Religious Studies

RELS 1302 (PHIL 1304) Introduction to World Religions (3 semester credit hours) A comparative study of world religions, including but not limited to Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. (3-0) R

RELS 1325 (PHIL 2321) Introduction to Philosophy of Religion (3 semester credit hours) A study of the major issues in the philosophy of religion such as the existence and nature of God, the relationships between faith and reason, the nature of religious language, religious experience, and the problem of evil. (Same as PHIL 1305) (3-0) T

RELS 2314 Introduction to Islam (3 semester credit hours) This is an introductory course on Islam intended for students with little or no knowledge of Islam. Course content includes Muhammad and the Qur'an; religious life, beliefs and practice; similarities and differences among Islam and other major religions; and Islam in the twenty-first century. (3-0) Y

RELS 2316 Introduction to Christianity (3 semester credit hours) Survey of the Jewish Bible/Christian Old Testament, Apocrypha, and New Testament, including the historical, literary, political, and religious contexts of these texts. (3-0) R

RELS 2318 Introduction to Buddhism (3 semester credit hours) An introduction to Buddhism, its history from the life of the Buddha to the present, its major texts, and its contemporary practices. (3-0) R

RELS 3315 Atheism, Secularism, and Humanism (3 semester credit hours) An exploration of philosophical arguments and traditions of atheism, agnosticism, naturalism, and secular humanism. (Same as PHIL 3353) (3-0) R

RELS 3316 Christian Texts and Traditions (3 semester credit hours) Survey of Christian texts from the early church to present and the history of theological developments. (3-0) R

RELS 3331 History of American Religion (3 semester credit hours) An examination of the development of American religious institutions and their relation to the nation's social, political, and cultural history. Prerequisite: Completion of a 060 core course. (Same as HIST 3364) (3-0) T

RELS 3332 Religion and Politics in Early America (3 semester credit hours) Historical explorations of the way that religion and politics shaped each other in the early United States. Prerequisite: Completion of a 060 core course. (Same as HIST 3363) (3-0) R

RELS 3351 Introduction to Islamic Culture (3 semester credit hours) Islamic culture has influenced science, art, literature, and ethics. This course will cover the contributions that Islam has made to the world, in addition to reviewing Islamic history and traditions. (Same as HUMA 3351) (3-0) Y

RELS 3358 Contexts: Asian Religion in Literature (3 semester credit hours) A study of literary texts that use ideas and symbols from Asian religions such as Buddhism and Daoism in relation to the texts, traditions, and history of those religious traditions. Prerequisites: (LIT 2350 and 6 semester credit hours from the following: LIT 2320 or LIT 2321 or LIT 2331) or RELS 2318 or equivalent or instructor consent required. (3-0) R

RELS 3363 Medieval Art and Architecture (3 semester credit hours) Studies in the art and architecture of medieval Europe and the Mediterranean. The course emphasizes the political, social, and religious foundations of Christian and Islamic art through discussions of mobility (travel, pilgrimage), media (the use of mosaic and bronze), worship (in cathedrals and mosques), and authority (in how divinity and kingship were understood). Prerequisite: Completion of 050 core. (Same as AHST 3313) (3-0) R

RELS 3365 Renaissance Art and Architecture (3 semester credit hours) Studies in the art and architecture of Italy during the fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth centuries. Special attention is devoted to the cities of Florence, Rome, and Venice. Topics include the role of politics, patronage, religious worship, the developing self-consciousness of the artist, and the importance of new techniques. Prerequisite: Completion of 050 core. (Same as AHST 3315) (3-0) T

RELS 3366 Baroque Art and Architecture (3 semester credit hours) Studies in the art and architecture of the seventeenth century across Europe. The diverse social, political, and religious cultures of Italy, France, Spain, England, the Dutch Republic, and the Spanish Netherlands are discussed, with special emphasis upon the impact of Caravaggio, Bernini, Rubens, Velzquez, and Rembrandt. Prerequisite: Completion of 050 core. (Same as AHST 3316) (3-0) T

RELS 3373 Religion in Society (3 semester credit hours) The course examines how religions in U.S. society help shape the views and behaviors of members of the public as they participate in U.S. social institutions, including the economy/workforce, education, government/law, and healthcare. Specifically, this course uses sociology to examine how religious views and values help shape Americans' attitudes toward and participation in these and other social institutions. The course also uses sociology to examine how diversity of religions presents social challenges in U.S. society and what Americans' responses to diversity of religions tell us about U.S. society. (Same as SOC 3333) (3-0) R

RELS 4332 Race in American Religion (3 semester credit hours) Examination of the history of race and religion in the United States, using analytic approaches such as critical race theory, social theory, or religious theory. May be repeated for credit as topics vary (6 semester credit hours maximum). Prerequisite: Completion of a 060 core course. (Same as HIST 4363) (3-0) R

RELS 4333 Islamic Law and Society (3 semester credit hours) The historical development and implementation of Islamic law in the Middle East. (Same as HIST 4342) (3-0) R

RELS 4334 Islamic Feminism (3 semester credit hours) An exploration of feminist currents within the history of Islam. (Same as HIST 4343) (3-0) R

RELS 4335 Jewish History (3 semester credit hours) This course will examine the profound transformation that Jews, as communities and individuals, experienced from the late eighteenth century to the postwar period while exploring the political and ideological, as well as cultural and religious developments. Central themes include the Jewish Enlightenment, the process of emancipation, religious reform, modern anti-Semitism, the Holocaust, Zionism, and the founding of the State of Israel. Prerequisite: Completion of a 060 core course. (Same as HIST 4349) (3-0) T

RELS 4375 Religions in Global Societies (3 semester credit hours) This course examines how religions in global societies, in which social and cultural pluralism are prominent in social institutions, reflect and help shape globalization processes of interconnectivity, multiculturalism, and integration of new social groups that are related to the economy (workforce), government (law/legislation), education, and healthcare. (Same as SOC 4388) (3-0) R

RELS 4390 Topics in Religious Studies (3 semester credit hours) May be repeated for credit as topics vary (9 semester credit hours maximum). (3-0) R