RELIGIOUS STUDIES (RELS)
RELS 1101. An Introduction to Religious Studies. (3)
(L,V,W) An introduction to the study of
the religious dimensions of human existence. (Fall, Spring, Summer) (Evenings)
RELS 1110. The Long Search. (3) (V, X) A survey of the
major religions of the world based on the film series The Long Search. (On demand)
RELS 1120. The Bible
and its Interpreters. (3) (L) An introduction
to the history of biblical interpretation from the pre-canonical era to the
present. (Yearly)
RELS 1201. Religion
Without Patriarchy: An Introduction. (3) (W,V,C) Survey of the origins and effects of patriarchy on
religions, cultures, and societies; and exploration of non-patriarchal
religious traditions, beliefs, customs and values, and their applications. (On demand)
RELS 2000. Topics in Religious Studies. (1-3) Credit hours vary with topics. Special topics in Religious
Studies. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. (On demand)
RELS 2101. Introduction to Western Religious Thought. (3)
(W,L,V) The major religions, myths, symbols, ideas,
and traditions that have informed the fundamental ways people in the West have
seen themselves in the world. (Fall,
Spring)
RELS 2102. Introduction to Asian Religions. (3) (L, X) Selected religions of
RELS 2104. Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament. (3) (V,L) The Hebrew religious tradition from the perspective of its
development in the culture of the ancient Near East. (Yearly)
RELS 2105. New Testament and Christian Origins. (3) (VL) Emergence of Christianity in its cultural context. Analysis
of selected early Christian writings in English translation. (Fall, Spring)
RELS 2107. Judaism and Christianity. (3) Examination of theological, philosophical, cultural, and
practical similarities and differences between Judaism and Christianity, with
an emphasis on their respective interpretations of one another. (Alternate years)
RELS 2108. Religion in American Culture. (3) (C) The role of religion
in the shaping of American culture. (Fall,
Spring)
RELS 2216. The Modern Middle East. (3) An introduction to the history of
this important and synamic region. The
course focuses on the issues that have defined the Middle East in the recent
past and provides students with the historical context needed to understand the
region, its peoples, and its conflicts in greater depth. Same as HIST 2216. (Fall)
RELS 2600. Orientation to the Major. (3) Prerequisite: consent of the instructor. An introduction to
the critical issues and methods of the academic study of religion in the
University. (Fall, Spring)
RELS 3000. Topics in Religious Studies. (3) Treatment of a special topic in religious studies. May be
repeated for credit as topics vary. (On
demand)
RELS 3101. Greek Myths and Religions. (3) (W,L) The gods and goddesses, heroes and heroines in ancient
Greek myths and religions; Greek myth and later Western religions; polytheism
and monotheism; functions of myth; and contemporary interpretations of Greek myth.
(Yearly)
RELS 3104. Prophecy and Prophetic Literature in Ancient
Israel. (3) Prerequisite: RELS 2104 or
consent of the instructor. An examination of the phenomenon of prophecy in the
religion of ancient Israel, with particular attention devoted to the writings
about and writings attributed to named prophets in the Hebrew Bible. (On demand)
RELS 3107. The Psalms and Wisdom Literature of Israel. (3) Prerequisite: RELS 2104 or consent of the instructor. The
origin and content of the Psalms and the place of wisdom literature in the
development of Hebrew thought. (On
demand)
RELS 3110. Judaism. (3)
The development of Jewish religious thought from antiquity to the present. (Yearly)
RELS 3111. Women in Judaism. (3) (X,V) A survey of the roles and activities in Jewish women
throughout Jewish history, as it is portrayed in a diverse sampling of Jewish
religious literature and practice. (Same as WMST 3111) (Alternate years)
RELS 3113. Jesus. (3)
Prerequisite: RELS 2105 or consent of the instructor. Jesus and the religion he
taught from the point of view of the synoptic gospels. (Alternate years)
RELS 3116. Paul. (3)
Prerequisite: RELS 2105 or consent of the instructor. The writings of St. Paul.
