Summer/Fall 2008 Religious Studies Course Offerings

SUMMER 2008

RELG 102-Introduction to World Religions (June 29-August 7)

Dr. Xiaofei Tu
MTWRF 12:00-1:15
202 Brooks Hall
CRN# 52431
3 Hrs-NO Prerequisite

This course is an introduction to the beliefs, and practices, and historical foundations of the major religious traditions of the world: Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Islam, Judaism, Christianity, and primitive religions. The course readings and lectures will be primarily philosophical and historical in nature, and we will be addressing some of the existential, moral, and theological questions that these religions are concerned with, noting the diversity of viewpoints that often exist within a particular tradition.

RELG 105-Introduction to Issues In Religious Studies (May 19-June 27)

Dr. Ted Vehse
MTWRF 12:00-1:15
G21 Life Sciences Building
CRN# 50386
3 Hrs-NO Prerequisite

This course is an introduction to religious studies, an attempt to look at basic questions which come up when people study religion in the secular setting of a modern university. This activity-the academic study of religion-is not like learning the traditions of thought and practice you might learn in a church, a mosque, a temple, a reading room, a synagogue, or any other "religious" environment. The activity is academic. It is not religious. The goal is not to believe but to ask questions about and probe religion as a form of human experience. The well-known historian of religions, Jonathan Z. Smith says: "Religious studies are most appropriately described in relation to the Humanities and the Human Sciences, in relation to Anthropology rather than Theology." The study of religion is for people who think religion is interesting from a human point of view, whether they personally hold religious convictions or not.

RELG 303-Studies in Christian Scriptures (May 19-June 27)

Dr. Shelly Barrick Parsons
MTWRF 1:30-2:45
G25 Brooks Hall
CRN# 52583
3 Hrs-NO Prerequisite

This course is an academic exploration of the content and background of the texts that comprise the New Testament. Therefore we will utilize scholarly methods of examination. We will examine the historical, cultural, and religious settings of the texts as well as the intention and theology of the various authors. We will also explore how the texts themselves provided the historical setting, and aided in the development of, early Christianity. Ultimately, then, this course aims to: 1. Investigate the content and context of the Gospels, epistles, and the Book of Revelation. 2. Introduce the student to the different scholarly methods of interpretation that are used in the academic study of Christian Scriptures, and 3. Provide students with the knowledge necessary to identify and explain the various strands of religious/historical/ethical thought contained within the New Testament.

FALL 2008

RELG 102-Introduction to World Religions

Section 1

Dr. Aaron Gale
MWF 10:30-11:20
G24 Eiesland Hall
CRN# 83236
3 Hrs-NO Prerequisite

Section 2

Dr. Aaron Gale
MWF 1:30-2:20
202 Brooks Hall
CRN# 84442
3 Hrs-NO Prerequisite

This course introduces students to five of the most widely recognized religions in the world today: Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Despite some commonalities, each religion is unique regarding its history and practice. Therefore, the goals of this course are primarily twofold: 1. to provide students with an understanding of how each religion evolved historically and spiritually 2. to explore the contemporary practice of each religion. In addition, we will study some of the interactions that have taken place among the religions. This will allow students to place two or more religions side-by-side and examine their similarities/differences. Ultimately, then, students will learn the basic tenets of each faith in order that they may gain the ability to discuss each religion and its corresponding history, practice, and relationship to other faiths.

RELG 102H-Honors Sections
Introduction to World Religions

Section 1

Dr. Xiaofei Tu
MWF 5:00-5:50
G25 Brooks Hall
CRN# 86094
3 Hrs-HONORS STUDENTS ONLY

Section 2

Dr. Xiaofei Tu
MWF 4:00-4:50
441 Business and Economics Building
CRN# 86095
3 Hrs-HONORS STUDENTS ONLY

This course is an introduction to the beliefs, and practices, and historical foundations of the major religious traditions of the world: Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Islam, Judaism, Christianity, and primitive religions. The course readings and lectures will be primarily philosophical and historical in nature, and we will be addressing some of the existential, moral, and theological questions that these religions are concerned with, noting the diversity of viewpoints that often exist within a particular tradition.

RELG 219-The History of Christianity

Professor Jane Donovan
MWF 11:30-12:20
320 Clark Hall
CRN# 83869
3 Hrs-NO Prerequisite

This course will introduce students to the general sweep of Christian history and the experiences of the church from 33 CE to the present. The formation of the church and other Christian institutions and the development of doctrine will be considered in the context of historic events. The influence of key theologians of the pre-Reformation period (Augustine and Aquinas), the Protestant Reformation (Luther, Calvin, and Wesley), and the modern period (Darby, Schleiermacher, Barth, and Rahner) will be discussed.

RELG 222-Origins of Judaism

Dr. Ted Vehse
TR 11:30-12:45
48 Stansbury Hall
CRN# 86838
3 Hrs-NO Prerequisite

Judaism is the religion of millions of people in our world. Its rituals are compelling and its theology profound. How is it possible, then, that in our time hardly any two groups practice Judaism exactly the same way, that no two people think of it in exactly the same terms, and yet we conceive of Jewish religious traditions as highly unified?

