Religion Degrees Online

The Theology Department offers students a faithful but critical consideration of the Judeo-Christian tradition. The program provides a forum for considering the transcendent and ultimate questions of human existence and prepares men and women for a variety of ministries within the Church. The major and minor programs both require specific liberal education courses in history and philosophy.

Philosophy Minor
The Philosophy minor program gives students an opportunity to examine the fundamental questions of human existence through courses on great philosophical thinkers and important philosophical issues. The program places special emphasis on a knowledge of the historical origins of the Western philosophical tradition and on the development of skills of philosophical analysis.

There is no area of human thought or action that falls outside the concern of religious thinkers. All religious traditions teach about ultimate values and their relationship to our worldly lives. Some of the traditions are the oldest extant bodies of thought. The religions of the world are an ancient and living source for values.

The courses in Religious Studies are divided into three groups. The function of these courses is the study of the sources, history, nature, and relevance of religion.

Religious Studies majors are required to have a GPA of at least 2.0 in Religious Studies at graduation. All department courses taken at Allegheny on a letter-grade basis are included in that calculation, with the exception of repeated courses for which only the most recent grade counts. No more than two Religious Studies courses may be taken Credit/No Credit; one of these must be RS 600, which is only offered Credit/No Credit.

The major in Religious Studies leads to the Bachelor of Arts degree and requires the successful completion of 38 semester credit hours in Religious Studies. A major program should include at least one course from each of the following groups:

The Judeo-Christian Tradition
(Religious Studies 120, 130, 145, 147, 180, 230, 240, 250, 260);

History of Religions
(Religious Studies 115, 117, 140, 150, 160, 165, 170, 270, 280*-*-);

Religious Thought, Action and Phenomena
(Religious Studies 175, 200, 225, 227, 340, 345, 440, 475);
and Religious Studies 580, 600 and 610.

Religious Studies majors are required to have a GPA of at least 2.0 in Religious Studies at graduation. All department courses taken at Al-legheny on a letter-grade basis are included in that calculation, with the exception of repeated courses for which only the most recent grade counts. No more than two Religious Studies courses may be taken Credit/No Credit; one of these must be RS 600, which is only offered Credit/No Credit.

The major in Religious Studies leads to the Bachelor of Arts degree and requires the successful completion of 38 semester credit hours in Religious Studies. A major program should include at least one course from each of the following groups:

The Judeo-Christian Tradition
(Religious Studies 120, 130, 145, 180, 230, 240, 250, 260);
History of Religions
(Religious Studies 115, 140, 150, 160, 165, 170);
Religious Thought, Action and Phenomena
(Religious Studies 175, 200, 225, 227, 340, 345, 440, 475);
and Religious Studies 580, 600 and 605.

Course descriptions:
110. EXPLORING THE CHRISTIAN FAITH. 3 Cr. Hrs.
An introduction to the academic study of the Judeo-Christian tradition which acquaints the student with scholarly methods of study as well as central biblical/ theological concepts and vocabulary as they relate to, and are in dialogue with, philosophical, historical and theological questions of value and commitment. May be applied to Area 4.1.

Tradition and Culture
200. REASON, FAITH, AND THE SEARCH FOR MEANING.
See Philosophy 200.

216. THE PROBLEM AND PROMISE OF GOD FOR THE 21st CENTURY. 3 Cr. Hrs.
An exploration of various biblical and theological, historical and contemporary images used to portray and characterize God, including a discussion of the advantages and limitations of these conceptions for an intelligible and credible understanding of God. Prerequisite: Religion 110 or consent of instructor. May be applied to Area 4.2.

241. THEOLOGY IN A PHILOSOPHICAL CONTEXT. 3 Cr. Hrs.
This course is a survey of Western philosophical thought with the purpose of introducing students of theology to the philosophical ideas which have had a significant influence on the development of Christian theology. Prerequisite: Religion 110 or consent of instructor. May be applied to Area 4.2.

244. CHRISTOLOGY. 3 Cr. Hrs.
This course examines how the Christian movements witness of faith has understood the person of Jesus the Christ from both his relationship to God and how his person is expressed as fully human. Prerequisite: Religion 110 or consent of instructor. May be applied to Area 4.2.

245. AFTER AUSCHWITZ: THE SHOAH AND CHRISTIAN FAITH. 3 Cr. Hrs.
The word �Shoah� means desolution of cosmic proportions. Auschwitz and the killing of six million Jews from 1939-1945 was a �Shoah.� This course examines how the �holocaust� has and should affect Christian faith and life. Prerequisite: Religion 110 or consent of instructor. May be applied to Area 4.2.

