Religious Studies

The major segments of the Old Testament (Torah, Prophets, Writings) viewed against their historical backgrounds. This course fulfills the Systematic Study of the Bible requirement in the General Education Curriculum.

Surveys the New Testament literature in its historical context. Principle topics of consideration include the synoptic gospels, Acts, the Pauline correspondence, and Johannine literature. This course fulfills the Systematic Study of the Bible requirement in the General Education Curriculum.

This course will explore the call stories of the Bible while wrestling with the dual ideas of who shall I become and what shall I do? Students will engage in spiritual formation, personality exploration, and deep self-reflection in light of interest, skill, and communal discernment for the sake of making and finding meaning for life. This course fulfills the Systematic Study of the Bible requirement in the General Education Curriculum.

This course provides a foundational exploration of leadership in Christian ministry. Attention will be given to various approaches to leadership, such as servant leadership, authentic leadership, ethical leadership, and team leadership. This course will invite students to think theologically and practically by exploring effective ministry practices and engaging in the practical application of preaching, teaching, worship leading, and pastoral care. Prerequisites: WRI 118

A historical and literary introduction to the beliefs of the world's major religions. Religions considered include Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Prerequisite: ENG 112 or WRI 118. This course fulfills the Cultural and Global Place requirement in the General Education Curriculum.

A theoretical and practical introduction to the realm of Christian decision making. The relationship between the Biblical literature and various theories of Christian ethics is examined so that a theoretical foundation may be developed for the examination of concrete ethical situations(e.g. human sexuality, ecology, hunger). Prerequisite: ENG 112 or WRI 118. This course fulfills the Systematic Study of the Bible requirement in the General Education Curriculum.

Through a focused study of the Yoga Sutras students will gain a foundational understanding of the philosophy, ethics, history, and practice of yoga. This course engages both seminar-style and experiential modes of teaching. Students will engage in the physical practice of yoga every week. Fulfills Personal Place in GEN ED requirements and in Religious Studies major fulfills "Ways of Being Religious" Prerequisite: ENG 112 or WRI 118

This course focuses on ethical issues related to global healthcare. Students will discuss and analyze ethical issues in healthcare access, health care delivery, and short-term volunteerism. Students will use a variety of ethical frameworks with a stance of cultural humility. Prerequisite: ENG 112 or WRI 118. This course fulfills the requirement of Global and Cultural Place in the General Education Curriculum

This course focuses on the phenomenon of "Spiritual But Not Religious" and other related trends in the context of the overall religious scene in the United States. Prerequisites: ENG 112 and Sophomore Standing. This course fulfills the Engaging Our World requirement in the General Education Curriculum.

A study of Jesus based on the New Testament and extra-biblical material. Prerequisites: ENG 112 or WRI 118 and Sophomore standing. This course fulfills the Systematic Study of the Bible requirement in the General Education Curriculum.

This course is designed to foster the exploration and integration of art, mindfulness, and spirituality. Students will engage with the traditions, processes, and interconnections between these disciplines through the combination of hands-on art-making, mindfulness practices, community exploration, and reflective self-exploration. The course aims to enhance students' perceptual abilities, self-awareness, creativity, and overall well being while also nurturing a holistic understanding of wellness. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing. This course fulfills the Personal Place category in the General Education curriculum.Cross-listed with ART 318.

Preaching & Teaching for Ministry equips students with the essential skills for crafting and delivering messages that foster spiritual formation. In this course, students will explore the foundations of Christian education, focusing on curriculum design, homiletics, and the best oral communication practices. Through hands-on exercises, students will learn to write and deliver messages that engage diverse audiences with clarity, creativity, and conviction while refining their personal theological voice

A survey of the history, beliefs, and practices of Islam. This course focues on Islam as a religion and a civilization. Prerequisites: ENG 112 or WRI 118 and three (3) hours of REL. This course fulfills the Cultural and Global Place requirement in the General Education Curriculum.

This course is a survey of the history, beliefs, and practices of Buddhism throughout the world. Students will engage in meditation and reflection to develop a practical understanding of foundational Buddhist ideas. Prerequisites: ENG 112 or WRI 118 and Sophomore standing. This course fulfills the Cultural and Global Place requirement in the General Education Curriculum.

This course examines Martin Luther King, Jr. as a person and a theologian. Students will study the written and spoken words of MLK and explore how MLK translated his beliefs into action. Prerequisites; ENG 112 or WRI 118 and Sophomore standing. This course fulfills the Engaging Our World requirement in the General Education Curriculum.

An exploration of ethical issues in health care such as those arising from genetics, end-of-life decisions, and access to medical care. The course will take a critical and comparative approach from an inter-professional perspective, and will include ethical theories, ethical and clinical reasoning, case studies, and contemporary controversies. The purpose of the course is to provide students entering the healthcare field with a framework for making ethical decisions in a clinical environment. Prerequisites: ENG 112 or WRI 118 and eight (8) hours of biology. This course fulfills the Engaging Our World requirement in the General Education Curriculum.

This course surveys death and dying through the lens of religion and spirituality with a special focus on Christian and Buddhist approaches. This course will be personal in nature and will highlight aspect of befriending death and spiritually caring for the dying as manifest especially through the hospice movement. Prerequisites: ENG 112 or WRI 118.

This course is a study of trauma as it is found in the Old and New Testaments. The historical and literary context of traumatic experiences within the Bible are examined. Students will assess how Biblical trauma and post-traumatic growth relates to contemporary suffering. Prerequisites: Eng 112 or WRI 118 and Sophomore Standing. This course fulfills the Systematic Study of the Bible requirement in the General Education Curriculum.

