REL-RELIGION
 

REL 2000          Introduction to Religion                3

Broad understanding of the field of religious studies. Special attention is given to the contributions of Eliade, Otto, Keen, Tillich, Freud and others. (Gordon Rule Course: Wrtg) and (General Studies Course: HUM/VAL)

REL 3142          New Perspectives on the Religious Self                    3

Focus on selected understandings of the nature of the self as a religious being. Various models of the self will be examined.

REL 3156          Religion and Personality Theory                 3

Effects of religion on personality development and related issues utilizing such thinkers as Erikson, James, Fromm and Keen. (Gordon Rule Course: Wrtg)

REL 3158          Psychology of Religion       3

Religious experiences and phenomena from the standpoint of particular approaches in psychology and religion. Such topics as human suffering, wholeness, and mystical awareness will be discussed using the thought of Becker, Keen, Freud and others. (Gordon Rule Course: Wrtg)

REL 3213          Studies in Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament            3

Analysis of literature of ancient Israel, interrelation of faith and history, evolution of ethical monotheism from primitive beginnings to oracles of prophets. (Gordon Rule Course: Wrtg)

REL 3243          Studies in the New Testament            3

Exegetical study of literature of the early Christian community with emphasis on life and teaching of Jesus and letters of Paul from variety of theological perspectives. (Gordon Rule Course: Wrtg)

REL 3310          Philosophies of the East            3

Indian philosophy including concept of Brahman in Vedanta and Yoga meditation. Buddhism in India, China and Japan. Confucian humanism and Taoist mysticism in China. Meets Multicultural requirement.

REL 3607          The Jewish Tradition               3

Designed to give the student an overview of Judaism and the Jewish experience. Through the examination of Jewish history, beliefs, literature, symbols, rituals, and customs, the student will gain an understanding of the ancient and continuing Jewish Tradition.

REL 3695          Applied Mysticism          3

Will acquaint the student with a variety of Jewish texts over the range of some 3000 years which treat the dual issues of Devekut, mystical connection with the Deity, and Musar, ethical connection with other human beings. Students will look at Torah narratives, Talmudic and Midrashic texts from various periods. Throughout, the students will be challenged to see the connection between mysticism and ethical behavior and the interplay between the two in Jewish literature, culture and spirituality.

REL 3948          Service Learning Field Study II           1-3

Placement in community agency or other social organizational setting related to field of study. Supervision by faculty and agency. Students and faculty “customize” courses to fit a full range of services that are available in the setting. Student must be able to draw correlation between the discipline and field study. Journal and reflective experience paper are required. With the agreement of the student’s faculty sponsor, a minimum of 4-6 hours per week must be done at the field site per semester hour of credit. Permission is required.

REL 4XXX        Science, Religion, and Nature (Pending)             3

Explores Eastern and Western religious conceptions of the natural world, and relates them to scientific ways of knowing. Includes a survey of major scientific discoveries and theories that both challenge and inform religious belief, including cosmology, evolution, and global change. Includes an overview of ecumenical dimensions of Eastern and Western spiritual experience and expression. Emphasis is placed on integrating and harmonizing scientific and religious understandings to develop a meaningful, contemporary worldview.

REL 4420          Contemporary Theology       3

Types of theology: fundamentalism, liberalism and neo-orthodoxy. Current trends: religious atheism (Nietzsche, Altizer), secular theology (Bonhoeffer, Cox), process theology (Whitehead, Chardin), existential theology (Tillich, Bultmann), personalism (Bertocci, DeWolf), liberation theology (Gutierrez, Boff).

REL 4441          Current Religious Issues          3

Significant personal and social concerns viewed from religious perspectives: race relations, medical practices, sexuality, war and terrorism, ecological crisis and non-Western religions.