Professors Berenson, Hinlicky, McDermott, Peterson,Wisnefske; Teaching Associate M. Larson-Harris
The Religious Studies major at Roanoke College explores the diversity of religious traditions by encountering their world views and practices in the cultural and historical contexts. Students discover how practitioners of different religious communities view themselves and their world by reading their sacred texts, experiencing and analyzing their rituals, studying their literature, and comprehending each religious system as a holistic way of life.
A major in religious studies requires completion of 9 units:
One 100 level survey in Religion
RELG 105 Socrates, Jesus, and the Buddha
RELG 130 Living Religions of the World
Two 200-level courses in Religion, each of which must address
a different religious tradition outside the Judeo-Christian tradition:
RELG 204 Islam
RELG 205 Hinduism OR
RELG 213 Philosophies of India
RELG 206 Buddhism OR
RELG 218 Religions and Philosophies of China
RELG 207 Native American Religions
RELG 295 Methods and Theories in the Study of Religion
One senior thesis
RELG 410, 411, 412 (1/2, 1, 1/2) Senior Thesis
RELG 495, 496, 497 (1/2, 1, 1/2) Honors Project
A minimum of four additional courses in Religion at the 200 level or above, including at least two courses at the 300 level or above. Courses in other disciplines that address topics in religion may be substituted for Religion courses with the approval of the department.
Minor in Religious Studies
A minor in religious studies requires completion of six units:
RELG 105 or 130;
RELG 295
Two additional 200-level courses in Religion
Two Religion courses at the 300-level or above
Courses in other disciplines that address topics in religion may be substituted for Religion courses with the approval of the department.
Concentration in Parish Youth Leadership
The concentration in Parish Youth Leadership requires seven
units:
Required:
PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology
PSYC 211 Adolescent Development
RELG 225 The Religious Life of Young Adults
RELG 416 Internship
One of:
RELG 102 Christian Faith and Life
RELG 317 Systematic Theology
RELG 325 Modern Theology
One of:
RELG 111 The Hebrew Scriptures
RELG 112 New Testament
One of:
RELG 220 Christian Ethics
RELG 240 Religious Interpretation of Film
RELG 250 New Religions in America
102 Introduction to Christian Theology
An examination of the basic tenets of Christian belief, its
scriptures, 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.
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 faithbased
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.
204 Islam
This course will not only be a introduction to the Qur’an, the
Muslim faith, and the fabric of Islamic societies, starting with
the life of Muhammad, but we will explore Islamic cultures
around the world as incredibly varied living traditions. We will
study Islamic political and intellectual history from the “liberal”
end of the spectrum through the “ultraconservative” Islamist
(and “militant”) end of the spectrum, and examine Islamic
practices, both early and contemporary, and will also work in
our classroom and in area mosques to get to know Muslims
themselves, through examining Islamic spirituality, art, culture
and family life (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
205 Hinduism
This course will be a survey of Hindu traditions from the early
Indus Valley, through the Vedic, Epic and Puranic eras to the
medieval and modern eras. We will focus on Hindu texts, rituals,
aesthetics and philosophies, and social and family structures. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
207 Native American Religions
This class explores the interface between religious ideas and
practices and literary form. We will do close readings of a
variety of literary works to determine how their forms have
adapted to traditional religious ideas. Each unit will begin with
an exploration of a religious tradition to familiarize students
with the traditions essential concepts, symbols, and practices.
