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Professors: R. Bowman, M. Haar (chair), A. Pederson, R. Swanson
Assistant Professors: C. Croghan, A. Madsen
The religion major urges students to study and wrestle with the diversity and richness of texts, ideas and communities within Christianity and within other religious traditions. The major has two tracks: a religion track and a religion/philosophy track. The major is intended to give students a broad introduction to critical theological reflection, to relate that reflection to the students' total educational experience, and to respond creatively to the world in which they live in terms of their own religious and theological heritage. The major aims to broaden students' moral responsibility, to develop their critical thinking, speaking, and writing skills while encouraging them to consider faith and ethical commitments as preparation for a life of responsible service in church and society. Most importantly, the Religion major encourages students to engage enduring questions about the meaning of life in a context of liberal arts learning.
The religion track is designed to acquaint students with the discipline of theology in both its historic and contemporary expressions and to see the connection between theology and various religious and philosophical traditions. The religion/philosophy track is designed to explore how the methods and concepts of philosophy can assist us in the examination and clarification of theological ideas.
Students may choose a Religion major as a viable liberal arts major which encourages them to think more clearly, critically, and comprehensively about questions that matter. It is also a major that may be chosen as preparation for seminary and graduate study and church-oriented vocations. As a reflection of the holistic and integrative orientation of a liberal education, courses are offered in the areas of Text and Context, Tradition and Culture, Contemporary Issues, and Seminar and Thesis Courses.
Text and Context:
Courses in this area stress the interpretation and analysis of primary texts as they evolved in their own historical and cultural context and as they are interpreted and appropriated in other cultural and historical contexts.
Tratidition and Culture:
Courses in this area discuss and analyze theological traditions as they developed within their own historical culture and as they evolved in response to historical and cultural changes.
Contemporary Issues:
Courses in this area discuss and analyze topical issues from biblical, theological, or ethical perspectives.
Seminar and Thesis:
Courses in this area offer advanced work for Religion majors and other students interested in more depth discussions of selected topics within the theological and textual traditions.
RELIGION MAJOR: 33 credit hours
Required Courses: 30 credit hours
RELI 110 - Exploring the Christian Faith (3 cr)
RELI 330 - Judaism and the Jewish People (W) (3 cr)
-OR-
RELI 341 - World Religions: Hinduism and Buddhism (3 cr)RELI 300 - Seminar in Theological & Hermaneutical Methods (3 cr)
RELI 320 - Seminar in Biblical Studies (W) (3 cr)
RELI 400 - Senior Thesis (3 cr)One Text and Context Course: (3 cr)
RELI 211 - Story and Theology
RELI 212 - Lessons in Living: Biblical & Contemporary Reflections on Wisdom
RELI 213 - Power, Politics, and teh Biblical Prophets
RELI 214 - The Life and Teachings of Jesus
RELI 215 - The Life and Letters of Paul
RELI 218 - Hope and the Future
RELI 229 - Reading for Meaning and Truth
RELI 247 - From Plato to Genesis to Job: The Question of JusticeOne Tradition and Culture Course: (3 cr)
RELI 200 - Reason, Faith and the Search for Meaning
RELI 210 - Ethical Perspectives
RELI 216 - The Problem and Promise of God for the 21st Century
RELI 223 - Religion and the American Culture
RELI 224 - The Luteran Reformation
RELI 225 - The Church in Global Perspective
RELI 232 - Christian Ethics
RELI 241 - Theology and Philosophy in Dialog
RELI 244 - Christology
RELI 245 - After Auschwitz: The Shoah and Christian Faith
RELI 251 - Judiasm, Islam and the Christian Faith
RELI 255 - Religion and Violence
RELI 310 - Death, Dying and BeyondOne Contemporary Issues Course: (3 cr)
RELI 219 - God, Suffering and Evil
RELI 235 - Issues in Theological Ethics
RELI 242 - Feminist/Womanist Thought
RELI 243 - Creation and Cosmology
RELI 252 - Theology, Community, and Discernment
RELI 253 - Theology, Praxis, and Ministry
RELI 254 - Theology and Medicine
RELI 305 - BioethicsOne additional course from one of the above areas (3 cr)
Required supportive course: 3 credit hours
Take one of the following:
HIST 324 - The Reformation (W) (3 cr)
*RELI 224 - The Lutheran Reformation (3 cr)
*This cannot count as both the Tradition and Culture course and the supportive course. Additional courses in Philosphy, History, and Foreign Languages are highly recommended.
