Religion Curriculum
The philosophy and religion department offers courses designed to lead students to reflect on their views concerning fundamental issues in life and thought. Since both the philosophical and religious traditions have had a central place in and an enormous influence upon the development of human culture, any student seeking a liberal education, whatever the major discipline, will profit from the departmental offerings.
Religion Major
- One of the following:
REL-010 Introduction to Religion
REL-015 Belief and Unbelief - REL-036 Eastern Religions
- REL-048 Western Religions
- One of the following:
REL-105 Introduction to Hebrew Bible
REL-115 Introduction to New Testament - One additional Judeo-Christian Scriptures course
- Four additional religion courses, at least three of which are numbered 300 or above
A grade of "C" or higher must be received in all courses counted toward the religion major.
Religion Minor
- One of the following:
REL-036 Eastern Religions
REL-048 Western Religions - Four additional religion courses
Courses in Religion
Special attention should be given to the numerical ordering of the courses listed below:
- Courses numbered below 100 offer general introductions to religion: Belief and Unbelief, Eastern Religions, Western Religions.
- Courses numbered 100-199 are introductory courses focused on specific traditions: Introduction to Hebrew Bible, Introduction to New Testament, Judaism, Modern Judaism, Islam, Christianity.
- Courses numbered 200-299 are topical courses especially suitable for sophomore level and above.
- Courses numbered 300-399 are advanced courses with prerequisites.
The recommended beginning course for those contemplating a major in religion is either Belief and Unbelief (REL-015) or Introduction to Religion (REL-010). However, other courses numbered below 200 are also suitable introductory courses.
SURVEY COURSES
REL- 010 Introduction to Religion
Introduces students to thinking about religion as a category of human experience, both in terms of foundational beliefs and how those beliefs are situated in practice. The course will examine methods of studying religion as well as essential questions regarding the nature of religion.
REL-015 Belief and Unbelief
Discussion oriented course focusing on the dynamics of faith and of atheism. Special attention to traditional proofs for God's existence, the problems of evil and the afterlife, and the nature of religious experience.
REL-036 Eastern Religions
An introductory survey of some of the major religions of the Indian subcontinent and the Far East. Religions to be discussed include Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism.
REL-048 Western Religions
An introductory survey of the three major Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam), both in their historical development and their contemporary expressions.
INDIVIDUAL TRADITIONS
REL-128 Judaism
The basic beliefs and practices of Judaism, from the prophetic period to the present. This course and the Modern Judaism course form a program in Jewish Studies which is supported by The Sinaiko Endowment.
REL-138 Modern Judaism
A study of selected issues in Enlightenment or post Enlightenment Judaism as reflected, for example, in the history of the Jewish people, rabbinic teachings and Jewish theological scholarship, or Jewish literature. This course and the Judaism course form a program in Jewish Studies which is supported by The Sinaiko Endowment.
REL-148 Islam
An introductory overview of Islam as an Abrahamic faith, a global civilization, and an integral facet of the American religious experience.
REL- 178 Christianity
A study of the beliefs and practices of Christianity from its earliest formulations to the modern world. Special attention will be paid to essential tenets of Christian faith, elements of Christian practice, and divergences between Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox Christianities.
REL-206 Buddhist Thought
A study of the beliefs and practices of the major traditions of Buddhism in Asia. An examination of various Buddhist views on the true nature of reality, the nature of the mind, and the path to enlightenment. This course examines both the historical development and contemporary expression of these Buddhist teachings. Prerequisite: Eastern Religions (REL-036) or consent of instructor.
REL- 215 The Rise of Christianity
An examination of how Christianity grew from a small band of Jewish followers of Jesus to the dominant religion in the Roman Empire. Attention will be paid to crucial figures such as Paul of Tarsus, Irenaeus of Lyons, and Augustine of Hippo, among others.
REL-216 Hindu Gods and Goddesses
Examines the iconography, mythology, and theology of the major deities worshipped on the Indian subcontinent. An analysis of the religious meaning of deities such as Shiva, Vishnu, and Kali for their devotees in contemporary Hinduism. Prerequisite: Eastern Religions (REL-036) or consent of instructor.
