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Course descriptions for Religious Studies
For current descriptions please consult the current catalog. Go>
RLS 101 Comparative Religion
3 hrs. (Gen. Ed. HP)
Survey of human values and religious experiences found in major religions of the world.
RLS 120 Religion and Culture in the Middle East
3 hrs. (Gen. Ed. NW)
Survey of religious experience, beliefs, and practices that emerged and developed in the cultures of the Middle East. Emphasis on origins of Semitic, Hebrew, and Arabic religions, and their influence on social, political, artistic, and literary expression of the area.
RLS 200 Contemporary Religion in the United States
3 hrs. (Gen. Ed. HP)
Analysis of religious faith, worship, and practice in an age of transition. Emphasis on challenges that confront a person's faith. Survey of major American religious denominations.
RLS 290 Religion and the Life Cycle
3 hrs. (Gen. Ed. SF)
Religious aspects of human development: childhood through adolescence into maturing adulthood.
RLS 300 Old Testament
3 hrs. (Gen. Ed. HP)
Human values relevant to contemporary life found in ancient writings of Judaism and Christianity.
RLS 302 New Testament
3 hrs. (Gen. Ed. HP)
Human values in the early Christian experience as reflected in its scriptures.
RLS 308 Christian Beliefs and Teachings
3 hrs.
Traditional teachings and contemporary developments in the study of the Christian religion.
RLS 310 Religion and Society
3 hrs. (Gen. Ed. SF)
Major social scientific theories that explain social needs and functions served by religion.
RLS 317 Judaeo-Christian Ethics
3 hrs. (Gen. Ed. HP)
"New morality" and "situation ethics" compared to traditional Judaeo-Christian ethical principles.
RLS 325 Religion and Existentialism
3 hrs.
Philosophical and theological atmosphere of the 19th and 20th centuries: reading and analysis of existentialist writers.
RLS 330 The Human Condition
3 hrs.
Multidisciplinary examination of the limits and possibilities of human nature. Evolutionary biology, developmental psychology, philosophical ethics, and contemporary religious thought. Prerequisite: junior/senior standing.
RLS 331 Religions of the Eastern World
3 hrs. (Gen. Ed. NW)
Historical and cultural study of the religions of India, Southeast Asia, and China.
RLS 332 Religions of the World
3 hrs. (Gen. Ed. HP)
Historical and literary study of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
RLS 338 China: Religion and Culture
3 hrs. (Gen. Ed. NW)
Historical and cultural survey of Chinese religions. Development of Chinese religion and philosophy from ancient times until the present. Major traditions of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, as well as popular belief and culture.
RLS 340 Japan: Religion and Culture
3 hrs. (Gen. Ed. NW)
Historical and cultural survey of religion in Japan, primarily Buddhism and Shinto. Folk religion, Chinese influences, and the New Religions.
RLS 344 Philosophy of Religion
3 hrs.
Nature of religion; function and validity of religious concepts in the modern world. Cross listed as PHL 344. Prerequisite: 3 hours of religious studies or philosophy.
RLS 350, 351 Topics in Religious Studies
3 hrs. each
Topics of special interest which may vary each time course is offered. Topic stated in current Academic Handbook.
RLS 387 Contemporary Trends in Religious Thought
3 hrs.
Writings of present-day theologians. Emphasis on their influence on various aspects of modern thought and culture. Prerequisite: 3 hours of religious studies, or consent of instructor.
RLS 497, 498 Problems in Religious Studies
1-3 hrs. each
Primarily for undergraduate RLS majors: comprehensive and integrated survey of the discipline at an advanced level; projects in special areas. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.