2014-15-Undergraduate-Catalog

Course Descriptions • 453REL 220 A Survey of Western ChristianityThis course will survey a selected number of the major ideas and events in the history of the western churchesfrom the second to the 20th century. The course content will provide familiarity with the central concepts andpractices of Christian traditions as well as setting forth the ideas and practices that ground the faith of ordinaryChristians through the centuries. Three credits.REL 225 Christian Social Ethics (same as PHIL 225)This course explores possible Christian responses to contemporary social problems. Topics include just war andpacifism, poverty and economic justice, sexuality (including homosexuality, abortion and sexism), euthanasia, capitalpunishment and racism. Three credits.REL 251 Christian SpiritualityThis course studies the beliefs, attitudes and practices by which Christians seek to cultivate their relationship withGod and grow in Christian discipleship. Three credits.REL 301 Christian TheologyThis course serves as an introduction to Christian Systematic Theology and considers the purposes and methodsfor engaging in systematic theological reflection, the nature of God as Trinity, the person and work of Christ(Christology and Soteriology), the work of the Holy Spirit (Pneumatology), the nature and ministry of the Church(Ecclesiology) and Christian Hope (Eschatology). Prerequisite: REL 210 or REL 211. Three credits.REL 310 JudaismThis course examines basic Jewish beliefs, sacred texts, customs/ceremonies, Holy Days (the Jewish year), as well asthe most common issues facing modern day Jews and Judaism. Three credits.REL 311 Asian Religion and Philosophy (same as PHIL 311)This course examines the major philosophies and religions of Asia, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism,Confucianism and Shinto. Particular attention will be paid to conceptions of self, nature, divinity and ethics. Thecourse examines the ways in which these religions have influenced each other. Three credits.REL 312 IslamThis course provides a general introduction to the origins and development of Islam, the principle teachings of thereligion’s faith, practice, the Islamic legal system (the Shari’a), and the evolution of Islamic sects and intellectualmovements to the 21st century. Three credits.REL 320 Christian EducationIn this course, students examine the educational ministry of the church. Some of the key topics include theteaching style of Jesus, theories of Christian education, the formation of Christian identity and conscience, theoriesof faith development, leadership development and practical issues related to resources, curriculum andprogramming. Prerequisite: Any religion course focused on the Christian tradition. Three credits.REL 321 Church LeadershipThis course provides students with a foundation for understanding the ministry of the local congregation and ofthe leadership issues related to ministry in that setting. It considers biblical and theological understandings of theministry of the church and of the distinction between clerical and lay ministry. Different forms of churchorganization, styles of leadership and the decision-making structures in the local church considered. Each studenthas an opportunity to explore leadership issues of individual interest such as leadership in social or politicalministry, the leadership of women, leadership in Black churches, worship leadership, etc. Three credits.REL 330 Christianity in the United StatesThis course provides an introduction to the history of Christianity in the United States, considering the particularways in which Christian faith and life have been manifest during the successive periods of U.S. history, particularly inthe 18th and 19th centuries. Extended attention is typically given to the historical origins of the First Amendment's"religion clauses," religious nationalism in the United States, and the role of Christianity in the Civil War. Threecredits.