Courses in Religion (REL)

REL 020 - D2: Intro Rel:Comparative

Comparison of diverse practices and beliefs from selected religious traditions and cultures.

Credits: 3

REL 021 - D2: Intro Rel:Asian Traditions

Study of the Hindu, Buddhist, and East Asian religious traditions as expressed in their basic symbolisms, writings, practices, and cultural forms.

Credits: 3

REL 022 - Intro Rel:Western Traditions

Study of the basic motifs, mythic patterns, and historical transformations in religious life from the ancient Near East to the modern West.

Credits: 3

REL 023 - Intro Rel:Bible

Study of religious expressions as exemplified in biblical and related texts.

Credits: 3

REL 024 - D1:Intro Ethnic Rel Trdtns US

A study of ethnically-based religious traditions in the U.S. today as examples of non-textual, non-traditional religious systems.

Credits: 3

REL 025 - D1:Intro Rel: American Indian

To introduce students to the academic study of religion, and examine the variety of cultures, spiritual systems, and experiences of American Indians throughout the U.S.

Credits: 3

REL 026 - D2:Intro Rel:African Religions

Introduction to the study of religion with an emphasis on African religious beliefs, practices and experiences.

Credits: 3

REL 027 - Integr Humanities

Study of religious and philosophical thought in Western culture from Hebraic and Greek antiquity to present. Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in Integrated Humanities Program, English 27, 28 and History 27, 28.

Credits: 3

REL 028 - Integrated Humanities

Study of religious and philosophical thought in Western culture from Hebraic and Greek antiquity to present. Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in Integrated Humanities Program, ENGS 027, ENGS 028 and HST 027, HST 028.

Credits: 3

REL 080 - Religion & Race in America

Historical survey of forms of African-American religion in the U.S. in their relation to slavery, segregation, and civil rights; current issues in education and cultural diversity.

Credits: 3

REL 085 - On the Meaning of Life

An exploration of the ways in which different religious and philosophic thinkers, texts, and traditions have responded to questions concerning the meaning of human life.

Credits: 3

REL 086 - Phil Questions & Rel Responses

An exploration of philosophic questions dealing with religious responses drawing on thinkers from classical, modern, and contemporary texts.

Credits: 3

REL 095 - Intro Special Topics

See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.

Credits: 1 to 18

REL 096 - Intro Special Topics

See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.

Credits: 1 to 18

REL 100 - Interpretation of Religion

Examination of major theories and methods used in studying and interpreting religious phenomena. Prerequisite: Three hours in religion.

Credits: 3

REL 101 - Social Dimension Rel Life

Comparative study of communal forms of religious life, such as cosmic state, monasticism, sect, caste and denomination, from a variety of cultures-Eastern, Western, tribal, and modern-with a concern for their meanings as fundamental forms of religious expression. Prerequisite: Three hours in religion or sociology.

Credits: 3

REL 102 - D1:Sacred Space & Environment

Examines the ways in which groups (Native Americans and others) have shaped their spiritual identities and communities around important places within the landscape. Pre/co-requisites: 3 hours Religion.

Credits: 3

REL 103 - Sacred Sounds

This course examines the sonic aspects of religious life, paying particular attention to musical phenomena. Prerequisites: 3 hours of Religion

Credits: 3

REL 104 - Mysticism,Shamanism & Possessn

Comparative study of ways in which the inward dimension of religious life finds expression. Prerequisite: Three hours in religion.

Credits: 3

REL 108 - Myth, Symbol & Ritual

Study of patterns and significance of myth and ritual as they appear in cross-cultural perspective, with reference to contemporary interpretations of symbol and language. Prerequisite: Three hours in religion.

Credits: 3

REL 109 - Ritualization:Rel,Body,Culture

A cross-cultural examination of ritual strategies for integrating personal and social experience, with attention to various theories and types of religious ritual. Prerequisites: Three hours in religion.

Credits: 3

REL 111 - Western Religious Thought

Study of ways in which Western religious thinkers-in both Greek and Biblical traditions-have expressed and responded to philosophical-theological questions about human existence, world, and God. Prerequisite: Three hours in religion.

Credits: 3

REL 114 - Hebrew Scriptures

Study of the history and writings of the Hebraic-Judaic religion to the first century B.C. Prerequisite: Three hours in religion.

Credits: 3

REL 116 - Judaism

Investigation of sustaining rituals, customs, institutions, and beliefs of normative Judaism. Prerequisite: Three hours in religion.

Credits: 3

REL 122 - Christian Origins

Historical study of the first four centuries of Christianity in its sociocultural context, including consideration of New Testament texts. Prerequisite: Three hours in religion.

Credits: 3

REL 124 - Christianity

Historical study of the Christian tradition examining major religious movements of early, medieval, and Reformation Christianity, and the spirituality of Christians during these periods. Prerequisite: Three hours in religion.

Credits: 3

REL 125 - Women in Christianity to 1500

Women's roles in early and medieval Christianity, including women's religious orders, religious identities, mystical writings devotional practices, and their relationships to structures of ecclesiastical authority. Prerequisites: 3 hours in Religion. Cross-listing WGST 117.

Credits: 3

REL 128 - Religion in America

Study of the relationship between religion, the cultural ethos, and identity in America. Prerequisite: Three hours in religion.

Credits: 3

REL 130 - D2: Islam

Overview examining doctrines and practices of Muslims and their religious institutions from the rise of Islam to the present. Prerequisite: Three hours in Religion.

Credits: 3

REL 131 - Studies in Hindu Tradition

Selected writings, rituals, and developments in the Hindu tradition with reference to cultural assumptions of India. Prerequisite: Three hours in religion.

