Religion (REL) Courses

REL-103 Islam and the Religions of India

This course is an introduction to Islam, and the indigenous religions of India. The first part of the course studies the history, beliefs, and practices of Islam in the Middle East from Muhammad to the present day. The second part studies the history, beliefs, and practices of the religions of India (Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism), down to the coming of Islam in the 8th century. The third part deals with the religious developments in India that have resulted from the interactions between Islam and Hinduism in the modern period. Emphasis is placed upon readings in primary texts of these religions. This course is offered fall semester.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Distribution: History/Philosophy/Religion

REL-104 Religions of China and Japan

This is an introduction to the indigenous traditions of East Asia (Confucianism, Daoism, and Shinto), and the development of Buddhism in China and Japan. There will also be some coverage of Christianity, Islam, and popular religion. Special attention will be given to the ways these various traditions have changed and interacted with one another in different historical contexts, especially the modern period. Readings will be from the works of Confucius, Laozi, and other Chinese and Japanese philosophers and religious figures. This course is offered in the spring semester.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Distribution: History/Philosophy/Religion

REL-141 Hebrew Bible/Old Testament

This is an introduction to the Tanakh, or Hebrew Bible. The format of this course will be reading and discussion of primary texts from the Torah, Prophets, and Writings of the Hebrew Bible. The emphasis will be reading for literary and narrative themes and theological issues in the text, with some discussion of historical context. This course is offered in the fall semester.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Distribution: History/Philosophy/Religion

REL-150 History of Judaism

This course will address, at the introductory level, various topics in Jewish history, such as Second Temple Judaism, Rabbinics, or medieval Jewish thought. Topics will vary from year to year. REL 150 applies to requirement B for the major. Please refer to the Registrar's page for course description.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1

REL-151 Studies in Judaism

This course will address, at the introductory level, various aspects of Jewish thought and theology, such as contemporary Jewish thought, Jewish-Christian dialogue, and responses to the Holocaust. Topics will vary from year to year. Please refer to the Registrar's page for course description.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

REL-162 His & Lit of the New Testament

This course is an introduction to the social-historical study of the writings that came to be the New Testament of the Christian churches. We will survey the social, political, and religious contexts of the Jewish and Greco-Roman worlds of the first century, the actions and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, and the missionary activity of Paul of Tarsus. We will study most of the texts included in the New Testament, as well as other ancient Jewish and early Christian writings to learn about the development of the various beliefs and practices of these first Christian communities.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Distribution: Literature/Fine Arts, History/Philosophy/Religion
Equated Courses: CLA-162

REL-171 History of Christianity to Reformation

An introduction to the history of Christianity from the patristic, post-New-Testament period to the medieval period and the early Renaissance. Principal themes include the emergence and meaning of early Christian beliefs and practices, their development during the Middle Ages, the social and cultural environments of the ancient, medieval, and early Renaissance church, and the trends leading up to the Reformation. This course is offered in the fall semester.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Distribution: History/Philosophy/Religion

REL-172 Christianity: Reformation to Modern Era

This course is an introduction to the history of Christianity from the sixteenth-century Reformation to the present. The course focuses primarily on Christianity in the West, but also examines the global spread of Christianity. Principal themes include the challenges of modern thought and culture to traditional Christianity, religious innovation and pluralism, missionary movements, the interaction between Christianity and its social and cultural environments, and new forms of Christian theology and institutions. This course is offered in the spring semester.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Distribution: History/Philosophy/Religion

REL-173 Introduction to Theology

This is a course which introduces students to the principal themes, issues, and genres of Christian theology. Special attention will be given to method in theological thought, as well as the themes of creation, redemption, and reconciliation. Readings will typically be drawn from the modern period, including Tillich, Caputo, Placher, Moltmann, and Keller. In some years the course may be offered for half (0.5) credit.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Distribution: History/Philosophy/Religion

REL-181 Religion in America

An introduction to the religious history of America, this course will explore the historical development of the primary religious traditions in America, especially Protestantism, Catholicism, and Judaism, as well as the formative influence of religion among women, African Americans, and American Indians. Principal themes include pluralism, the impact of religious disestablishment, revivalism and reform, theological movements, and religious innovation. This course is offered in the fall semester.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Distribution: History/Philosophy/Religion