210. ETHICAL PERSPECTIVES.

223. RELIGION AND AMERICAN CULTURE. 3 Cr. Hrs.
This course examines what happens to religious traditions that collide with and are shaped by American culture. Specifically, the Christian tradition is examined for the ways in which it has accommodated, compromised with, or resisted the pull of American culture. We will examine the interaction of religion and culture through film, art, music, television, and computer technology. Prerequisite: Religion 110, or consent of instructor. May be applied to Area 4.2.

224. LUTHERAN IDENTITY IN AN ECUMENICAL CONTEXT. 3 Cr. Hrs.
A study of the Lutheran Church as an historical entity with reference to doctrine, organization, practice, location, and ecumenical context. Prerequisite: Religion 110, or consent of instructor. May be applied to Area 4.2.

225. THE CHURCH IN GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE. 3 Cr. Hrs.
This course aims at introducing the student to Christian theology as it is being developed in an African context. This will be done through reading in African theology and in the history of the Church in Africa. Prerequisite: Religion 110 or consent of instructor. May be applied to Area 4.2.

232. CHRISTIAN ETHICS. 3 Cr. Hrs.
An exploration of the biblical vision of life and its meaning for human conduct. Attention will be given to Christian responses to selected contemporary moral issues. Prerequisite: Religion 110, or consent of instructor. May be applied to Area 4.2.

261. JUDAISM AND THE JEWISH PEOPLE. 3 Cr. Hrs.

310. DEATH, DYING, AND BEYOND.

Text and Context
211. STORY AND THEOLOGY. 3 Cr. Hrs.
An exploration of biblical and secular narrative with particular attention to their compositional conventions, theological convictions, and literary connections. Prerequisite: Religion 110, or consent of instructor. May be applied to Area 4.2.

212. LESSONS IN LIVING: BIBLICAL AND CONTEMPORARY REFLECTIONS ON WISDOM. 3 Cr. Hrs.
An exploration of the biblical wisdom books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Job, and Song of Songs in conjunction with contemporary reflections on wisdom. Prerequisite: Religion 110, or consent of instructor. May be applied to Area 4.2.

213. POWER, POLITICS, AND THE BIBLICAL PROPHETS. 3 Cr. Hrs.
An exploration of the prophetic biblical literature with particular attention to the historical situation of the prophets as well as the contemporary relevance and importance of their message. Prerequisite: Religion 110, or consent of instructor. May be applied to Area 4.2.

214. THE LIFE AND TEACHINGS OF JESUS. 3 Cr. Hrs.
An examination of the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth through a study and analysis of the four written Gospels. Prerequisite: Religion 110, or consent of instructor. May be applied to Area 4.2.

215. THE LIFE AND LETTERS OF PAUL. 3 Cr. Hrs.
A study of the life and selected letters of the apostle Paul with particular concern for contemporary relevance. Prerequisite: Religion 110, or consent of instructor. May be applied to Area 4.2.

218. HOPE AND THE FUTURE. 3 Cr. Hrs.
Does the future hold the good that hasn�t happened yet or the bad? This course studies the ways Jewish and Christian scripture uses the future as a threat and as a hopeful sign. Close attention will be paid to the literary shape and function of resurrection narratives, especially as they draw on apocalyptic and eschatological texts. Prerequisite: Religion 110 or consent of instructor. May be applied to Area 4.2.

229. READING FOR MEANING AND TRUTH WITH HERMES, GOD OF THIEVES AND INTERPRETERS. 3 Cr. Hrs.
Do readers find truth or steal it? Create it or deconstruct it? This course explores how interpreters and texts dance with each other to discover and create meaning and truth. Interpretive theories will be explored, and literary, philosophical, and theological implications will be examined. Prerequisite: Religion 110 or consent of instructor. May be applied to Area 4.2.

253. THEOLOGY, PRAXIS AND MINISTRY. 3 Cr. Hrs.
Through examination of actual situations of explicit Christian ministry, both in the church and beyond the church, students will evaluate the degree to which theology is made manifest in actual human experience.

Contemporary Issues
219. GOD, SUFFERING, AND EVIL. 3 Cr. Hrs.
This course will analyze various theological and Biblical texts which seek to reconcile a suffering world to a moral God. The course will also examine the traditional problem of evil. Prerequisite: Religion 110, or consent of instructor. May be applied to Area 4.2.

220. GOD AND HUMAN SEXUALITY. 3 Cr. Hrs.
This course relates the human power of sexuality to traditional Christian biblical, theological, historical, and ethical attitudes toward God and human sexuality. These attitudes are examined as they confront contemporary cultural and scientific understandings of human sexuality. Discussion of sexual ethics will be a central part of the course. Prerequisite: Religion 110 or consent of instructor. May be applied to Area 4.2.

228. WILDMAN, WARRIOR; FAMILY MAN, FRIEND: GOD AND THE CHANGING SHAPE OF AMERICAN MASCULINITY. 3 Cr. Hrs.
An exploration of men�s studies and their relevance for the church, including a discussion of the social and religious constructions of masculinity and men�s changing roles and relationships. Prerequisite: Religion 110 or consent of instructor. May be applied to Area 4.2.

