Religion

Religion is an attempt to understand the meaning of human existence. Different religious and cultural communities express that meaning in many ways. Located within an ELCA-related university, the Department of Religion stands within a Lutheran Christian and global context.

In a university setting this means the serious academic study of the Bible, of the history of the Christian tradition, of Christian theology, and of world religious traditions. Critical study calls for open and authentic dialogue with other religious traditions and seeks to understand a common humanity as each tradition adds its unique contribution. It calls for a critical yet constructive interchange with contemporary society. Finally, it calls for a sharing of insights with other disciplines in the university as each sheds light on the human condition.

To these ends the Department of Religion offers a wide range of courses and opportunities. Furthermore it calls students, majors and non-majors alike, to consider questions of meaning, purpose, and value in a society that all too often neglects these questions.

Bachelor of Arts Degree

Major in Religion

32 semester hours

• RELI 498: Research in Religion (offered only in Fall semester; must be taken prior to RELI 499)
  • Prerequisite: successful completion of two RELI courses (C- or higher), one of which must be an upper-division course
• RELI 499: Capstone Research Seminar (offered only in Spring semester)
• 8 semester hours RELI coursework from Line One: Christian Traditions (RC)
• 8 semester hours RELI coursework from Line Two: Global Religious Traditions (RG)
• In addition:
  • 8 semester hours RELI coursework from either Line RC or RG
  • At least 12 semester hours must be upper-division, not including RELI 498 and 499
  • Option I, II or III of the College of Arts and Sciences Language requirement

Majors should plan their program early in consultation with departmental faculty. Closely related courses taught in other departments may be considered to apply toward the religion major in consultation with the chair of the department.

Transfer majors will normally take 20 semester hours in residence. A minimum grade of C- in all courses in the major or minor department and a cumulative 2.00 GPA in those courses is required.

Minor

16 semester hours

• 8 semester hours RELI coursework from Line One: Christian Traditions (RC)
• 8 semester hours RELI coursework from Line Two: Global Religious Traditions (RG)
• Minimum of 4 semester hours must be taken at the upper-division level (either RC or RG)

Transfer minors under this option must take at least 8 semester hours in residence.

Minor (Teacher Education Option)

24 semester hours, at least 4 hours in each of the two lines.

Transfer minors under this option normally take 16 semester hours in residence. Intended primarily for parochial school teachers enrolled in the Department of Education.

Early Christian Studies Minor

16-24 semester hours

The minor in Early Christian Studies combines courses in Classics, Classical History, and Religion through which students will learn about the language, culture, history, and beliefs of the earliest Christians. The program is designed to be interdisciplinary and flexible. In consultation with the program director of Classics and the chair of Religion, a student may elect a course or courses not on the following curriculum. At least two courses (8 semester hours) must be from upper division courses (300 level or above). The minor requires the completion of Greek or Latin 111-112 or its equivalent. Students who are considering entering a seminary are strongly encouraged to take Greek.

• CLAS/HIST 322 Roman Civilization (4)
• Three courses (12 hours) from the following list. Students are recommended to choose courses in consultation with the chair of Religion to create a course of study that best fits their goals.
  • RELI 212: Religion and Literature in the New Testament (RC)
  • RELI 213: Topics in Biblical Studies (RG) (when approved by chair of Religion)
  • RELI 214: Topics in Biblical Studies (RC) (when approved by chair of Religion)
  • RELI 220: Early Christianity (RC)
  • RELI 222: Medieval Christianity (RC)
  • RELI 331: New Testament Studies (RC)
  • RELI 332: Jesus and His Early Interpreters (RC)
  • RELI 341/361: Church History Studies (RC) (when approved by chair of Religion)
  • RELI 390: Topics in Comparative Religion (RG) (when approved by chair of Religion)
  • Another course approved by the chair of Religion
• Proficiency in Greek or Latin through the elementary level, or the equivalent (may be met by examination or by earning a “P” or better in GREK 111-112 or LATN 111-112, or the equivalent in transfer credit).
• In addition, students may not apply more than two courses (8 semester hours) from all other major or minors.