. Prereq.: One 2600-level REL or PHIL course 3740. Muslim Thinkers. Examination of the theological, philosophical, legal, and political writings and ideas of major Muslim thinkers from the classical through the modern period, covering the continuities and differences.
Prereq.: any 2600-level REL course or PHIL 1560.
Cross-Listed: REL 3740.

REL 3733    Women And the Bible    3 s.h.

A study of Biblical interpretation utilizing narratives that portray women in Hebrew and Christian Scriptures. Students will learn analytical skills required for narrative interpretation and exegetical analysis.
Prereq.: 12 credits of undergraduate coursework.

REL 3740    Muslim Thinkers and Mystics    3 s.h.

Examination of the theological, philosophical, legal, and political writings and ideas of major Muslim thinkers and mystics from the classical through the modern period, covering the continuities and differences.
Prereq.: 12 credits of undergraduate coursework.
Cross-Listed: PHIL 3740.

REL 3743    Reform, Revolt, or Revolution in Islam    3 s.h.

Critical examination of the movements of change in Islam intended to (1) reassert the primacy of Islamic religious norms in society (reform); (2) challenge the dominant political structures (revolt); or (3) bring about a radical societal change (revolution). The course examines in depth the use of Islamic motifs and symbols in all these movements.
Prereq.: REL 2601 or POL 1550 or permission of instructor.

REL 3744    Islamic Culture and Literature    3 s.h.

Introduction to the diversity of Muslim culture and literature across the world. Emphasis on classical and premodern literature, art and architecture.
Prereq.: 12 credits of undergraduate coursework.

REL 3748    Islam and the West    3 s.h.

Examination of the historical relationship between the and Islamic and Western worlds, as well as their interaction in modern contexts.
Prereq.: 12 credits of undergraduate coursework.

REL 3760    Sex and Religion    3 s.h.

Explores the tensions between religion and sex through the Western and non-Western lens. Divided into sections, this course covers attitudes toward sex by early modern Christians, a few non-Western religious traditions and contemporary Western religion.
Prereq.: 12 credits of undergraduate coursework.

REL 4825    Methods and Study of Religion    3 s.h.

This course explores the principal methodological issues in the scholarly study of religion and enables students to expand and synthesize disciplinary knowledge.
Prereq.: REL 2602.

REL 4871    Senior Capstone Project    3 s.h.

Research and writing of a paper, or other committee approved project, on a topic in religious studies, under the supervision of a full-time faculty member and in consultation with a committee of at least two other members of the department.
Prereq.: Religious Studies major with senior standing and completion of at least 21 s.h. of REL courses.
Gen Ed: Capstone.