Alma College: Courses

REL 100.	The Divine Call (AH-3)
	4 credits

Explore the call of God to individuals and to humanity as a whole. Working primarily from the Judeo-Christian perspective, students read and reflect on the call of God to characters of both the Hebrew and Christian scriptures, to religious leaders of the eastern and western traditions, and to select individuals outside the Judeo-Christian perspective.
REL 101.	Biblical Tradition I (AH-3)
	4 credits

Introduction to the Old Testament from its origins to the Babylonian Exile (587-6 B.C.); focuses on history, literature and interpretation. Examination of assumptions and methodology.
REL 102.	Biblical Tradition II (AH-3)
	4 credits

Introduction to the New Testament, its history, environment, literature and interpretation. Formative years of Judaism and growth of the Christian community.
REL 103.	Introduction to World Religions (AH-3)
	4 credits

An introduction to the histories, major figures, and belief systems of selected "world religions" such as Hinduism, Confucianism, Daoism, Judaism, Jainism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and/or newer religious movements such as Mormonism or Baha'i Faith.
REL 104.	Stories of the Hebrew Scriptures (AH-3)
	2 credits

Historical and literary analyses of Ruth, Jonah, Esther, Daniel and other Old Testament stories, and their contributions to the religious life, understanding and imagination of ancient Israel.
REL 105.	Christian Traditions (AH-3)
	4 credits

Examination of history of Christian thought and traditions from early church through modern period. Analysis and interpretation of selected documents.
REL 106.	Reformation and Protestant Traditions (AH-3)
	4 credits

Examination of Reformation and various Protestant traditions. Analysis and interpretation of various documents.
REL 107.	Religion in America (AH-3)
	4 credits

Examination of history of religious thought and traditions in America. Analysis and interpretation of selected documents. Non-traditional forms of religion also included.
REL 109.	Matthew, Mark and Luke (AH-3)
	2 credits

In-depth examination of similarities and differences in the so-called "Synoptic Gospels" and the church communities which produced them. Attention to understanding world views, religious thought, cultural settings and history.
REL 110.	Paul's Letters (AH-3)
	2 credits

In-depth examination of Paul's Letters to the Thessalonians, Galatians, Corinthians, Philippians, Philemon and Romans. Investigation of the social and cultural history, world views and religious thought surrounding their writing, reception and retention in New Testament canon.
REL 130.	Creation Stories and the Religious Traditions (AH-3)
	4 credits

Examination of diverse creation myths from many cultures and the role cosmologies play in forming a culture's worldview.
REL 140.	Jesus in Gospel and Film (AH-3)
	4 credits

An introduction to the context, life, and teaching of Jesus of Nazareth through the media of film, primary texts (canonical and non-canonical gospels), and secondary texts in biblical criticism.
REL 150.	Good Life in World's Religions (AH-3)
	4 credits

Examination of what constitutes a good life according to Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Christianity.
REL 181-*381.	Topics in Biblical Study (AH-3 for 181)
	4 credits

Topics may include Torah, Paul's Letters, Prophetic and Wisdom Literature, Synoptic Gospels, and/or Biblical Ethics and Social Problems. May be repeated for credit for distinct topics.
REL 202.	Feminist Philosophy and Religion (AH-3)
	4 credits

Examination of recent feminist studies in philosophy and religion. Focus on method, style, approach and arguments of the feminist critique.
REL 203.	Prophetic and Wisdom Literature (AH-3)
	4 credits

In-depth examination of selected portions of the Old Testament, particularly books of Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Proverbs, Job and Ecclesiastes.
REL 204.	Paul (AH-3)
	4 credits

Discussion of the man, his world and his thought. The significance of his interpretation of the person and work of Jesus for the emerging Christian community.
REL 210.	Biblical Ethics and Community Service (AH-3)
	4 credits

Examines the Biblical ethic which underlies the religious understanding, worship and community service of Jewish and Christian religious communities. Opportunities to participate in community service agencies and programs.
REL 215.	Philosophy of Religion (AH-3)
	4 credits

Examination of classical and contemporary issues in the philosophy of religion such as arguments for and against the existence of God, religious language, the relation between faith and reason, the evidential value of religious claims, and the relationship between morality and religion. Also listed as PHL 215.
REL 217.	Wisdom of the Far East (AH-3)
	4 credits

Exploration of the major religious traditions and philosophical systems of the Far East: Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. History, thought and contemporary role of these non-Western religions and philosophies.
REL 218.	The Heritage of Judaism (AH-3)
	4 credits

Explores history of the birth, growth and expansion of Judaism. Examines and studies world views, values, practices and customs for their implications in understanding contemporary Judaism and its influence and impact on modern world.
REL 219.	The Heritage of Islam (AH-3)
	4 credits

Explores the history of Islam, influence of Mohammed and expansion and impact of Islam on East and West. Examines the Koran and practices and customs of Islam in light of Islam's world view, values and influence.
REL *220.	Bible and Society (AH-3)
	4 credits
	Permission
Explores how the social context (ethnic, economic, class, etc.) of faith communities shapes the study, understanding, and use of scripture in worship and impacts the values and daily lives. Emphasis on lectionary readings shared by Protestants and Roman Catholics, and the Hebrew scriptures. (Cross listed as SOA 221).
REL 225.	Environmental Ethics (AH-3)
	4 credits

Examination of ideas of nature, relation of humans to nature and human responsibilities to, for and with nature from Western (inherited and current), alternative Western (deep-ecology, ecofeminism, Gaia) and Eastern perspectives. Focus on understanding various environmental ethical perspectives and their personal, social and environmental consequences.
REL 230.	Religion and Science (AH-3)
	4 credits

Examination of the relationship between religion and science through both historical and contemporary issues.
REL 243.	Zen: A Study of Eastern Mysticism (AH-3)
	4 credits	$15

Examination of Zen writings and philosophy.
REL 250.	Christian Ethics (AH-3)
	4 credits

An exploration of current Christian debates on ethical issues such as human reproduction, homosexuality, pacifism and just war, racism, nationalism, genetic engineering, and/or economic and environmental justice. Prior knowledge of Christian traditions is helpful but not required.
REL 299.	Independent Study
	2-4 credits
	Permission

REL *380.	Topics in Religion
	2-6 credits
	Depending on Topic
Selected topics in religious studies. May be taken more than once. Only two registrations count toward a Major in Religious Studies.
REL 385-386.	Practicum
	2-6 credits
	Permission

REL *399.	Independent Study
	2-6 credits
	Permission
Individual study of particular subject in religion. Intensive acquaintance with selected part of the literature through planned program of reading.
REL *400.	Theory and Method in Religious Studies
	4 credits

Upper level seminar addresses current issues in the field of religious studies (such as postmodernism, postcolonialism, disability studies, and/or queer theory), approaching these issues with a variety of disciplinary methods (such as historical, theological, phenomenological, ethical, and/or anthropological). Required for, but not limited to, majors and minors in religious studies.
REL *500.	Senior Thesis
	4 credits
	Permission
Individual research culminating in preparation of major paper and departmental oral examination.

Courses

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