Religious Studies (REL)

(see Religious Studies Department)

Major Requirements for the B.A. in Religious Studies

Thirty-three semester hours in Religious Studies courses

  • Introduction to Hebrew Bible (REL 101)
  • Introduction to Early Christian Literature (REL 102)
  • Religion and Culture (REL 111)
  • Introduction to World Religions (REL 204)
  • Senior Seminar in Religious Studies (REL 473)
  • Eighteen additional course hours in Religious Studies, of which 12 hrs. must be at the 300 level or above.

Religious Studies Minor

  • REL 101
  • REL 102
  • REL 111
  • Twelve additional hours in Religious Studies, of which at least six hours must be at the 300 level or above.

Departmental Honors

To be considered for Departmental Honors, students must fulfill the general College requirements for honors programs. In addition they must:

  1. Apply to the chair of the department during the junior year.
  2. Be a Religious Studies major.
  3. Be classified as a Senior while participating in the Program.
  4. Hold a GPA of 3.5 or better in major and 3.25 overall.
  5. Complete three hours of Independent Study in Religious Studies.
  6. Complete Senior Honors Thesis.
  7. Pass oral defense of thesis with Departmental faculty.
  8. Present thesis at Student Research Forum.

002. Christian Leadership Center Colloquium (0)
Prerequisite: Permission of CLC Director. Designed for Christian Leadership Center participants who do not require one hour credit. Integrates field placement experience with theological reflection and training in practical applications for ministry. Offered each semester. A student who successfully completes the first semester of REL 002 automatically earns credit for Service-Learning – GED 151C.

101. Introduction to Hebrew Bible (3)
Students will examine the texts of the Hebrew Bible as reflections made by the Israelite community about its relationship with God, its character as a chosen people, and its responsibilities in a pluralistic society. This class will use historical and literary methods to interpret the significance of written texts. Offered every Fall semester.

102. Introduction to Early Christian Literature (3)
Students will study early Christian literature to trace the development of the early Church and its doctrines. Although primary attention will be given to the texts of the New Testament, non-canonical texts will also be examined. This course will use historical and literary methods to interpret written texts. Offered every Spring semester.

111. Religion and Culture (3)
Students will explore the individual and communal expressions of religion: the experience of the holy, myth, ritual, scripture, belief, morality, art and literature. Religious cultures throughout the world will highlight this introductory level investigation, with special attention given to recent developments such as civil religion and alternative religious movements. Offered yearly.

151,152. Introduction to Biblical Hebrew (3-3)
Students will be introduced to the grammar, syntax and vocabulary necessary to ready aloud and translate any narrative text in the Hebrew Bible. Alternate years. (Same as HEB 151-152)

160. The American Religious Experience (3)
Students will be introduced to religious traditions in the United States and the impact of these traditions on the development of American society. Offered every Fall semester.

200. Christian Leadership Center Colloquium (1)
Designed for Christian Leadership Center participants only.  Integrates field placement experience with theological reflection and training in practical applications for ministry.  Offered each semester on a Pass/D/Fail basis only.  May not be counted toward requirements for Religious Studies majors.  Individual topic may not be repeated for credit.

203. Introduction to Methodism (3)
A study of the movement that affected the social and religious life of 18th-century England and which influenced the cultural, religious, and political development of America. Primary sources are the works of John Wesley with secondary sources as recent interpretive biographies and histories of Methodism. Alternate years.

204. Introduction to World Religions (3)
This course is a critical, introductory survey of the world's major living religious traditions. Traditions examined include Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Shinto, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Baha'i, and a selection of new and alternative religious movements. Students will investigate the belief structure, ritual system, sacred literature, social dimension, and historical development of each tradition. (Same as PHIL 204)

205. Introduction to Judaism (3)
A study of Judaism as one of the major religious traditions of the West. The historical as well as the contemporary perspectives on Jewish literature, religious symbols, and lifestyles will be explored. Alternate years.

230. Introduction to Christianity (3)
The historical development of Christian religious thought and practice from Jesus to the present. Emphasis is on the formation of Christianity's major teachings and their transformation and diverse expressions in the medieval, reformation and modern periods. Alternate years.

260. Introduction to Buddhism (3)
A general survey of the basic doctrine, practice and historical development of Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhism in India, China and Japan. Alternate years.

265. Introduction to Hinduism (3)
an introductory survey of the Hindu tradition. The course follows the historical development of the tradition from pre-classical forms of Indian religion dating back some 4,000 years to modern revivals and reinventions of Hinduism in post-colonial India and cultures around the globe, especially North America.

280. Introduction to Islam (3)
Theological and cultural study of Islamic history and religious expression. Topics include the life of Muhammad, teachings of the Qur'an, Islamic sectarianism, religious law, ethics, ritual practices and the presence of Islam in the contemporary world. Alternate years.

