Catalog

2011-2012

Major:

Religion (B.A.)

Departments/Programs:

Religion Major (B.A., 30 hours)
Courses
RELIG 015 World Religions	3 hours
RELIG 020 Introduction to the Old Testament	3 hours
RELIG 021 Introduction to the New Testament or RELIG 099 New Testament Greek II	3 hours
RELIG 124 Understanding Religion	3 hours
RELIG 212 Life and Letters of Paul or RELIG 213 Life and Teachings of Jesus	3 hours
RELIG 226 Christian Theology from the Enlightenment to the Mid-Twentieth Century	3 hours
RELIG 227 Religious Studies from the Mid-Twentieth Century to the Present	3 hours
Religion Electives	6 hours

Senior Comprehensive:
RELIG 299 Senior Thesis	3 hours

RELIG 015 World Religions (3 hours)

This course is a study of the cultural settings, lives of founders when appropriate, oral or written traditions and literature, worldviews, myths, rituals, ideals of conduct, and development of some of the world's religions. Religions studied will typically include tribal religions, Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Shinto, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism, and Bahai. Readings, videos, and websites will help introduce and illustrate not only the cultural settings in which these religions appear, but also the voices and faces of contemporary religious practitioners.

(Normally offered each fall semester.)

RELIG 020 Introduction to the Old Testament (3 hours)

A survey of the contents of the Jewish Bible/Christian Old Testament. These texts will be studied as they developed within the unfolding history of the Hebrew people in relationship to other nations and cultures of the ancient Near East from about 1200 B.C.E. - 150 B.C.E. Emphasis will be placed upon the literary, historical, and theological issues presented by these ancient texts. The methods, tools, and technical language of scholarly research appropriate to the texts of the Bible will be introduced.

(Normally offered each fall semester.)

RELIG 021 Introduction to the New Testament (3 hours)

A survey of the contents of the Christian New Testament. These texts will be studied within the context of the unfolding history of the earliest Christian community as it sought to relate to the Hellenistic-Jewish culture, which gave it birth. Emphasis will be placed upon the literary, historical, and theological issues presented by these ancient texts. The methods, tools, and technical language of scholarly research appropriate to the texts of the Bible will be introduced.

(Normally offered each spring semester.)

RELIG 099 New Testament Greek II (3 hours)

A continuation of Religion 98. More elements of Greek syntax, the standard reference works, and the basic methods for the study of the Greek New Testament will be introduced. Representative texts from the entire Greek New Testament will be used for translation assignments.

Prerequisite(s): RELIG 098 New Testament Greek I or permission of the instructor.

RELIG 124 Understanding Religion (3 hours)

An inquiry into the meaning and function of religion through a comparison of different religious traditions. Students will discuss how the different traditions understand the divine, worship, and scripture. Emphasis will be placed on the development of the students' own perspective on religion and the ability to express this perspective clearly and effectively.

"Understanding Religion: Jews and Christians" This course considers historical, comparative, and methodological issues in the academic study of religion by focusing on the scriptures and history of two different religious traditions and how their theologies and ethical systems originated and developed.

"Understanding Religion: Greco-Romans and Christians" This course considers historical, comparative, and methodological issues in the academic study of religion by focusing on religious practice in Ancient Greece and Rome.

"Understanding Religion: Christians and Muslims" This course considers historical, comparative, and methodological issues in the academic study of religion by focusing on the two different religious traditions that originated in the Middle East.

RELIG 212 Life and Letters of Paul (3 hours)

A study of Pauline literature, Paul's interpretation of Jesus, and his work as missionary to the Gentiles. The Pauline Epistles are primary sources. Some contemporary analyses of Pauline thought and its importance for the contemporary situation will be emphasized.

RELIG 213 Life and Teachings of Jesus (3 hours)

A discussion of the sources used in the attempt to write the life of Jesus.

RELIG 226 Christian Theology from the Enlightenment to the Mid-Twentieth Century (3 hours)

This course examines the beginnings of modern theological reflection, following the Reformation, and moves forward, following historical developments in Christian theology, into the first half of the twentieth century. The impact of the Enlightenment on theology characterizes the first third of the course. The rise of nineteenth century liberal theology and varied responses to it characterize the second, while the last third of the course takes up neo-orthodoxy, process, and secular theologies.

RELIG 227 Religious Studies from the Mid-Twentieth Century to the Present (3 hours)

This course is an examination of movements in theology and religious studies from the mid-twentieth century to the present. Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant theologians and other contemporary scholars of religion will be considered. Topics to be covered will include theological responses to the holocaust, the modern state of Israel, the debate over the historical Jesus, liberation theologies, and the place of theological and religious scholarship in both the academy and society.

RELIG 299 Senior Thesis (3 hours)

Every religion major is required to write a senior research paper dealing with a topic selected by the student in consultation with any member of the department.

Prerequisite(s): Senior standing and approval of the department chair.