Religious Studies

REL 103. Intro to Religion. 3 Hours

INTRODUCTION TO RELIGION - Examination of the nature of religion, comparative aspect of religion, and the function of religion as a source of interpretation of life. The 'Catholic Option' takes the majority of its perspectives and examples about religious beliefs and practices from the Roman Catholic tradition. The 'Scripture Option' takes the majority of its perspectives and examples about religious beliefs and practices from scriptural traditions.

REL 198. REL Scholars Sem. 3 Hours

RELIGIOUS STUDIES SCHOLARS' SEMINAR - Study and seminar discussion of major types of religions in history and some of their practices, values, beliefs, historical development, and theological reflection, including Catholic tradition; review of major theories on the nature, origin, and function of religion in human life. Open by permission only to first-year students in the Berry Scholars Program.

REL 210. Intro to Scripture. 1 Hour

INTRODUCTION TO SCRIPTURE - An introductory overview of Christian scripture that is foundational for Old and New Testament online courses.

REL 211. Intro to Old Test. 1 Hour

INTRODUCTION TO THE OLD TESTAMENT - Study of contemporary Old Testament studies to learn how to read a biblical text in terms of its literary qualities and cultural influences on interpretations.

REL 212. Intro to New Test. 1 Hour

INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW TESTAMENT - Introduction to the New Testament with a focus on the text's cultural contexts, literary composition, theological themes, and pastoral applications.

REL 260A. Cath Soc Teach I. 1 Hour

CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING I - The first of two courses that provide background on Catholic social teaching as articulated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and Episcopal documents.

REL 260B. Cath Soc Teach II. 1 Hour

CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING II - The second of two courses that provide background on Catholic social teaching as articulated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and Episcopal documents. Prerequisite(s): REL 260A.

REL 281. Forum Cat Lead I. 1 Hour

FORUM FOR CATECHETICAL LEADERS I - Study of key themes of The National Directory for Catechesis regarding 'The Tasks of Catechesis and Faith Formation'. Themes include (a) Introduction to the Catechetical Ministry of the Church, (b) The Vocation of the Catechist, (c) Faith Formation, and (d) Fundamentals for Designing Catechetical Plans. Prerequisite(s): ASI 111 or REL 103.

REL 282. Forum Cat Lead II. 1 Hour

FORUM FOR CATECHETICAL LEADERS II - Study of key themes of The National Directory for Catechesis regarding 'The Art of Communicating Faith: Scripture and Tradition'. Themes include (a) Effective Catechesis, (b) Four Pillars of Our Catholic Faith, (c) Integrating Scripture in Catechetical Ministry, and (d) Integrating Liturgy and Liturgical Experiences in Catechetical Ministry. Prerequisite(s): ASI 111 or REL 103.

REL 283. Forum Cat Lead III. 1 Hour

FORUM FOR CATECHETICAL LEADERS III - Study of key themes of The National Directory for Catechesis regarding: 'Liturgy, Popular Devotions, Literature and the Religious Imagination. Themes include (a) Storytelling, (b) Popular Devotions and Faith Experiences, (c) Role of Mary in Catechesis, and (d) Diverse Religious Traditions and the Quest for God. Prerequisite(s): ASI 111 or REL 103.

REL 284. Forum Cat Lead IV. 1 Hour

FORUM FOR CATECHETICAL LEADERS IV - Study of key themes of The National Directory for Catechesis regarding: 'Discipleship (Catholic Moral Life), Catholic Social Teachings and Catechetical Planning'. Themes include (a) Developing a Pastoral Catechetical Plan, (b) Call and Challenge of Discipleship, (c) Catholic Social Teachings, and (d) Communications Technology and Catechesis. Prerequisite(s): ASI 111 or REL 103.

REL 304. Hinduism. 3 Hours

HINDUISM - Study of the world's oldest living religion. Examines the historical development of major Hindu teachings, texts, practices and paths from ancient times to present, including forms of Hinduism taking root in the West today. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or 198).

REL 305. Eastern Orthodoxy. 3 Hours

EASTERN ORTHODOXY - Exploration of the history and theology of the Eastern Orthodox Church, from the Apostles to Byzantium to Russia and the United States. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 306. Buddhism. 3 Hours

BUDDHISM - Exploration of the 2,500-year-old Buddhist tradition - the life of its founder, development of its teachings, rituals, and meditation techniques. Survey of the spread of Buddhism to the West in the twentieth century. Parallels and contrasts with the Christian tradition. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 307. Judaism. 3 Hours

JUDAISM - Basic introduction to Judaism: its history, its faith, its worship. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 308. Islam. 3 Hours

ISLAM - Exploration of the Islamic religious traditions: the life of Islam's founder, the development of its teaching and ritual, its spread from North Africa into Europe, Asia, Oceania, its influence on culture and its contemporary resurgence. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 309. Afro-Latin Religions. 3 Hours

