Religious Studies

Course Offerings - Fall 2005

RELI 1000	Introduction to Religion - C1/G1, CH/G	Flesher
TR 2:45–4:00	Religion is central in shaping culture. While cultural differences stem from religion, many similarities find their expression in religion. Learn about several world religions and the way each understands the world and influences its adherents.
RELI 2110	Introduction to the Old Testament - C1/G1, CH Ward	Flesher
TR 11:00–12:15	The Old Testament is sacred to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.  What did its theology & stories mean to the people who wrote it & those who first read it? Use biblical text & archaeological research to learn about ancient Israel—its people, beliefs, history, and politics.
RELI 2175	Life & Teaching of Jesus - C1	Wood
TR 2:45-4:00	As the Christian Messiah, Jesus played an important role in western history. Nations and people took Jesus’ teachings and applied them to their own situations. Go to the earliest evidence and investigate Jesus’ life and thoughts; study how he expressed ideas; and how the earliest church recorded the stories.
RELI 2200	Contemporary American Religion - C1, D	Newell
TR 9:35-10:50	The U.S. is home to more world religions and to more versions of those religions than any other nation on the planet. Examine how the U.S. has shaped these religions and the impact these religions have had on U.S. society and culture.
RELI 2225	History of Christianity – C1 (Accidentally left out of Course Schedule)	Myrick
W 3:10-5:40	Today, we associate Christianity with ethical behavior, family virtues, and kindness; we think of Christianity as a religion of love and peace. Historically, however, Christianity has often been anything but peaceful. From early battles over doctrine, the Bible, and heresy to the Inquisition, Reformation, and Counter-Reformation, the Church has been a source of conflict and upheaval. Students will study both tendencies, from the church¹s beginnings to today.
RELI 2320	History of Islam - CH/G (Accidentally left out of Course Schedule)	Ward
TR 2:45-4:00	The Media gives the impression of Islam as a religion of "angry young men" who hate.  Learn how Islam is a religion of love of God and family, as well as respect for others. Learn how Islam has been practiced through time and what events shaped it.
RELI 2500-01	Bible as Literature – C1/G1 (New addition to Course Schedule)	Nye
TR 11:00-12:15	More properly titled the Bible as Bible, this course deals with Scripture and its influence on our cultural forms. The course begins with a study of the Pentateuch and then explores the history of text and translation, the relation of doctrine and story, narrative style and literary form, the culture and politics of the ancient Mid-East, the emergence of the Hebrews, and how these all affect modes of interpretation. In the second part we continue into the later Hebrew and early Christian traditions, and review the history of biblical interpretation.
RELI 3180	Drama & Religion - C3		Crane
TR 1:20-2:35	Drama and religion communicate ideas about the ultimate meaning of human life. Both influence and are influenced by the culture from which they developed. Examine plays influenced by the Bible, Greek plays whose concepts have influenced Christianity over the centuries and modern plays that address religious issues.
RELI 3200	Religion & American Culture - C1		Newell
TR 1:20-2:35	Explore the role of religion in the history of American culture. Consider how developments in American religious history reflect larger trends, and how those developments have helped shape American society and culture.
RELI 4500-01	Jesus, Moses & Muhammad	Ward
TR 1:20-2:35	As "founders" of the religious communities of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, these remarkable leaders left a broad mark on the history and philosophy of humankind. Examine each one's biography within historical context, in sacred literature and "sacred histories," in scholarly debate and popular culture. Explore several perspectives to illuminate how the narratives about each have shaped our world.