Credits: 3

REL 132 - D2: Buddhist Traditions

A survey of Buddhist beliefs and practices in a diversity of cultures, including some modern developments. Prerequisite: Three hours in religion.

Credits: 3

REL 141 - D2: Religion in Japan

An examination of Japanese values as expressed in folk, Shinto, and Buddhist traditions, and in social structures, aesthetic pursuits, or business practices. Prerequisite: Three hours in religion.

Credits: 3

REL 145 - D2: Religion in China

Examination of Classical, Confucian and Taoist thought through texts in translation, developments in these traditions, and interactions with folk religion and Buddhism in the premodern period. Prerequisite: Three hours in religion.

Credits: 3

REL 163 - D2:Women & Religion in Africa

This course examines the relationships between women and religious institutions, practices, and communities in a variety of settings in sub-Saharan Africa. Prerequisites: 3 hours in Religion. Cross-listing: WGST 116.

Credits: 3

REL 167 - D2:Christianity in Africa

Examination of Christianity in Africa from both historical and cultural perspectives. Prerequisites: 3 hours in Religion

Credits: 3

REL 173 - Studies in Gender & Religion

Selected topics focusing on the social and religious construction of gender and the shape of women's religious lives. Religious traditions studied vary by semester. Prerequisite: Three hours in religion. May be repeated up to six hours.

Credits: 3

REL 180 - Moral&Rel Persp on Holocaust

A study of the Holocaust in relation to questions of moral responsibility, justice, guilt, and human suffering, focusing on Jewish responses. Prerequisites: 3 hours in REL or HST 190 or permission of instructor.

Credits: 3

REL 190 - Methods in Teaching Religion

Provides formal academic structure to support learning in Religion pedagogy for undergraduate teaching assistants. Pre/co-requisite: Simultaneous appointment as Teaching Assistant.

Credits: 1 to 3

REL 191 - Methods in Teaching Religion

Provides formal academic structure to support learning in Religion pedagogy for undergraduate teaching assistants. Pre/co-requisite: Simultaneous appointment as Teaching Assistant.

Credits: 1 to 3

REL 195 - Intermediate Special Topics

Intermediate courses or seminars on topics beyond the scope of existing departmental offerings. See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.

Credits: 1 to 18

REL 196 - Intermediate Special Topics

Intermediate courses or seminars on topics beyond the scope of existing departmental offerings. See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.

Credits: 1 to 18

REL 197 - Readings & Research

Variable credit.

Credits: 1 to 6

REL 198 - Readings & Research

Variable credit.

Credits: 1 to 6

REL 201 - Senior Seminar

Selected contemporary issues in theory and interpretation; preparation and presentation of individual senior projects. Prerequisites: Twelve hours in religion, including 100 and six hours at the intermediate level, senior standing.

Credits: 3

REL 214 - Studies in Judaica

Selected topics of concentration emerging out of and related to the study of normative Judaism, e.g. the prophetic faith, Rabbinic Judaism, Hasidism, and Jewish mysticism. Prerequisite: Nine hours in religion, with three hours at the intermediate level (REL 116 recommended). May be repeated up to six hours.

Credits: 3

REL 224 - Studies in Christianity

Examination of selected issues, movements, periods, or individuals within the Christian tradition. Prerequisites: Nine hours in religion (122, 124, or 173 recommended). May be repeated up to six hours.

Credits: 3

REL 226 - Studies in Hellenistic Rel

Study of religion in the Mediterranean area during the period from the 4th century B.C. though the 4th century A.D. including Christian origins. Prerequisite: Nine hours in religion, with three hours at the intermediate level.

Credits: 3

REL 228 - Studies in Western Rel Thought

Important figures, issues, movements, or texts examined. Prerequisite: Nine hours in religion, with three hours at the intermediate level. May be repeated up to six hours.

Credits: 3

REL 230 - Studies in Islam

Topics varying by semester such as Women and Islam, Sufi (mystical) traditions, Shi'ite Islam, Islam and the West, and South Asian Muslim Cultures. Prerequisites: Nine hours in Religion, with three hours at the intermediate level (REL 130 recommended).

Credits: 3

REL 234 - D2:Buddhism in Sri Lanka

An examination of Theravada Buddhist belief and practice in the context of Sri Lankan culture, with attention to lay and monastic interaction. Prerequisites: Nine hours in religion with three hours at the intermediate level; or REL 132.

Credits: 3

REL 240 - Studies in Asian Religions

Concentrated studies in the history, life, or thought of a selected Asian religious tradition. Prerequisite: Three hours in religion at intermediate level in the same religious traditions.

Credits: 3

REL 259 - Religion and Secular Culture

Comparison of religious and secular systems of meaning, value, and practice. Prerequisite: Nine hours in religion, with three hours at the intermediate level.

Credits: 3

REL 291 - Tpcs in Hist & Phenom of Rel

Prerequisites: Nine hours in religion, with six hours at the intermediate level, junior standing. May be repeated up to six hours.

Credits: 1 to 6

REL 292 - Tpcs in Hist & Phenom of Rel

Prerequisites: Nine hours in religion, with six hours at the intermediate level, junior standing. May be repeated up to six hours.

Credits: 1 to 6

REL 297 - Interdisciplinary Seminar

Student-faculty workshop on a topic of current interest, employing resources from various disciplines. Prerequisites: Nine hours in religion, with six hours at the intermediate level, junior standing, instructor's permission.

Credits: 3

REL 298 - Interdisciplinary Seminar

Student-faculty workshop on a topic of current interest, employing resources from various disciplines. Prerequisites: Nine hours in religion, with six hours at the intermediate level, junior standing, instructor's permission.

Credits: 3