Religion (REL

(formerly Global Perspectives 110) Because Christianity is the most populous religion on four continents, the Bible is read from many perspectives and interpreted in radically different contexts. The culture within biblical narratives is primarily Middle Eastern, but as Christianity flourished among Greeks & Romans, theology developed a global focus. This course investigates how the Bible has been understood in Christian tradition, with a focus on comparative treatments of its main themes. Credit: 3 hours

(formerly Religion 326) This course introduces students to seven of the world’s major religious traditions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Approaching each of these religions from an academic perspective, we will explore the history, rituals, key terms/concepts, and sacred texts of each tradition. Additionally, we will explore the role that each religion plays in today’s world, including political and contemporary issues as well as interfaith cooperation. Credit: 3 hours

Food is our common ground, our vehicle of connection, a universal experience. In this course we will be exploring the complicated relationship people have with food across the globe and how food and faith intersect. Students will be offered the opportunity to grow, tend. harvest, prepare, cook, serve, eat, and reflect on food and faith. Credit: 3 hours

(also Philosophy 209 and formerly Global Perspectives 310) The aim of this course is to cultivate robust moral imaginations and engage the issues facing our world today. Students will identify sources for personal and communal values, appreciate the ways people decide what is right and wrong (e.g., patterns of thinking; religious systems; cultural constructs), engage with ethical dilemmas, and thoughtfully explore how to put values and beliefs into action. Credit: 3 hours

Recent American films are an excellent avenue to consider a variety of religious and philosophical issues, such as the problem of evil, the relationship between science and religion, and the nature of reality. Students will learn to view films critically, place the film in conversation with religious texts and ideas, and develop their own perspectives on a variety of topics. Credit: 3 hours

An investigation of the roles women play in the biblical world and the contribution of women scholars to biblical interpretation. Credit: 3 hours

We all live on this Earth and this course will give students a chance to explore how connected (and disconnected) we are with the ecologies we inhabit. Students will also investigate the complicated relationships religions have with the created world. They will explore current issues happening around the globe and practical responses offered by people of faith. Topics of interest span climate change, poverty, food insecurity, pollution, and human health. Credit: 3 hours

This course will introduce students to theological, methodological, historical, and cultural components of practical theology and ministry with a special emphasis on recent developments, crucial current issues, and future trends. Opportunities for research and outreach in our local community will also be an important feature of this course. This course is structured around the belief that while most faith traditions do not share common doctrinal frameworks or understandings of polity, they are often capable of forging common ground through shared praxis. (Edward Foley) Thus, this course begins with an in-depth investigation into the claim that creation is at the heart of Christian mission and this is a piece of the common ground of faithful praxis: “Creation is the continuous work of the Spirit ‘hovering’ over and ‘breathing’ life into the universe for billions of years. The whole universe and the marvelous interdependency of all creatures sing of the love of the Creator. Creation is the supreme manifestation of the essence of God, sharing [God]self in a continuous life-giving act of love.” (Fr Carlos Rodríguez Linera, OP, 2010). Thus, students will explore how practical theology entails living in harmony with creation, God, and our many diverse human communities, and sharing the message of God’s liberating love. This is the springboard into exploring the resonances and dissonances of how people of differing religions and cultures live ‘faithfully.’ These intercontextual/interreligious conversations will circle back to a research focus into practical theology, ministry and Christian hospitality in a multicultural world. Additional research focus will be on what it means to live faithfully in a multicultural world within many diverse contexts (e.g., veterans, families, nursing homes, hospices, non-profits, businesses, etc.). Credit: 3 hours

Religious and Philosophical ideas as reflected in American writers from the Puritan through the Contemporary Period. Credit: 3 hours

The nature of evil and suffering, how to be healthy, wealthy, and wise, the seeming absurdity of human existence, and the roles that grief and sex play in religious experience are some of the issues raised by these Old Testament books. A variety of items from contemporary popular culture will enhance discussions. Credit: 3 hours

Authorship, background, and content of the New Testament books of Hebrews, James 1 and 2, Peter, Jude, and the Johannine epistles. Credit: 3 hours

