Religion Catalog
RL 101. Religions of the World
An introduction to the major historical religions, including:
Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shintoism, Judaism,
Christianity, Islam, and modern alternatives to religion. (U)
(3)
RL 202. The Bible
Introduction to the content, historical context, methods of
study, religious ideas and cultural influence of the Jewish and
Christian scriptures. (U) (3)
RL 304. The Book of Psalms
Study of the book of Psalms, the most frequently read and
recited book of the Bible. Topics include the origin and
composition of the Psalms in ancient Israel, the ethical and
religious significance of the Psalms, and the impact of the Psalms
on world literature and music. (U-G) (3)
RL 307. The Historical Jesus
A close look at Jesus of Nazareth focused on sources and methods
of knowledge about Jesus as a historical figure. Attention will
also be paid to historical and cultural context, and to beliefs
about and depictions of Jesus in early Christian literature.
Prerequisite: One religion course or sophomore standing.(U-G)
(3)
RL 308. Paul and the Early Church: The New Testament
Epistles
Focus on the New Testament letters, especially of Paul, with
attention to the emergence and growth of the Christian movement in
the Graeco-Roman world from the death of Jesus to the middle of the
second century. Prerequisite: One religion course or sophomore
standing.(U-G) (3)
RL 312. Topics in Biblical Studies
An in-depth examination of: one or two designated books of the
Bible; a body of biblical literature; or a general topic (e.g.,
Israelite religion; biblical theology). (U-G) (3)
RL 347. History of Christianity
The historical development of Christianity from the first
century to the present. Special attention to selected topics, such
as Eastern Orthodox worship and icons, Benedictine monasticism, the
Roman Papacy, Luther and the Protestant Reformation, African
Christianity and challenges to Christian belief in modern times.
(U-G) (3)
RL 350. Topics in Judaism
Study of some central area of Jewish studies such as
introduction to Judaism, American Judaism, Jewish religious thought
and philosophy and Jewish-Christian relations. May be repeated with
a different topic. (U-G) (3)
RL 353. Buddhism: Past and Present
Introduction to the basic concepts, philosophies and practices
of Buddhism in South Asia and East Asia from antiquity to the
present. (U-G) (3)
RL 354. Islam: Religion, Culture, Society
An introduction to Islam: origins, sacred texts, world view,
culture and society, history and expansion and Islam in the modern
world. Origins and sacred texts are emphasized; relative emphasis
on other topics varies. (U-G) (3)
RL 356. African and Afro-Caribbean Religion
The course explores religious world-views and spiritual
practices indigenous to sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on this
religious activity in its original African settings and in the "new
world" Caribbean settings into which it was carried. (U-G) (3)
RL 357. Native American Religions
An introduction to Native American religious beliefs, traditions
and practices of the past and present, including the interaction
with European based culture and religion. In addition to selected
writings by Native Americans and outside observers, the course will
utilize audiovisual and museum resources. (U) (3)
RL 358. Hinduism: Past and Present
This course will examine Hinduism's practices and beliefs as
depicted in its foundational scriptures as well as in the lives of
modern Hindus. Topics may include the following: Meditation
practices, Indian medicine, male and female saints, Hinduism as
portrayed in literature/ film, Hinduism and modern South Asian
politics. (U/G)(3)
RL 362. War, Peace, and Religion
Study of Jewish, Christian and Muslim attitudes toward war and
peace, past and present. Topics include holy war, just war,
pacifism and religious concepts of international order. (U-G)
(3)
RL 363. Religion, Politics, and Conflict in South
Asia
Investigation of the interaction of South Asia's many religious
communities, especially Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism and
Buddhism, paying particular attention to how religious ideas,
practices, and demographics have affected communal relations at
various points in the Subcontinent's history. The course will focus
on moments of conflict and movements of peace. (U/G)(3)
RL 370. Modern Religious Thought
A survey of important religious thinkers and theological issues
of the 19th and 20th centuries (e.g., Buber, Tillich, Weil,
liberation theology, feminism). Emphasis is on the Christian and
Jewish traditions as they relate to earlier theological
developments and to contemporary philosophical and cultural
movements. (U-G) (3)
RL 371. Religion and Science
This course seeks to survey the main issues in the interaction
between science and religion. Topics covered include a comparison
of the tasks of scientific and theological research and discourse;
models of interaction between science and religion; the Big Bang,
evolution, and creation; and contemporary ideas of God. (U-G)
(3)
RL 372. Mysticism
Study of the varieties of mysticism in world religion, with
emphasis on Christian and Jewish Mysticism. Readings drawn from the
Bible, spiritual writings, autobiographies of mystics, letters,
poems and philosophical sources. (U-G) (3)
RL 374. Faith and Doubt: The Brothers Karamazov
Course examines the grounds for faith and doubt about the
existence and goodness of God, using Dostoevsky's novel The
Brothers Karamazov, as the primary text. The novel is a story of
love and hate, atheism and religious belief, sensuality and
saintliness, suffering and the search for redemption. (U-G) (3)
RL 375. Topics in Religion
Treats a specific subject area of religion that is not the major
subject of a regularly scheduled course. (U-G) (3)
RL 377. Religion, Gender and the Goddess in Asia
A study of the role of gender in religious beliefs,
institutions, and practices. Topic areas: gods and goddesses; the
role of women in selected religious traditions; gender
relationships; identity and sexuality; gender based religious
symbolism; feminist perspectives on religion; gender perspectives
on men and religion. (U-G) (3)
RL 381. Topics in Theory and Method
Introduction to theories and methods used in the academic study
of religion with some attention to the history of the discipline.
Readings in James, Weber, Durkheim, Otto, Eliade, Turner, Daly,
Wilfred Cantwell Smith and Others. (U) (3)
RL 401, 402, 403. Independent Study
Individual study of a specific topic in religion under
supervision of a member of the department. Assigned readings,
papers, and tutorials. Obtain permission from department head
before enrolling. (U-G) (1, 2, 3)
RL 405, 406. Internship
Offers the qualified student the opportunity for supervised work
experience in a setting pertinent to their area of study and their
career goals. Contact department head if interested. Open to junior
and senior religion majors. (U) (3, 6)
RL 499. Honors Thesis
Undergraduate honors thesis in religion. (U) (3)
RP 401, 402, 403. Independent Study
Individual study of a specific topic in philosophy and religion
under supervision of a member of the department. Assigned readings,
papers and tutorials. obtain permission from department head before
enrolling. (U) (1, 2, 3)
RP 499. Honors Thesis
Undergraduate honors thesis in philosophy and religion. (U)
(3)