Religion

Degrees

Religion Major,
Bachelor of Arts

Courses

REL 131: Introduction to the Old Testament

Class Program

Credits 3

An introductory course designed to provide understanding of the Old Testament and of biblical faith; its basic concepts, values, terminology, literary styles and/or forms, principal personalities, places, and events. Emphasis is placed in terms of the interpretive implications, meaning and history of the use of this literature for guidance in daily living and personal decision-making. Offered in the Fall and Summer.

REL 132: Introduction to the New Testament

Class Program

Credits 3

An introductory course designed to provide understanding of the New Testament and of biblical faith; its basic concepts, values, terminology, literary forms, principal personalities, places, and events. Emphasis is placed upon reading, discussing and understanding biblical literature in terms of the interpretive implications, meaning and value for daily living and personal decision- making. Offered in the Spring and Summer.

REL 133: Biblical Hebrew I

Class Program

Credits 3

This course is an introduction to the aleph-bet, the basic noun and verb forms, vocabulary, syntax and grammar of Biblical Hebrew. Course instruction consists of lecture, daily recitations, exams and frequent quizzes. Offered as needed.

REL 134: Biblical Hebrew II

Class Program

Credits 3

This course is a continuation of REL 133. The student is introduced to the idiosyncrasies of the various classifications of weak verbs, and continues to build vocabulary. The last half of the course includes lessons from the Hebrew Bible and analysis of grammar and syntax. Offered as needed.

REL 135: Biblical Greek I

Class Program

Credits 3

This course introduces the student to the alphabet, the noun declensions and verb forms, vocabulary, and syntax and grammar of Biblical Greek. Course instruction consists of lecture, daily recitations, exams and frequent quizzes. Offered as needed

REL 136: Biblical Greek II

Class Program

Credits 3

This course is a continuation of REL 135. The student will continue to build vocabulary and understanding of grammar and syntax. The last half of this course includes reading lessons from the Greek New Testament with analysis of grammar and syntax for aid in exegesis. Instruction consists of lecture, daily recitations, exams and frequent quizzes. Offered as needed

REL 230: Introductory Theologies

Class Program

Credits 3

This course is an introduction to the discipline of theology, its method, sources, context, text, norms, and tasks. It attends to a variety of theological movements and projects as a way of introducing the novice student to the discipline. Foundational for advanced courses in theology. Offered as needed.

REL 231: History of the English Bible

Class Program

Credits 3

This course introduces the student to the context and developments that led to the translation of the Bible into English and the subsequent revisions of that translation. Beginning with the earliest manuscripts and approaching the 14th century and the Reformation and Authorized Version of 1611, it concludes with modern revisions, giving students an understanding of the issues of biblical translation.

REL 232: Biblical Studies Since the Enlightenment

Class Program

Credits 3

This course is an introduction to the history of critical biblical scholarship since the Enlightenment. It introduces the student to the different methods developed by biblical scholars by focusing on major research issues and agendas in the history of biblical studies.

REL 233: Theologies of Liberation

Class Program

Credits 3

This course is a study of the “underside theologies,” this course introduces the student to those approaches that critique the unquestioned dominance of Euro-American theologies. Feminist, Black American, Latin American, African, Asian, and other ethnic theologies are studied for their contributions to our understanding of God’s nature and activity. Offered as needed.

REL 234: The Bible and Film

Class Program

Credits 3

This course introduces students to the use of Bible stories and themes in modern film. Students read biblical narratives and critical essays that discuss the directors’ artistic and aesthetic choices, and watch films that retell some element of the biblical story, or incorporate biblical themes in their story in order to evaluate the creative choices made by film makers.

REL 235: World Religions

Class Program

Credits 3

This course is a study of the living religion of the world, including the religions of Africa, in the light of their historical development, beliefs, practices, and contemporary importance. Spring, alternate years

REL 236: Major Black Religious Leaders 1755-Present

Class Program

Credits 3

This course studies the life, writings, and influences of major religious leaders from 1755 to 1940. Included are Richard Allen, Henry Highland Garnet, Marcus Garvey, and others. Offered as needed.

REL 237: History of Christianity

Class Program

Credits 3

This course surveys the history of the Christian Faith from apostolic times to the present. Particular attention is given to Latin and Greek Fathers, the Protestant Reformation and Contemporary religious thought. Spring alternative years.

REL 238: Christianity, Fine Arts, and Literature

Class Program

Credits 3

This course examines the influence of Christianity upon visual art, music, architecture, and literature with emphasis on specific artists, composers, buildings and authors. Offered as needed.

REL 239: Ethics

Class Program

Credits 3

This course is a survey and critical analysis of ethical theories positions, and issues, with special emphasis on socioeconomic, political, and personal ethical questions. The student will develop skills in the process of making reasoned choices about ethics and contemporary social issues. Spring alternate years.

