Course Offerings in Religious Studies

RELIG1101 + Religion: A Search for Meaning
In this introductory course, students will use a variety of resources to (1) examine the role of religion in people's lives and in the societies in which they live; (2) search for the meaning of religion itself as well as the meaning of religious experiences, stories, languages, symbolism, and rituals; and (3) discuss topics often related to religion such as politics, morality, peace, social justice, and evil in the world.

Fall and spring semester
4 credits

RELIG2105 + American Judaism
This course offers an introduction to Judaism and surveys the historical development of American Judaism including its roots in other continents, intellectual life and contributions, rituals, ethics, and the roles of women.

Alternate years, spring semester
Expected spring 2003
4 credits

RELIG2107 + The Reformation: Protestant Experiences
In this course, we (1) survey the historical development of the Protestant and Anglican traditions from the 16th Century to the present; (2) explore the shifts in religious thought that characterized the reformation, such as religious diversity, the role of the Bible, the sacraments, and ethics; and (3) examine some contemporary expressions of Protestant Christianity and the ways in which they exemplify or differ from their early developments.

Alternate years, expected fall 2002
4 credits

RELIG2109 + Understanding the Bible: An Introduction to the Biblical Literature
In this course, we approach the Bible through the lens of contemporary academic biblical scholarship to (1) gain increased familiarity with the biblical texts as the faith story of diverse peoples; (2) explore the relationships between the two testaments that form the Bible; and (3) examine ways in which the Bible continues to influence communities of faith and the wider society.

Alternate years, spring semester
Expected spring 2003
4 credits

RELIG2111 + Love and Justice: An Introduction to Christian Ethics
In this approach to Christian Ethics, we (1) explore personal and social justice as the test of Christian love of God and neighbor; (2) discuss the impact on contemporary Christian ethics of biblical scholarship, of church tradition, of philosophy, and of the social and physical sciences; (3) examine, from a Christian perspective, some of the ethical issues relating to such areas as sexuality, health care, politics, economics, and the environment.

Spring semester
4 credits

RELIG2121 + Religions in the United States: An Historical Survey
We explore questions relating to the diverse historical and contemporary religious reality of the United States. (1) who were the first believers in this country? (2) how have different religious traditions influenced U.S. social and political institutions? (3) how have these religious traditions been changed by their American experience?

Fall semester, alternate years
Expected fall 2003
4 credits

RELIG2135 + Religions of the World
Students will encounter some of the world's many religious traditions by studying their origins, writings, rituals and beliefs as well as contemporary expressions of these religions.

Fall semester
4 credits

RELIG2137 + Religion and Politics
Despite the constitutional separation of church and state, religion and politics are inextricably woven together in U.S. politics. This course, offered jointly through the Religious Studies and Political Science departments, offers an opportunity to (1) consider the historical relationship between religion and politics in Jewish and Christian history; (2) explore the origins and influences of religious ideologies within the United States; (3) examine the interaction of governmental and religious institutions and (4) assess contemporary expressions of this interaction and the implications of such relationships for both religion and politics.

Offered as needed
4 credits
Cross referenced with POLSC2221

RELIG2141 + What do Catholics Say? Introduction to Catholic Theology
What does it mean to be Roman Catholic? What does the church really teach about important areas of human life? Can you be intelligent, well educated, sophisticated and Catholic? Both Catholics themselves and those who know them often ask these questions. This course is designed for those who are interested in knowing more about Catholics, Catholicism and Catholic Theology.

Fall semester
4 credits

RELIG3129 + Powerful and Powerless: Women and Religion*
The religious and social experiences of women from around the world, including class participants, form the basis for this course. We study (1) the changing role of women in religious traditions; (2) the historical and contemporary ways in which women do or do not participate in the shaping of meaning in their religious and cultural context; and (3) the relationship between religious language and images and women's status in religious and other social institutions.

Fall and spring semester
4 credits
Prerequisite: One previous course in religious studies, junior or senior status, or permission of instructor

RELIG3131 + Human Relationships: Christian Perspectives
In this course, we study diverse Christian views on human sexuality and relationships with particular attention to issues of social justice and peace, gender and sexual orientation.

Spring semester
4 credits
Prerequisite: One previous course in religious studies, junior or senior status, or permission of instructor

RELIG3133 + Social Justice and Religious Traditions
In this course, we investigate the relationship of social issues with religious belief and commitment. We do this by (1) studying some past and present social teachings of some of the major religious traditions; (2) exploring how religious beliefs can translate into social visions of justice; (3) developing some tools and techniques of social and religious analysis; (4) discussing and analyzing social issues of particular concern to class participants in light of how some of today's religious communities struggle to resolve these concerns.

Fall semester, alternate years
Expected fall 2002
4 credits
Prerequisite: One previous course in religious studies, junior or senior status, or permission of instructor

RELIG3135 + Contemporary Issues in Roman Catholicism
This course deals with selected issues of concern in the Roman Catholic Church that arise out of the church's encounter with contemporary cultures. These issues will be examined in their historical context especially in the light of Vatican Council II's teaching. Students have the opportunity to choose a research project in an area of their own particular interest.

Spring semester, alternate years
Expected spring 2003
4 credits
Prerequisite: One previous course in religious studies, junior or senior status, or permission of instructor

RELIG3137 + Spirituality and Religion: A Dialogue
In this course we will investigate some of the many ways the human search for the spiritual depth of experience has manifested itself through the centuries and today. We will bring spiritualities from Jewish and Christian traditions, past and present, into dialogue with other approaches such as Eastern, creation and New Age spiritualities. Through this dialogue students will be encouraged to reflect on and articulate their own spirituality.

Fall semester, alternate years
Expected fall 2003
4 credits
Prerequisite: One previous course in religious studies, junior or senior status, or permission of instructor

RELIG4178 Directed Study

Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor
4 credits

RELIG4182 Directed Research

Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor
4 credits