Philosophy major w / religious studies concentration

Minor

Courses

Academic standards

Faculty: C Dempsey, A Keefe, S. Luft.

Definition: Religious Studies is the cross-cultural and comparative examination of humanity’s diverse religious traditions.

Mission: Religious Studies, housed in the Department of Philosophy, trains students in the skills of critical thinking, written and oral communication, and empathetic engagement with diverse worldviews, cultures, ethical systems and religions. The training we offer equips our students with the skills needed for a wide variety of professional careers and with the ability to adapt to the inevitable changes and challenges they will face after graduation.

Philosophy Major with Concentration in Religious Studies
Consists of a minimum of 39 credits including:

1. Philosophy core, 12 credits.

1. Logic: Phil 121 or 322.

2. Ethics: Phil 101, 302, 305, 336, or 380.

3. Any two additional courses in philosophy.

2. Religious studies concentration, 27 credits. At least 18 must be 300 level or above.

1. Introduction to the Study of Religion: Rel 202.

2. Global Religions 1: Asian and Indigenous Traditions: two courses from Rel 100, 316, 333, 340, 341, Phil 105, or Anth 320.

3. Global Religions 2: Western Traditions: two courses from Rel 101, 302, 303, 304, 305, 311, 325, 330, or 342.

4. Senior seminar: Rel 450.

5. Electives: A minimum of 9 additional credits from religious studies or collateral courses including: Anth 110, 320, 380; Art 270, 374; Hist 332, 357; Phil 320, 327, 330; Poli Sci 324.

Religious Studies Minor
Consists of a minimum of 18 credits.  At least 9 credits must be at the 300 level.

1. Introduction to the Study of Religion: Rel 202.

2. Global Religions 1: Asian and Indigenous Traditions: two courses from Rel 100, 333, 340, 341, or Phil 105.

3. Global Religions 2: Western Traditions: two courses from Rel 101, 302, 303, 304, 305, 311, 325, 330, or 342

4. Electives: A minimum of 3 additional credits from religious studies and collateral courses including Anth 110, 320, 380; Art 270, 374; Hist 332, 357; Phil 320, 327, 330; Poli Sci 324.

Academic Standards

1. To ensure that your program is as well planned as possible, you must have a religious studies advisor.

2. You must have your advisor’s approval for all courses you select to apply to the major or minor.

3. To be accepted and retained as a major or minor and approved for graduation, you must have a minimum grade point average of 2.50 (2.75 to student teach) in courses counted toward the major or minor, including transfer courses and regardless of any declaration of academic bankruptcy. Courses taken pass/ fail or with a grade lower than C- may not be counted toward the major or minor.  

Courses in Religious Studies

REL 100(NW). Religions of Asia. 3 cr. Survey religious traditions of Asia with special attention to Hinduism and Buddhism. GDR:HU3

REL 101. Judaism, Christianity, Islam. 3 cr. Survey religious traditions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam including origins, issues of inter-religious conflict, other comparative themes. GDR:HU3

REL 105(NW). Myths of Creation. 3 cr. Study sacred stories of people living before or outside the Judeo-Christian spheres of influence that represent the creation of their physical and social worlds. GDR:HU3

REL 107(NW). Religious Autobiographies. 3 cr. Autobiographical accounts of religious persons to introduce stories representing a diverse and multicultural cross section of the world’s religions, including Native American religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Latin American Catholicism, African-American Protestantism, and Islam. GDR: HU3

REL 199. Reading in the Discipline. 1 cr; pass/fail. Improve critical reading and thinking skills.  Taken in conjunction with designated sections of religious studies courses.

REL 202. Introduction to the Study of Religion. 3 cr. Introduction to method and theory in the comparative study of religion. GDR:HU3

REL 301. Contemporary Religious Thought. 3 cr. Major themes of Western religious traditions as addressed in the works of significant 20th century thinkers. GDR:HU3

REL 302. Religion and Cultural Conflict. 3 cr. Explores questions of the nature and function of religion in a context of situations of cultural conflict and change. May include colonialism and post-colonialism, millenarian movements, religion and violence, religion and politics, and global fundamentalism. GDR:HU3

REL 303. Jewish Scriptures. 3 cr. Study of Jewish scriptures (known to Christians as the Old Testament) in context of historical and cultural background, and issues of interpretation. GDR:HU3

REL 304. New Testament and Early Christianity. 3 cr. Study selected New Testament and extra-biblical texts to discern religious perceptions shaping various early Christian movements. GDR:HU3.

REL 305(NW). Prophets and Prophecy. 3 cr. A comparative study of ancient and modern prophecy in a variety of cultures, including Israelite, American Indian, African, and East Indian.

REL 311(MNS). Religion in America. 3 cr. Examine beliefs, practices, and interactions of diverse religious traditions represented in the United States (e.g. Native American, Hispanic, Protestant, African, American, Catholic, Jewish, Asian, Muslim). GDR:HU3

REL 316(NW)or(MNS). Native American Religions. 3 cr. Examine religious ideas and practices of selected Native American tribes. GDR:HU3

REL 321. Studies in Religion. 3 cr. Topics in the study of religion in human life and culture. Subtitle will designate area. May repeat for credit with different subtitles. GDR:HU3

REL 325. Oppression and Liberation in Religion. 3 cr. Introduction to method and theory in the comparatibve study of religion. GDR:HU3

REL 330. Women and Religion. 3 cr. Explore intersections of religion and sexism, including historical development of attitudes toward women and human sexuality in Western religious traditions. GDR:HU3

REL 333(NW). Women and Goddesses in India. 3 cr. Study of women’s roles, notions of female power, and goddesses in Hindu tradition. GDR:HU3

REL 340(NW). Buddhism. 3 cr. Study of Buddhist religious traditions in their historical and cultural contexts. Relevance of Buddhism for addressing problems in the modern world such as war, environmental degradation, and social injustice. GDR:HU3

REL 341(NW). Religions of India. 3 cr. Study Hindu deities, practices, and philosophies including comparison of Indian and U.S. Hinduism, and Hinduism’s influences on Indian Christianity. GDR:HU3

REL 342. Islam. 3 cr. Study of Islam in variety of historical, cultural, political contexts. Overview of Islamic beliefs and practices including issues of women, politics and war, and mysticism in Islam. GDR:HU3.

REL 392. Religious Studies Internship. 1 cr; pass/fail. Intern provides small group writing and reading assistance in selected religious studies courses. Prereq: Cons instr.

REL 399. Independent Study. 1-3 cr. Individual work in religious studies on special problem, theme, thinker, or period may be arranged with instructor and cons chair. Credit based on scope of project.

REL 450. Senior Seminar. 3 cr. Major issues in academic study of religion and culture. Subtitle will designate topic. May repeat under different subtitles. Prereq: Cons instr.

Religious Studies Latent Courses:  Not offered recently. See full course description in indicated (xx-xx) catalog.

• 300          The Development of Christian Thought, 3 cr, (83-85)

• 315          Religion in Literature, 3 cr, (95-97)