Religious Studies Minor

Course listings for Religious Studies

Director, James K. Ash

Professor Emeritus Leonard G. Bird;
Professors Reyes Garcia, Neil McHugh, Mary Jean Moseley, and Paul N. Pavich;
Associate Professors James K. Ash, Alane Brown, Robert R. Bunting, David L. Kozak, Dugald L. Owen, and Richard M. Wheelock;
Assistant Professors Sean E. Cridland and Kalin L. Grigg.

Religion is one of the most powerful influences on both individual and collective human behavior throughout history yet it is often neglected as a unified area of critical study in higher education. The minor in Religious Studies is an interdisciplinary approach to the study of various religious traditions and their impact on modern society. This minor examines religious experience within a framework of economic, political, gender, historical, class, and ethnic concerns. Coursework in Religious Studies may be used in practical application such as faith-based service in a church, synagogue, or mosque as well as involvement with activist, social justice initiatives. This program will also provide a foundation for those students who wish to proceed to more advanced studies in seminaries and graduate schools.

1) At least 18 hours of coursework from the listing below, at least nine of which must be in upper-division courses.

2) Coursework for the minor must represent at least four different disciplines.

Some of the following courses carry Religious Studies (RS) designations. These courses may only be taken once for credit. For example, Hist 305 may not be repeated under its RS 305 designation.

Possible course choices for the minor:
**=May also be counted towards TS I requirements

Anthropology
**Anth 215R Magic and Religion ..........3

English
**Engl 221R Classical Literature ..........4
Engl 380 Native American Literature: Topics ..........4
Engl 126 Bible as Literature ..........2
Engl 127 Bible as Literature ..........2

History
Hist 305 Mesopotamian Myth/Religion ..........3
This is the same as RS 305.
Hist 306 Ancient Women’s Religions ..........4
This is the same as RS 306.
Hist 308 Rise of Christianity ..........4
This is the same as RS 308.
Hist 315 Irish, Catholic, American ..........4
Hist 328 Christianity in U.S. History ..........4
This is the same as RS 328.
Hist 349 Islam in History ..........4

Philosophy
Phil 244 Chinese Philosophy ..........3
This is the same as RS 244.
Phil 261 Philosophy of Religion ..........4
This is the same as RS 261.
Phil 320 Indigenous Worldviews ..........4
This is the same as RS 320.
Phil 321 World Religions ..........4
This is the same as RS 321.

Political Science
PS 300 Religion and Politics ..........4

Psychology
Psyc 310 Psychology of Religion ..........4
This is the same as RS 310.

Religious Studies
RS 244 Chinese Philosophy ..........3
This is the same as Phil 244.
RS 261 Philosophy of Religion ..........4
This is the same as Phil 261.
RS 305 Mesopotamian Myth/Religion.......... 3
This is the same as Hist 305.
RS 306 Ancient Women’s Religions ..........4
This is the same as Hist 306.
RS 308 Rise of Christianity ..........4
This is the same as Hist 308.
RS 310 Psychology of Religion ..........4
This is the same as Psyc 310.
RS 320 Indigenous Worldviews ..........4
This is the same as Phil 320.
RS 321 World Religions ..........4
This is the same as Phil 321.
RS 328 Christianity in U.S. History ..........4
This is the same as Hist 328.
RS 385 Historical Jesus ..........3
RS 391 Dead Sea Scrolls ..........3
RS 446 Ancient Israel & Judah ..........3

Sociology
Soc 340 Religion and Social Life ..........4

Southwest Studies
SW 322 American Indian Philosophies ..........3

Also appropriate are Special Topics courses 190/390s, 191/391s and independent study 499 with a focus on religious studies in any of the disciplines. These courses must be approved by the Director.

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