Professors Hinlicky, McDermott, Wisnefske; Associate Professor Berenson; Lecturers Benne, Delaney, Gunsten, Henrickson, Lee, Kelly, M. Larson-Harris
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)
RELG 102 Christian Faith and Life
RELG 103* The Jewish Tradition
RELG 104* The World of Islam
RELG 105 Socrates, Jesus, and the Buddha
RELG 130* Living Religions of the World
Sacred Texts (at least one)
RELG 201* Israelite Patriarchs, Prophets, Princes, and Priests
RELG 202 New Testament Christianities
RELG 215 The Life and Teachings of Jesus
RELG 216 The Life and Teachings of Paul
RELG 217* Topics in Israelite and Early Jewish Religion
RELG 290 Feminist Readings of the Bible
History (at least two)
RELG 210 Early Christian Conflicts and Community Life
RELG 211* Hellenistic Cults, Magic, and Mystery Religions
RELG 212 The Reformation (cross-listed with HIST 231)
RELG 213* Religions and Philosophies of India
RELG 214 Religion in America
RELG 215 The Life and Teachings of Jesus
RELG 216 Pauline Christianity
RELG 217* Topics in Israelite and Early Jewish Religion
RELG 218* Religions and Philosophies of China
RELG 230 Introduction to the Theology of Martin Luther
RELG 261 History of World Christianity I: 325-1500
RELG 262 History of World Christianity II: 1500-2000
RELG 280 History of Christian Thought
Religion and Society (at least one)
RELG 220 Christian Ethics
RELG 225 The Religious Life of Young Adults
RELG 231 Religion, Philosophy, and Science
RELG 240 Religious Interpretation of Films
RELG 246 The Holocaust (cross-listed with HIST 246)
RELG 250 New Religions in America
RELG 270 Explorations in Religion and Society
Advanced (at least two)
RELG 312 Topics in New Testament and Early Christianity
RELG 317 Systematic Theology
RELG 320 The Theology of Jonathan Edwards
RELG 325 Modern Theology
RELG 330 Christian Theology and the World Religions
PHIL 301 Plato
PHIL 310 Kant’s Critical Philosophy
PHIL 315 Hegel
PHIL 320 Nietzsche
PHIL 321 Topics in Philosophy of Religion
PHIL 325 Heidegger
PHIL 340 Topics in Contemporary European Philosophy
Senior Thesis (1 unit)
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 201, 202, 215, 216, 217
History (at least one)
RELG 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 230, 261, 262, 280
Religion and Society (at least one)
RELG 220, 225, 231, 240, 246, 250, 270
Advanced (at least one)
RELG 312, 317, 320, 325, 330, PHIL 310, PHIL 315, PHIL 320, PHIL 321, PHIL 325, PHIL 330
SOCI 327 may be considered an elective with approval of the department, as may some IL courses.
Concentration in Parish Youth Leadership
The concentration in Parish Youth Leadership requires seven units:
RELG 225 The Religious Life of Young Adults
RELG 416 Internship
PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology
PSYC 211 Adolescent Development
One of:
RELG 102 Christian Faith and Life or
RELG 317 Systematic Theology
RELG 325 Modern Theology
One of:
RELG 111 The Hebrew Scriptures or
RELG 112 New Testament
One of:
RELG 240 Religious Interpretation of Film or
RELG 250 New Religions in America or
RELG 220 Christian Ethics
102 Christian Faith and Life
An examination of the basic 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) (Cross-listed with Philosophy 105).
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.
201 Israelite Patriarchs, Prophets, Princes and Priests
An historical and critical study of the religion, history, and literature of ancient Israel. Particular attention will be given to understanding the differences between historical and faith-based modes of interpreting scripture. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
202 New Testament Christianities
An historical and critical study of the earliest Christian communities and their literature. Particular attention will be given to understanding early Christians’ complicated relationship with Judaism and Greco-Roman society. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
210 Early Christian Conflicts and Community Life
A study of the development of Christianity from a Jewish sect in the late first century to the dominant religion of the Roman Empire in the fourth century. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
211 Hellenistic Cults, Magic, and Mystery Religions
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 India
An interdisciplinary examination of the philosophical and religious traditions of South Asia. Topics include the central ideas and practices of these traditions, their historical development, their styles of reasoning, and the relationship between religion and philosophy. (1) (Cross-listed with Philosophy 213).
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
214 Religion in America
An investigation and examination of the distinctive beliefs and practices of mainstream religious groups and their influence upon the development of America. (1)
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 Pauline Christianity
A study of the Apostle Paul’s teachings and the development of his churches through a critical examination of his writings. Particular attention will be given to exploring new scholarly methods of studying early Christianity. (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 China
An interdisciplinary examination of the philosophical and religious traditions of East Asia. Topics include the central ideas and practices of these traditions, their historical development, their styles of reasoning, and the relationship between religion and philosophy. (1) (Cross-listed with Philosophy 218).
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.
231 Religion, Philosophy, and Science
An examination of the confrontations, compatibilities, and cooperation among religious thought, philosophy, and scientific inquiry. Topics will include philosophical analyses of science, the debates between the natural sciences and Western religion, recent developments in the social sciences, and insights from Eastern religions. (1) (Cross-listed with Philosophy 231).
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) (Cross-listed as History 246).
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
250 New Religions in America
A study of non-traditional religious communities in America, such as the Mormons, New Age, Scientology, and Branch Davidians. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
261 History of World Christianity I: 325-1500
The development of Christianity from the imperial age to the dawn of the Reformation. The course focuses especially on the importance of non-European centers of Christian expansion. (1)
Lecture: 3hrs/wk.
262 History of World Christianity II: 1500-2000
The development of Christianity from the dawn of the Reformation through the end of the twentieth century. The course focuses especially on the importance of non-European centers of Christian expansion. (1)
Lecture: 3hrs/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.
290 Feminist Readings of the Bible
An investigation into the historical origins of the Bible and the ways in which texts from the Bible relevant to women’s lives have been interpreted throughout history. The course will then focus on the responses of feminist readers to these difficult passages from the Bible and their varied attempts to understand the realities of women’s lives in the ancient world and to address the ongoing influence of these biblical texts in women’s lives 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 201, 202, 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 North America. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Previous course in religion or philosophy or permission.
325 Modern Theology
A study of the ways Christian theologians responded to the intellectual and cultural challenges of the modern world (1650 – 1950). (1)
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)