Students may major either in religion or in philosophy but may not combine courses in these two areas for a major. A student may minor in either religion or philosophy.
Religion
100-200-LEVEL COURSES are introductions to the study of religion, generally focusing upon a different tradition or geographic area, literature or topic. Many of these courses satisfy the University requirement for POK-The Religious Perspective. Some are prerequisites for 600-level courses.
300-LEVEL COURSES are topical courses that introduce comparisons between or within religious traditions. These courses are open to all students. Several of these courses are cross-listed with interdisciplinary programs.
400-;500-LEVEL COURSES are courses related to other areas of study. These courses are open to all students.
600-LEVEL COURSES are second-level courses in religious tradition and literature. These courses are primarily for religion majors and minors, but are open to other students with permission of the instructor.
700-LEVEL COURSES are Special Topics Courses.
900-LEVEL COURSES are advanced courses and are for Religion majors.
A major in Religion is good preparation for graduate work in a number of liberal arts fields (in addition to religion), and is also an excellent complementary (second) major to other liberal arts majors. It is a good undergraduate major for seminary though a number of other liberal arts majors serve as well. Students may also choose the 54-hour paired major between Religion and Feminist Studies.
A major in Religion consists of 33 semester hours distributed as follows:
a. Three introductory courses (9 hours, from 19-103, 123, 133, 143, 153, 173, 183);
b. Two topics courses (6 hours, from 19-203, 213, 223, 253, 293, 323, 343, 363);
c. Two seminars (6 hours, from 19-613, 623, 633, 643, 663);
d. One Topics in Religion course (3 hours from 700 level);
e. One elective (3 hours) from any of the courses in religion (must be 200 or above);
f. 19-313 (Theories and Methods of Religion); and
g. 19-903 (Colloquium in Religion) as a capstone experience.
A minor in Religion consists of 18 semester hours of study, of which at least 12 hours must be in courses at the 200-level or above.
Religion (REL)
†19-103 INTRODUCTION TO THE CHRISTIAN TRADITION. A historical and thematic introduction to the Christian thought and practice. The survey begins with the Jesus movement and continues through the current growth of Christianity in the southern hemisphere, particularly sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. Literary genres, gender issues, political contexts, social movements, and ethical dimensions are explored (POK-The Religious Perspective).
†19-123 INTRODUCTION TO THE HEBREW BIBLE. An introduction to the literature of the Hebrew Bible (Christian Old Testament) in its historical and social context. (POK-The Religious Perspective)
†19-133 INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW TESTAMENT. An introduction to the literature of the New Testament in its historical and social context. (POK-The Religious Perspective)
†19-143 INTRODUCTION TO ISLAM. This course surveys the history, practices, and beliefs of Islam from Muhammad’s era to the modern. It investigates special themes such as mysticism, gender, and politics with attention to diverse cultural contexts. (POK-The Religious Perspective)
†19-153 INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM. A survey of the development of Judaism from the Hebrew Bible’s understanding of Creation through the cultural traditions of the present day. The course balances historical narrative with detailed examination of important topics such as rabbinic interpretation, mysticism, the Holocaust, and emigration. (POK-The Religious Perspective)
†19-173 INTRODUCTION TO HINDUISM. A historical and thematic introduction to the religious ideas and practices that developed primarily in the Indian subcontinent. The course surveys central religious concepts and myths in classical texts and popular traditions; the interaction with Buddhism, Jainism, Islam, and Sikhism; gender issues; and the relationship between religion and politics in South Asia. (POK-The Religious Perspective)
†19-183 INTRODUCTION TO BUDDHISM. A historical and thematic introduction to the central ideas and practices of Buddhism. The course begins with the historical Buddha and early developments in India, Sri Lanka, and Tibet, then surveys the spread of Buddhism to China and Japan and the interaction with Confucian, Daoist, and Shinto traditions. (POK-The Religious Perspective)
19-203 DEATH, DYING, AND THE AFTERLIFE. A cross-cultural investigation of beliefs regarding the meaning of death and the possibilities for life after death, as well as the way these various constructs impact the relationship between the living, the dying, and the dead. Concepts addressed include: transmigration of souls, resurrection, reincarnation, nirvana, ancestor worship, heaven and hell, extinction and Armageddon. Current media, sacred and secular literature, and rituals provide “texts” for the study.
19-213 RELIGION AND ECOLOGY. An environmental/ecofeminist investigation of the construction of “nature” and the “non-human” in the world’s religions, particularly addressing the problematic and destructive impact of religious-based anthropocentrism. How have religions encouraged human culture in our quest to dominate and destroy nature? Do some religions/cultures offer different constructs of the world that could transform this ruinous relationship? Also Environmental Studies 49-213.