This course examines the images and reality of women in the biblical world by attending to literary presentation, historical reconstruction, and the history of interpretation of texts found in the Old and New Testaments. The course will also consider the influence of these texts on the lives of women and men throughout history and consider their significance today. Prerequisites: ENG 112 or WRI 118 and Sophomore Standing. This course fulfills the Systematic Study of the Bible requirement in the General Education Curriculum.

A historical and philosophical examination of the relationship between religion and science, along with a discussion of contemporary issues such as bioethics and the creationism/evolution debate. Prerequisites: ENG 112 or WRI 118 and Sophomore standing. This course fulfills the Engaging Our World requirement in the General Education Curriculum.

This course introduces students to the role that religion plays in affecting, maintaining, changing, and creating culture, in particular "popular" culture. As well, the course will examine how popular culture enters into, affects, and critiques religion. A variety of elements of popular culture in the United States will be considered, including motion pictures, television, sports, fashion, literature, social media, music, and art. Prerequisites: ENG 112 or WRI 118 and three (3) hours of religion. This course fulfills the Engaging Our World requirement in the General Education Curriculum.

This course focuses on the ways that religion shapes environmental attitudes and practices in cultures throughout the world. It explores how the world's religious traditions understand and value nature and how these traditions view the relationship of humans to nature. Students will apply these perspectives to contemporary issues such as sustainability and climate change. Prerequisites: ENG 112 or WRI 118 and Sophomore standing. This course fulfills the Engaging Our World requirement in the General Education Curriculum.

Student of a topic of special interest. Possible topics include (but are not limited to) Christian Thought, Old Testament Prophets, Liberation Theology, Women in the World Religions, Religion and Violence, or other topics chosen by Religion Faculty. This course may be taken for credit any number of times, provided that a different topic is studied each time. Prerequisites: ENG 112 or WRI 118 and three (3) hours of religion.

A study of the development of biblical apocalyptic thought, the literature that grew out of that movement, and the various ways in which it has been interpreted. Prerequisites: ENG 112 or WRI 118 and Sophomore standing. This course fulfills the Systematic Study of the Bible requirement in the General Education Curriculum.

This course provides foundational preparation for providing spiritual care to others in a Christian ministry context. Students will explore the historical, theological, and practical dimensions of offering care to individuals and communities in times of crisis, grief, illness, and life transitions. Through biblical reflection and skill-building exercises, students will learn to listen compassionately and offer guidance that addresses spiritual, emotional, and relational needs. Prerequisites: WRI 118 and three credit hours of Systematic Study of the Bible (REL 213, REL 214, REL 215, REL 232, REL 312, REL 380, REL 381, or REl 410).

Research or reading project, devised by the student and under the supervision of an appropriate instructor. Open only to senior religion majors or minors who are completing their course work. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisites: Permission of the Instructor, Division Chair, and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Plan 3 credits/one course to fulfill Ways Religion Engages Society from the following: Once you have added this course to your plan, delete this placeholder by clicking the X. Ways Religion Engages Society REL 250 Global Health Ethics REL 383 Religion and Science REL 387 Religion and Popular Culture REL 389 Religion and the Environment PSY 325 Psychology of Religion

Plan credits to fulfill a total of 21 hours of Religious Studies Electives from the following: Ways of Understanding the Bible REL 213 Old Testament Introduction REL 214 New Testament Introduction REL 232 Christian Ethics REL 312 Life and Teachings of Jesus REL 381 Women and the Bible REL 410 Apocalyptic Literature Ways of Being Religious REL 230 World's Great Living Religions REL 300 Spiritual But Not Religious REL 332 Islam REL 334 Buddhism and Meditation HUM 357 World Mythology Ways Religion Engages Society REL 250 Global Health Ethics REL 383 Religion and Science REL 387 Religion and Popular Culture REL 389 Religion and the Environment PSY 325 Psychology of Religion REL 390 Special Topics REL 499 Directed Individual Study Once you have added this course to your plan, delete this placeholder by clicking the X.

Plan credits to fulfill a total of 21 hours of Religious Studies Electives from the following: Ways of Understanding the Bible REL 213 Old Testament Introduction REL 214 New Testament Introduction REL 232 Christian Ethics REL 312 Life and Teachings of Jesus REL 381 Women and the Bible REL 410 Apocalyptic Literature Ways of Being Religious REL 230 World's Great Living Religions REL 300 Spiritual But Not Religious REL 332 Islam REL 334 Buddhism and Meditation HUM 357 World Mythology Ways Religion Engages Society REL 250 Global Health Ethics REL 383 Religion and Science REL 387 Religion and Popular Culture REL 389 Religion and the Environment PSY 325 Psychology of Religion REL 390 Special Topics REL 499 Directed Individual Study Once you have added this course to your plan, delete this placeholder by clicking the X..

Please plan to take HUM 211 or REL 301 or REL 401. Once you have added this course to your plan, delete this placeholder by clicking the X.

General Education Curriculum Systematic Study of the Bible requires one course from the following: REL 213 Old Testament Introduction, REL 214 New Testament Introduction, REL 215 Finding Your Way, REL 232 Christian Ethics, REL 312 Life and Teachings of Jesus, REL 381 Womean and the Bible, or REL 410 Biblical Apocalyptic. Once you have added this course to your plan, delete this placeholder by clicking the X.

Plan REL 213 or REL 214. Once you have added this course to your plan, delete this placeholder by clicking the X.

Plan religion elective. Once you have added this course to your plan, delete this placeholder by clicking the X.