RELIGION Professors Hinlicky, McDermott, Wisnefske; Associate Professor Maclean; Assistant Professor Dagli; Lecturers Baas, Benne, Brumberg, Delaney, Gunsten, Henrickson, Lee, Kelly The Religion major gives students insight into a major force in human history which continues to define communities by their beliefs, rituals, and moral conduct. A major in religion requires the completion of nine units (at least two of which must be non-Christian*).These include: Surveys (not required, only one may count toward the major)
Sacred Texts (at least one)
History (at least two)
Religion and Society (at least one)
Advanced (at least two)
Senior Thesis (1unit) 410, 411, 412 (1/2, 1, 1/2) 495, 496, 497 (1/2, 1, 1/2) Other units from among those listed above, (with no more than one survey course) to meet the nine units required for the major. SOCI 327 may be considered an elective with approval of the department, as may some IL courses. Minor in Religion A minor in religion requires the completion of six units. These include: Surveys (none required, and no more than two may count toward the minor) RELG 102, 103, 104, 105, 130 Sacred Texts (at least one) RELG 111, 112, 215, 216, 217 History (at least one) RELG 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 230, 280 Religion and Society (at least one) RELG 220, 225, 240, 246, 250, 270 Advanced (at least one) RELG 312, 317, 320, 330, PHIL 310, PHIL 315, PHIL 321, PHIL 330 SOCI 327 may be considered an elective with approval of the department, as may some IL courses. Course descriptions can be found under THEOLOGY. CONCENTRATION IN PARISH YOUTH LEADERSHIP The concentration in Parish Youth Leadership requires seven units:
One of:
One of:
One of:
102 Christian Faith and Life An examination of the basis tenets of Christian belief, its moral teachings, and way of life. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. 103 The Jewish Tradition An overview of the history of Judaism, its teachings, and its traditions. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. 104 The World of Islam An introduction to the Qur'an, the Muslim faith, and the fabric of Islamic societies, starting with the life of Muhammad. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. 105 Socrates, Jesus, and the Buddha A survey of the main figures in the religious and philosophical traditions of the Western world, as well as major figures in Eastern religion and philosophy. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. 111 Hebrew Scriptures An historical and critical study of the Pentateuch, Prophets, and Writings in the Hebrew Scriptures. Particular attention will be given to various ways of interpreting these texts. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. 112 New Testament This course studies the early Christian communities: their literature, their history, their social context, and especially the life choices made by members of those communities. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. 130 Living Religions of the World The major living religions of the world; their sources, nature, and attempt to deal with certain human problems. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. 210 The Development of Christianity The development of Christianity from the first century A.D. through the 15th century A.D. (Religion 210 and History 231 may not both be taken for credit.) (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. 211 Religions of the Hellenistic World An examination of the diversity of religions in the Greco- Roman world following the conquests of Alexander the Great. The course will examine individual, familial, and civic religious expression as well as the rise of the mystery religions and the new communities of Judaism, Christianity, and Gnosticism. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. 212 The Reformation The Protestant Reformation of the 16th century and the Roman Catholic reaction. (Religion 212 and History 231 may not both be taken for credit.) (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. 213 Religions and Philosophies of An interdisciplinary examination
of the philosophical and religious traditions of Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. 214 Religion in
An investigation and examination
of the distinctive beliefs and practices of mainstream religious groups
and their influence upon the development of Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. 215 The Life and Teachings of Jesus Examination of the life and teachings of Jesus in the light of recent Biblical scholarship. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. 216 The Life and Teachings of Paul The life and teachings of the Apostle Paul in the light of his writings and other sources with particular reference to his influence on the early church. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. 217 Topics in Israelite and Early Jewish Religion An examination of a major subfield within the Hebrew Scriptures and early Judaism. Designed to provide students with the opportunity to study a single aspect of Israelite or Jewish religion. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. 218 Religions and Philosophies of An interdisciplinary examination
of the philosophical and religious traditions of Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. 220 Christian Ethics An examination of Christian moral values and their relation to the issues of contemporary personal and social life. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. 225 The Religious Life of Young Adults An introduction to the faith development of young adults and their psychological and social characteristics. This course will identify and foster communication skills for effectively communicating with adolescents. The role of adult leadership in youth groups will be examined. Finally, the course will consider resources for developing and implementing youth ministry programs in congregations. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. 230 Introduction to the Theology of Martin Luther A critical reading of the major theological texts of Martin Luther, considering historical context and the texts' significance for church and society. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. 240 Religious Interpretation of Films This course aims at probing the meaning of contemporary films from several perspectives-social, political, artistic-but especially from a theological point of view. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. 246 The Holocaust An historical account and a religious analysis of the Holocaust, including an examination of theological reactions to this event. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. 250 New Religions in A study of non-traditional
religious communities in Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. 270 Explorations in Religion and Society A study of the interaction between religion and society in a selected country or region. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. 280 History of Christian Thought An intellectual encounter with classic Christian thinkers, a study of the development of Christian doctrine, and a reflection on the state of the Christian intellectual tradition today. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. 312 Topics in Biblical Studies and Early Christianity An examination of issues of current significance to the study of the Hebrew Scriptures, the New Testament or early Christianity. Topics for any given semester will be chosen by the professor in consultation with students interested in taking the course. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Prerequisite: Religion 111, 112, 215, 216 or 217. 317 Systematic Theology A study of the interrelationships between the main Christian articles of faith in the thought of major 19th and 20th century theologians. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Prerequisite: Previous course in religion or philosophy or permission. 320 The Theology of Jonathan Edwards An exploration of the religious thought of
Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758), one of the most influential theologians
in Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Prerequisite: Previous course in religion or philosophy or permission. 330 Christian Theology and the World Religions An examination of religious pluralism, with special attention to three problems: the truth status of competing religious claims, salvation of religious others, and whether God has been revealed in other religions. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Prerequisite: Previous course in religion or philosophy or permission. 405, 406, 407 Independent Study and Research Selected topics in religion carried out under the supervision of the department staff. (1/2, 1, 1/2) 410, 411, 412 Senior Thesis At the end of the junior year every major will register with a member of the department to study and write a major paper in the final year. Guidelines, requirements and dates are explained in "The Senior Thesis." (1/2, 1, 1/2) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Prerequisite: Senior standing. 416, 417 Internship A supervised placement in a local church, clinical setting, or social service agency, in which the student would be required to make a practical application of theological and ethical insights. (1, 1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. 495, 496, 497 Honors Project A program of independent study culminating in a paper. Prerequisites: To qualify for consideration to receive honors in the major, a student in his/her senior year or in the Summer prior to the senior year must work under the guidance of his/her committee. A written proposal and application must be approved by the committee and department. A minimum GPA of 3.4 in the major is required. 495 Honors Project is prerequisite for 497 Honors Project. (1/2, 1, 1/2) |