AFRO-LATIN RELIGIONS - The study of Voudou, Santeria and other religions which arose when the religious traditions of West Africa were transplanted to the Americas and the Caribbean where practitioners encountered Christianity. These religions' historical and contemporary forms as well as issues of syncretism and church-state relations are considered. Prerequisite(s): ASI 111 or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 310. The Pentateuch. 3 Hours

THE PENTATEUCH - Examination of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, known as the Torah or Pentateuch, emphasizing the traditions that relate primeval beginnings, ancestral history, the exodus, wilderness wanderings, and the legal codes. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 311. The Prophets. 3 Hours

THE PROPHETS - The prophetic texts of the Old Testament studied as reformulations of ancient religious traditions to meet new historical situations. The relevance of the prophets to contemporary life and throughout. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 312. Psalms & Wisdom Lit. 3 Hours

THE PSALMS AND THE WISDOM LITERATURE - Critical examination of the biblical books of Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, and Ben Sira and of related literature within the historical context in which they arose. The contemporary relevance of this literature. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 315. The Gospels. 3 Hours

THE GOSPELS - With the Gospel of Mark as a point of departure, comparison of the Markan, Matthean, and Lukan narratives for an understanding of the various conceptions of Jesus found in these Gospels. The course includes historical-critical study of the Gospel to John, its text, literary techniques, structure and theology. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 316. New Testmnt Theolgs. 3 Hours

NEW TESTAMENT THEOLOGIES - Survey of New Testament writings with a focus on the religious ideas specific to each; special attention to authors' christology, eschatology, and soteriology; exploration of relevance of the New Testament message to Christian faith today. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 318. Studies in Paul. 3 Hours

STUDIES IN PAUL - Detailed examination of the letters of Paul, stressing the historical circumstances affecting their composition as well as the main religious ideas of Paul that govern their content. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 319. Book of Revelation. 3 Hours

THE BOOK OF REVELATION - Detailed critical analysis of various biblical apocalyptic texts as found in Judaism and early Christianity. Focus on the Book of Revelation against the background of other biblical and intertestamental apocalyptic texts. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 323. Hst-Christianty I. 3 Hours

HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY I (100-1100) - Study of important events movements, ideas, and people in the development of Christianity to the year 1100 including the formation of the Canon, early Church councils, Augustine, Gregory the Great, monasticism, the rise of Islam, Eucharistic and other controversies, and the Gregorian Reform. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 324. Hst-Christianty II. 3 Hours

HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY II (1100-PRESENT) - Study of important events, movements, ideas, and people in the development of Christianity from 1100 to the present, including the separation of the Churches of the East and West, rise of the mendicant orders, Scholasticism, key themes and figures of the Reformation, Vatican I, Modernist crisis, ecumenism, and Vatican II. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 326. Protestant Christnty. 3 Hours

PROTESTANT CHRISTIANITY - Survey of the development of Protestant thought from the Reformation. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 327. US Religious Expr. 3 Hours

U.S. RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE - Study of a variety of religious traditions in their engagement with and influence within the U.S. social and cultural context including the effects of pluralism, religious liberty, secularization, and consumer capitalism. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 328. US Cath Experience. 3 Hours

U.S. CATHOLIC EXPERIENCE - The growth and development of Catholic christianity in the U.S.; its interaction with America, its culture, and its people. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 329. African Amer Rel. 3 Hours

AFRICAN-AMERICAN RELIGION - An exploration of the history and theology of African-American religious traditions and how African-American religion has influenced African-American social, political, economic, and cultural movements from the time of slavery to the present. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 344. Christian Marriage. 3 Hours

CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE - Analysis of the sanctifying dignity of Christian marriage as a sacrament and commitment to share in the divine creative plan. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 352. Undrstnd Sacred Mus. 3 Hours

UNDERSTANDING SACRED MUSIC AND WORSHIP IN THE LOCAL CHURCH - Focus on the important relationship between music and worship in the life of the church with an emphasis on major contemporary trends in sacred music and work. An historical overview of music and worship with biblical foundations for both are provided. Prerequisite(s): REL 103 (ASI 110/120).

