Explore Fall 2023 courses being offered in the Department of Religious Studies.
- RELI 1010: Introduction to World Religions
- RELI 2160-850: New Testament
- RELI 3050-850: Religions of the East
- RELI 3400: Religion and Film
- RELI 4170: History of Christianity
RELI 1010: Introduction to World Religions
This course will introduce students to ways of understanding religion as a phenomenon in human culture and history, while surveying a wide variety of the religions of the world.
| Various Instructors | T 6-8:40 PM in ASH 101, TR 1-2:15 PM, MW 1-2:15 PM in ASH 380 or Totally Online | Link to Class Search |
RELI 2160: New Testament
Who were Jesus, Peter, Mary, and Paul in the Roman empire of the early first century? How did these Jews of the Second Temple Period become the earliest generation of a 2,000 year history of Christianity? How did early Christian understandings of God and humanity shape or constrain their interpretations of and responses to affliction, healing, and death, both conceptually and in practice? Finding answers to these questions requires students to study the literature of the New Testament and other early Christian literature, along with scholarly analyses of key issues related to authorship, dating, textual analysis, literary genres, historical contexts, and varying interpretations. The purpose of the course is to train students in the content of the texts as well as critical tools related to documentary analysis, archaeological methods, and various literary and social scientific approaches, interdisciplinary tools which also enhance one's skills in a variety of careers and professions.
| Instructor: Dr. Paul Williams | Totally Online | Link to Class Search |
RELI 3050: Religions of the East
A study of the major religions that originate in South, Southeast, and East Asia, considering their origins, foundational doctrines, practices, beliefs, rituals and contemporary expressions. Included are the religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Daoism, Confucianism and Shintoism. Knowledge of the religious and spiritual traditions of South, Southeast, and East Asia will help students who intend to travel or work in those regions or who may have friends and colleagues from those regions of the world. A broad grasp of these critical cultural traditions will enhance international, cross-cultural understanding for any career or professional track.
| Instructor: Dr. Michele Desmarais | Totally Online | Link to Class Search |
RELI 3400: Religion and Film
Examine the various ways in which religion and film connect, including the representations of religious groups in films, ways in which films replicate or alter religious concepts, and ways in which film as an aspect of popular culture functions analogously to religions in society. Methods used will include the analysis of film technique, auteur criticism, and audience reception analysis.
| Instructor: Dr. John Lyden | Totally Online | Link to Class Search |
RELI 4170: History of Christianity
Learn about the development of Christian theological, ritual, and social practice from its origins in the first century through the sixteenth century Reformation.
| Instructor: Dr. Gary Eller | Totally Online | Link to Class Search |