Religion Degrees Online

Christian Spirituality is an academic field that requires an interdisciplinary approach in the study of Christian religious experience as such, i.e., as religious and as lived experience. Students in this program focus on Christian spirituality in the context of the broad contemporary understanding of spirituality and in conversation with religious spiritualities outside the Christian sphere. Because the field is intrinsically interdisciplinary, students in the program are required to achieve a basic competence in five major areas of study pertinent to the field of spirituality: biblical foundations of Christian spirituality; history of Christian spirituality; the field of Christian spirituality itself; the relation of spirituality to the human, social, and natural sciences; and a spirituality outside the Christian tradition.

Although students may concentrate in any appropriate area of Christian spirituality, the GTU through its member schools, centers, related institutes and relationship with the University of California, Berkeley offers especially rich resources for the study of biblical spirituality, history of Christian spirituality, liturgical spirituality, psychological dimensions of spirituality, mystical literature of the Jewish and Christian traditions, Buddhist spirituality, environmental/cosmological dimensions of Christian spirituality, and certain traditions and schools within Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Orthodox spirituality.

Degree Requirements
Each student is required to take two Religion courses while at Augustana, typically a 100-level course and a 300-level course. (Transfer students are required to take two 300-level courses.) At least one of the courses must have Christianity as its primary focus. Beginning with the incoming class of September 2004, each student will be required to take a course in Christian Traditions as part of the First Year Liberal Studies program. (Transfer students, beginning September 2004, will be required to take a 200 or 300-level course in Christian Traditions.)

Major in Religion
24 credits in RELG beyond the Christian Traditions AGES requirement, including 260, 460 and at least two (2) courses from 390, 391, 392, 410. Majors are encouraged to take at least one course in which religious traditions other than Christianity are a substantial part of the material.

Minor in Religion
16 credits in RELG beyond the Christian Traditions AGES requirement, including 260 and at least two (2) of 390, 391, 392, 410.

Religious Studies major requirements
Religious Studies major (10 courses):
RELS 106 Introduction to the Bible
RELS 114 Introduction to Theology
RELS 280 Introducing Christian Traditions
RELS 290 Doing Theology Today
RELS 321 Topics in Scripture
RELS 433 Christian Ethics: Theology and Society
RELS 460 Advanced Seminar

One course from each of the following three groups (only 1 may be a GS course):

1.) Religious Diversity Component:
RELS 318 Feminist Theology
RELS 331 Judaism and Christianity: The Holocaust
RELS 340 World Religions: A Comparative Examination
RELS 342 Asian Philosophy and Religion
RELS 350 Christianity and Cultural Diversity.
2.) Systematic Theology Component:
RELS 316 Who is Jesus?
RELS 325 Providence, Suffering and Freedom

3.) Other Electives:
RELS 242
RELS 255
RELS 268
RELS 310
RELS 312
RELS 322
RELS 324
RELS 326
RELS 338
RELS 347
RELS 360
RELS 389
HUMA 337*
ART 365
HIST 319

Religious Studies majors are not allowed to count any of the above courses as satisfying the GS 1 requirement.

Religious Studies majors may not double count toward the GS 10 requirement unless double majoring.

Religious Studies with Youth Ministry emphasis (13 courses):
RELS 106 Introduction to the Bible
RELS 114 Introduction to Theology
RELS 242 Liturgy and the Sacraments
RELS 280 Introduction to Christian Traditions
RELS 321 Topics in Scripture
RELS 433 Christian Ethics
RELS 460 Advanced Seminar
RELS 494 Internship
Any other 2 RELS courses, or HIST 319, ART 365

3 of the following:
SSCI 220
SOCI 111
COMM 122
WMGS 110
PEAC 200
SOCI 378

Through a wide variety of course offerings and assistance with internships, the Religion Program seeks to fulfill several goals. The first is to acquaint students with the interpretations of religious belief and practice offered by the world’s major religious traditions, especially the Judaic and Christian traditions. A second goal is to develop students’ ability to reflect critically and independently on these traditions, to gather and interpret research materials, and to articulate their ideas well. A third goal is to encourage students to contribute to society after graduation through participation and leadership in professional, religious, and civic organizations. A final aim is to prepare religion majors for graduate and professional programs in religious studies or theology if their career goals require additional study.