283. Introduction to Native American Cultures (3)
An Introduction to the practice of religion in specific native societies, exploring how indigenous religious traditions such as Navajo, Hopi, Lakota Sioux, Cherokee and Pueblo understand the world and how members of those societies participate in the world. Course will also consider the effects on these religions of domination by the colonial powers and contemporary revitalization of native traditions. Special attention given to Choctaw and Caddo traditions and their presence within Mississippi and Louisiana. Alternate years.

290. Interdisciplinary Studies (3)
This course is designed to facilitate the treatment of topics across disciplinary boundaries. Topics will vary from year to year. Course, but not individual topics, may be repeated for credit.

303. Philosophy of Religion (3)
A study of philosophical issues raised by the contemporary dialogue among the living world religions. Topics include concepts of God, revelation, religious truth, problem of evil and theories of salvation. Alternate years. (Same as PHIL 303)

305S. Prophets and Prophecy (3)
Prerequisite: REL 101 or permission of the instructor. A cross-cultural examination of the phenomenon of prophecy and the roles that prophets play in their societies. Primary attention will be given to the types of prophetic methods and messages of biblical and extrabiblical prophets as a basis for comparison with other ancient and modern examples of prophecy. Alternate years.

308. Sociology of Religion (3)
Prerequisite: SOC 101. An investigation of the contribution of religious symbolism to social organization, socialization, stratification, and change. The course examines the application of social theory, especially organization studies, to understanding religion as a social institution, particularly in the United States. Alternate years. (Same as SOC 308)

310S. Apocalypse Then — and Now (3)
An examination of biblical and extrabiblical apocalyptic texts with attention given to the diversity of apocalyptic thinking and predictions. With this background students will study more contemporary examples of apocalypticism, with an eye to discerning the social, psychological and theological continuities and differences between apocalypses then and now. Alternate years.

320. Ancient Greek Religion (3)
This course is an Introduction to the world of thought and practice that contemporary scholars call ancient Greek religion. The main materials of the course are drawn from the ancient Greeks themselves — from poets, artists, playwrights, and mythographers. Emphasis will be placed on the myths and festivals that formed the fabric of ancient Greek religious practice and outlook. Ancient perspectives on cosmos (universe), polis (city and its society), psyche (self), and theos (gods) will be explored. Alternate years.

332. Gender and Family in Early Christianity (3)
A study of the Greco-Roman family life; early Christian moral teachings in the context of Jewish and Greco-Roman popular morality; the early Christian family with a focus on slaves and children, marriage and divorce; gender constructions of masculinity and homosexual behavior; and the position of women in the early church. Alternate years.

365. Religion and Politics (3)
Religion, churches, and the American political system. The separation of church and state and the development of religious freedom in America. Special emphasis given to the influence of religion on political tolerance, public policy, and social change. Alternate years.

395S, W. Selected Topics in Religious Studies (3)
A detailed study of an area in religion not normally covered or dealt with only in a partial manner in regular courses.

411W. Portraits of Jesus (3)
Prerequisite: REL 102 or consent of instructor. Examination and analysis of the many different ways that Jesus has been portrayed in the Bible, other literature, music and film. Primary attention given to the significance of the different portrayals and the possible social and historical conditions that might have produced such different portraits. Alternate years.

415S. Women and Religion (3)
An examination of two interrelated issues, namely, the influences that religions have on women and the influences that women have on religions. Students will see expressions of these influences in women's art, women's writings, and women's actions in the world. Alternate years.

420W. Religion in the South (3)
Prerequisite: REL 111 or 160. This course explores the rich religious history of the American South. Topics of investigation include Southern evangelicalism, Southern Catholicism and Judaism, religious pluralism, African American religious experience, and denominational and sectarian movements of the last one hundred years. Alternate years.

422W. The Christian Quest for Meaning(3)
Prerequisites: REL 101, 102, and 230. A systematic examination of major topics such as God, Christology, sin, the church, biblical authority, salvation, creation, and eschatology. Alternate years.

430W. Global Fundamentalism (3)
Prerequisite: REL 111, 160, or 204. This course investigates the phenomenon of fundamentalism in the context of United States culture and in other cultures around the world. Using fundamentalism as a cross-cultural and cross-traditional analytical category, the course examines the history, beliefs, practices, and cultural strategies of antimodernist religious protest movements in Protestantism, Catholicism, Judaism, and Islam.

473. Senior Seminar in Religious Studies (3)
An evaluation of knowledge within field based on development of scholastic research paper and formal presentation. Yearly.

491-496. Independent Study in Religious Studies (1-6)
Open to Junior and Senior students with the consent of the instructor and Department Chair. Weekly conference with instructor. The major portion of the study is composed of library and research work. A written thesis is required. Offered each semester or upon request.

199. Module Studies (3)
Special topics offered during the Module.

Last updated May 23, 2007.