REL 330: The Synoptic Gospels

Class Program

Credits 3

This course is an in-depth study of the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke). Emphasis is given to comparative literary studies of parallel events and teachings, with a view to highlight the creative differences in the three presentations of the story of Jesus.

REL 331: The Parables of Jesus

Class Program

Credits 3

This course is a study of the parables of the Gospels as popular stories in comparison with other literary types and figures such as simile, metaphor, allegory, fable, and historical narratives. This course deals with hermeneutical principles and problems in the transmission, classification and analysis of parables, plus the reading and interpreting of Jesus’ parables. Offered as needed.

REL 332: The Pentateuch

Class Program

Credits 3

This course is a study of the books of Genesis-Deuteronomy and the compositional models used by biblical scholars to understand their production and interpretive significance in the religious life of Israel and contemporary theological readings. Attention is given to the literary and ideological impact of the material in the formation of religious identity.

REL 333: Prophets of the Old Testament

Class Program

Credits 3

This course is a study of the prophetic movement in ancient Israel and its historical background in antiquity attends to the ethics and theology of the prophets and their concern with the problems of justice in society. Fall alternate years.

REL 334: Life and Writings of Paul

Class Program

Credits 3

This course is a study of the times, life and mission of the Apostle Paul, which includes the settings, occasions and interpretations of his letters, as well as historical and literary criticism of them. Spring alternate years.

REL 335: Introduction to World Christianity

Class Program

Credits 3

The massive growth of Christianity in the non-western world in the second half of the twentieth century led to the development of the discipline of World Christianity. This course introduces students to the scope, methods, and theories of the discipline.

REL 336: Basic Christian Beliefs

Class Program

Credits 3

This course is a study of the fundamental doctrines of the Church, the historical and theological forces that influenced their formation, and their impact on communal identity. Offered as needed.

REL 337: Wisdom Literature

Class Program

Credits 3

This course is a study of Proverbs, Job and Ecclesiastes, plus several Apocryphal texts concerned with human conduct and the construction of meaning in a world of conflicting realities and ideologies. Offered as needed.

REL 338: Introducing Africana Religions

Class Program

Credits 3

This course introduces students to significant issues and themes in the study of African indigenous religions and investigates the possible influences African indigenous religions might have on African derived religions in the diaspora.

REL 400: Senior Seminar

Class Program

Credits 3

This course focuses on the actual process of planning and completing the senior research project.

Prerequisites

Religion Major, Senior standing.

REL 430: Sociology of Religion

Class Program

Credits 3

This course is a study of one or more of the following themes: Religion and Literature, Religion and the Fine Arts, Religion and Politics, Ethics and Politics, War-Peace and related ethical issues. Specific descriptions are provided based upon actual offerings and requests.

REL 431: Christology /Life and Work of Christ

Class Program

Credits 3

This course is a study of the life and work of Jesus attends to the significance of the person and work of Jesus in the Gospels and in Pauline letters, as well as the historical application of this meaning within the Christian community. Offered as needed.

REL 432: The Deuteronomistic History

Class Program

Credits 3

This course is a study of the biblical material found in Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, I and II Samuel and I and II Kings as well as the literary study of the relationships that exist between this material and historiography from ancient Greece and Mesopotamia.

REL 433: The Reformation

Class Program

Credits 3

This course is a study of the Reformation and Post-Reformation period with special emphasis on the lives and teachings of Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, and others and the historical and social impact of their work. Fall alternate years.

REL 435: Black Theology of Liberation

Class Program

Credits 3

This course is a study of the significance of the Church in Black Culture, its historical perspective and present role in the community. It includes the contributions of outstanding black theologians to religious thinking and the social and cultural impact of their work.

REL 436: Special Topics in Biblical Studies

Class Program

Credits 3

This course, with rotating topics, is an analysis of the form, content and meaning of a specific biblical book or doctrine over against its philosophical and historical background. The instructor, according to research interest or the need of students, chooses a specific book or perspective. The course can be taken more than once for credit when different books or doctrines are offered. Offered as needed.

REL 437: The Rise of Christian Denominationalism

Class Program

Credits 3

This course, classified as historical Theology, seeks to describe the development of Christian denominations with emphasis on events, personalities, movements, beliefs, and practices.

REL 438: Contemporary Theology

Class Program

Credits 3

This course is a survey of theological developments since 1750 and an analysis of individual theological statements responding to such issues as existentialism, anthropology, secularism, liberation, feminism, ethnicity, indigenization, foundationalism, post-foundationalism, and other contemporary systems of thought that challenge basic Christian categories of meaning.

REL 439: Spiritual Development in Middle Age and Late Adulthood

Class Program

Credits 3

This course is a study of the spiritual development of persons during middle age and late adult- age periods draws topics from the interplay between religion, sociology, developmental psychology, and personality theories with special attention given to the spiritual challenges and opportunities these age-periods present.