REL 356. Chr Tradition-Prayer. 3 Hours

THE CHRISTIAN TRADITION OF PRAYER - Study of several types and forms of Christian prayer from various periods in Church history. The meaning of the act of faith expressed in prayer and its relationship to belief. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 358. Liberation Theology. 3 Hours

LIBERATION THEOLOGY - Historical-critical analysis and study of the theology of liberation and its specific expression among theologians of the Third World, particularly Latin America. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 360. Christian Ethics. 3 Hours

CHRISTIAN ETHICS - Introduction to the reflection upon Christian morality; discussion of various approaches in Christian ethics, the elements of ethical judgments, and some specific ethical issues. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 362. Chr Famly Values&TV. 3 Hours

CHRISTIAN FAMILY VALUES AND TELEVISION - Comparative study of the criteria and rationale for family life in various Christian pronouncements with present values and practices in society as reflected in and promoted by current television programming. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 363. Faith & Justice. 3 Hours

FAITH AND JUSTICE - This course explores the history, development, and basic principles of Catholic social teaching as well as other approaches to faith and justice. Issues of economic justice will receive special emphasis. In addition to church documents, the life and work of religious thinkers and activists will be examined. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 364. Current Moral Issues. 3 Hours

CURRENT MORAL ISSUES - An examination of one or more issues (individual and/or social) in contemporary reflection on Christian moral life. May be repeated when topic changes. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 365. Chr Ethics&Environ. 3 Hours

CHRISTIAN ETHICS AND THE ENVIRONMENT - Christian ethic of relationality and responsibility. Explores various approaches and related values found in society; elements of ethical judgments; and specific ethical issues resulting from ecofeminist, technological, and ecological awareness. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 366. The Holocaust. 3 Hours

THE HOLOCAUST: THEOLOGICAL AND RELIGIOUS RESPONSES - Examination of the religious and theological literature of the Holocaust, focusing especially on Jewish and Christian responses. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 367. Chr Ethics&Hlth Care. 3 Hours

CHRISTIAN ETHICS AND HEALTH CARE ISSUES - Study of, and reflection upon, the principles of Christian ethics as these relate to the health care professions. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 368. Chr Ethics&Bus World. 3 Hours

CHRISTIAN ETHICS AND THE BUSINESS WORLD - Study of, and reflection upon, the principles of Christian ethics as these relate to the business world. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 369. Chrstn Ethics & Engr. 3 Hours

CHRISTIAN ETHICS AND ENGINEERING - Study in applied Christian ethics addressing the moral issues facing engineers. How to make a moral decision, engineering as a profession, codes of ethics, safety, environmental issues, confidentiality, employee rights, whistleblowing, consulting, conflicts, and career choices. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 372. Religion & Film. 3 Hours

RELIGION AND FILM - Study of issues common to narrative films and religious thought; the power of various film techniques, dominant models in religious and film reflection, the similar roles imagination plays in film and religious thought. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 373. Religion&Literature. 3 Hours

RELIGION AND LITERATURE - Joint study of literature and religion, seeking the sacred in the secular, discussing the doctrines of humans and of God in major modern writings, especially those of current collegiate interest. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 374. Religion & the Arts. 3 Hours

RELIGION AND THE ARTS - Investigation of the religious interpretation of various art forms and the process by which the aesthetic experience assists in theological perception and construction. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 375. Religion & Science. 3 Hours

RELIGION AND SCIENCE - Surveys of the ways science has affected religion on specific doctrines, methods of knowing what is true, and general world views; study of religious response to these. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 376. Theol&Soc Sciences. 3 Hours

THEOLOGY AND THE SOCIAL SCIENCES - Exploration of developments in Christian theology that have paralleled the rise of the human sciences, in particular of concepts of God, humanity, Church, sacraments, sin, and salvation in the light of history, anthropology, psychology, and sociology. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 377. In Jrny:Myth,Bibl&Lt. 3 Hours

THE INNER JOURNEY IN MYTH, BIBLE, AND LITERATURE - Study of stories of heroic figures in the Bible and in other literature as patterns of personal and spiritual development. Throughout, efforts to relate the material to the needs of contemporary persons. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 383. Phil of Rel Educ. 3 Hours

PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION - An attempt to construct a philosophy of religious education, various contemporary theoretical models, dimensions of teaching religion in a pluralistic society, the polarization generated. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 399. Rdgs in Rel Studies. 1-3 Hours

READINGS IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES - Directed readings in a specific area of interest under the supervision of a staff member. May be taken more than once. By permission only. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 425. Augustine. 3 Hours

AUGUSTINE - The life and work of Augustine of Hippo (354-430), a major theologian of Western Christianity. His influence is strongly felt in both Protestant and Catholic traditions in areas of sexual ethics, church-state relations, Trinitarian and sacramental theology. Prerequisite(s): REL 103.

REL 429. Modern Catholicism. 3 Hours

MODERN CATHOLICISM - An examination of Modern Catholicism based on a close study of the context, process, decisions, implementation, and challenges of Vatican II in the Roman Catholic Church. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 437. Significance-Jesus. 3 Hours

SIGNIFICANCE OF JESUS - Emphasis on the identity of Jesus and on the significance that his ministry, death, and resurrection have for the salvation of humankind. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 440. The Church. 3 Hours

THE CHURCH - Biblical and theological study of the meaning of the Church which explores the relationship between Christ and the Church, the various models for understanding the Church, and the mission of the Church. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or 198).