We will then read various works that express these in new
ways through literary conventions and analyze how literary
techniques specific to poetry, narrative, and film shape these
expressions. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
208 Buddhism
This course will encounter the varieties of one of the oldest
and most diverse religions as it developed in India, China,
Japan, Tibet, and the United States. The course will examine
Buddhism’s history, philosophy, ethics, Art, literature, and ritual
practices. First, we will study the life and awakening of the
Buddha, how the Buddha’s perception of reality transforms
our relationships to ourselves and to each other, and how it
directs us to live a life of compassion for others. Second, we
will see how the Buddha’s core teachings changed as they
spread to other countries. The course is divided into three parts:
Foundations, which provides an introduction to the Buddhist
world view; Development, which charts the changes and
elaborations made to that world view under the Mahayana
philosophers; and Literature, which explores how Buddhist
ideas have been expressed in poetry, the novel, and film. (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. (RELG 212 and HIST 231 may not
both be taken for credit.) (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
213 Philosophies of India
An examination of the philosophical traditions of South Asia.
Topics include the central ideas of these traditions, their historical
development, their styles of reasoning, and the relationship
between religion and philosophy. (1) (Cross-listed with PHIL
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 PHIL 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 PHIL 231).
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
235 Religion and Literature
This class explores the interface between religious ideas and
practices and literary form. We will do close readings of a
variety of literary works to determine how their forms have
adapted to traditional religious ideas. Each unit will begin with
an exploration of a religious tradition to familiarize students
with the traditions’ essential concepts, symbols, and practices.
We will then read various works that express these in new
ways through literary conventions and analyze how literary
techniques specific to poetry, narrative, and film shape these
expressions. (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) (Cross-listed as HIST 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.
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.
282 Augustine and His Legacy
In this course we read primary texts, discuss and work together
orally and in writing on the critical interpretation of the formative
Western theology of Augustine of Hippo and investigate
its legacy through the time of the Reformation. In the process
we reflect on how contemporary thinkers (beginning with
ourselves!) appropriate, develop, critique, or extend this classical
stance in modern projects of learning, inquiry, practice and/or
devotion. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
284 Luther and His Legacy
In this course we read in the primary sources, discuss and work
together orally and in writing on the critical interpretation of
the Reformation theology of Martin Luther and investigate its
legacy through the time of the Reformation. In the process
we reflect on how contemporary thinkers (beginning with
ourselves!) appropriate, develop, critique, or extend this classical
stance in modern projects of learning, inquiry, practice and/or
devotion. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
286 The Legacy of Modern Theology
A study of ways Christian theologians responded to the intellectual
and cultural challenges of the modern world (1650-the
present). (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.
295 Methods and Theories in the Study of Religion
By comparing early theories of religion, testing classic definitions
and concepts, we appreciate and evaluate modern and
postmodern methods and theories in religious studies. Along
the way we gauge the implications of thinking about religious
studies as a distinct subject, but also think reflectively about our
role as observers of the world’s religions as part of vast landscapes
of human experiences and cult. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: One prior course in RELG.
304 Islamic Mysticism
This course will be an advanced exploration of Islamic Sufi
mysticism as holistic intellectual and spiritual systems enacted
through living ritual practices, embodied moral service and
creative expressions in music, art and literature. We will survey
Islamic mystical thought, literature and practices from their
roots in pre-Islamic Arabia, in the life story of Muhammad and
in the Qur’an and Hadith, and in early Sufi orders, before
finally spending time with modern Islamic mystical movements
and practices in the Arab world, Asia and America. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: RELG 130, 204 or permission of instructor.
305 Hindu Ritual Cultures
This course will be an advanced exploration of Hindu ritual cultures from the ancientVedic world,through the rise of classical devotional practices, including the development of medieval temple cultures, through to modern modes of performance. We will explore Hindu ritual cultures as modes of identity building at individual, social and cosmic levels. Through a combination of textual and visual cultural work along with experiential opportunities at an area Hindu temple, students will gain an appreciation of Hindu ritual cultures as central to living Hindu identities in cultures from ancient India to contemporary America.
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk
Prerequisites: RELG 130, 205 or permission of instructor
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: RELG 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 RELG or PHIL 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 RELG or PHIL or permission.
340 Seminar in Contemporary Christian Studies
This course will investigate a topic in contemporary Christian
Studies chosen by the instructor. The course will be conducted
as a seminar. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: One 200-level course in the department.
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)