RELIGION MINOR: 18 credit hours
RELI 110 - Exploring the Christian Faith (3 cr)
RELI 330 - Judaism and the Jewish People (W) (3 cr)
-OR-
RELI 341 - World Religions: Hinduism and Buddhism (3 cr)RELI 300 - Seminar in Theological & Hermaneutical Methods (3 cr)
One Text and Context Course (3 cr)
One Tradition and Culture Course (3 cr)
One Contemporary Issues Course (3 cr)
RELI 110 - EXPLORING THE CHRISTIAN FAITH (Area 4.1) (3 credits)
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.
NOTE: OFFERED EVERY SEMESTER
RELI 200 - REASON, FAITH, AND THE SEARCH FOR MEANING (Area 4.2) (3 credits)
A study of those issues which are of common concern to philosophy and religion. Topics focused upon include: the nature and function of religion; the existence and attributes of God; the claims of reason and the claims of faith; God and the problem of evil; the meaning of religious statements; religious experience and the inexpressible; religion and morality; human freedom and the meaning of life.
NOTES: TRADITION AND CULTURE COURSE
CROSS-LISTED WITH PHIL 200
PREREQUISITE: RELI 110
OFFERED MOST SEMESTERS
RELI 210 - ETHICAL PERSPECTIVES (Area 4.2) (3 credits)
An introductory exploration of basic ethical issues from different philosophical perspectives as well as from the vantage point of the Christian faith. This course is designed to encourage a thoughtful appraisal of the deep questions of life within the broadest possible context. Topics to be discussed will be selected from: the good, the true and the beautiful; freedom and moral action; virtue, justice and vocation; God, happiness, and the meaning of life.
NOTES: TRADITION AND CULTURE COURSE
CROSS-LISTED WITH PHIL 210
PREREQUISITE: RELI 110
OFFERED MOST SEMESTERS
RELI 211 - STORY AND THEOLOGY (Area 4.2) (3 credits)
An exploration of biblical and secular narrative with particular attention to their compositional conventions, theological convictions, and literary connections.
NOTES: TEXT AND CONTEXT COURSE
PREREQUISITE: RELI 110
OFFERED EVERY YEAR
RELI 212 - LESSONS IN LIVING: BIBLICAL AND CONTEMPORARY REFLECTIONS ON WISDOM (Area 4.2) (3 credits)
An exploration of the biblical wisdom books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Job, and Song of Songs in conjunction with contemporary reflections on wisdom.
NOTES: TEXT AND CONTEXT COURSE
PREREQUISITE: RELI 110
OFFERED EVERY OTHER INTERIM
RELI 213 - POWER, POLITICS, AND THE BIBLICAL PROPHETS (Area 4.2) (3 credits)
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.
NOTES: TEXT AND CONTEXT COURSE
PREREQUISITE: RELI 110
OFFERED EVERY OTHER INTERIM
RELI 214 - THE LIFE AND TEACHINGS OF JESUS (Area 4.2) (3 credits)
An examination of the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth through a study and analysis of the four written Gospels.
NOTES: TEXT AND CONTEXT COURSE
PREREQUISITE: RELI 110
OFFERED EVERY FALL SEMESTER
RELI 215 - THE LIFE AND LETTERS OF PAUL (Area 4.2) (3 credits)
A study of the life and selected letters of the apostle Paul with particular concern for contemporary relevance.
NOTES: TEXT AND CONTEXT COURSE
PREREQUISITE: RELI 110
OFFERED EVERY OTHER SPRING SEMESTER
RELI 216 - THE PROBLEM AND PROMISE OF GOD FOR THE 21st CENTURY (Area 4.2) (3 credits)
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.
