Religious Studies (RELS)
RELS 100 The New Testament 3 Hours
An introduction to the historical, literary, and cultural approaches to the New Testament with a view toward understanding and interpretation. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code E-AH | AH
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024
RELS 101 The Old Testament/ Hebrew Scriptures 3 Hours
An introduction to the historical, literary, and cultural approaches to the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) with a view toward understanding and interpretation. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code E-AH | AH
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022
RELS 102 World Religions 3 Hours
An introduction to the study of religion from Western and non-Western cultures. The course surveys and critiques definitions of religion and examines topics such as the historical, social, psychological, and ethical implications of a number of religious traditions. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code E-AH | AH
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024
RELS 103 Religions of Asia 3 Hours
Introduction to the history, doctrines, and practices of the major religions of India, China and Japan.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
RELS 150 Elementary Latin 3 Hours
No course description is available
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
RELS 151 Elementary Latin (Continued) 3 Hours
No course description is available. Fulfills World Language with a grade of C or better.
Prerequisite(s): High School 2 years Latin
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
RELS 152 Biblical Languages I: Introductory Hebrew 3 Hours
A study of the vocabulary, grammar, and syntax of Biblical Hebrew. May be taken either as a foreign language course or as a RELS elective.
Equivalent(s): BLNG 152
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022
RELS 153 Biblical Languages II: Intermediate Hebrew 3 Hours
Further development of an understanding of the fundamentals of the Hebrew language with special attention to the reading of selected portions of the Old Testament. May be taken either as a foreign language course or as a RELS elective. Fulfills World Language with a grade of C or better.
Prerequisite(s): (RELS 152 or High School 2 years Hebrew)
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2023
RELS 154 Biblical Languages III: Introductory Greek 3 Hours
A study of the vocabulary, grammar, and syntax of Koine Greek. May be taken either as a foreign language course or as a RELS elective.
Equivalent(s): BLNG 154
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
RELS 155 Biblical Languages IV: Intermediate Greek 3 Hours
Further development of an understanding of Koine Greek with readings in the New Testament and Hellenistic literature. May be taken either as a foreign language course or as a RELS elective. Fulfills World Language with a grade of C or better.
Prerequisite(s): (RELS 154 or High School 2 years Greek)
Equivalent(s): BLNG 155
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
RELS 156 Introductory Pali I 3 Hours
A study of the grammar, syntax, and vocabulary of the Pali language with a stress on reading primary textual material from a variety of Pali sources. May be taken as a RELS elective.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
RELS 157 Pali II 3 Hours
Further study of the grammar, syntax, and vocabulary of the Pali language with a stress on reading a wide variety of canonical, commentarial, and post-canonical texts. May be taken as a RELS elective. Fulfills World Language with a grade of C or better.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
RELS 200 World Religious Literature 3 Hours
Introductory study of multiple genres of religious literature or literature with strong religious themes. Texts come from various religions, cultures, and time periods. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code F-AH | AH
Prerequisite(s): (ENG 100 or ENG 100E or ENG 101 or ENG FW1-L or ENG AA-L or ACT English with a score of 29 or SAT Verbal / Critical Reading with a score of 650)
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
RELS 202 Racial Justice 3 Hours
An examination of (1) the major perspective that came together to form the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s; (2) the accomplishments and failures of that movement; and (3) the issues of racial justice that remain today. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code SB
Equivalent(s): PHIL 202
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
RELS 211 Jesus in Film 3 Hours
A study of the production and reception of films about Jesus, similarities and differences with canonical and extracanonical Gospels, and popular and critical reactions. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-SC
Prerequisite(s): 21 hours of Foundations and Explorations Courses, or junior status
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2023; fall 2024
RELS 222 Christians, Jews, and Pagans in the Greco-Roman World 3 Hours
A study of debates among ancient Pagans, Jews, and Christians by engaging texts written by each group in defense of themselves and in opposition to each other. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-SC
