Religion (REL)                     Course Schedules

The complete description of the Department of Philosophy and Religion is found in the College of Humanities and Social & Behavioral Sciences.

Descriptions of courses approved for the University Program appear in italic type.

Distance Learning Courses: Courses in the department approved for offering in a distance learning format include: REL 101, 320, 334.

REL 101 World Religions: An Introduction to the Study of Religion 3(3-0) F, Sp
Basic forms of religious activity and experience studied as an essential component of human life; includes a survey of major religious traditions. (Group I-A)

REL 130 Religion in America 3(3-0) F, Sp
An introduction to the varieties of religious experience in America; emphasis on the ways religious traditions have interacted with American culture and politics. (Group I-A)

REL 140 - Religion, Race and Discrimination in America 3(3-0) D
Introduction to the religious expressions of Americans who have experienced racial discrimination, with emphasis on Native American, African-American, and Hispanic-American communities. (Group IV-C)

REL 207 Women in Religion 3(3-0) D
The place and image of women in major religious traditions. Emphasis on current literature about religious reform, creation of alternative institutions, new concepts of spirituality. Identical to WST 207. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. (Group IV-A)

REL 211 Religion in the Ancient Near East 3(3-0) D
Early religious experience, traditions, and institutions as disclosed by archaeology and the oldest written records. Covers Mesopotamia, Egypt, Syria, and Palestine.

REL 212 Religion in the Classical World 3(3-0) D
Survey of religious beliefs and practices in Classical Greece and Rome, relationship of religion to society and the individual, and the decline of Classical religion.

REL 220 Religious Traditions of China 3(3-0) D
Study of the basic character of Chinese religion, including Chinese Buddhism. Examines both popular religion and major traditions (Confucian, Taoist). (Group IV-B)

REL 221 Religious Traditions of Japan 3(3-0) D
Introduction to the major characteristics of Japanese religion, including Shinto and Chinese Confucian and Buddhist elements; emphasis on religion in a Japanese cultural setting. (Group IV-B)

REL 222 Religious Traditions of India 3(3-0) D
The major features of the Hindu tradition, including the Buddhist and Jaina traditions in India. Stresses the significance of practice and doctrine in Indian religion. (Group IV-B)

REL 235 Religion and Social Issues 3(3-0) F, Sp
Introduction to religious ethical thought in its personal, social and institutional contexts, considered in relation to current societal, medical, and sexual issues. (Group IV-A)

REL 240 African-American Religion 3(3-0) D
Origins, development, and contemporary character of African-American religion, including Christianity, Islam, and new religious movements. (Group IV-C)

REL 250 The Old Testament and Its Age 3(3-0) F
The literature, history, and religion of ancient Israel in its Near Eastern context as disclosed through study of the Hebrew Bible in English translation. (Group I-A)

REL 260 The New Testament and Its Age 3(3-0) Sp
Intensive study of selected portions of New Testament literature, with an introduction to the Hellenistic-Roman age through study of selected background documents. (Group I-A)

REL 297 Special Studies 1-6(Spec) D
Introductory-level study of selected topics using readings, discussions, lectures, and research as appropriate.

REL 301 Myth and Meaning 3(3-0) D
Study of myth and myth-making as expressions of humankind's quest for order and meaning in life. Examines myth in general and in specific cultural settings.

REL 302 Witchcraft, Magic, and Occult Phenomena 3(3-0) D
A study of witchcraft in its European and African settings as well as a study of the intellectual history of witchcraft and occultism.

REL 303 Goddesses 3(3-0) D
Interdisciplinary study of nature and role of goddesses in selected cultures, ancient and modern. Examination of issues raised when contemporary groups employ/reinvent goddess concepts. Identical to WST 303. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses.

REL 304 Religion and Psychology 3(3-0) D
Focus on interplay between psychology and religion. Emphasis on the anti-religious stance of Sigmund Freud and on the religious psychology of Carl Jung.

REL 305 Mysticism 3(3-0) D
Exploration of mystic experience, including consideration of its place in religious life, its modes of expression, and the major mystical figures in the world's religions.

REL 313 Christianity 3(3-0) F, Sp
Development of the Christian religious tradition from Jesus of Nazareth to its major contemporary branches: Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism, and Protestantism. (Group I-A)

REL 314 Islam 3(3-0) D
Phenomenological approach, stressing sources, institutions, dogmas, modes of expression within the context of Islamic civilization, and the role in the contemporary world, especially in the Middle East. (Group IV-B)

REL 315 Judaism 3(3-0) D
Judaism as a multifaceted approach to identity and lifestyle, both personal and societal; religious expressions such as Torah, myth, ritual, festivals, holy days. (Group I-A)

REL 320 The Buddhist Tradition 3(3-0) D
The general nature of Buddhism, with attention to particular developments within it (e.g., Theravada, Mahayana, Tibetan Buddhism). Examines Buddhism's role in various Eastern cultures. (Group IV-B)

REL 330 Religious Issues In Modern America 3-6(Spec) D
Studies of religious issues in contemporary American life and thought: e.g., liberalism and fundamentalism; new religious movements. May be repeated once for credit.