242. FEMINIST/WOMANIST THOUGHT. 3 Cr. Hrs.
This course is devoted to concentrated study in feminist theology and philosophy. Specific attention will be given to understanding the differences between feminist, womanist, and mujerista thought. Prerequisite: Religion 110 or consent of instructor. May be applied to Area 4.2.

243. CREATION AND COSMOLOGY: CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN SCIENCE AND RELIGION. 3 Cr. Hrs.
This course will develop the theological implications of the Christian doctrine of creation in light of current conversations between religion and science. The major topics of the course are: 1) a survey of the doctrine of creation, 2) theories, models, metaphors, and paradigms, 3) epistemological issues, and 4) spiritual dimensions of the doctrine of creation. Prerequisite: Religion 110 or consent of instructor. May be applied to Area 4.2.

235. ISSUES IN THEOLOGICAL ETHICS. 3 Cr. Hrs.
This course will examine major issues in theological ethics by focusing on a particular theological tradition and a representative theologian or ethicist and will examine particular doctrines and ethical dilemmas in philosophical, theological, and historical contexts. Prerequisite: Religion 110, or consent of instructor. May be applied to Area 4.2.

236. THEOLOGY, COMMUNITY AND DISCERNMENT. 3 Cr. Hrs.
In Christian theological ethics, perennial discussion turns to how Christians know what they are to do. This course will take up that question with particular attention to the role of community in Christian discernment.

237. THEOLOGY AND MEDICINE. 3 Cr. Hrs.
This course is a study of theological perspectives on issues in contemporary medicine. Rigorous intellectual attention will be given to the ways in which religious practices, beliefs, and institutions form and are formed by experiences of illness, heath, and medical sciences.

305. BIOMEDICAL ETHICS.
See Philosophy 305.

Seminar and Thesis Courses
300. SEMINAR IN THEOLOGICAL AND HERMENEUTICAL METHOD. 3 Cr. Hrs.
Theological perspectives and interpretive strategies are not static; they change as a result of the historical, philosophical, and cultural influences of the era in which they are formulated. This course explores the various theological traditions and hermeneutical perspectives of selected historical eras.

320.(W) SEMINAR IN BIBLICAL STUDIES. 3 Cr. Hrs.
A concentrated study of a particular topic in biblical studies. Possible topics. Studies in the Pentateuch; Dead Sea Scrolls; the Fourth Gospel; Apocalyptic writings. Prerequisites: Religion 110 and one of Religion 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 228, 229 or consent of instructor.

332. SEMINAR IN CONTEMPORARY THEOLOGY. 3 Cr. Hrs.
A seminar devoted to reading 20th Century theologians. Prerequisites: Religion 110, and one of Religion 200, 219, 220, 232, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245 or consent of instructor.

400. SENIOR THESIS. 3 Cr. Hrs.
In consultation with a faculty member, a second semester senior will select a research topic. With supervision from the faculty member, the student will research and write a paper during the semester. At a final senior thesis forum, the student will present his/her paper to fellow seniors as well as the faculty of the Religion and Philosophy Department.

Topics, Internships, and Independent Study
395. INTERNSHIP. 3-4 Cr. Hrs.
An internship provides work experience under an ordained supervisor with a department member as advisor. Limited to students who are pre-seminary or considering seminary.

197, 297, 397. TOPICS IN RELIGION. 2-4 Cr. Hrs.

199, 299, 399. INDEPENDENT STUDY. 2-4 Cr. Hrs.
Research in a special area, supervised by an instructor. Prerequisites: Religion 110, or consent of instructor; plus consent of department chair.

Religion is an integral dimension of human existence and touches some of people’s strongest emotions. It appeals to people’s higher selves; it also is the cause of wars and oppression. It is expressed in art, literature, music, thought, emotion, text, ritual, drama, and dance. Students enjoy learning about cultures and religions that are different from their own and understanding more about their own beliefs at the same time.

Why Study Religion at Iowa?
This undergraduate major introduces a variety of religious traditions both past and present, East and West. It encourages comparative study and critical thought. It does not seek to impose religious beliefs on students but intends to provide an understanding of the ultimate values of people who differ from us, whoever we are.

The study of religion is a study of diversity of thought. Iowa’s students are diverse in national origin and religious and moral beliefs. Religious studies classes include people with widely varying backgrounds and convictions, leading to interesting discussions. Learning to understand diversity is vital in a global economy.

Each year, thousands of Iowa students enroll in courses in the department. Courses such as Judeo-Christian Tradition, Introduction to Islam, Religion and Society, Introduction to Buddhism, and Quest for Human Destiny are popular every semester. Some courses fulfill requirements of the General Education Program. After taking a course to fulfill a General Education requirement, many students choose religious studies as their major. Other students decide to add it as a second major or a minor.

