REL 100-400
Special Topics
1-3 credits
Prerequisite: Permission of faculty member and school dean/center director
A variable content course in religion that is designed for a special class level: freshman (100) through senior (400). Topic is announced in advance of registration. Offered as needed.
REL 124
Introduction to the Old Testament
3 credits
A basic introduction to the literature and theology of the Jewish Scriptures. Offered annually.
REL 141
Introduction to Judaism
3 credits
A study of Jewish theology, worship and history, including the impact of the state of Israel and the Holocaust on Jewish faith. Offered annually.
REL 201
Introduction to the New Testament
3 credits
A basic introduction to the literature and theology of the New Testament, including exposure to critical methods such as form and redaction criticisms. Offered annually.
REL 220
Christian Morality
3 credits
Christian morality is concerned with the ethical principles grounding Catholic morality and charged with envisioning an ‘ethics of being’ in the Christian context. The course examines the theoretical foundations of morality (ethics), the practical level of human conduct, rule-keeping, virtues and attitudes. Offered every semester.
REL 222
The Second Vatican Council and Beyond
3 credits
A study of the documents of the Second Vatican Council and more recent developments in the life of the Catholic Church. Offered as needed.
REL 223
Religions of the World I: Western Religions
3 credits
A study of Western religions, including religions of non-literate societies and ancient religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Offered annually.
REL 224
Religions of the World II: Eastern Religions
3 credits
A study of Eastern religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism and the religions of Japan. Offered annually.
REL 320
Foundations of Christian Faith
3 credits
A study of the foundations of Christian faith, rooted in human nature, the cosmos, Christian revelation and Jesus. Offered in alternate years.
REL 325
The Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke
3 credits
A study of the three ’synoptic’ gospels: how the gospels were developed, how they relate to the historical Jesus and their theological significance. Offered through the School of Continuing Education.
REL 326
The Gospel of John and Related Writings
3 credits
John’s gospel and epistles studied in detail, with particular emphasis on the theological content. Offered through the School of Continuing Education.
REL 327
The Life and Writings of Paul
3 credits
The life of Paul and a study of his writings. Problems of law and freedom, faith and works, the idea of the church and early Christian worship. Offered in alternate years.
REL 329
Directed Study: Readings or Research
3 credits
Prerequisite: Permission of faculty member and school dean
Designed for small groups of students to pursue in-depth a particular aspect of theology that is not covered or is treated lightly in regular course offerings. The course is taught in seminar fashion and meets for 36 contact hours. Offered as needed.
REL 331
Religion and Personal Experience
3 credits
A study of the place of personal experience in the discovery of religious meaning. May use autobiographical accounts and investigate methods of enhancing consciousness and nurturing spiritual growth. Offered annually.
REL 333
Survey of Christian Theology I
3 credits
Christian theology from the time of Jesus to the Reformation. Offered in alternate years.
REL 334
Survey of Christian Theology II
3 credits
Christian theology from the Reformation to the present. Offered in alternate years.
REL 335
The Torah
3 credits
Source, form and redaction criticism of the first five books of the Jewish Scriptures and an investigation of the place of the Torah in Israel’s life. Offered through the School of Continuing Education.
REL 336
Historical Books
3 credits
A study of Joshua, Judges, Ruth, I and II Samuel, I and II Kings, I and II Chronicles, Ezra (Tobit and Judith optional). The Jewish view of history and how the Jews remembered the past for what it had to say to their present lives. Offered through the School of Continuing Education.
REL 337
Prophetic Writings
3 credits
A study of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel and the ‘Twelve’ (Baruch I and II, Maccabees optional), and an investigation of the phenomenon of prophecy and its historical setting in Israel. Offered through the School of Continuing Education.
REL 338
Poetry and Wisdom Literature
3 credits
Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the Song of Solomon (Wisdom of Solomon and Wisdom of Ben Sirach optional). A study of the literary qualities, individual experiences and institutional settings that created these writings. Offered through the School of Continuing Education.
REL 345
Christian Social Ethics
3 credits
An examination of Christian social teachings, particularly as they relate to institutionalized injustice and the concepts of liberty, peace and justice. Offered through the School of Continuing Education.
REL 351
Theological Aspects of Marriage
3 credits
A study of the biblical and theological foundations of the Christian view of marriage and sexuality and a consideration of contemporary issues in the light of Christian values. Offered through the School of Continuing Education.
REL 357
Women in the Church
3 credits
A study of the contributions of women to Christian life from the time of Christian origins to the present and an analysis of the current situation and problems of women in the Church. Offered as needed.
REL 364
Studies in Jewish Thought
3 credits
Selected topics in Jewish thought, with emphasis on problems, thinkers and movements. Offered through the School of Continuing Education.
REL 366
Studies in Oriental Thought
3 credits
Selected topics in Oriental thought, with emphasis on problems, thinkers and movements.
REL 401
The Catholic Tradition
3 credits
Prerequisite: PHI 101 The Quest for Wisdom
An investigation of the Catholic tradition in critical dialogue with contemporary culture with a view to understanding how a Catholic modernity can be an authentic and inspiring alternative to secularism, materialism and the technological world view. Offered annually.
REL 424
Death and the Meaning of Life
3 credits
People’s awareness of their mortality and how it affects their life and culture. Sources of courage in the face of death are considered. Offered annually.
REL 429
Advanced Directed Study and Research
1-3 credits
Prerequisites: Permission of faculty member and school dean
Intensive individual study in a particular aspect of theology that is not covered in regular course offerings. This enrichment option is limited to students who have demonstrated the potential to pursue independent scholarly activity beyond that which is expected in regular courses. Request for enrollment must be made prior to registration in the form of a written proposal. May be repeated for credit. Weekly meetings with faculty member. Offered as needed.
REL 431
Liturgy
3 credits
A study of Christian worship and sacramental theology. Offered as needed.
REL 432
Christian Spirituality
3 credits
Christian perspectives on spirituality and its place in contemporary life. May include an emphasis on particular traditions (such as the Benedictine) and practical instruction. Offered as needed.
REL 496
Comprehensive Religion Examination
0 credits
Prerequisite: REL 401
Final comprehensive written examination for students majoring in religion. Examination is administered in the REL 401 The Catholic Tradition course. Test fee. Offered annually.