Graduates who majored in religion at Centre have proved themselves to be well prepared for graduate and professional study in religion. They have acquitted themselves well in the nation’s best divinity schools and graduate departments of religion. Most of the majors, however, go in other directions. They have found the major to be strong general preparation for careers in banking, counseling, law, medicine, theater management, writing, and various organizations in the private and public sectors.

Majors acquire general knowledge in the discipline through survey courses in biblical history and ideas, history of Christian thought, and world religions. They then enjoy unrestricted choice of six upper-level electives. Finally they take the senior seminar. This experience involves them in discussion with the entire religion faculty, and often with visiting scholars, of important current works in the discipline; in the preparation of critical responses to these readings; and ultimately in the production and presentation of a major research paper.

Through a wide variety of course offerings and assistance with internships, the Religion Program seeks to fulfill several goals. The first is to acquaint students with the interpretations of religious belief and practice offered by the world’s major religious traditions, especially the Judaic and Christian traditions. A second goal is to develop students’ ability to reflect critically and independently on these traditions, to gather and interpret research materials, and to articulate their ideas well. A third goal is to encourage students to contribute to society after graduation through participation and leadership in professional, religious, and civic organizations. A final aim is to prepare religion majors for graduate and professional programs in religious studies or theology if their career goals require additional study.

The curriculum is aimed at the interdisciplinary study of the Christian traditions in the context of a multicultural and multi-religious society and world.
The programme is aimed at preparing students to engage in independent theological and interdisciplinary reflection on the Christian traditions. At the same time, the programme also intends to stimulate interest in the mutual relationships between the various Christian churches and between Christianity and the other world religions.

At the end of the programme, the student is expected to have acquired the following skills:
- knowledge of and insight into the fundamental concepts and methods of theology in relation to its distinct methodological perspectives;
- knowledge of and insight into the fundamental concepts and methods of religious studies, interreligious dialogue and the study of the major world religions;
- knowledge of and insight into the fundamental concepts of canon law;
- knowledge of and insight into the fundamental concepts of important auxiliary disciplines in their relationship to the phenomenon of religion (philosophy, sociology, psychology);
- the capacity to apply the acquired insights to problems related to religion, fundamental life options and society;
- the ability to independently collect and assimilate adequate scientific material and integrate it into a coherent working paper.

The curriculum aims at deepening the insights obtained during the bachelor’s programme, with the focus on an interdisciplinary study of the Christian traditions in the context of a multicultural and multi-religious society and world. The programme aims to prepare the student for independent research in theology and religious studies and equip him/her with the tools to act as an expert in both church and society. This programme places additional emphasis on the international character of theological research and on the international context of religion and theology through familiarisation with the diverse cultural backgrounds of fellow students.

At the end of the programme the participants should have acquired the following abilities:
- the capacity to evaluate the primary themes of the various approaches to theology and religious studies;
- more profound knowledge of the contents and methods of theology and religious studies;
- knowledge of problems and insights of the various distinct theological disciplines;
- insight into the relationship between religious studies and the social context;
- the capacity to assimilate the study material independently and to propose creative solutions to problems raised by theology;
- the capacity to employ theoretical insights in a practical manner in education and in the public forum;
- knowledge of and insight into questions concerning the meaning of human existence;
- the capacity to write independently an academically sound paper on a topic related to theology or religious studies.

MINOR IN CHRISTIAN STUDIES
Students minoring in Religious Studies are required to take 21 units in Comparative Religion, distributed as follows:

Required Courses (12 units)
Comparative Religion 200 Introduction to Christianity (3)
Comparative Religion 300 Methods of Studying Religion (3)
Comparative Religion 345A History and Development of Early Christian Thought (3)
Comparative Religion 345B History and Development of Modern Christian Thought (3)