The study of religion aims to understand religious thought and practices as aspects of the culture and society that produced them. It offers an opportunity to explore beliefs and ideas, philosophies and mythologies, rituals and symbols, etc., that shape the cultures and civilizations of the world both in historical perspective and as contemporary phenomena. In the process of this exploration, the Religious Studies program sensitizes students to the variety of traditions, commitments, and cultures which exist in our world, both globally and locally. It also provides an environment for students to thoughtfully reflect upon their own religious traditions and experiences as well as to think about issues and problems of modern life from a variety of perspectives.

The introductory courses are open to all students. They provide an opportunity to survey the diversity of religion in either the contemporary Canadian or the global context, or to explore the biblical roots of Judeo-Christian tradition. General interest courses are also offered at the 2000 level, and are open to all students without prerequisite. These courses do not presuppose previous knowledge or background and enable students to focus either on particular religious traditions (Aboriginal, Buddhist, Biblical, etc.) or on contemporary issues in religion (sexuality, technology, new religions, popular culture, etc.). Departmental faculty members have particular interests and strengths in the areas of religion and modern culture, mythology, Chinese and Japanese religions, Buddhist traditions, aboriginal traditions, Hebrew Bible/Old Testament, and gender studies. The Major program, leading to either a 3-Year BA, a 4-Year BA, or a 4-Year Honours BA, is designed to provide an opportunity to explore a variety of religious traditions and topics as well as to concentrate on areas of particular interest. The Department also participates in a Joint Masters Program in Religion with the University of Manitoba.

Graduates who are interested in fields where human interaction and/or multiculturalism are significant factors, such as education, mediation services, social work, international business and international development, employee relations, immigration services and certain areas of law and the justice system, benefit greatly from courses in Religious Studies.

Religion is the overarching framework that guides our actions and answers our deepest yearnings. At Thiel, the study of religion incorporates an examination of the rich theological heritage of the Judeo-Christian tradition as well as the examination of the diversity of religious belief and practice across the globe.

While many religion majors seek careers in the ministry or parish education, the study of religion can be an important component of personal growth and preparation. Whether you want to understand your own faith tradition or prepare for a future that increasingly requires knowledge of global cultures, a religion major or minor will provide insights and experiences that will extend far beyond the classroom.

The religion program at Ripon examines the experience and the beliefs about God in major world faiths, past and present. Special emphasis is given to the Jewish and Christian traditions because of their great importance for Western culture.

Introductory courses are geared toward providing an understanding of how the founders and first followers of major religions experienced God and how to interpret the faith expressions in their scriptures – e.g. the Torah and the New Testament.

Intermediate courses focus on the evolution of theological and ethical concepts and practices of the Judeo-Christian tradition over time and how they shaped and were shaped by cultural values and structures with which they interacted.

Advanced courses provide an analysis of how religion and ethics affect contemporary society – both individuals seeking a meaningful moral framework for their personal lives, and wider political and economic forces shaping national and international society.

In order to understand the world in which we live and the worlds in which our ancestors lived, we must understand religion. A prominent scholar of religion, Jacob Neusner, believes that “when we study religion we study the subject which unifies all the other subjects of the humanities. If we do not study religion, we are not studying what is important about ourselves in the world.”

The study of religion is not only for students intending to become clergy. While some Hood religion majors do go on to seminary or undertake graduate programs in religious studies, most do not. These students major in religion for the same reasons that other students major in history or literature: to cultivate a deeper grounding in a discipline of interest to them and to master a variety of useful skills.

The religion major requires a minimum of 27 credits (nine courses) in religion at the 200 level or above. At least six of the nine courses must include:

Old Testament
New Testament
Indian Thought or Chinese Thought
Myth, Symbol, and Ritual
American Religious History
Senior Seminar

Students receive a thorough grounding in the foundational texts of the Judeo-Christian tradition, an introduction to a major tradition of Asia, an acquaintance with the principal categories and themes of religion and the opportunity to participate in a capstone experience: a senior research seminar. Students are also required to take at least three courses from the following list:

The Christian Heritage
Indian Thought
Chinese Thought
Judaism
Modern Religious Thought
The Politics of the Black Church
Black Theology
History of Philosophy I
History of Philosophy II
Islam

The courses in philosophy are designed to present students with historical and contemporary attempts to think critically and reflectively about fundamental questions of knowledge and value. The study of such philosophical problems in a spirit of free inquiry encourages the student to learn to think clearly and critically and to examine and develop his or her own views.

The courses in religion are designed to ground students in the history, philosophy, theology and ethics of the Judeo-Christian tradition and to expose them to non-Christian religious thought. Ultimately, they aim to provide the intellectual tools necessary to study, interpret and critically evaluate religious beliefs and then to integrate these both intellectually and personally.