A minor in religion requires the completion of 21 credit hours in religion and philosophy. Religion minors are strongly encouraged to seek foreign language opportunities.
An introductory study of the origins, history, and faith of the people of God as reflected in the experience of Israel (OT), and the Church (NT). A very scholarly/academic approach is taken in examining what is in the Christian scriptures and how they came to be. Students are introduced to the tools presently employed in the worldwide ecumenical conversation about the scriptures.
A study of the contemporary ethical issues beginning with the human predicament and an examination of classic methods of moral reasoning. Christian contributions to the moral conversation are examined and applied to real life moral issues as well. The purpose of the class is for students to examine and become more intentional in their own moral reasoning. (Prerequisites: REL 103 and PHL 111)
A study of the principal world religions, including but not only limited to Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam, the cultural contexts out of which these religious traditions flow, as well as contemporary expressions of these religious traditions.
This course will examine the historic use of liturgy and music in Christian worship. Included will be a study of the evolving nature of worship, the Lutheran tradition and the emergence of “contemporary worship.”
An introduction to the foundations of Islam: Muhammad, the Qur’an, and the sources of Islamic faith. The course includes an overview of the spread of Islam from its early beginnings to the present. The course also examines Muslim beliefs and practices and the diversity of ways of being Muslim in the world today. Student research explores various forms of life and piety in selected locations of Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and North America. Attention is paid to the area of Christian- Muslim relations with the goal of fostering better understanding between the two communities.
This course provides students with insight into the web of factors that influence development and learning. Students learn how to build a richer classroom environment that celebrates diversity of family, culture, economic status, and religious heritage. Students also develop and articulate a personal credo.
An applied liberal arts course designed as a capstone experience which stimulates students to integrate the practical and applied knowledge within their respective fields and specialties into a meaningful and useful liberal arts context. (Prerequisite: REL 103 and PHL 111)
An interdisciplinary seminar in Religion and the Arts, particularly as they function prophetically to their contexts. Students will use interdisciplinary research methodologies to gain new perspectives on theology and one artistic medium. Among the 20th century artistic works to be studied are Karel Husa’s Music for Prague 1968, George Rouault’s portrayals of the crucifixion, wood-cuts by South African artist, John Muafongeho, and the Church of Notre Dame de Tout Grace, at Plateau d’Assy in France.
An interdisciplinary course, required for all freshmen, that begins instruction in critical inquiry in all disciplines. Through reading and writing assignments and class discussion, students are introduced to college-level critical thinking. Topics in the course are diverse and are approached from the perspectives of several disciplines. Students encounter open-ended questions that require them to use and to develop their critical faculties.
A study of the main philosophical or classical theories of morality. The course focuses on selected thinkers in the Western tradition and seeks to gain understanding of their ideas by means of primary and secondary sources.
A study of the issues and thinkers shaping philosophy, with the main attention devoted to the Western tradition. The course includes a survey of the main schools or types of philosophy.
A critical study of the principal issues, topics, conditions, and representative thinkers that have informed the philosophical discussion concerning the nature of the human person.