Religious Studies Course Descriptions

RS 150 Religion in the World 3 hours
General Education option. Prerequisite: None; Term I, II, Summer.
Exploration of religious practices as pervasive phenomena that have influenced human life and continue to play a significant role in all societies of the world.

RS 225A Development of Christianity: Beginnings to the Reformation 3 hours
Prerequisite: None.
Introductory overview of the history of the Christian church, with emphasis on the historical continuity and the cultural diversity of the Christian movement. Christianity from the beginning through the period preceding the Reformation.

RS 225B Development of Christianity: Reformation to the Present 3 hours
Prerequisite: None.
Historical overview of the Christian movement from the upheaval of the Reformation, through the development of various Christian denominations, the worldwide spread of Christianity and the rise of the ecumenical movement, to present-day forms of Christian identity.

RS 226 Black Religion in the Americas 3 hours
General Education option. Prerequisite: None.
Historical overview of Black religious traditions in the modern West, with special attention to the USA and emphasis on the emergence of Baptist, Methodist and Pentecostal traditions and the development of black forms of expression. Social movements such as the Haitian Revolution, slave revolts and the Civil War, the Civil Rights and Black Power movements, the formation of the Black Muslims, Black Theology, and African struggles for independence.

RS 227 Religion in America 3 hours
General Education option. Prerequisite: none; Term: annually
A historical study of the development of various religious traditions in the United States, with emphasis on the major traditions of Christianity. Topics include the French, Spanish and English Catholic influence; the Puritans; the religious backgrounds of the founders; smaller churches and sects; the revival movement; the separation of church and state; civil religion; Pentecostalism; contemporary religious pluralism.

RS 230 Introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures 3 hours
Prerequisite: None; Term: alternate years.
Survey of sacred literature commonly called the Old Testament by Christians. Selected readings from the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings introduce students to the cultural and historical background of the texts, as well as to their rich religious meaning.

RS 240 Introduction to the Christian Scriptures 3 hours
Prerequisite: None; Term: alternate years.
Survey of sacred literature commonly called the New Testament by Christians. Analysis of selected readings with emphasis on literary and theological style. Appreciation of the diversity of sources and traditions, as well as of the cultural and historical influences on the text.

RS 241 Christian Scriptures: Synoptic Gospels 3 hours
Prerequisite: None.
An introductory study of the general biblical sources and traditions seeking a literary and theological understanding of the texts. An initial study of the present state of the synoptic problem and an exploration of the texts of Matthew and Mark.

RS 242 Christian Scriptures: The Writings of Luke 3 hours
Prerequisite: None.
An introductory study of general biblical sources and traditions seeking a literary and theological understanding of the texts. Study of the Gospel According to Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. Themes are explored in light of our contemporary situation.

RS 243 Christian Scriptures: Revelation and the Writings of John 3 hours
Prerequisite: None.
An introductory study of general biblical sources and traditions seeking a literary and theological understanding of the texts. Exploration of the five books considered Johannine. Special attention is given to the apocalyptic literature and its symbolism.

RS 250 Jesus the Christ 3 hours
Prerequisite: None; Term: annually.
Theological and historical analysis of the interpretation of Jesus of Nazareth as the
Christ of faith, ranging from his contemporaries to the present.

RS 265 Worship in the African-American Tradition 3 hours
Prerequisite: none.
Study of various art forms and ritual expressions that arise out of the Black diaspora. Historical analysis of slave worship, the emergence of distinctive call-response and
preaching styles, the emphasis on percussion and rhythm, and the continuous effort to relate worship to the world of work, the fight for freedom, and the struggle to survive.

RS 291 Independent Study 1-3 hours
Prerequisites: ENG 108, LS 105, permission of the instructor, by arrangement with department.
Focused study of student-selected topics in consultation with instructor.

RS 310 Christianity and Atheism 3 hours
Prerequisites: ENG 108, LS 105.
Examination of classical and modern forms of faith and unbelief; attitudes, circumstances and reasons that support Christian faith, agnosticism, or atheism.

RS 326 Black Theology: Roots and Trends 3 hours
Prerequisites: ENG 108, LS 105; Term: alternate years.
A historical study of the sources and development of Black Theology and religious thought born of the Black – especially African-American – experience. The distinctive features, most original insights, and significant contemporary themes and concerns of Black Theology.

RS 330 Religion and Science at the Frontiers 3 hours
Prerequisites: ENG 108, LS 105; recommended: 1 science/lab course‚ 1 RS course; Fee: yes
This multi-disciplinary course examines the past and present relationships between religion and the sciences. Topics include: models and paradigms; creation; evolution; consciousness; freedom; purpose; values. You will explore seeming conflicts and contradictions, seek possible resolutions, and discover how both religion and science, though distinctive, may complement one another.

RS 360 Christianity, Ecumenism, and Inter-Religious Encounter 3 hours
Prerequisites: ENG 108, LS 105; Term: alternate years
Investigation into the origins and distinctive features of various Christian denominations, including the movement toward unity, recent efforts toward cooperation among various church communities, and the new horizon of dialog and mutual learning with other world religions. Writing intensive course.

RS 367 Confessional Politics: Religion and Politics in the 21st Century 3 hours
Prerequisites: Introductory course(s) in social science and religious studies.
The focus is on the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution as it has changed over the last few decades. A number of international issues, especially in the Middle East, are covered.

RS 375 Native American Spirituality 3 hours
Prerequisites: ENG 108, LS 105.
Native American spirituality and worldview have survived in spite of the attempts of early missionaries to Christianize Native people. In this course, you will explore how Native people were able to blend Christianity and their Native beliefs into something that represents both belief systems. You will study some of the ceremonies, and ancient creation stories that contributed to the spiritual and intellectual growth of the Americas. You will learn how the Native American concepts of respect for everything in nature, with harmony as the ultimate goal, are expressed in everyday life.

RS 380 Religion and Society 3 hours
Prerequisites: ENG 108, LS 105; Term: alternate years.
Focus on the theological bases of social ethics, how social ethics is articulated in sacred writings, and on the moral dimensions of controversial issues and the decision-making process.

RS 381 Problems in Christian Social Ethics 1-6 hours
Prerequisites: ENG 108, LS 105; Term: triennially.
Study of selected issues and problems in the context of Judaeo-Christian ethical convictions. Topics vary. A maximum of six credits may be earned in combination of different modules.

RS 384 Faith and Human Development 3 hours
Prerequisites: ENG 108, PSY 205; Term: alternate years.
Investigation of the process of faith development as it integrates with the psychological, moral and cognitive stages of development within each person. Each stage of the life cycle is examined with implications of this developmental process for religious education. Writing intensive course.

RS 386 Religious Education and Ministry: Field Experience 1-9 hours
Prerequisites: ENG 108, LS 105, by arrangement with the department.
Specialized projects and/or in-service experience in religious education and ministry.

RS 395 Directed Study 1-3 hours
Prerequisites: ENG 108, LS 105, permission of the instructor.
Directed readings on a topic in an area of the student’s choice.

RS 491 Independent Study 1-3 hours
Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor, by arrangement with the department.
In-depth advanced research on student-selected topics in consultation with instructor.

RS 496 Senior Research Project 3-4 hours
Prerequisites: Religious Studies major; by arrangement with the department; completion of 21 credit hours in religious studies, including all other major requirements. Advanced investigation of a significant issue in Religious Studies. Formal presentation of findings to students and faculty. May be done departmentally or interdepartmentally.