REL 441. Theology of Mary. 3 Hours

THEOLOGY OF MARY - Study of the place of the Mother of God in the great truths of faith in the light of chapter eight of the Constitution on the Church. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 442. God and Atheism. 3 Hours

GOD AND ATHEISM - Study of some recent contributions made by theology, philosophy, psychology, and the humanities to the current discussion of God's existence, nature, and relationship to humanity. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 443. The Sacraments. 3 Hours

THE SACRAMENTS - Study of the meaning of sacramentality. The sacraments in the context of Christ as the sacrament of the human encounter with God and in the context of the Church as the sacrament of Christ. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 444. God-Christn Tradtn. 3 Hours

GOD IN CHRISTIAN TRADITION - Review of theologies of God in Christian tradition, from biblical through contemporary sources, especially as these theologies have affected overall Catholic thought and spirituality. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198); PHL 103.

REL 446. Chrstn Liturgy. 3 Hours

CHRISTIAN LITURGY - Study of the basic principles of liturgy, the development of some of the basic forms of liturgy, and applications of the principles within current rites. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 447. Sel Cath Doctrines. 3-4 Hours

SELECTED CATHOLIC DOCTRINES - Detailed study of several important current theological questions primarily from a Catholic systematic and historical perspective. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 449. Aquinas. 3 Hours

AQUINAS - Theology of Aquinas including: Trinity, human nature, providence, grace, virtue, Christ, and sacraments. Some attention given to historical context and contemporary interpretation, but the main focus will be reading and understanding the Summa. Prerequisite(s): REL 103.

REL 471. Women and Religion. 3 Hours

WOMEN AND RELIGION - Examination of the impact of the women's movement on Judaism, Christianity, and other major world religions. Survey of traditional religious attitudes toward women. Relevance of feminist approaches to scripture, ethics, spirituality, and ministry in understanding contemporary global issues. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 472. Ecology & Religion. 3 Hours

ECOLOGY AND RELIGION - Examination of the relationship between religion and ecology; bridges the contributions of traditional theological inquiry and modern scientific insights and offers an enlarged vision of ecological concerns. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 474. Women-Global Church. 3 Hours

WOMEN AND THE GLOBAL CHURCH - An exploration of the intersection between faith communities, traditional and non-traditional, and particular cultures in the lives of contemporary women. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 477. Honors Thesis. 3 Hours

HONORS THESIS PROJECT - First of two courses leading to the selection, design, investigation, and completion of an independent, original Honors Thesis project under the guidance of a faculty research advisor. Restricted to students in the University Honors Program with permission of the program director and department chairperson. Students pursuing an interdisciplinary thesis topic may register for three semester hours each in two separate disciplines in consultation with the department chairpersons. Prerequisite(s): Approval of University Honors Program.

REL 478. Honors Thesis. 3 Hours

HONORS THESIS PROJECT - Second of two courses leading to the selection, design, investigation, and completion of an independent, original Honors Thesis project under the guidance of a faculty research advisor. Restricted to students in the University Honors Program with permission of the program director and department chairperson. Students pursuing an interdisciplinary thesis topic may register for three semester hours each in two separate disciplines in consultation with the department chairpersons. Prerequisite(s): Approved 477; approval of University Honors Program.

REL 484. Practicum. 3 Hours

PRACTICUM - Supervised in-service experience in an area of religious education chosen by the student. By permission only. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 485. Lay Ministry. 3 Hours

LAY MINISTRY - Critical examination of lay ministry and its theological basis, in light of Vatican II and recent trends in the world and Church. Special topics: family ministry, ministry in the marketplace, leadership, evangelization, catechesis, women, social justice. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 487. Rel Ed Thry&Prac. 3 Hours

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION - THEORY AND PRACTICE - Study of theory and practice of religious education for those who will be teaching religion in the school and parish. Various models and methods. Emphasis on process and religious education as developmental. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 488. Spiritualty&Rel Educ. 3 Hours

SPIRITUALITY AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION - Exploration of impact of liturgy and spirituality on contemporary models of religious education; study of interrelationship between faith experience and religious content; basic principles for developing practical programs. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).

REL 490. Capstone Seminar. 3 Hours

CAPSTONE SEMINAR - Study of a particular topic in religion or theology that draws upon a variety of resources in the fields. This course provides an integrative academic experience. Topic varies from semester to semester. Required of all majors, open to minors. May be repeated. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198); junior or senior standing.

REL 492. Special Topics. 1-3 Hours

SPECIAL TOPICS - Concentrated study of issues and subjects pertinent to religion. May be repeated when topic changes. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 111, ASI 112 or equivalent) or (REL 103 or REL 198).