Religion Degrees Online

Minor Program in Theology (24 semester hours)

Required Courses:THEO 101 Introduction to Theology 3
THEO 210 Introduction to New Testament 3
THEO 220 Church: Yesterday and Today 3
THEO 230 Christian Morality 3
THEO 260 Worship and Christian Life 3

Required/Specified Support Courses:PHIL 312 Philosophy of Religion 3
HIST 111 World Civilization to 1500 3
HIST 112 World Civilization since 1500 3

Minor Program in Philosophy (18 semester hours)
Students may select philosophy as a minor program. Many of the course offerings in philosophy are interdisciplinary in character, and students are encouraged to relate philosophical knowledge and skills to the area of their undergraduate major. Indeed, the minor program in philosophy is especially suited to students who bring a considerable degree of intellectual initiative and independence to their work.

Required courses:PHIL 101 Introduction to Philosophical Thinking 3
PHIL 202 Philosophy of the Human Person 3
PHIL 312 Philosophy of Religion 3
Electives in Philosophy 9

The MABS includes 24 core units which are taken on campus usually over a two to four year basis. The core units consist of the following courses:

BTS 500 Introduction to Biblical Studies
BTS 501 Hermeneutics
BTS 511 Creation and Covenant
BTS 521 Historical Background of the N.T.
BTS 513 Prophecy and Prophets in Context
BTS 515 Worship and Wisdom
BTS 522 Life, Ministry and Teaching of Christ
BTS 523 Life, Ministry and Theology of Paul
BTS 512 History of the Covenant People
BTS 524 General Epistles and Revelation
BTS 571 Contemporary Issues in Theology
BTS 572 Seminar in Applied Biblical Studies

The course offerings for this program are in conjunction with the Baptists for Israel Institute. Piedmont Baptist College and Baptists for Israel Institute offer students the experience of living, working, and traveling among the people of Israel, the Land of the Bible. Students learn about the unique culture of the Jewish people and participate in their biblical holidays in order to serve among the Jewish people.

The course offerings for this program are in conjunction with the Baptists for Israel Institute. Piedmont Baptist College and Baptists for Israel Institute offer students the experience of living, working, and traveling among the people of Israel, the Land of the Bible. Students learn about the unique culture of the Jewish people and participate in their biblical holidays in order to serve among the Jewish people.

Course Offerings are distributed among the following categories:

100-199: Themes and Motifs in the Study of Religion
These are 100-level courses that introduce students to the academic study of religion by tracing patterns and themes across religious traditions. Courses are comparative, employing a wide range of media, and applying worldview analysis to contextualize varieties of belief and practice.

REL 201: Theory and Method in the Study of Religion
This course is required of all Religion Studies majors and introduces a variety of approaches to the academic study of religion. This course will circulate among members of the department.

202-299: Religions of the World
These are religion-specific courses that concentrate on an in-depth introduction to particular religious traditions or clusters of religions that have occurred in particular geographic locations.

300-349: Religious Expressions (Texts, Rituals/Practices, Fine and Performing Arts)
Religions have historically expressed themselves in a variety of formats, including texts, the arts, and ritual practice. In the history of religions, fine and performing arts, as well as rituals and practices, carry equal weight with texts. The departmental curriculum provides opportunities for students to explore diverse forms of religious expression. Courses focus on religious traditions or geographical areas.

350-399: Religion, Person, and Society (Gender, Politics, Religious Thought, Historical Moments, Psychology)
This is a series of advanced thematic courses which examine specific theoretical, historical, geographical, political, and philosophical contexts for specific religious beliefs and practices. Courses may focus on religious traditions or geographical areas, or may emphasize theoretical approaches that apply across traditions.

400-499: Advanced Seminars in the Study of Religion
These courses provide a capstone experience for our majors and other advanced students. Faculty and students work together to explore a research topic in depth. One seminar per semester will be offered.

4XX Honors Thesis in Religion Studies (Instructor permission required)

A major in Religion Studies consists of nine courses, distributed as follows:

No more than one (1) 100-level course may be counted toward the major.
REL 201: Theory and Method in the Study of Religion

At least two (2) 200-level courses in addition to REL 201
At least two (2) 300-level courses
At least one (1) 400-level course

The study of religion at Muhlenberg College had its start with the college itself, which was founded as Allentown Seminary in 1848. College requirements for those first students included Christian Morals, Bible History, and the study of Biblical Antiquities. When the seminary became Muhlenberg College in 1867, the tradition of Bible Studies was continued, and a Department of Bible and Religion was in place by 1882.

In those early years, the study of religion meant what was called a scientific study of Christianity and its practice. By 1929, a course in the History of Religions was taught using a comparative perspective and tracing the development of various traditions including, but not restricted to, Christianity. The Psychology of Religion was part of the curriculum as well. At times in the past, Philosophy was a part of the Department of Religion Studies, but since 1953 Philosophy and Religion have been separate departments, recognizing the differences in methods and content in the two disciplines.

Initially course offerings in the Department of Religion Studies reflected the Protestant Christian character of the college and its student body. Today the department has a more pluralistic approach. In keeping with the enormous changes in the world and the increasing controversy surrounding religious issues,the department has sought to provide students the opportunity to explore new dimensions of religion. Just as the college, mindful of the larger world and its challenges, seeks increasing diversity in its own faculty, staff, and students,so the department seeks greater diversity in its programs and course offerings.

As a result of these changes, students of religion at Muhlenberg may now study not only the three major religious traditions of the West—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—but also the Eastern religious traditions of India, China and Japan. Courses consider topics such as the Holocaust, the relationship of religion to politics and literature, and the relevance of gender to religious belief and practice. While retaining its commitment to biblical and historical studies, the department encourages students to take advantage of course offerings in diverse areas of inquiry in religion studies.

Religious Studies
Through a variety of course offerings in Religious Studies, Wesley students have an opportunity to develop an appreciation for cultural diversity, to discover the roots of Western civilization, and to achieve an understanding of the underlying forces that often drive current events. Religion courses at Wesley emphasize reading and writing skills as well as critical thinking about ultimate questions. We believe that the aim of education is summed up in the words of William Scott Green: it is “deliberate exposure to the unfamiliar and rigorous examination of the familiar.”

If you have a bachelor’s degree in religious studies, theology or Judaism / Jewish Studies (or something similar) and are seeking your expertise in the field of Jewish and Christian religion and to deepen their interaction, then our Master’s program offers very good possibilities for that.

The research-oriented master’s degree (MA) offers a scientifically based religious education in the fields of Jewish and Christian theology / n, its religious expression and mutual relations. In all events, attention is given to this double perspective in the view to take. Methodological studies and course offerings, tailored to your training profile, complete the program.

Our Master’s Program is aimed at a comprehensive cultural, media and practical competence. He offers not only traditional and less traditional teaching the possibility of tutoring programs in the first lessons on experience or on current research projects of the Institute to participate. Regular field trips will help you increase your knowledge with the practice of lived religions deductible balance.

The Masters Course in Judaism and Christianity will be compared at the University of Potsdam as a specialist Masters offered. The standard period of study of the Masters course is four semesters, including the time for the preparation of the master’s thesis. If you are the master program berufsbegleitend want to study, you will study the consultant / s in the preparation of an individual “road map” to help them. If the power necessary to give evidence by the University of Potsdam Faculty of the degree of Master of Art (MA).

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.