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Religious Studies

Paul V. M. Flesher, Director
325 Hoyt Hall
Phone: (307) 766-3204, FAX: (307) 766-2096
Website: http://www.uwyo.edu/relstds

Professors
KEVIN S. LARSEN, B.A. Brigham Young University 1976; M.A. 1978; A.M. Harvard University 1979; Ph.D. 1983; Professor of Spanish 1998, 1989.

RICHARD S. MACHALEK, B.S. Texas A&M University 1969; M.A. University of Texas 1972; Ph.D. 1975; Professor of Sociology 1988.

CAROLINE McCRACKEN-FLESHER, M.A. University of Edinburgh 1980; M.A. Brown University 1986; Ph.D. 1989; Professor of English 2004, 1989.

Associate Professors
MICHAEL C. BROSE, B.S. Seattle Pacific University 1978; M.Sc. University of British Columbia 1985; M.A. University of Washington 1991; Ph.D. University of Pennsylvania 2000; Associate Professor of History 2005, 2000.
PAUL V. M. FLESHER, B.A. University of Rochester 1979; M.Phil. Oxford University 1982; Ph.D. Brown University 1988; Associate Professor of Religious Studies 2001, 1993.

ERIC W. NYE, B.A. St. Olaf College 1974; M.A. University of Chicago 1976; Ph.D. 1983; Associate Professor of English 1989, 1983.

MARIANNE R. KAMP, B.A. Dartmouth College 1985; Ph.D. University of Chicago 1998; Associate Professor of History 2005, 2000.

ERIC W. NYE, B.A. St. Olaf College 1974; M.A. University of Chicago 1976; Ph.D. 1983; Associate Professor of English 1989, 1983. ROBERT TORRY, B.A. Hiram College 1972; Ph.D. State University of New York-Buffalo 1988; Associate Professor of English 1993, 1983.
KRISTINE T. UTTERBACK, B.A. Bowling Green State University 1972; M.M. University of Wisconsin 1977; M.A. 1977; M.A. University of Toronto 1980; Ph.D. Center for Medieval Studies, University of Toronto 1984; Associate Professor of History 1992, 1986.

Assistant Professor
QUINCY D. NEWELL, B.A. Amherst College 1997; M.A. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 2001; Ph.D. 2004; Assistant Professor of Religious Studies 2004.

Academic Professional Lecturer:

SETH WARD, B.A. Yale University 1974; M.A. 1978; M.Phil. 1979; Ph.D. 1984; Assistant Academic Professional of Religious Studies 2007, 2003.

Adjunct Professors
MARY L. KELLER, B.A. Williams College 1987; M.A. Syracuse University 1992; Ph.D. 1999; Adjunct Associate Professor of Religious Studies 2003.

DONALD DALE WALKER, B.A. University of Michigan 1986; M.A. University of Chicago 1988; Ph.D. 1998; Adjunct Assistant Professor of Religious Studies 2006.

Professor Emerita:

Gladys M. Crane

Throughout history, religion has played an important role in shaping cultures and societies. Religious beliefs have inspired armies in their wars and leaders in their decisions. Religions have provided the foundation for ethical behavior and in many societies have been the primary source of education. In today’s world, religions remain important, influencing our responses to 9/11, the Middle East crisis, and other recent events in other regions around the world. Even in our own secular United States, religions and their beliefs play a major role in our debates over public policy.

The Religious Studies Program offers a range of courses in the academic study of religions. These courses seek to acquaint students with religious beliefs and behavior, helping them to understand the ability of religions to define the world in which their adherents live and the power religions have to influence the behavior of their followers. Religious Studies courses cover a broad range of religions, both modern and historical. Some courses focus on understanding a single religion in a limited time period, while others compare aspects of different religions. Yet further courses focus on religious expression, studying how religious beliefs are depicted in literature, film, art and music. Many of these courses are offered by the Religious Studies Program, while others can be found in various departments, including anthropology, art, English, history and sociology.

Undergraduate Minor

The minor in religious studies requires a student to complete 18 hours of relevant courses, all with a grade of C or higher. These should consist of courses as set out below:

1. RELI 1000 Intro to Religion

2. One of the following four courses:

ANTH 4300 Anth of Religion

PHIL 2310 Phil of Religion

RELI 4000 Theories of Religion

SOC 3200 Soc of Religion

3. Twelve hours of courses focusing on issues in the study of religions, 9 of which should be at the 3000-level or higher. These courses should focus on aspects of individual religions, or of several religions at once. These courses may be chosen from: (1) any religious studies course (i.e., RELI), (2) the following list, or (3) selected in consultation with the director of the Religious Studies Program.

ANTH 1100 World Ethnography

ANTH 2210 N American Indians

ANTH 4300* Anthropology of Religion

ART 2720 Intro to Art/Culture of Classical Islam

CLAS 2010 Epic Poetry

ENGL 2170 The Bible as Literature

ENGL 2340 Native American Culture/Literature

ENGL 4190 Milton

PHIL 2300 Ethics in Practice

PHIL 2310* Phil of Religion

PHIL 3300 Ethical Theory

PHIL 3320 Eastern Thought

PHIL 4560 Metaphysics

SOC 3200* Sociology of Religion
*These courses may be used to fulfill requirements 2 or 3, but one course may not be used to fill both.

Undergraduate Major

Religious Studies currently does not have a major; however, students may obtain a specialization in religious studies by organizing a Self-Designed Major. Interested students should contact the Religious Studies office in 325 Hoyt Hall.