Professor: Hughes
Assistant Professor: Johnson (Chairperson)
Instructor: Knauth

A major in Religion consists of 10 courses, including REL 113, 114, and 120. At least seven courses must be taken in the department. Up to three of the following courses may be counted toward fulfilling the major requirements: GRK 221, 222, HEBR 221, 222, HIST 340, 416, PHIL 332 and SOC 336.

The following courses satisfy the cultural diversity requirement: REL 110, 224, 225, 226, 228. The following courses, when scheduled as W courses, count toward the writing intensive requirement: REL 230, 331, and 337.

A minor in religion consists of one course from REL 110, 113 or 114 and four religion courses numbered 200 or above.

An interdisciplinary minor in Biblical Languages requires the completion of GRK 101-102, HEBR 101-102, and two from GRK 221, 222, HEBR 221, 222.

INTRODUCTION TO RELIGION

Designed for the beginning student, this course examines what it means to be religious. Some of the issues are the definition of religion, the meaning of symbolism, concepts of God, ecstatic phenomena. Specific attention will be devoted to the current problem of cults and religious liberty.

OLD TESTAMENT FAITH AND HISTORY

A critical examination of the literature within its historical setting and in the light of archaeological findings to show the faith and religious life of the Hebrew-Jewish community in the Biblical period, and an introduction to the history of interpretation with an emphasis on contemporary Old Testament criticism and theology.

RELIGION AND POPULAR CULTURE

An examination of the interaction of religion and culture in an historical perspective followed by a direct analysis of the ethical and religious issues raised by contemporary American popular culture. Readings include artistic and social-scientific as well as ethical and religious approaches to popular culture.

DEATH AND DYING

A study of death from personal, social and universal standpoints with emphasis upon what the dying may teach the living. Principal issues are the stages of dying, bereavement, suicide, funeral conduct, and the religious doctrines of death and immortality. Course includes, as optional, practical projects with terminal patients under professional supervision. Only one course from the combination of REL 120 and 121 may be used for distribution.

AFTER DEATH AND DYING

An examination of the question of life after death in terms of contemporary clinical studies, the New Testament resurrection narratives, the Asian doctrine of reincarnation, and the classical theological beliefs of providence and predestination. REL 120 is recommended but not required. Only one course from the combination of REL 120 and 121 may be used for distribution.

An examination of Protestant thought and life from Luther to the present against the backdrop of a culture rapidly changing from the 17th century scientific revolution to Marxism, Darwinism, and depth psychology. Special attention will be paid to the constant interaction between Protestantism and the world in which it finds itself.

BACKGROUNDS OF EARLY CHRISTIANITY

A study of historical, cultural, and religious influences that shaped the formation of early Christianity and the antecedents of Christian doctrine and practice in Hellenistic, Roman, and post-exilic Jewish cultures.

JUDAISM AND ISLAM

An examination of the rise, growth, and expansion of Judaism and Islam with special attention given to the theological contents of the literatures of these religions as far as they are normative in matters of faith, practice, and organization. Also, a review of their contributions to the spiritual heritage of mankind.

ORIENTAL RELIGION

A phenomenological study of the basic content of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Chinese Taoism with special attention to social and political relations, mythical and aesthetic forms, and the East-West dialogue.

BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGY

A study of the role of archaeology in reconstructing the world in which the Biblical literature originated with special attention given to archaeological results that throw light on the clarification of the Biblical text. Also, an introduction to basic archaeological method and a study in depth of several representative excavations along with the artifacts and material culture recovered from different historical periods.

An examination of the life and theology of the church from the close of the New Testament to the fifth century. Special attention will be given to the struggles of the church with heretical movements, the controversies concerning the person and nature of Christ, and the encounter of the church with the Roman Empire.

A study of the history and culture of Mesopotamia, Anatolia, Syria-Palestine, and Egypt from the rise of the Sumerian culture to Alexander the Great. Careful attention will be given to the religious views prevalent in the ancient Near East as far as these views interacted with the culture and faith of the Biblical tradition.