The answers to these contemporary questions are to be found in the origins of Judaism in the ancient Mediterranean world. Specifically, they are to be located in the principle texts that informed Jewish life during the Persian, Hellenistic, and Roman periods. This course will investigate those texts, seeking to situate the formative period for contemporary Judaism in historical context. We will trace out the path that Second Temple Judaism followed to become the Judaism of the Dual Torah. We will investigate how a relatively common sacrificial system became the most uncommon esoteric temple of the mind.

RELG 231-Religions of China and Japan

Dr. Xiaofei Tu
MWF 1:30-2:20
103 Oglebay Hall
CRN# 86085
3 Hrs-NO Prerequisite

This course strives to keep a balance between introducing the historical roots of Chinese and Japanese religions, and exploring their cultural expressions. Hence we use scholars texts as well as novels that are with religious themes and relevant tour topics. The course also alerts students to important methodological issues and debates in the contemporary scholarship in Chinese and Japanese religions. In addition, we shall study the semi-religious Mao cult and the New Religion Falungong in 20th century China.

RELG 232-Islam and Ancient Near Eastern Religions

Dr. Daniel Borsay
T/Th 2:30-3:45
312 Clark Hall
CRN# 83785
3 Hrs-NO Prerequisite

The primary goal of this course is to introduce you to both ancient Near Eastern religions- Egyptian religion, Mesopotamian religion, Zoroastrianism- and Islam. Consequently, the course is divided into two roughly equal parts: the first part explores ancient Near Eastern religions; the second part, Islam. I hope to acquaint you with the contours of these religions, their salient features, major teachings, practices, and development. After taking this course, you should be able to answer questions like the following: What are the basic teachings and practices of Islam and Zoroastrianism? What were the important myths of the Egyptians and the Mesopotamians? How did Egyptians and Mesopotamians practice their religion? In addition, you will become familiar with the methods of inquiry used in the study of religion and how the study of ancient religions is both similar and different from how we study modern religions. Our approach to these religions is an academic one, rational and objective throughout.

RELG 293N-Special Topic:Religion in Communist China

Dr. Xiaofei Tu
MWF 12:30-1:20
46A Stansbury Hall
CRN# 86839
3 Hrs-NO Prerequisite

How has religion fared under the regime of Chinese Communism, an openly atheist and anti-religious ideology? This course examines the history and current situations of Chinese Buddhism (including Tibetan Buddhism), Islam, and Christianity since the Communist Party took over China in 1949. We shall pay special attention to two important periods that affected the fate of religion in China: The Cultural Revolution from 1966 to 1976 and the “Reform” period from 1978 to present.

RELG 304-Studies in Hebrew Scriptures

This course is an academic exploration of the origin and development of the Old Testament, or Hebrew Bible. Therefore, we will utilize scholarly methods of examination such as historical and literary criticism. We will examine the historical, cultural, and religious settings of the texts as well as the intention and theology of the their authors. Ultimately, then, this course will have two primary goals: 1. to explore how the Hebrew Bible developed within the confines of the multi-cultural ancient world, and 2. to provide students with the knowledge necessary to be able to identify and explain the various strands of religious/historical/ethical thought contained within the Hebrew Bible. This course will also help to develop research skills and improve writing skills. In this course will cover material from the Book of Genesis through 1 and 2 Maccabees.

RELG 305-Biblical History/Archaeology

Dr. Aaron Gale
MWF 11:30-12:20
225 Brooks Hall
CRN# 86840
3 Hrs-NO Prerequisite

This course will explore the biblical world from a historical/archaeological perspective. In other words, we will study the intersection of three important fields: biblical studies, biblical archaeology, and ancient history. In particular, we will focus on four time periods: 1. The Pre-Israelite World 2. The Kingdom of Israel 3. The Post-Exilic (Persian/Greek) World 4. The New Testament/Roman Era. Students will learn how the various ancient cultures and peoples associated with the above time periods functioned socially and religiously. In addition, we will discuss how archaeology has impacted the study of the Bible. This will necessitate that students immerse themselves in the biblical world. In the course of this endeavor, students will learn in detail the history and methodologies associated with doing field archaeology. Students will discover just how precise the discipline of biblical archaeology has become.

RELG 490-Teaching Practicum

Dr. Aaron Gale
Time: TBA
CRN# 82047
1-3 Hrs-Prerequisite: Consent of Program Coordinator

Teaching practice as a tutor or assistant.

RELG 491-Professional Field Experience

Dr. Aaron Gale
Time: TBA
CRN# 82769
1-18 Hrs-Prerequisite: Consent of Program Coordinator

Prearranged experiential learning program to be planned, supervised and evaluated for credit by faculty and field supervisors. Involves temporary placement with public or private enterprise for professional competence development.

RELG 495-Independent Study

Dr. Aaron Gale
Time: TBA
CRN# 82771
1-6 Hrs-Prerequisite: Consent of Program Coordinator

Independent reading, study or research in religious studies.

RELG 497-Research

Dr. Aaron Gale
Time: TBA
CRN# 82772
1-6 Hrs-Prerequisite: Consent of Program Coordinator

Independent research projects in religious studies.

For a list of previous semesters' courses go to:

Spring 2008 Courses

Summer/Fall 2007 Courses

Spring 2007 Courses

Summer/Fall 2006 Courses