PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES 130
and of those groups who challenge the dominate theologies and practices. This course covers the colonial period through to contemporary developments, including secularization, New Age movements and the flourishing of the world’s religious traditions within an American context. Students will be exposed to some of the recent work in the field that explores the various ways to tell the story of American religious history. Course topics will vary from year to year. Possible topics include: Christianity in America, African-American religious history, new religious movements and utopian experiments, women in American religious history or the world’s religions in America. May be repeated for credit with permission of the instructor. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing or above or permission of the instructor.
RELG 313. Modern Christian Theology 1.0 course credit A more intensive study of Christian Theology after the Enlightenment. The course may focus on a particular time period, a particular thinker or school of thought, or a particular theme. Students may repeat this course for credit by permission of the instructor. Prerequisites: none, but Junior standing and/or completion of RELG 200 or RELG 213 is recommended. RELG 316. Existentialism 1.0 course credit (Cross listed as PHIL316.) An overview of issues and claims associated with existentialism, a cultural phenomenon touching upon and influenced by diverse fields of interests. The course necessarily is interdisciplinary, examining existential influences on literature and religious thought, as well as philosophy. Readings are from a number of contributors to the tradition, including Kierkegaard, Dostoevsky, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Tillich, Sartre, Camus. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing or above or permission of the instructor. RELG 320. Individualized Study 1.0 course credit Directed research and writing in an area of special interest to the student. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor. RELG 350. Topics in Religious Studies 1.0 course credit This course will examine a topic, figure, period or theme in Religious Studies in a more focused manner than a survey course will allow. Emphasis will be placed on the significance of these ideas for contemporary debates and perspectives. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing or higher or permission of the instructor. RELG 450. Senior Research 0.25 to 1.0 course credit Research semester, during which the students conduct research in preparation for their senior theses in religious studies. By the end of this semester, students will have read broadly in the relevant scholarship to generate and then focus a topic for the senior thesis. RELG 452. Senior Project 0.25 to 1.0 course credit The student thoroughly examines a topic in religious studies and composes an extended essay involving in-depth research and analysis and/or synthesis under the individualized direction of a faculty member, or in a seminar. The thesis option culminates in a public presentation of the student’s work.
MONMOUTH COLLEGE ACADEMIC CATALOG
2014–2015