PSYCHOLOGY OF RELIGION

A study into the broad insights of psychology in relation to the phenomena of religion and religious behavior. The course concentrates on religious experience or manifestations rather than concepts. Tentative solutions will be sought to questions such as: What does it feel like to be religious or to have a religious experience? What is the religious function in human development? How does one think psychologically about theological problems?

CHRISTIAN SOCIAL ETHICS

A study of Christian ethics as a normative perspective for contemporary moral problems with emphasis upon the interaction of law and religion, decision-making in the field of biomedical practice, and the reconstruction of society in a planetary civilization.

An examination of the approach of religion and other disciplines to an issue of current concern; current topics include the theological significance of law, the ethics of love, and the Holocaust. May be repeated for credit if the topic is different from one previously studied.

BIBLICAL TOPICS

An in-depth study of Biblical topics related to the Old and New Testaments. Topics include prophecy, wisdom literature, the Dead Sea Scrolls, the teachings of Jesus, Pauline theology, Judaism and Christian origins, redaction criticism - the way the Synoptic Gospels and John give final form to their message. Course will vary from year to year and may be repeated for credit once if the topic is different from one previously studied.

CONTEMPORARY RELIGIOUS ISSUES

THE NATURE AND MISSION OF THE CHURCH

A study of the nature of the Church as "The People of God" with reference to the Biblical, Protestant, Orthodox, and Roman Catholic traditions.

FIELD ARCHAEOLOGY

Participation in an approved archaeological dig or field school program in the Near East or Mediterranean region. Includes instruction in excavation techniques, recording and processing of artifacts. A survey of excavation and research and the use of archaeology as a tool for elucidating historical and cultural changes. Under certain circumstances, participation in an archaeological field school program within the United States, Central or South America, or elsewhere may be accepted. Special fees apply. May Term or Summer Sessions only.

421

ARCHAEOLOGICAL FIELD SUPERVISION

Participation in an archaeological excavation or field school program at the level of assistant supervisor or above. Includes instruction in on-site supervision of daily digging, record-keeping, and interpretation of finds, and/or specialized training in excavation project coordination, data processing, or analysis of specific types of material culture. Research project required. Prerequisite: REL 401 or equivalent experience. Special fees apply. May Term or Summer Sessions only.

INTERNSHIP (See index)

Interns in religion usually work in local churches under the supervision of the pastor and a member of the faculty. Interns in archaeology usually work in historical museums or art museums under the supervision of a museum director/curator/archaeologist and a member of the faculty.

INDEPENDENT STUDY (See index)

Current study areas are in the Biblical languages, Biblical history and theology, Biblical archaeology, comparative religions, and the ethics of technology.

INDEPENDENT STUDY FOR DEPARTMENTAL HONORS (See index)

Greek is not offered as a major. An interdisciplinary minor in Biblical Languages requires the completion of GRK 101-102, HEBR 101-102, and two from GRK 221, 222, HEBR 221, 222.

NEW TESTAMENT GRAMMAR AND READINGS

Fundamentals of New Testament Greek grammar and readings of selected passages of the Greek text. Does not satisfy humanities requirement.

READINGS IN THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS

A comparative study of the synoptic tradition in Greek. Prerequisite: GRK 102 or equivalent. Does not satisfy humanities requirement.

READINGS IN THE PAULINE EPISTLES

Selected readings from the letters of Paul in Greek. Prerequisite: GRK 221 or equivalent. Does not satisfy humanities requirement.

Hebrew is not offered as a major. An interdisciplinary minor in Biblical Languages requires the completion of GRK 101-102, HEBR 101-102, and two from GRK 221, 222, HEBR 221, 222.

Fundamentals of Old Testament Hebrew grammar and readings of selected passages of the Hebrew text. Does not satisfy humanities requirement.

A critical reading of the Hebrew text of selected narrative portions of the Old Testament with special attention being given to exegetical questions. The text read varies from year to year. Prerequisite: HEBR 102 or equivalent. Does not satisfy humanities requirement.

READINGS IN THE PROPHETIC BOOKS AND WISDOM LITERATURE