The religion major has two tracks: a religion track and a religion/philosophy track. The major is intended to give students a broad introduction to the theological enterprise, to relate that enterprise to the students’ total educational experience, and to respond creatively to the world in which they live in terms of their religious and theological heritage. It aims to broaden students’ moral responsibility, to develop their 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.

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.

Courses are offered in the areas of Tradition and Culture, Text and Context, Contemporary Issues, Seminar and Thesis; Topics courses, Internships, and Independent Studies are also available. Students may choose a religion major as a viable liberal arts major which encourages students 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.

Religion Track: 33 credit hours, 30 credit hours within the Religion Department offerings, including: Religion 110; Reli 261; one course from Tradition and Culture; one course from Text and Context; one course from Contemporary Issues; one additional course from either Tradition and Culture, Text and Context or Contemporary Issues; four courses from the Seminar and Thesis Courses.  History 324 (The Reformation) is required as a supportive course.

Religion/Philosophy Track: 30 credit hours within the Religion and Philosophy Department offerings, including: Phil 110; Reli/Phil 200; Reli/Phil 24; Phil 220 and Phil 230; Reli/Phil 400; four courses to be selected (in consultation with the student's advisor) from Reli/Phil 210, Reli 211, Reli 216, Reli 219, Reli 229, Reli 232, Reli 235, Reli 236, Reli 237, Reli/Phil 242, Reli/Phil 243, Religion 244, Phil 300, Reli/Phil 305, Reli/Phil 310, Religion 332, Phil 332.

Religion Minor: 18 credit hours within the department offerings, including Religion 110; Religion 261; one course from Tradition and Culture; one course from Text and Context; one course from Contemporary Issues; Religion 300.

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.

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.
See Philosophy 210.

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.

262. THE JEWISH ROOTS OF CHRISTIANITY.  3 Cr. Hrs.

310. DEATH, DYING, AND BEYOND.
See Philosophy 310.

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.

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.

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.

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.