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191
2. Butler Seminar on Religion and World
Civilization — Majors not enrolled in
RL391, 392 are expected, each year, to
attend all quarterly dinners/lectures
associated with this annual seminar series.
*Both RL213 and RL214 (Biblical Hebrew,
second year) can count as elective religion
credit. But only RL213 may be used to fulfill a
distribution requirement. (RL214 can only be
used as elective credit.)
Requirements for the Minor
A minor in religion consists of 18 hours in
religion, 12 of which must be on the 300- or
400-level, and 3 of which must be RL381W
(Theory and Method in the Study of Religion).
Minors should create a suitable package of
courses in consultation with a Religion
professor appointed by the chair.
Core Courses Offered by Religion
SW260-RL, Sects in the City: A basic
introduction to the religions and religious
communities of Indianapolis, and an exploration
of prominent issues and themes related to our
city’s (and our country’s) increasing religious
diversity. (U)(3). Occasionally; counts also for
major/minor credit.
TI220-MU, Music and Religion: This course
introduces students to two universals of human
culture: music and religion. We will explore the
complex, contradictory, and often symbiotic
relationship of these two major cultural products
in comparative and global perspective. We will
look for connections between ritual, culture
and doctrine through an examination of several
major religious and musical traditions, including
the praise songs of the modern-day American
evangelical movement, the spirituals of the
nineteenth-century African American church,
the chants and mystery plays of medieval
European nuns, Indonesian cremation rituals,
and the epic sacred stories of Turkic Siberia.
Students will be encouraged to learn not only
through readings on theology, ritual and music
(texts), but experientially through attendance at
worship events in the Indianapolis community,
and participation in ethnographic research and
live performances (ideas). We will reflect upon
our experiences analytically and descriptively
through writing and discussion. (U/G)(3).
Spring only; counts also for major/minor credit.
Butler University
TI250-RL, Religions of the World: An
introduction to the texts, practices, and ideas of
the world’s major religious traditions, including
Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism,
Shintoism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and
the indigenous traditions of Africa and the
Americas. (U)(3). Fall and spring; counts also
for major/minor credit.
TI251-RL, The Bible: Introduction to the
content, historical context, methods of study,
religious ideas and cultural influence of the
Jewish and Christian scriptures. (U)(3). Fall
and spring; counts also for major/minor credit.
Religion Courses
RL304, The Book of Psalms: Study of the
Book of Psalms, the most frequently read and
recited book of the Bible. Topics include origin
and composition of the Psalms in ancient Israel,
ethical and religious significance, and the
impact of the Psalms on world literature and
music. Prerequisite: One religion course or
sophomore standing. (U/G)(3). Fall oddnumbered
years.
RL307, The Historical Jesus: A close look at
Jesus of Nazareth focused on sources and methods
of knowledge about Jesus as a historical
figure. Attention will also be paid to historical
and cultural context, and to beliefs about and
depictions of Jesus in early Christian literature.
Prerequisite: One religion course or sophomore
standing. (U/G)(3). Fall odd-numbered years.
RL308, Paul & the Early Church: The New
Testament Epistles: Focus on the New Testament
letters, especially of Paul, with attention to
the emergence and growth of the Christian
movement in the Graeco-Roman world from
the death of Jesus to the middle of the second
century. Prerequisite: One religion course or
sophomore standing. (U/G)(3). Fall oddnumbered
years.
RL309, The Gospel of John: This course will
study of the Gospel of John both as literature
and in relation to its historical setting. (U)(3).
Spring odd-numbered years.
RL311, The Book of Revelation: Book of
Revelation: Studied against the backdrop of its
ancient cultural, historical and literary setting,
plus its ongoing influence and the history of
its interpretation. (U)(3). Occasionally.
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences