Requirements & Courses

An introduction to the histories, major figures, sacred texts and belief systems of selected “world religions” such as Hinduism, Confucianism, Daoism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and/or newer religious movements such as Mormonism or Baha’i Faith.

A literary and historical introduction to the books of the Tanakh or Hebrew Bible (what Christians call the Old Testament), including the Torah, prophets, wisdom literature, and other writings.

An introduction to the writings of the New Testament (including gospels, epistles, and apocalypse) as well as its first-century historical context and early canonical formation.

Examination of history of Christian thought and traditions from early church through modern period. Analysis and interpretation of selected documents.

Examination of diverse creation myths from many cultures and the role cosmologies play in forming a culture’s worldview.

Examination of what constitutes a good life according to Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Christianity.

Special topics in religious studies. May be repeated for distinct topics.

Special topics in biblical studies. May be repeated for distinct topics.

This course addresses questions about women in various religious traditions and examines the ways feminist theory interacts with the study and practice of religion.

An introduction to Christian thought and practice from the first century to the present. Course includes reading, discussion, and written analysis of a variety of primary and secondary texts; individual and group work; off-campus site visits; and/or academic service learning.

An examination of the theological debates surrounding the Protestant and Catholic Reformations of 16th century Europe. Includes reading, discussion, and written analysis of various primary and secondary texts.

Examination of history of religious thought and traditions in America. Analysis and interpretation of selected documents. Non-traditional forms of religion also included.

Examines the Biblical ethic underlying the religious understanding, worship and community service of Jewish and Christian religious communities. Opportunities to participate in community service agencies and programs.

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. (Cross-listed as PHL-215.)

Examination, evaluation and discussion of selected subjects - the individual, freedom, responsibility, anxiety, hope, death, meaning of life - as treated in various essays, short stories and dramas. Focus on analysis and interpretation of texts. (Cross-listed as PHL-216.)

Exploration of the histories and roles of the most influential religious traditions and philosophical systems in Asia: Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism. (Cross-listed as PHL-217.)

An examination of Jewish and Islamic thought and practice from the formative periods to the present, including contemporary debates. Includes reading, discussion, and written analysis of various primary and secondary texts.

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 SOC-221.)

Business and ecological ethics in religious perspective.

Examination of the relationship between religion and science through both historical and contemporary issues.

An examination of public religious speech from hermeneutical interpretation to delivery and evaluation. This course includes practical application of homiletic studies through public speaking exercises, interfaith examination of texts, and exposure to intercultural preaching.

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. Spring Term only.

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.

Special topics in Religious Studies.

Special topics in Religious Studies.

Special topics in biblical studies.

Individual study of a particular subject in religion.

This course addresses questions about women in various religious traditions and examines the ways feminist theory interacts with the study and practice of religion.

An introduction to Christian thought and practice from the first century to the present. Course includes reading, discussion, and written analysis of a variety of primary and secondary texts; individual and group work; off-campus site visits; and/or academic service learning.

An examination of the theological debates surrounding the Protestant and Catholic Reformations of 16th century Europe. Includes reading, discussion, and written analysis of various primary and secondary texts.

Examination of history of religious thought and traditions in America. Analysis and interpretation of selected documents. Non-traditional forms of religion also included.

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. (Cross-listed as PHL-215.)

Examination, evaluation and discussion of selected subjects - the individual, freedom, responsibility, anxiety, hope, death, meaning of life - as treated in various essays, short stories and dramas. Focus on analysis and interpretation of texts.

Exploration of the histories and roles of the most influential religious traditions and philosophical systems in Asia: Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism.

An examination of Jewish and Islamic thought and practice from the formative periods to the present, including contemporary debates. Includes reading, discussion, and written analysis of various primary and secondary texts.

Examination of the relationship between religion and science through both historical and contemporary issues.

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. Spring Term only.

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.

Selected topics in religious studies. May be taken more than once. Only two registrations count toward a Major in Religious Studies.

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.

Individual study of particular subject in religion. Intensive acquaintance with selected part of the literature through planned program of reading.

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.

Individual research culminating in preparation of major paper and departmental oral examination. Requires instructor permission to register.