Religious Studies
Professor Adam L. Porter
Assistant Professor Gwendolyn Gillson
Religious literacy is vital for social networking, civic responsibility, global understanding, and professional work in all fields. Religion is integral to a liberal arts education, as it explores dimensions of human life that have had a profound and decisive effect on our conception of human nature, destiny, and action. All courses in the Religion program emphasize traditional liberal arts skills of thinking and writing. Close reading of primary texts and development of analytical skills allow students to explore ideas and values that form the basis of human civilization. Emphasis is also placed on expressing ideas clearly and persuasively through writing. Courses in Religion are designed to serve as a focus of a liberal arts education, preparing students for a variety of careers: public service, teaching, ministry, law or medicine among them.
Majors & Programs
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Religious Studies, Minor
Courses
RE 101: Introduction to the Bible
RE 105: Afterlives of the Bible
RE 112: Introduction to the New Testament
The New Testament is a collection of documents produced during the earliest period of Christianity. In this course, we will study the history and culture of the New Testament world, both Jewish and Greek, to better understand the messages of Jesus, Paul, and other important figures in the history of Christianity in their original context. A variety of reading methodologies will be introduced, so students will have a better understanding of how biblical scholars work; students will also be able to engage in their own scholarship.
RE 166: Satan in Popular Culture
RE 167: Cults and the End of the World
RE 173: Space, Place, and Religion
RE 176: Religion and Business
RE 181: Gods, Monsters, and Sex in East Asia
RE 190: World Religions
RE 207: Killing in the Name of God(s)
RE 214: Healing and Healthcare
RE 216: Religion and Film
RE 223: Japanese History and Religion
RE 224: China: History and Religion
RE 341: Introduction to Classical Hebrew I
RE 342: Introduction to Classical Hebrew II
A continuation of RE 341, with emphasis on reading more complex materials, such as poetry.
RE 351: Introduction to Biblical Greek I
RE 352: Introduction to Biblical Greek II
A continuation of RE 351, with emphasis on reading more complex materials, including Greek documents outside the New Testament.