Religious Studies (REL)

Introduces students to the study of religion, emphasizing the varieties, differences, and similarities of religious experience and expression. Examines the interaction between religious experience and expression and social and cultural contexts through study of selected examples. Lecture: 3 credits (45 contact hours).

Introduces books of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) using knowledge of literary forms as well as historical and cultural backgrounds to aid in the interpretation of the religious and philosophical meanings of the text. Lecture: 3 credits (45 contact hours).

Introduces New Testament using knowledge of literary forms as well as historical and cultural backgrounds to aid in the interpretation of the religious and philosophical meanings of the text. Lecture: 3 credits (45 contact hours).

Introduces students to a comparative analysis of world religions, emphasizing beliefs, rituals, artistic expressions, and cultural and social organization. Includes both Eastern and Western religions. (Same as ANT 130). Lecture: 3 credits (45 contact hours).

Surveys the historical and theological movements in Christianity from the 1st century to the mid -16th century. Emphasis will be placed on the interaction of Christian institutions and religious movements with other prevailing social, cultural, and political institutions within this timeframe. Lecture: 3.0 credits (45 contact hours).

Examines central theological teachings, modes of ethical reasoning, key ethical virtues and norms of major religious traditions from both Eastern and Western Religions. Considers the lives, sacred stories, dogma and texts of central religious figures as part of the context for moral thinking in a global setting. Lecture: 3 credits (45 contact hours).

Introduces students to a comparative analysis of world religions, emphasizing the nature of forgiveness and justice and how it is conceptualized and understood in sacred texts, beliefs, rituals, artistic expressions, and cultural and social organizations. Includes both Eastern and Western religions. Lecture: 3 credits (45 contact hours).

Introduces students to issues in philosophy of religion including defining the concept of God, arguments for and against the existence of God, the relation between faith and reason, the nature of religious experience, the problem of evil, and immortality. Lecture: 3 credits (45 contact hours).