NOTES: TRADITION AND CULTURE COURSE
PREREQUISITE: RELI 110
OFFERED EVERY OTHER SPRING SEMESTER
RELI 218 - HOPE AND THE FUTURE (Area 4.2) (3 credits)
Does the future hold the good that has not 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.
NOTES: TEXT AND CONTEXT COURSE
PREREQUISITE: RELI 110
OFFERED EVERY OTHER SPRING SEMESTER
RELI 219 - GOD, SUFFERING, AND EVIL (Area 4.2) (3 credits)
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.
NOTES: CONTEMPORARY ISSUES COURSE
PREREQUISITE: RELI 110
OFFERED OCCASIONALLY
RELI 223 - RELIGION AND AMERICAN CULTURE (Area 4.2) (3 credits)
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.
NOTES: TRADITION AND CULTURE COURSE
PREREQUISITE: RELI 110
OFFERED OCCASIONALLY
RELI 224 - LUTHERAN IDENTITY IN AN ECUMENICAL CONTEXT (Area 4.2) (3 credits)
A study of the Lutheran Church as an historical entity with reference to doctrine, organization, practice, location, and ecumenical context.
NOTES: TRADITION AND CULTURE COURSE
PREREQUISITE: RELI 110
OFFERED EVERY FALL SEMESTER
RELI 225 - THE CHURCH IN GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE (Area 4.2) (3 credits)
This course aims at introducing the student to Christian theology as it is being developed in a global context in Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia. This will be done through readings in theology, videos, guest appearances and individual and group activities.
NOTES: TRADITION AND CULTURE COURSE
PREREQUISITE: RELI 110
OFFERED OCCASIONALLY
RELI 229 - READING FOR MEANING AND TRUTH WITH HERMES, GOD OF THIEVES AND INTERPRETERS (Area 4.2) (3 credits)
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.
NOTES: TEXT AND CONTEXT COURSE
PREREQUISITE: RELI 110
OFFERED SOME INTERIMS
RELI 232 - CHRISTIAN ETHICS (Area 4.2) (3 credits)
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.
NOTES: TRADITION AND CULTURE COURSE
PREREQUISITE: RELI 110
OFFERED EVERY SPRING SEMESTER
RELI 235 - ISSUES IN THEOLOGICAL ETHICS (Area 4.2) (3 credits)
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.
NOTES: CONTEMPORARY ISSUES COURSE
PREREQUISITE: RELI 110
OFFERED INFREQUENTLY
RELI 241 - THEOLOGY AND PHILOSOPHY IN DIALOG (Area 4.2) (3 credits)
This course is a survey of Western philosophical thought with the purpose of introducing students of theology to teh philosophical ideas which have had a signficant influence on teh development of Christian theology.
NOTES: CROSS-LISTED WITH PHIL 241
PREREQUISITE: RELI 110
OFFERED MOST SEMESTERS
RELI 242 - FEMINIST/WOMANIST THOUGHT (Area 4.2) (3 credits)
This course is devoted to concentrated study in feminist theology and philosophy. Specific attention will be given to udnerstanding the differences between feminist, womanist, and mujerista thought.
NOTES: CROSS-LISTED WITH PHIL 242
PREREQUISITE: RELI 110
OFFERED OCCASIONALLY
RELI 243 - CREATION AND COSMOLOGY: CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN SCIENCE AND RELIGION (Area 4.2) (3 credits)
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 coruse are: 1) a survey of the doctrine of creation; 2) theories, models, metaphors, and paradigms; 3) epistemological issues; and 4) spiritual dimensions of the doctirne of creation.
NOTES: CROSS-LISTED WITH PHIL 243
PREREQUISITE: RELI 110
OFFERED OCCASIONALLY
RELI 244 - CHRISTOLOGY (Area 4.2) (3 credits)
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.