Elective Courses (9 units)
Comparative Religion 201 Introduction to the New Testament (3)
Comp Lit/Comparative Religion 312 The Bible as Literature (3)
Afro Ethnic/Comparative Religion 325 African-American Religions and Spirituality (3)
Comparative Religion 331T New Testament Studies (3)
Comparative Religion 335 Judaism, Christianity, and Islam Compared (3)
Comparative Religion 350T Major Christian Traditions (3)
Comparative Religion 358 Comparative Mysticism (3)
Comparative Religion 367 Latino/a Spirituality and Religion (3)
Comparative Religion 380 Religion and Violence (3)
Comparative Religion 381 Religion and Politics in the United States (3)
Comparative Religion 400 Religion, the Media, and Contemporary Culture (3)
Comparative Religion 401T Studies in Religious Texts* (3)
History/Comparative Religion 417B Roman Empire (3)
History 420 The Byzantine Empire (3)
History/Comparative Religion 421A History of the Christian Church to the Reformation (1517) (3)
History/Comparative Religion 421B
History of the Christian Church from the Reformation to the Present (3)
History/Comparative Religion 425B The Reformation (3)
Sociology/Comparative Religion 458 Sociology of Religious Behavior (3)
History/Comparative Religion 483 American Religious History (3)
Comparative Religion 485T Major Religious Thinkers and Concepts (3)*
Comparative Religion 499 Independent Study (3)*

It is highly recommended that students minoring in Christian Studies pursue the study of classical languages such as Greek, Hebrew, and Latin when such courses are offered.
*When content pertains to the Christian tradition.

The religion department offers majors in religion and youth ministries and recreation, six minors including peace and conflict studies, a pre-seminary program and mediation certificate, each of which reflects a peace church heritage while remaining in conversation with other Christian traditions.

Majors include courses in Bible, church history, theology, ethics, world religions, youth ministry, recreation management, missions and Christian education, while minors include a Bible and theology course and an area concentration.

The religion major prepares students for seminary and graduate study. The youth ministries and recreation major prepares students for entry-level positions in these fields. The minors introduce a specialized area for students who do not anticipate a church vocation.

Graduates of the religion department have taught college-level peace studies, taught counseling and community life in seminaries and performed church-related ministries in Africa, Japan, the Middle East and Taiwan. Denominations served by our graduates include Mennonite, Baptist, United Methodist and Catholic.

The youth ministries and recreation major is in part resourced by the Youth Specialities Academic Support Network with up-to-date resources on the current trends in youth ministry.

The Department of Religious Studies explores the religious experience of human beings and its various manifestations (sacred writings, historical development and interaction with the cultures of the times, religious structures, belief systems, moral codes, manners of worship). We offer the following degree programs: Bachelor of Arts in religious studies, Master of Arts in theological studies and pastoral ministry, and a Ph.D. in theology

The mission of the Department of Religious Studies is to discover, explore, and analyze religious experience in its various manifestations emphasizing the Roman Catholic tradition, in dialogue with the other Christian traditions and with the world religions.

Who We Are:
We are a community of scholars serving the University, academic and local community by teaching, research, prophetic criticism, and action. We study religious experience, expression and thought, with special emphasis on the Roman Catholic tradition while dialoguing with other Christian traditions and other world religions. We are committed to lifelong growth through effective learning in undergraduate general education, an undergraduate major, M.A. programs in theological studies and pastoral ministry, and a Ph.D. in theology centered on the U.S. Catholic experience.

What We Believe:
We believe that understanding the human condition necessarily involves understanding religious experience and expression. We believe that the liberal learning to which the College of Arts and Sciences is committed requires the study of religion which opens the imagination to manifestations of the sacred in multiple cultures and enables critical understanding of its inculturated expressions. In keeping with the Catholic and Marianist character of the University, the department is committed to the education of the whole person so that learning can be integrated into the daily life, service activities, faith, and community building.

Our Competitive Advantages:
Students will find value in our undergraduate and graduate programs because we:
Provide information and perspective on religion as a powerful and pervasive element of human life
Provide an environment which fosters ethical reflection for responsible participation in society
Provide a strong major centered in Catholic theology; offer sustained faculty-student interaction at all levels
Enable students to connect academic work with experience through practicums, liaison opportunities with campus ministry, and service-learning options
Build creative theological work on empirical and historical investigation at the graduate level