The occasion, purpose and significance of each letter for the emerging
Christian community. (Alternate years)
RELS 3119. Christianity through Art and Architecture. (3) Christian history from the catacombs to the 20th century.
Focus on religious expression in pictorial art, architecture, and sculpture. (On demand)
RELS 3122. Esoteric Traditions. (3) The study of one or more particular expressions of
religious esotericism (e.g., Jewish Kabbalah; Hindu Tantra; etc.). May be
repeated for credit when the subject matter changes. (On demand)
RELS 3125. Medieval Christianity. (3) Christianity in the context of the culture of the High
Middle Ages (1050‑1350 C.E.). (On demand)
RELS 3131. Islam. (3) The development of
the traditions in Islam with emphasis on Islamic culture, literature, and mysticism.
(Yearly)
RELS 3134. Studies in Western Religious Thought. (3) Selected works of major religious authors in the West. (On demand)
RELS 3135. Religion in Nineteenth‑Century America.
(3) Examination of religious thought,
practices, and movements in 19th‑century America. (On demand)
RELS 3137. Contemporary African‑American Religions.
(3) African‑American religion since
World War II. Emphasis on the influence of religion and religious leaders in
the struggle for a Black humanity. (Alternate
years)
RELS 3150. The Black Church/Civil Rights Movement. (3) (V,
X) Role of the black church in the struggle for
human equality. Topics such as radical, moderate, and accommodationist
leadership styles; historical development of the black church in the South; and
its emergence as a foundation for modern civil rights movement. (Same as AAAS
3150). (Fall)
RELS 3154. Hinduism. (3)
The ancient Vedic traditions and the development of Hinduism. Emphasis is on
the role of Hinduism in Indian civilization. (Alternate years)
RELS 3157. Buddhism. (3)
The historical development of Buddhism with special attention given to its
diverse manifestations in South Asia. (On
demand)
RELS 3163. The Religious Art and Architecture of India. (3)
(A, X) The visual art of Hindus, Buddhists, Jainas,
and Muslims in the architecture, paintings, and sculptures of India. (Yearly)
RELS 3166. Taoism. (3)
Philosophical Taoism as nature mysticism. Comparison with nature mystics in the
West. (Alternate years)
RELS 3169. Zen Buddhism. (3) Prerequisite: RELS 2102 or consent of the instructor.
Buddhist origins in India, development of the Ch'an (Zen) school in China and
Japan, and emphasis on the formative influences of Zen on Japanese art and
culture. (Alternate years)
RELS 3172. Religion in Asian Literature. (3) Religious ideas and themes in the literature of Asia.
Examples chosen from such literary forms as the novel, the short story,
autobiography, drama, and poetry. (On
demand)
RELS 3201. The Meaning of Death. (3) An investigation into the experience of death in the
Western tradition. Philosophical, religious, existential, psychological, and
literary readings clarifying the conceptual problems in our ways of speaking
about death. Understanding death as a horizon for understanding life. (Same as
PHIL 3201.) (On demand)
RELS 3202. The Limits of Language. (3) What it means to be a linguistic creature living in a
symbolic world. (On demand)
RELS 3209. Quest in Literature. (3) (W,L) The spiritual dimension of contemporary and traditional
literature. Focus may be on an artist, genre (novel, poetry, drama), or theme. (On demand)
RELS 3212. Films and Identity. (3) (W, A) Themes of religious identity, alienation, search,
discovery, sexuality and death as reflected in recent American movies and
foreign films. Film laboratory required. (On
demand)
RELS 3224. Science, Technology and Human Vision. (3) The relationship of science and religion, the place of the
individual in a technological society, and the visions of the scientific
future. (On demand)
RELS 3230. Languages of Sacred Texts. (3) Prerequisite: consent of the instructor. The language and
literature of a particular religious tradition. Aims at a level of proficiency
to begin reading the sacred
writings of a religion in the original language (Koine Greek, Biblical Hebrew,
Classical Chinese, Sanskrit). May be repeated for credit when the subject
matter changes. (Same as FORL 3050.) (On
demand)
RELS 3232. Questions
of Value. (3) (W,V) Prerequisite:
sophomore standing or permission of the instructor. An examination of the pluralism of values,
both historically and cross-culturally.