NOTES: TRADITION AND CULTURE COURSE
PREREQUISITE: RELI 110
OFFERED EVERY SPRING SEMESTER
RELI 245 - AFTER AUSCHWITZ: THE SHOAH AND CHRISTIAN FAITH (Area 4.2) (3 credits)
The word “Shoah” means desolation 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.
NOTES: TRADITION AND CULTURE COURSE
PREREQUISITE: RELI 110
OFFERED EVERY OTHER FALL SEMESTER
RELI 247 - FROM PLATO TO GENESIS TO JOB: THE QUESTION OF JUSTICE (Area 4.2) (3 credits)
This course addresses the great issues of justice, both human and divine. What is justice? Does God act Justly? Can human beings act justly? This course will focus on a close and careful reading of three important primary texts: the Republic of Plato, the book of Genesis, and the book of Job. Each text provides a different perspective on the problems of justice and its relevance for forgiveness, community, religion, punishment, and natural inquiry.
NOTES: TEXT AND CONTEXT COURSE
PREREQUISITE: RELI 110
OFFERED EVERY OTHER YEAR
RELI 251 - JUDAISM, ISLAM AND THE CHRISTIAN FAITH (Area 4.2) (3 credits)
This course works to ask how “the three religions of the book” can live together in the same world with respect and integrity. It examines the similarities and differences between the beliefs rituals, cultural contexts and history of the three religions. It examines how the religions are intimately related and intricately different from each other. Specifically, we will examine the risks, dangers, and benefits to be encountered when Christian faith engages the other two religions with empathy and understanding. We will examine what it means for each of these religions to determine its identity within American culture. Most importantly, the course examines how difficult it is for each tradition to listen to the other without having its own identity threatened.
NOTES: TRADITION AND CULTURE COURSE
PREREQUISITE: RELI 110
OFFERED EVERY FALL SEMESTER
RELI 252 - THEOLOGY, COMMUNITY, AND DISCERNMENT (Area 4.2) (3 credits)
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.
NOTES: CONTEMPORARY ISSUES COURSE
PREREQUISITE: RELI 110
OFFERED OCCASIONALLY
RELI 253 - THEOLOGY, PRAXIS, AND MINISTRY (Area 4.2) (3 credits)
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.
NOTES: CONTEMPORARY ISSUES COURSE
PREREQUISITE: RELI 110
OFFERED OCCASIONALLY
RELI 254 - THEOLOGY AND MEDICINE (Area 4.2) (3 credits)
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 ractices, beliefs, and institutions form and are formed by experiences of illness, heath, and medical sciences.
NOTES: CONTEMPORARY ISSUES COURSE
PREREQUISITE: RELI 110
OFFERED EVERY OTHER SPRING SEMESTER
RELI 255 - RELIGION AND VIOLENCE (Area 4.2) (3 credits)
“Why are people willing to kill in the name of their religion?” In this course we will examine the concept of “Holy War.” Specifically, the relationship between religion, violence and the Christian Faith will be explored. From the pacifism of Jesus and the early Church to scriptural stories about God commanding and using violence to the Crusades to the Just War Theory to World War II to Vietnam to Iraq, we will discover the varied ways that Christians have come to understand their use of or refusal to use violence. The specific case of religious martyrdom will be examined. More importantly we will try to understand how and why Christians historically conducted holy wars to kill Jews and Muslims. The nature of contemporary Holy War and terrorism as it has occurred within the Jewish, Christian and Islamic faiths will also be the subject of the class.
NOTES: TRADITION AND CULTURE COURSE
PREREQUISITE: RELI 110
OFFERED EVERY YEAR
RELI 257 - THE MUSIC OF CREATION: COMPOSING WORLDS, COMPOSING LIVES (Area 4.2) (3 credits)
This course offers a lens into the discipline of constructive theology by utilizing the metaphor of music to interpret the practice and formation of the Christian faith. There are significant and important parallels between key feautres of learning, practicing, and composing musical compositions to the formation of Christian community and spirituality. It is the aim of this coruse to show how the metephor of music and the experience of it can enrich, inform, and stimulate our imagination and intuition about how we live together and clebrate teh rituals and traditions that form who we are as Christian communities.
