Religious Studies (REL)
Professor Massanari; Associate Professor Stratton; Visiting Professor Makarios.
Religious Studies examines the way a person or community makes sense out of life (world views) and the way a person or community acts out and lives in a world view (life styles). The study of religion includes (1) exploration of the nature and meaning of the religious dimensions of human experience; (2) study of the major traditions which remember and transmit religious experience and expressions; (3) encouragement of an inquisitive, analytical and open approach to multiple religious perspectives; and (4) exploration of the value frameworks in various religious perspectives to help clarify student values.
Many graduates of Alma's Religious Studies program have continued their studies in graduate schools or seminaries. Others have entered church work, chaplaincies, teaching, social work agencies, personnel offices, communications, journalism and business or have volunteered for service in VISTA and the Peace Corps.
Major Requirements
- Thirty-six credits in Religious Studies. Program of study constructed on an individual basis in consultation with members of the Department.
- Sixteen credits at the upper level. Frequently, upper level courses will be independent studies.
- Senior Thesis and oral examination (4 credits).
- Foreign language study strongly encouraged for all Majors and required for honors in the Department.
Minor Requirements
- Twenty-four credits in Religious Studies. Program of study constructed on an individual basis in consultation with members of the Department.
- Upper level courses are frequently independent studies.
| 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. | The Gospel of John (AH-3) | |
|
2 credits | |
| In-depth examination of the author's material, style and outlook, especially the distinctive contribution of his thought to the emerging Christianity of the first two centuries. | ||
| 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 150. | Good Life in World's Religions (AH-3) | |
|
4 credits | |
| Examine what constitutes a good life according to Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Christianity. | ||
| REL 180. | Topics in Religion | |
|
2-6 credits | Fee depends on topic |
| Selected topics in religious studies. May be taken more than once. Only two registrations count toward a Major in Religious Studies. | ||
| 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 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 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 *500. | Senior Thesis | |
 |
4 credits | |
| Permission | ||
| Individual research culminating in preparation of major paper and departmental oral examination. | ||