Radford University Undergraduate Catalog, 2011-2012

RELN 310. Exploring the Old Testament. (3)
Three hours lecture.
Prerequisite: Three hours of religious studies.
In this course students utilize the methods which
inform the study of the Old Testament to examine
various themes that collectively inform Old
Testament theology. The themes which formed
the ideology of Israelite religion are given
special consideration, including the development
of the universal God, covenant, and prophetic
conceptions of history. In addition, students examine
how these ideological themes inform other
aspects of the Old Testament, including the text’s
presentation of identity, ethnicity, family, gender,
the body, power, and the state. Each of these
themes is explored within the context of the Old
Testament and ancient Israelite society as well as
by drawing comparisons with other ancient Near
Eastern conceptions, where appropriate. Students
who have previously taken RELN 202 may not
receive credit for RELN 310.
RELN 312. Exploring the New Testament. (3)
Three hours lecture.
Prerequisite: Three hours of religious studies.
This course examines the New Testament using
the tools of contemporary scholarship. Through
a study of the history of the early Church and the
varied stories presented by the different authors
of the New Testament, students will learn to see
the formative Christian tradition in all of its variety.
Students who have previously taken RELN
200 may not receive credit for RELN 312.
RELN 320. Jesus and the Gospels. (3)
Three hours lecture.
Prerequisite: RELN 312 or 202.
This course first examines the three Synoptic
Gospels as coherent and independent narratives.
It then moves from story to history by using the
tools modern scholars have developed to understand
Jesus as a historical figure.
competing, forms. We will strive to understand
the intellectual issues at stake in various ages,
what it was like to be an average Christian rather
than a theologian, and how outsiders (such as
Romans or Jews) viewed the Church.
RELN 350. Religion in India. (3)
Three hours lecture.
Prerequisite: RELN 112.
Provides students with an opportunity for
advanced study in the historical development
of religious thought and practice in India. It includes
the study of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism,
Islam, and Sikhism as well as minority
religions such as Judaism, Christianity, and the
faith of the Parsis.
RELN 360. Religion in China and Japan. (3)
Three hours lecture.
Prerequisite: RELN 112.
Provides students with an opportunity for advanced
study in the historical development of
religious thought and practice in China and Japan.
It includes the study of ancestor worship,
folk religion, Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism,
Shinto, “New Religious Movements”
and communism.
RELN 370. American Sects and Cults. (3)
Three hours lecture.
Prerequisite: Three hours of religious studies.
Investigates nonconventional religious groups
in the United States, from colonial Quakers and
Puritans to contemporary Scientology and the
Church of Satan. Lectures will survey mainline
religious and cultural trends salient to the appearance
of sects and cults. Students will evaluate
social/scientific theories on topics such as
the mental health of leaders and followers, cultrelated
violence, conversion and defection, the
law and deviant religions.
RELN 330. History of Christianity. (3)
Three hours lecture.
Prerequisite: RELN 312 or RELN 310.
Examines the history of Christianity, understood
both as institution(s) and as intellectual
tradition. From its origins until today, Christianity
has presented itself in various, usually
381
RELN 375. Religion and American
Nationalism. (3)
Three hours lecture.
Prerequisite: Three hours of religious studies.
An examination of the historically powerful
public belief that America is a nation “chosen”
by God to carry out a divine mission. Through
careful reading of letters, sermons, presidential