Social Studies Degrees

Religious Studies Course Descriptions (RLS)
100C Biblical Studies
104G World Religions
106M Theology and Human Experience
107G Women and Spirituality
113M Theology of the Church
114C Introduction to Christian Thought
115M Religion in America
116M American Catholicism
120 Mayan Religion and Culture
224 Experience in Christian Ministry
480 Independent Study
485 Special Topics

100C Biblical Studies (3 credits)
Biblical Studies is the study of selected Christian and Hebrew scriptures directed toward the development of an awareness of what the biblical authors meant to communicate to their contemporaries with special attention paid to literary forms, sociological factors, theological insight, and historical settings. Fall/Spring

104G World Religions (3 credits)
Students will learn about the major religions of the world and become familiar with the ways these religions differ from each other in regard to gods, rituals, scriptures, founders, the arts, and their concepts of the principal purposes of life. Fall/Spring

106M Theology and Human Experience (3 credits)
Presents students with the principles of theology and a practical methodology for relating the major resources of the Christian faith with human experience. Selected readings, the use of case studies and/or actual experience provide the reference point for reflecting theologically upon human experience. Fall/Spring

107G Women and Spirituality (3 credits)
Feminist consciousness and theory will provide the context for this course as it explores biblical texts, and the life and writings of medieval women including Hildegard of Bingen, Julian of Norwich, and Teresa of Avila. The course will examine the rich and varied expressions of spirituality found in the traditions of African and Native American women healers, their understanding of art as a sacred process, and their reverence for the body and the earth. Fall/Spring

113M Theology of the Church (3 credits)
Presents students with the historical, cultural, and theological contexts for understanding the nature and mission of Christian ecclesial communities. Special attention will be given to the Roman Catholic Church from the Reformation to Vatican II and to the recent ecumenical developments. Fall

114C Introduction to Christian Thought (3 credits)
Presents the major developments in Christian thought from the early church and medieval periods including the life and writings of dominate figures in each period and the debates that surrounded the issues of faith and reason, nature and grace, salvation, and scripture. Spring

115M Religion in America (3 credits)
Examines religious diversity in America with special emphasis given to the principle tenets of Protestant, Orthodox, and Catholic Christianity as well as the tenets of Judaism, Native American religion, Islam, and other traditions. Fall/Spring

116M American Catholicism (3 credits)
Explores ways in which Americans and American institutions shaped United States Catholic identity and how Catholics contributed, in turn, to the intellectual, political, cultural, and social life of the nation. Particular attention will be given to the influence of Catholic social teaching on American life and to the theological and cultural pluralism which continues to inspire and challenge American Catholic identity. Spring

120 Mayan Religion and Culture (3 credits)
Explores the Mesoamerican civilization in its highest form, the civilization of the Maya, surveying its history from the Olmec period circa 1000 BCE to the time of the Spanish conquest circa 1500 CE. Mayan myth and ritual will be examined as evidenced in monumental architecture, sculpture, painting, and literature. Students will learn the fundamentals of the Mayan system of writing and of the calendar, with particular attention paid to the use of calendrical mythology in the political legitimization of Palenque’ s dynasty. Fall Electives

224 Experience in Christian Ministry (3 credits)
Course enables students to correlate their professional skills and ministerial competencies within a service-oriented context. Theological study, field placement, and ministerial/professional development are major components of the course. (On demand)

480 Independent Study (1-3 credits)
Qualified advanced students may arrange independent study in areas not covered by existing courses. The permission of the involved faculty is required before Independent Study may be pursued. (On demand)

485 Special Topics (1-3 credits)
This offering allows students the opportunity to pursue the investigation of a selected topic through research and/or study/travel courses. Topic may vary from semester to semester and will be announced with preregistration information and course outline. On demand

Religious Studies
The Religious Studies Program, which includes a minor course of study, is designed to engage students in the academic exploration of the nature and expression of religious experience from a variety of perspectives and contexts. Course selection includes the study of world religions, biblical criticism, spirituality, the study of the Catholic tradition in its historical, doctrinal and ecclesial contexts and inquiry into human experience as a resource for theological insight and development. Religious Studies Minor Division of Humanities

The Religious Studies minor presents students with a cohesive and flexible program of study designed to:
increase students’ understanding and appreciation of the varieties of religious experience and expression;
address current theological issues; and
correlate the students’ pursuit of theological inquiry with the development of faith, religious belief, and moral responsibility.

Course Sequence

RLS 100 Biblical Studies
RLS 104 World Religions
RLS 114 Introduction to Christian Thought
RLS 106 Theology and Human Experience or
RLS 224 Experience in Christian Ministry
RLS 115 Religion in America or
RLS 116 American Catholicism
RLS Other Core Selection or RLS Elective