REL-268 The Holocaust: History and Response
A study of the Jewish experience of Nazi persecution. The readings include historical reports and interpretations, works of fiction, and essays by philosophers and religious thinkers (Jewish and Christian).
REL- 300 Jesus: Man, Messiah, God
An examination of different theological and philosophical arguments about the identity of Jesus in the history of Christian thought, one of the central aspects of Christian faith. Prerequisite: Introduction to Religion (REL-010) or Belief and Unbelief (REL-015) or consent of instructor.
JUDEO-CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURES
REL-105 Introduction to Hebrew Bible
A literary and theological overview of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible (the Pentateuch or Torah) in the context of their historical development and their formative impact on the rest of Israelite scripture (the Prophets and Writings). It is recommended that this course be taken prior to other Biblical studies courses.
REL-115 Introduction to New Testament
A literary and theological overview of the Christian scriptures (the Gospels and Acts, the Pauline, Johannine and catholic epistles, and the Apocalypse of John) in the context of the origins and early historical development of Christianity.
REL-240 Intertestamental Literature
A survey of literature composed by Jews during the Hellenistic and early Roman periods essential for understanding the emergence and development of Rabbinic Judaism, early Christianity and Islam (Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha, Josephus, Philo and the Dead Sea Scrolls). Prerequisite: Introduction to Hebrew Bible (REL-105) or consent of instructor.
REL- 310 Early Christian Gospels
An examination of the literary genre in early Christianity, focusing on both canonical (Mark, Matthew, Luke, John) and non-canonical Gospels, including the Gospel of Truth and the Gospel of Thomas. Why did early Christians utilize this genre to communicate traditions about Jesus of Nazareth? Prerequisite: Introduction to Hebrew Bible (REL-105) or Introduction to the New Testament (REL-115) or consent of instructor.
REL- 330 Topics in Hebrew Bible
An advanced course in an aspect of critical study of the Hebrew Bible. Potential topics include Prophecy, Wisdom Literature, and Women in the Bible. Prerequisite: Introduction to Hebrew Bible (REL-105) or consent of instructor.
REL- 365 The Letters of Paul
An examination of the 13 letters attributed to Paul of Tarsus in the New Testament as well as biblical and extrabiblical sources for the life of this crucial figure who spread Christianity around the Roman Empire. Prerequisite: Introduction to Hebrew Bible (REL-105) or Introduction to the New Testament (REL-115) or consent of instructor.
COMPARATIVE COURSES
REL- 217 Religion in America
Examines the varieties of American religious experience, from the religion of the Puritans to the twenty-first century. Attention will be paid both to normative and minority traditions, with a look at the growing Evangelical and Muslim communities in America today.
REL-278 Mysticism
A survey of mystical literature in the world's religious traditions. This course also addresses the question of the nature of mystical experience as well as that of the relation between the mystical element of religion and religion as a whole.
REL-306 Comparative Religion
A comparative study of the recurring themes and patterns found in various religions, past and present. Particular attention is paid to the meaning of religious ritual and myth, and the nature of religious experience. This course surveys several of the currently most influential theories regarding the nature of religion. Prerequisite: Eastern Religions (REL-036), Western Religions (REL-048), or consent of instructor.
REL-338 Modern Religious Thought
A survey of the religious thinkers and themes of the 20th century. Various religious outlooks, ranging from conservative to radical, are explored, as are alternative conceptions of God, religion, and salvation. Prerequisite: one course in religion or consent of instructor.
SPECIAL TOPICS COURSES
REL-385 Topics in Religion
Seminar examining a selected topic in religious studies. Content varies from year to year. May be taken for credit more than once. Prerequisite: one course in religion or consent of instructor.
REL-8_5 Independent Study in Religion
Independent studies under the direction of a faculty member of the department in an area selected by the student. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
REL-845 Directed Readings in Religion
A course of directed readings designed by the student and instructor to fit the individual student's particular interests and educational needs. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
REL-895 Internship in Religion
An experiential course in religious ministry (e.g. hospital or college chaplaincy, parish ministry, etc.), under the direction of a faculty member of the department. A minimum of 140 hours on-site experience is required. S/U basis only. This course does not satisfy any of the requirements for a major in religion. Prerequisite: consent of department.