Wives, prostitutes, tricksters, and queens are just a few of the roles that women play in the biblical literature. The lives of ancient women, both as depicted in the text and in the “real” world of antiquity, connect to contemporary women’s issues in a number of important ways. The recent contributions of female scholars will receive special attention. Credit: 3 hours

An introduction to the main areas of systematic theology: first principles; God as Trinity; Christology; creation theology; theological anthropology; salvation; missions; Holy Spirit; Church; and end times. Credit: 3 hours

This course will address theological questions stemming from the pervasive presence of suffering in our world. Some of these questions include: how does one make sense of suffering in light of the claim that God is infinitely good? What role do suffering and joy play in Christian life and spirituality? Using a variety of sources including theological texts and articles, films, art, and novels, students will examine how one can critically engage experiences of joy and suffering in created life and their role in Christian life and ministry. Topics to be explored include: classic theism and theodicy; biblical and classical interpretations/theologies of suffering; contemporary interpretations/theologies emerging from the Shoah, feminism, Latino/a theologies, liberation theologies, black theologies, LGBTQ+ theologies, disability studies, and Eco theology. Credit: 3 hours

Christian movement and thought from the beginnings recorded in the Acts of the Apostles through the church's permeation of Western society in the Middle Ages. Credit: 3 hours

This course explores American religious history from the colonial era to the present. It will address the periodic developments and general themes of American religion. Credit: 3 hours

Examination of the role of religion in society, utilizing sociological and other social scientific theories and empirical research. Prerequisite: Sociology 101; junior standing or consent of professor Credit: 3 hours (Fall, alternate years)

This course seeks to provide an interdisciplinary survey of the interaction between science and religion with specific focus on creation and evolution. Team taught by professors from the departments of Chemistry and Religion, this course will be run as a seminar. Students are expected to critically reflect on the assigned readings and write responses prior to each class meeting. The course will begin with a comparison of the creation and evolution as defined by Darwin, modern scientists, atheists and various Christian authors. This course asks students to consider the origin and extent of the apparently irreconcilable differences between the scientific and Christian world views and actively participate in discussing critical issues that will be encountered throughout the semester. Credit: 3 hours

This course will explore the blossoming discipline of ecotheology – a form of constructive, practical theology that focuses on the interrelationships of religion and nature/creation/science which includes human ecologies. Participants will have the chance to explore the state of our planet’s ecologies and grapple with the famous challenge made to Christianity by Lynn White Jr., namely that Christianity and its human centeredness is the root cause of our current ecological crisis and exploitation of nature. Students will explore the relationships between God, creation, and humanity, discover the religious wisdom being unearthed by ecofeminists, ecowomanists, ecotheologians, indigenous scholars, preachers, artists, poets, and Christian missionaries. This course will also engage with nature and “holy noticing” in creative ways. Students will also be offered the opportunity to connect their classroom learning about ecotheology with the work of social and ecological justice advocates to create more diverse, inclusive and equitable human ecologies. Credit: 3 hours

Credit: 1-9 hours

Ministry training in an approved ministry setting (local congregation, mission assignment or other contexts as warranted.) Interns work under the supervision of both a faculty advisor and a field supervisor. Proposals for internships must be submitted for prior approval of department. See departmental secretary for guidelines. Credit: 3 hours

The Bible has been used both to defend and denounce slavery, homosexuality, and a host of other social and theological issues. From the Bible’s interpretation of itself to contemporary feminist and deconstructionist readings, the history of interpretation demonstrates that interpretation says more about the interpreter than it does about the text. Or does it? Prerequisite: 6 hours of Biblical studies. Credit: 3 hours

An intensive literary-critical and socio-historical study of the related narratives of Luke and Acts concerning the respective missions of Jesus and the early church. Credit: 3 hours

This course explores a book, theme, or topic related to the Old Testament. Recent courses have included a study of Judges, with a special focus on its violence and sexuality, and a course on the Major Prophets, with careful attention to its theological complexities. Given the relatively small number of religious studies majors, the course content can be determined in consultation with students. Credit: 3 hours

Interpretative study in leading motifs in the New Testament including parables, miracles, Sermon on the Mount, eschatology, the early church, kingdom of God, justification by faith. Credit: 3 hours

Selected topic under faculty supervision. Topics focus explicitly and in depth on methods of biblical study and pastoral concerns. By permission only. Credit: 3 hours