A general consideration of certain assumptions about morality in
selected periods and cultures. Each student chooses an ethical issue to
investigate further in an historical or a cross-cultural context. (Alternate years)
RELS 3233. Sources
of the Western Ethical Tradition. (3) (LV)
Prerequisite: sophomore standing or permission of the instructor. An examination of selected Greek, Hebrew,
Roman, and Christian texts as sources of the western ethical tradition. Consideration of these texts both in the
context of their indigenous cultures and as they influence contemporary ethical
action and reflection. (Alternate years)
RELS 3242. Philosophy of Religion. (3) Philosophical implications of religious experience,
including the definitions, development, and diverse forms of the problems of
belief and reason in modern thought. (Same as PHIL 3242.) (On demand)
RELS 3400. Applied
Research/Field Work. (3) Prerequisite: major or minor in Religious Studies, 9 earned
hours in religious studies, and permission of the instructor. Research and in-service training in business
or community-based organizations.
Specific content based on contract between student, supervising
professor and cooperating organization. (Approximately 120 contact hours for the
semester) (On Demand)
RELS 3450. Study
Abroad for Religious Studies Majors. (3-6)
Prerequisite: consent of the Department. The examination of an approved topic
in the context of study abroad. (On
demand)
RELS 3800. Independent Studies. (1‑3) Prerequisite: consent of the instructor. May be repeated
for credit. (Fall, Spring)
RELS 4000. Topics in Religious Studies. (3) Prerequisite: consent of the instructor. May be repeated
for credit. (On demand)
RELS 4010. Major
Figure in Religious Studies. (3) (W, L) The
life and works of a major figure who has contributed to religious studies. May be repeated for credit for different
figures. (On demand)
RELS 4101. Religion and Modern Thought. (3) The interaction of modern thought and modern religious
sensibilities. (Alternate years)
RELS 4107. Early
Judaism. (3) Prerequisite: RELS 2104 or
2105 or 3110 or consent of the instructor.
Comparative historical and literary study of the varieties of Judaism
evidenced during late antiquity (circa 70-640 C.E.), with special attention
devoted to the information and development of rabbinic Judaism. (On demand)
RELS 4108. Medieval Judaism. (3) Prerequisite: RELS 2104 or 3110 or consent of the
instructor. Comparative historical and
literary study of the varieties of Judaism evidenced in Western Europe, the
Byzantine Empire, and Islamicate realms from approximately 640 C.E. to
approximately 1492 C.E. (On demand)
RELS 4109. Modern Judaism. (3) (V) Prerequisites: RELS 3110 or 4107 or 4108 or permission of
the instructor. Historical and
conceptual study of Judaism and Jewish experience in Europe, America, and
Israel, from the 16th century to the present, with special attention
paid to the development of denominations, Zionism, and the Holocaust. (On demand)
RELS 4110. Contemporary Jewish Thought. (3)(W,L,V) An examination of philosophy, religion, morality,
politics, sociality, culture, family, and self-identity, in the light of modern
and recent Jewish thought. (Alternatae
years)
RELS 4201. Religion,
Culture and Morality. (3) (W, X, V) Prerequisite: at least junior standing; one course in
religious studies or ethics, or permission of the instructor. International/cross-cultural challenges and
consequences of universal religious ethical systems versus religious relativism
as the basis for moral theories and practices, including experiences and
concerns of under-represented groups within religious moral systems. (On
demand)
RELS 4215. The Artist as Visionary. (3) (W, A) The role of visual
imagination in the development of religious sensibilities. (On demand)
RELS 4218. Jung and
Religion. (3) (W,L) Prerequisites: junior, senior, or graduate standing. The works of C.G. Jung as they relate to an
understanding of religion and religious experience. Emphasis on his
interpretations of myths and symbols as they appear in both Western and
non-Western religions. His theories of creativity and the arts, religious
expressions, and quests for meaning. (Yearly)
RELS 4600. Senior Seminar. (3) (W,O) Required of majors in final year of studies. Others may be
admitted with consent of the instructor. (Fall)