REL-194 Religion and Film

This course is an introduction to the genre of film as an imaginative vehicle for religious beliefs, practices, and traditions. These can be explored not only in doctrinal forms, but also creatively and often indirectly in artistic forms like film or other videographic media. The course will employ film criticism as well as theological reflection as tools for understanding films with religious themes and insights
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Distribution: History/Philosophy/Religion, Literature/Fine Arts

REL-195 Religion & the Arts

This is an examination of the arts of a particular period and place with a view to discovering the religious insights and attitudes that they embody.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

REL-196 Religion & Literature

This course is an examination of one or more works of literature, with a view to discovering the religious insights and attitudes that they embody. The works and authors will vary from year to year, depending on the focus of the course. Recent topics have included classical Chinese poetry (Li Bo and Du Fu); Japanese literature; and novels and stories by John Updike, Shusaku Endo, Flannery O'Connor, Graham Greene, Anne Tyler, and C.S. Lewis.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
Distribution: History/Philosophy/Religion
Equated Courses: HUM-196

REL-208 Healing:relig & Soc

This course is designed to help students understand the sociological and religious dimensions to what counts as "healing." Are humans primarily like machines whose broken parts can be fixed? Could healing be present even if a sickness or its symptoms continue to be present? In what ways do social arrangements like stratification, power distribution and status affect health outcomes? While especially helpful for students considering careers in healthcare, the class is focused on "living humanely" by deepening your appreciation of the complexities behind the harms that come to human bodies and minds and the multiple ways the effects of those harms can be healed. Course is organized to meet expected learning standards for Sociology portion of MCAT.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Distribution: History/Philosophy/Religion, Behavioral Science
Equated Courses: SOC-208

REL-210 Topics in Islam

Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: REL-103, or permission of instructor
Credit: 1
Distribution: History/Philosophy/Religion

REL-220 Topics in South Asian Religions

Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: REL-103
Credit: 1

REL-230 Topics in East Asian Religions

Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: REL-104
Credit: 1

REL-240 Topics in Hebrew Bible/Old Testament

Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

REL-250 Topics in History of Judaism

REL 250 applies to requirement B for the major. Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

REL-251 Topics in the Study of Judaism

Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

REL-260 Topics in New Test & Early Christianity

Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
Distribution: History/Philosophy/Religion

REL-270 Theological Ethics

This is a discussion course that examines the relationship between religion and ethics from many different perspectives, beginning with theological models of talking about God, the self, and ethical goods and ending with discussions of specific ethical problems. American realism, Latin American liberation theology, Roman Catholic natural law theory, and environmental theology will be covered. Issues discussed include medical ethics, theology and economics, the problem of war, the role of the church in social change, and the nature of sin.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Distribution: History/Philosophy/Religion

REL-272 Topics in History of Christianity

Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
Distribution: History/Philosophy/Religion

REL-273 Topics in Theology

Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
Distribution: History/Philosophy/Religion

REL-274 Topics in Ethics

Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

REL-275 Topics in Religion & Philosophy

Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
Distribution: History/Philosophy/Religion

REL-280 Topics in American Religion

Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Distribution: History/Philosophy/Religion

REL-290 Topics in Comparative Religion

Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
Distribution: History/Philosophy/Religion

REL-294 Topics in Religion & Film

Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

REL-295 Religion and the Arts

Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
Distribution: History/Philosophy/Religion
Equated Courses: HUM-295

REL-296 Religion and Literature

This is a discussion course on religious themes and theological issues in literary works. Refer to Student Planning and the Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
Equated Courses: HUM-296

REL-297 Anthropology of Religion

A seminar examining the various ways anthropology describes and interprets religious phenomena. We will study anthropological theories of religion, and focus on how these theories apply to specific religions in diverse contexts, especially among indigenous peoples. We will pay particular attention to the social and symbolic functions of beliefs and rituals and to the religious importance of myths, symbols, and cosmology.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Distribution: History/Philosophy/Religion