†19-223 JOURNEY TO WISDOM. Biblical (Christian Old Testament) and ancient Near Eastern (i.e. Mesopotamian, Egyptian) wisdom literature is read together with later wisdom traditions of Southwest Asia in the Apocrypha, Gnostic texts, New Testament, etc. The course examines wisdom themes and motifs such as “the journey”, the tutelage of Woman Wisdom, despair, un-knowing, unjust suffering, the fiery strength of love, and the cosmic carnival. (POK-The Religious Perspective)
19-253 TEXT/RITUAL/PRACTICE. A cross-cultural, inter-disciplinary exploration of some of the central elements of religious traditions, including sacred texts, rituals and other practices. Different theoretical approaches, as well as case studies, will be investigated. The course may include sacred narratives, law books, poetry, worship, liturgy, pilgrimage, and private and communal practices drawn from around the world. This course may be repeated when topic varies.
19-293 AMERICAN RELIGIONS. An inter-disciplinary investigation of religious traditions in the Americas. Religions may include American forms of global religions such as Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism; or traditions indigenous to the Americas. Each of these categories may include New Religious Movements. This course may be repeated when topic varies.
19-313 THEORIES AND METHODS OF RELIGION. An exploration of some of the theories and methods used in contemporary secular studies of religion. Reviews various scholars who in the past century have sought to analyze the phenomenon of religion apart from theology through the use of psychology, sociology, anthropology, and comparative studies. This class is primarily for Religion majors and minors, but is open to others with permission of the instructor.
19-323 WOMEN, GODDESSES, AND RELIGION. A cross-cultural study of the ways women’s voices have been heard and silenced, of the ways that their lives have been influential (as well as violently ended) and of the vital roles women have played in various religious traditions. The course also investigates ways in which female divinity has been conceptualized in various ancient and modern religious traditions. Rituals, communities, visual symbols and sacred texts will provide the material for our explorations and a feminist methodology will provide the lens for our gaze. Also Feminist Studies 04-223.
19-343 GENDER, SEX, AND VIOLENCE IN THE BIBLICAL WORLD. Texts from the Hebrew Bible (Christian Old Testament) are read in the light of feminist and postcolonial criticisms with some reference to the literatures of the ancient Near East and early rabbinic literature. The course examines gender systems, sexual “systems”, women and women’s voices in texts, slavery, sacrifice, rape, and conquest in the light of patriarchy and monotheism. Also Feminist Studies 04-343.
19-363 THE BODY AND SEXUALITY IN RELIGION. A feminist, cross-cultural examination of notions of the embodied human self in various religious traditions, focusing on sexuality and sexual desire. The course will explore how the body is conceptualized; moral proscriptions regarding the body and what they reveal about religion and culture; self-cultivation techniques; and the relationship between gender and sexuality and salvation. Written texts and visual arts will be the media of exploration. This course may be repeated when topic varies. Also Feminist Studies 04-263.
†19-403 GREEK AND ROMAN MYTHOLOGY. See Classics 07-203 and English 10-203. (POK-American and Western Cultural Heritage)
19-413 PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION. See Philosophy 18-223.
†19-423 ANCIENT CHINA. See History 16-243. (POK-Other Cultures and Civilizations)
19-513 TOPICS IN JEWISH LITERATURE. See English 10-513.
19-593 MODERN JEWISH HISTORY. See History 16-593.
19-613 SEMINAR ON THE CHRISTIAN TRADITION. Study of a selected aspect of or a topic related to the Christian tradition. Course can be repeated with different content. Prerequisite: 19-103 or by permission of the instructor.
19-623 SEMINAR IN BIBLICAL AND JUDAIC LITERATURE. Study of a selected portion of Hebrew scripture or aspect of the early Judaic tradition within its cultural setting. Course can be repeated with different content. Prerequisite: 19-123 or by permission of the instructor.
19-633 SEMINAR ON BUDDHISM. Study of a selected aspect of or a topic related to Buddhism. Course may be repeated with different content. Prerequisite: 19-183 or by permission of the instructor.
19-643 SEMINAR ON HINDUISM. Study of a selected aspect of or a topic related to Hinduism. Course may be repeated with different content. Prerequisite: 19-173 or by permission of the instructor.
19-663 SEMINAR ON ISLAM. An in-depth exploration of the varieties of Muslim perspectives regarding themselves and the world through the study of a specific topic related to Islam. Course may be repeated with different content. Prerequisite: 19-143 or by permission of the instructor.
19-713 TOPICS IN RELIGION. A critical investigation of an important subject or issue in religion: religion and violence, religion and media, religious authority, religion and politics, etc. May be comparative, or may focus on one tradition. This course may be repeated when topic varies.
19-001, 002, 003, 004 SELECTED TOPICS. May be repeated with change in topic.
19-301, 302, 303, 304 SELECTED TOPICS. Lectures and readings on subjects of special interest. May be repeated with change in topic.
19-903 COLLOQUIUM IN RELIGION. Intended primarily for majors in religion but open to other students with the permission of the instructor.
19-941, 942, 943, 944 ACADEMIC INTERNSHIP.
19-951, 952, 953, 954 INDEPENDENT STUDY: DIRECTED READING. Reading selected to round out the student’s acquaintance with the field of religion or special areas of interest. May be repeated with changed content.
19-983 HONORS. By invitation only.