REL 334 Death and Dying: Religious Dimensions 3(3-0) F, Sp
Religious and cultural understandings of death; selected religious and moral problems related to death, e.g., suicide, abortion, euthanasia; religious rituals and death.  Prerequisites:  12 hours of college credit or permission of instructor.  (Group IV-A)

REL 338 Religion in Popular Culture 3(3-0) D
This course examines the religious dimension of contemporary popular culture. Topics include myth and the ritual in secular society, and popular artistic representations of the divine.

REL 340 Modern Religious Thought 3(3-0) D
Studies major issues in modern religious thought: e.g., religion and science; theologies of liberation; Christianity and the encounter of world religions.

REL 342 From Spirituals to Gospel 3(3-0) D
The development of African-American religion from 19th century to the present through an examination of the nature and function of religious song. No knowledge of music theory required. (Group IV-C)

REL 345 The Civil Rights Movement 3(3-0) D
Examines the civil rights movement from 1954 to 1980s; based on PBS series: Eyes on the Prize; identical to SOC 345, PHL 345, PSC 325. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisites: introductory history, political science or sociology course, or permission of instructor. (Group IV-C)

REL 347 African American Reflections on Racism 3(3-0)
Impact of and resistance to racism treated in theoretical works (theology, ethics, social sciences) and illustrated in the lives and creative works of African Americans. (Group IV-C)

REL 351 Prophecy and Prophets 3(3-0) D
Psychological and spiritual phenomenon of prophetism in the Ancient Near East; intensive study of Old Testament prophetic literature; historical context, literary form, theological content.

REL 362 The Apocalyptic Message and Method 3(3-0) D
Exploration of apocalyptic thought and literature; examination of its significance and continuing influence; evaluation of its method and approach.

REL 363 Ethics and Morality in the Bible 3(3-0) D
Examination of representative biblical codes of conduct, their underlying ethical principles, and their application to perennial moral issues, such as killing, sexuality, and economic justice.

REL 365 The Sayings of the Historical Jesus 3(3-0) D
Study of Jesus' teaching, its environment, sources and methods used for its recovery, literary forms in which it was transmitted, and reconstruction of its contents.

REL 367 Paul: His Life, Letters and Legacy 3(3-0) D
Study of Paul's environment, life, work, and letters and his influence on the subsequent history of Christian thought.

REL 382 History of Israel 3(3-0) D
Israel and Palestine from ancient times to the present, including background to contemporary Zionism and the conflict with Arab nationalism. Identical to HST 382. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses.

REL 397 Special Studies 1-9(Spec) D
Each offering studies a selected topic using readings, discussions, lectures, and research as appropriate.

REL 492 Readings in World Religion 1-9(Spec) D
Advanced independent study for the interested and qualified student. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

REL 493 Readings in American Religion 1-9(Spec) D
Advanced independent study for the interested and qualified student. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

REL 494 Readings in Religion and Society 1-9(Spec) D
Advanced study for the interested and qualified student. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

REL 495 Readings in Biblical Studies 1-9(Spec) D
A scholarly study of a limited portion of the Bible, making use of historical, linguistic, and archaeological studies. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

REL 498 Readings in the Greek Bible 1-9(Spec) D
The direct study of the Greek Old and/or New Testament. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

REL 501 Seminar in the Study of Religion 3(3-0) Alternate Years
The study of religion as an academic discipline, including a selection of leading scholarly approaches to the investigation of religious phenomena. Prerequisites: 9 credit hours in Religion or permission of instructor.

REL 505 Research Seminar 3(Spec) D
A seminar supporting research projects in religion, primarily intended for seniors who are religion majors. Prerequisite: for undergraduates, a signed Religion major with completion of REL 501, or permission of instructor. For graduate studies, permission of instructor.

REL 597 Special Topics 1-6(Spec)
Advanced study of selected topics using readings, discussions, lectures, and research as appropriate.

REL 642 African-American Sacred Song 3(3-0)
Study of nature and function of African-American sacred singing from spirituals to contemporary gospel. Singing will be examined in historical context with varied theoretical approaches. Prerequisites: a bachelor's degree from an accredited college. No prior knowledge of music theory required.

Credit Limitation. REL 505, 597 are subject to graduate credit limitation under the policy covering unspecified content or variable credit.

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