REL-298 Sociology of Religion

This discussion course examines the various ways sociology describes and interprets religious phenomena. The course investigates the history and methods of sociology, and different sociological theories of religion, as applied to specific religions or social structures involving religion. Recent topics have included the expansion of early Christianity; religious persecution and violence; religion among teenagers and emerging adults in the United States; religious diversity in contemporary American society; and post-colonial approaches to the study of religion and society.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Distribution: Behavioral Science, History/Philosophy/Religion
Equated Courses: SOC-298

REL-310 Seminar in Islam

This is an advanced seminar on some topic in Islamic thought or history. Refer to the Course Descriptions document on the Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: REL-103
Credits: 0.5-1

REL-320 Seminar in South Asian Religions

This is an advanced seminar on some topic in the religions of South Asia, such as Hinduism, Jainism, or Indian Buddhism. Refer to the Course Descriptions document on the Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: REL-103
Credits: 0.5-1

REL-330 Seminar in East Asian Religions

This is an advanced seminar on some topic in the religions of China and Japan. Refer to the Course Descriptions document on the Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: REL-104
Credits: 0.5-1

REL-340 Seminar in Hebrew Bible

This is an advanced seminar on some topic related to the history and literature of ancient Israel. Refer to the Course Descriptions document on the Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: REL-141
Credits: 0.5-1

REL-350 Seminar in History of Judaism

This is an advanced seminar on Jewish history, such as Second Temple Judaism, Rabbinics, or medieval Jewish thought. REL 350 applies to requirement B for the major. Refer to the Course Descriptions document on the Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
Distribution: History/Philosophy/Religion

REL-351 Seminar in Jewish Thought

This is an advanced seminar on Jewish thought and theology, such as contemporary Jewish thought, responses to the Holocaust, and the Jewish-Christian dialogue. (REL 351 applies to requirement C for the major.)
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

REL-360 Seminar in New Test & Early Christianity

This is an advanced seminar on the New Testament and early Christianity. Recent topics have included apocalyptic and the Apocalypse, gnostic writings, and the construction of orthodoxy and heresy. (In some years REL-260 may be offered instead). Refer to the Course Descriptions document on the Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

REL-370 Contemporary Theology

Seminar discussions of selected works of some significant theologians of the 20th and 21st centuries: Karl Barth, Hans Urs von Balthasar, Paul Tillich, William Placher, Sallie McFague, Jurgen Moltmann, and others. Special attention will be given to the role of scripture, Jesus, human experience (including race and gender issues), our understandings of God, theologies of liberation, and theology's special contribution to contemporary issues.
Prerequisites: REL-171, REL-172, REL-173, REL-270, or PHI-242
Credit: 1

REL-372 Seminars in the History of Christianity

This is an advanced seminar on one or more figures, themes, or movements in the history of Christianity. Refer to the Course Descriptions document on the Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: REL-171 or REL-172
Credits: 0.5-1

REL-373 Seminar in Theology

This is an advanced seminar on one or more figures, themes, or movements in Christian theology. Refer to the Course Descriptions document on the Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1

REL-374 Seminar in Ethics

This is an advanced seminar on one or more figures, themes, or movements in contemporary ethics. Refer to the Course Descriptions document on the Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: REL-270
Credits: 0.5-1

REL-380 Seminar in American Religion

This is an advanced seminar on one or more figures, themes, or movements in American religion. Refer to the Course Descriptions document on the Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

REL-387 Independent Study

Individual research projects. The manner of study will be determined by the student in consultation with the instructor. Students must receive written approval of their project proposal from a department Chair before registering for the course.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

REL-388 Independent Study

Individual research projects. The manner of study will be determined by the student in consultation with the instructor. Students must receive written approval of their project proposal from a department Chair before registering for the course.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

REL-490 Sr. Sem: Nature & the Study of Religion

This course examines different theories of the phenomenon of religion, different methods of studying and understanding it, and the issues that arise from comparing these theories and methods. This course is required of all religion majors, normally in their senior year, and is open to other students with the consent of the instructor.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Distribution: History/Philosophy/Religion