Prerequisite(s): 21 hours of Foundations and Explorations Courses, or junior status
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2024
RELS 242 The Meaning of Life; Atheism to Zen 3 Hours
Survey of global theories on the meaning of life. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-LG
Prerequisite(s): 21 hours of Foundations and Explorations Courses, or junior status
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023
RELS 300 The Life of Jesus 3 Hours
An investigation of the nature, content, and major interpretations of the sources for the life and teachings of Jesus.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
RELS 301 Life and Teachings of Paul 3 Hours
A study of the life and thought of Paul in its historical and cultural setting; concentration on the principal themes in Pauline thought which have been influential in Christian tradition.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
RELS 302 Buddhism 3 Hours
Introduction to the history, fundamental doctrines, and practices of the three main Buddhist traditions (Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana) in their global contexts. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-LG
Prerequisite(s): 21 hours of Foundations and Explorations Courses, or junior status
Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024
RELS 303 Hinduism 3 Hours
A study of the central beliefs, ethical practices, symbols, and institutions of the Hindu traditions, examining patterns of their unity, diversity, and encounter with modernity.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
RELS 304 Judaism 3 Hours
A survey of Jewish religious traditions, Jewish history and literature from the Greco-Roman period to the present.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2023; spring 2024
RELS 305 Christianity 3 Hours
Overview of ideas drawn from the history of Christianity, including major intellectual developments behind its global character. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-SC | AH
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024
RELS 306 Islam 3 Hours
Terminology, history, social institutions, beliefs, rituals, ethical systems, and world views associated with the religious tradition of Islam. Examination of the West's views of Islam and Islamic views of the West. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-LG
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; fall 2023
RELS 309 Global Christianity 3 Hours
The study of Christianity in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-LG
Prerequisite(s): 21 hours of Foundations and Explorations Courses, or junior status
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2023; fall 2024
RELS 311 The Qur'an 3 Hours
An introduction to the Qur'an and its contemporary and historical roles in the lives of Muslims as well as in their societies and cultures.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
RELS 312 Ancient Near East Texts 3 Hours
The course surveys a broad number of ancient Mesopotamian and other Western Asian genres of literature which shed light upon the literary remains of Israel found in the Hebrew Scriptures. Included are cosmologies, cosmogonies, flood narratives, prophecies, historical annals which deal with the kings of Israel and Judah, wisdom literature, theodicy, omen texts and others.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
RELS 313 Islamic Texts and Literature 3 Hours
An exploration of Islamic texts and literature, including the Qur'an, hadith, poetry, and fiction
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
RELS 314 The Making of the Bible 3 Hours
An investigation into the material, historical, and political processes behind the making of the Jewish and Christian Bibles in antiquity. The course engages the scriptures excluded from the canon as well as early synagogue and church leaders' arguments concerning canonicity.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
RELS 315 Philosophy of Religion 3 Hours
A systematic study of such problems as the nature and existence of God, the relation of faith and reason, human nature and destiny, immortality, evil, and the problem of religious language. Note: One course in philosophy or religious studies is required.
Equivalent(s): PHIL 315
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
RELS 317 Confucianism 3 Hours
A survey of the evolution of Confucian thought, from the ethical and ritual considerations of Confucius, through the scholastic self-cultivation of Zhu Xi, to the ecological and gender concerns of modern New Confucians. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-SY
Prerequisite(s): 21 hours of Foundations and Explorations Courses, or junior status
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023; spring 2024
RELS 318 Daoism 3 Hours
Survey of classical texts of Daoism, including an examination of the role of these texts in the development of Daoist thought and practice. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-SC
Prerequisite(s): 21 hours of Foundations and Explorations Courses, or junior status
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023
RELS 319 Religions of Asia 3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)
Introduction to the history, doctrines, and practices through a regional focus of Asian religions.
