Religion
In keeping with the mission of Wabash College to educate men to “think critically, act responsibly, lead effectively, and live humanely,” the Religion Department promotes the academic study of religion as part of a rich, well-rounded liberal arts education. We recognize that learning how people have understood and practiced religion throughout history and around the globe is not only important for understanding our world, but also intellectually exciting and personally enriching.
In our courses, we encourage broad and rigorous critical thinking about, and engagement with, religion and theology. We use lectures, discussions, and immersion learning, as well as a wide diversity of methods, including those of theology, philosophy, history, sociology, anthropology, cultural studies, and literature and the arts. We invite students to study everything from ancient texts to contemporary issues, from religious traditions that they likely know well to those that are new to them.
As such, our courses are intended for all students, including believers, skeptics, and seekers of all kinds. They typically challenge and complicate students’ religious beliefs, while at the same time giving them the tools to broaden and deepen their beliefs. We thus prepare our students for success in graduate school, in religious vocations, as teachers of religion, and in all the career options open to liberal arts college graduates.
As it has done for many years, the Religion Department also supports a variety of activities on campus, such as the annual Christmas Festival with the Music Department, events hosted by the Muslim Students Association, a weekly religious chapel in the Protestant Christian tradition, the Roman Catholic Newman Club, Wabash Christian Men, and other student religious activities.
We try to provide a large number of “entry points” for interested students.
- 100-level courses: Courses numbered in the 100s are all appropriate to take as a first course in religion. Most are lecture courses, but some are discussion courses (e.g. REL-194 Religion and Film, REL-195 Religion & the Arts, REL-196 Religion & Literature). 100-level courses do not have prerequisites.
- 200-level courses: Courses numbered in the 200s are smaller discussion courses. Some have prerequisites; some do not. 200-level courses without a prerequisite are also appropriate to take as a first course in religion.
- 300-level courses: Courses numbered in the 300s are more advanced seminars and usually have prerequisites as indicated.
- REL-490 Sr. Sem: Nature & the Study of Religion is usually taken by majors in the fall of their senior year.
Student Learning Goals
History: acquire knowledge of the history of religious traditions- both ancient and modern, familiar and new.
Relevance: understand the ongoing relevance and impact of religion today, and the interactions of different religions globally.
Diversity: develop awareness of the diversity of religions experiences and traditions.
Pedagogy: learn through a variety of pedagogical methods, including immersion experiences.
Critical Thinking about Religion: think critically about all aspects of religion.
Complexity: enable students to broaden, deepen, or complicate their own religious beliefs.
Activities: have access to various activities at the College, religious and otherwise, that are outside the classroom and supported by the department.
Critical Thinking about the Study of Religion: think broadly and critically about what we're doing when we're engaged in the academic study of religion.
Methods: learn a variety of methods commonly employed in the academic study of religion, e.g. sociology, anthropology, theology, history, cultural studies, literary criticism, rhetorical analysis, immersion learning.
Analysis: use these methods to practice the close analysis and interpretation of various religion texts, where "texts" are broadly construed to include, e.g. inscriptions, symbols, artifacts, rituals, festivals, art, music, film, fiction, poetry, other written documents.
Requirements for the Major
A minimum of nine course credits including:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| History of Christianity | 2 | |
| History of Christianity to Reformation | ||
| Christianity: Reformation to Modern Era | ||
| Topics in Religion (select two course credits from the following) | 2 | |
| Hebrew Bible/Old Testament | ||
| Topics in Hebrew Bible/Old Testament | ||
| Seminar in Hebrew Bible | ||
| His & Lit of the New Testament | ||
| Topics in New Test & Early Christianity | ||
| Seminar in New Test & Early Christianity | ||
| Topics in History of Christianity | ||
| Seminars in the History of Christianity | ||
| Introduction to Theology | ||
| Topics in Theology | ||
| Contemporary Theology | ||
| Seminar in Theology | ||
| Theological Ethics | ||
| Topics in Ethics | ||
| Seminar in Ethics | ||
| Religion in America | ||
| Topics in American Religion | ||
| Seminar in American Religion | ||
| Topics in Religion & Philosophy | ||
| Religion and Film | ||
| Religion & the Arts | ||
| Religion & Literature | ||
| Topics in Religion & Film | ||
| Religion and the Arts | ||
| Religion and Literature | ||
| History of Judaism | ||
| Topics in History of Judaism | ||
| Seminar in History of Judaism | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| World Religions (select two course credits from the following) | 2 | |
| Islam and the Religions of India | ||
| Topics in Islam | ||
| Topics in South Asian Religions | ||
| Seminar in Islam | ||
| Seminar in South Asian Religions | ||
| Religions of China and Japan | ||
| Topics in East Asian Religions | ||
| Seminar in East Asian Religions | ||
| Studies in Judaism | ||
| Topics in the Study of Judaism | ||
| Seminar in Jewish Thought | ||
| Topics in Comparative Religion | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Methods (select one from the following) | 1 | |
| Anthropology of Religion | ||
| Sociology of Religion | ||
| Contemporary Theology | ||
| Senior Seminar | 1 | |
| Sr. Sem: Nature & the Study of Religion | ||
| Advanced Elective | 1 | |
At least one course credit at the 200-level or 300-level, apart from those courses listed above. 2 | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |
- 1
Taken before the senior year
- 2
If, out of REL-297 Anthropology of Religion, REL-298 Sociology of Religion, or REL-370 Contemporary Theology, one of these courses has already been taken in order to satisfy requirements above, then either of the remaining two may count as a 200/300-level course to satisfy the requirement. But if not, then it may not.
Comprehensive Examinations
Senior majors write for two days, three hours each day. The usual pattern has been to write on two questions the first day. There is a wide range of questions from which to choose, and questions characteristically draw on material from more than one course. On the second day, students write about a case study--chosen from two options--that raises questions about the nature and study of religion in a specific context.
Requirements for the Minor
A minimum of five course credits.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Sequence (select at least one from the following sequences) | 2 | |
| Islam and the Religions of India and Religions of China and Japan | ||
| Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and His & Lit of the New Testament | ||
| History of Christianity to Reformation and Christianity: Reformation to Modern Era | ||
| Introduction to Theology and Theological Ethics | ||
| Religion in America and Topics in American Religion | ||
| Advanced Elective | 1 | |
| Religion Electives | 2 | |
| Total Credits | 5 | |
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