NOTES:
PREREQUISITE: RELI 110
OFFERED EVERY FALL SEMESTER
RELI 300 - SEMINAR IN THEOLOGICAL AND HERMENEUTICAL METHODS (3 credits)
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.
NOTES:
PREREQUISITE: TWO 200-LEVEL RELI COURSES AND JUNIOR OR SENIOR STATUS
OFFERED EVERY FALL SEMESTER
RELI 305 - BIOETHICS (3 credits)
This course will study the ethical implications of contemporary developments in the medical treatment of human life. The course will seek to develop a philosophical and theological perspective on decision-making as it relates to such issues as human experimentation, abortion, euthanasia, genetics and the control of human development, and the availability of medical care.
NOTES: CONTEMPORARY ISSUES COURSE
CROSS-LISTED WITH PHIL 305
OFFERED EVERY YEAR
RELI 310 - DEATH, DYING, AND BEYOND (Area 1.2) (3 credits)
This course will focus on such topics as: dealing with one's own death; biblical, theological, and philosophical perspectives relating to death, suffering, self, and afterlife; care of the dying person, components of grief and loss, funerals, wills, suicide, and euthanasia.
NOTES: TRADITION AND CULTURE COURSE
CROSS-LISTED WITH PHIL 310
OFFERED MOST INTERIMS
RELI 320 - SEMINAR IN BIBLICAL STUDIES (W - Area 2.1B) (3 credits)
A concentrated study of a particular topic in biblical studies. Possible topics include studies in: the Pentateuch; the Dead Sea Scrolls; the Fourth Gospel; and Apocalyptic writings.
NOTES: PREREQUISITE: RELI 300
OFFERED EVERY SPRING SEMESTER
RELI 330 - JUDAISM AND THE JEWISH PEOPLE (W - Area 2.1B) (3 credits)
This course will seek to understand and examine the religion of Judaism and the history of the Jewish people. The history of Judaism will be given major emphasis along with the basic beliefs and rituals. The Jewish philosophical and mystical traditions will be discussed. Judaism in America and the State of Israel will be a central concern. Attention will also be given to why so much hatred has been directed historically toward the Jewish people.
NOTES: TRADITION AND CULTURE COURSE
PREREQUISITE: RELI 110
OFFERED EVERY OTHER SPRING SEMESTER
RELI 332 - SEMINAR IN CONTEMPORARY THEOLOGY (3 credits)
A seminar devoted to reading 20th Century theologians.
NOTES: PREREQUISITE: RELI 300
OFFERED EVERY FALL SEMESTER
RELI 341 - WORLD RELIGIONS: HINDUISM AND BUDDHISM (Area 3.6) (3 credits)
This course examines and works to understand the scriptures, philosophical /mystical traditions, rituals, holy days and holy places that are central to the religions of Hinduism and Buddhism. We will also explore the historical and geographical diversity of each tradition. We will observe and understand why there are so many different ways of being Hindu and Buddhist. A significant part of the course will be an examination of the many ways the two traditions have interacted with each other. In this regard we will become aware of the varying ways that the believers in each tradition have defined themselves over against each other. Throughout the course students will explore how Hinduism and Buddhism differ from the monotheistic religions.
NOTES: TRADITION AND CULTURE COURSE
OFFERED EVERY SPRING SEMESTER
RELI 395 - INTERNSHIP (3 credits)
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.
RELI 197, 297, 397 - TOPICS IN RELIGION (3 credits)
RELI 199, 299, 399 - INDEPENDENT STUDY (3 credits)
Research in a special area, supervised by an instructor.
NOTES: PREREQUISITES: RELI 110 AND CONCENT OF THE DEPARTMENT CHAIR
RELI 400 - SENIOR THESIS (3 credits)
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.
NOTES: PREREQUISITES: RELI 300, RELI 320, RELI 332 AND SENIOR STATUS
OFFERED EVERY SPRING SEMESTER