Prerequisite(s): RELS 102 with a minimum grade of C
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
RELS 320 Religions of the Middle East 3 Hours
A thematic study of Judaism, Eastern Christianity, and Islam as these religions are practiced in Middle Eastern societies today. There is a focus on the concept of sacred place and on the ways in which this concept links the ancient past of the tradition with its modern expression.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
RELS 322 Pilgrimage, Islam and Modernity 3 Hours
An exploration of Islamic pilgrimage, including the use of technology in modern pilgrimage practices. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-LG
Prerequisite(s): 21 hours of Foundations and Explorations Courses, or junior status
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
RELS 323 Social Ethics 3 Hours
Perspectives and issues involved in the public pursuit of justice in a religiously and philosophically diverse society. One short field trip. Note: One course in religious studies or philosophy or junior status is required. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-SC | AH
Prerequisite(s): 21 hours of Foundations and Explorations Courses, or junior status
Equivalent(s): PHIL 323
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
RELS 324 Christianity in Africa 3 Hours
The development of Christianity in Africa from the first century to the present, with special emphasis on the post-colonial period.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
RELS 325 Religion in Contemporary America 3 Hours
A study of the ways religion is understood and expressed by varying segments of American society.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
RELS 326 Second Temple Judaism 3 Hours
Introduction to the history, literature, and religion of the Jewish people from the beginning of the Persian period (mid-6th c. B.C.) to the Bar Kokhba Revolt (132-135 A.D.)
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
RELS 330 Religion in the American South 3 Hours
Survey of the religious cultures of the American South from the colonial period to the present. The course will look at a variety of religious expressions in institutional life, thought, literature, and music.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
RELS 331 Islam in America: Hope & Hip Hop 3 Hours
An exploration of Islam in America beginning with the 16th century and continuing to the present day. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-SC
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022
RELS 333 Women and Religion 3 Hours
The examination of ideas and roles of women in local and global religious traditions, societies and cultures. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-SC
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023; spring 2024
RELS 335 Islam, Sexuality, and Gender 3 Hours
This course examines sexuality and gender in Islamic theology, history, and contemporary societies. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-LG
Prerequisite(s): RELS 102 with a minimum grade of C and 21 hours of Foundations and Explorations Courses, or junior status
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
RELS 340 Popular Culture and the Religious Marketplace 3 Hours
A study of religious products and the expression of religious themes in different types of popular media. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-LG
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
RELS 341 Religion and the Environment 3 Hours
Examines different world religions' beliefs about the environment as well as their adherents' attitudes and actions concerning climate change and other issues. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-LG
Prerequisite(s): 21 hours of Foundations and Explorations Courses, or junior status
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2022; fall 2023
RELS 399 Study Abroad 3 Hours (repeatable max of 18 hrs)
Supervised study of religion in a study abroad program. May be repeated for different study abroad locations.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
RELS 401 Religious Studies Seminar 3 Hours
A seminar with rotating topics designed primarily for advanced students in religious studies. May be repeated for different topics. Note: One course in religious studies or permission of instructor is required.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2023; spring 2024
RELS 426 The Dead Sea Scrolls 3 Hours
Introduction to the discovery, authentication, contents, and main ideas of the Dead Sea Scrolls; the community that produced them; the controversies that have surrounded them; and the archaeology of the nearby ruins. Note: One course in Religious Studies or permission of instructor is required.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
RELS 430 Christianity to 1517 3 Hours
An investigation of the development of Christian thought and institutions from the first century of the Church until the Reformation. Note: One course in religious studies or permission of instructor is required.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
RELS 431 Christianity from 1517 to the Present 3 Hours
An investigation of the development of Christian thought and institutions from the beginning of the Reformation to the present. Note: One course in religious studies or permission of instructor is required.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
RELS 455 Saints, Monsters and Superheroes 3 Hours
A study of different characters and archetypes in religious traditions around the world. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-LG
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
RELS 496 Senior Seminar 3 Hours
Capstone course for students to use knowledge of theories and methods in Religious Studies to craft original research papers. Students will complete projects that demonstrate their research, writing, and analytical skills.
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior, Freshman, Junior or Sophomore may not enroll.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024
RELS 499 Research in Religious Studies 3 Hours (repeatable max of 30 hrs)
Directed study and research in one area of religious studies. Note: Open only to religion majors with a 3.0 grade point average in their senior year.
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior, Freshman, Junior or Sophomore may not enroll.
Students cannot enroll who are in Religious Studies (769)
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2023; spring 2024