Religion110fr Old Testament History and Religion (3). Examines the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible in its original ancient Near Eastern cultural and historical context as a library of theological literature. Considers the modern relevance of the Old Testament as scripture for Christianity and Judaismas well as theological questions arising from the Scriptural texts Develops critical reading and listening abilities, writing skills and verbal self-expression.

Religion 111r New Testament and Early Christianity (3). This course introduces students to early Christian thought and experience from the New Testament through the fourth century. The emphasis is on the development of Christianity from its earliest Jewish form to the classical form attained in the late Roman Empire.

Religion112fr The Christian Heritage (3). Offers an understanding of the evolution of Christianity in response to various historical and cultural settings. Promotes development of college-level skills, especially writing and analytical reading. Students learn liturgy, hymns, art and architecture.

Religion 210r The Prophets (3). Studies selected passages from the second division of the Old Testament (Tanakh in Judaism), consisting of Joshua through II Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the Twelve Minor Prophets. Through a careful study of selected texts the course explores the significance of these books for an understanding of the history of ancient Israel and for the history and teachings of Judaism and Christianity.

Religion 211r The Writings (3). Studies selected passages from the third division of the Old Testament (Tanakh in Judaism), consisting of the books of Job, Pslams, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Esther, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, and I and II Chronicles. Through careful study of selected texts, the course explores the purposes of this diverse material for an understanding of Biblical history and religion.

Religion 216r The Gospels and Jesus (3) Introduces modern Christian perspectives on Jesus. Studies the traditions about Jesus in the pre-gospel period, the portrayals of Jesus and salvation in the New Testament gospels, and the modern so-called "quest for the historical Jesus".

Religion 230r Asian Religions (3). Focuses on four religions from South and East Asia: Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, with some attention to other Asian traditions. Readings demonstrate the vigor of Asian religious ideas and practices to the present. Discusses the interaction between religion, culture, and politics.

Religion 233r The Jewish Experience (3). The meaning of the Jewish experience is studied through its expression in the prayers, rituals and religious reflections of Jews throughout history. Topics considered will include the meaning of Torah, the confirontation of tradition and modemity, the significance of the Holocaust and Zionism.

Religion 235r Islam (3).  General introduction to Islam dealing with three main topics: {a) the life of Muhammad and the origins of Islam; (b) the diversity of Muslim religious beliefs and cultural fonns throughout Islamic history to the present; (c) the rise of militant, fundamentalist Islam as a political force.

Religion 250hr American Religious Thought (3). Studies the historical development of religious and ethical thought in America. The course will focus on such issues as Puritanism, church-state separation, the Social Gospel, Fundamentalism, liberation theologies, modem evangelicalism.

Religion 252hr The Reformation (3). Studies the religious movements in 16th-century Europe which shaped modern Protestantism and Catholicism. Religious ideas will be examined in relation to their political, social and intellectual setting, as well as to the broader Christian tradition.

Religion 253hr Medieval Christendom (3). Explores the idea of a Christian society (Christendom) which emerged in the European Middle Ages. Topics will include: the rise of the papacy and its conflicts with secular rulers; the Crusades; chivalric and monastic ideals; theology; religious art and architecture; heresy and dissent.

Religion 254hr The Early Church (3) Studies the history of the early church within the context of ancient Judaism and the Roman Empire through the middle of the fifth century AD. Particular attention is given to the development of a Christian "orthodoxy" from the diversity of early early Christian thought. Cross-listed as HIST 254hr.

Religion 255r Christian Ethics (3). An examination of Christian ethical thought and its application to contempora~y moral issues. After a survey of contemporary ethical theory, we will focus on concepts specific to Christian ethics (Jesus, Scripture, salvation), and then on concrete areas of moral concern (sexuality, marriage, abortion, euthanasia).

Religion 270r Christianity and Culture (3). Explores the problem of the Christian's responsibility to and impact on culture. After examining the wide variety of responses to this problem in the Christian tradition, we will investigate contemporary Christian responses to selected social, political and cultural issues.

Religion 272r Modern Christian Thought (3).  Studies leading trends in modern Christian thought using a comparative approach.

Religion 285PI The Pre-Ministerial Seminar (2). Prerequisite: one course in religion at the 100 level and instructor's permission. An introduction to the pre-ministerial program will be taught and coordinated by the director. The seminar is designed to introduce students to the wide variety of types of ministry and is taught by people working as professionals in the various fields of ministry.

Religion 286P Doctrines and Ministry (3). Prerequisite: one course in Bible or Christianity or instructor's permission. Studies the doctrinal statements of representative Christian denominations with attention to the nature and practice of ministry. Designed for students who are contemplating professional Christian service. The course serves as a vital link between the practical and the intellectual training that is necessary to conduct ministry.

Religion 310IrReadings in the Prophets (4). Prerequisite: instructor's permission. Offered jointly with Religion 210r and covering the same topics, but with some separate assignments, sessions and expectations for advanced discussion and research. Students cannot receive credit for both 210r and 310r.

Religion 311Ir Readings in the Writings (4). Prerequisite: instructor's permission. Offered jointly with Religion 211r and covering the same topics, but with some separate assignments, sessions and expectations for advanced discussion and research. Students cannot receive credit for both 211r and 311r.

Religion 315Ir Readings in Jesus in Christian Thought (4). Prerequisite: instructor's permission. Offered jointly with Religion 215r and covering the same topics, but with some separate assignments, sessions and expectations for advanced discussion and research. Students cannot receive credit for both 215r and 3151r.

Religion 330Ir Readings in Asian Religions (4). Prerequisite: instructor's permission. Offered jointly with Religion 230r and covering the same topics, but with some separate assignments, sessions and expectations for advanced discussion and research. Students cannot receive credit for both 230r and 330r.

Religion 335Ir Readings in Islam (4). Prerequisite: instructor's permission. Offered jointly with Religion 235r and covering the same topics, but with some separate assignments, sessions. and expectations for advanced discussion and research. Students cannot receive credit for both 235r and 335r.

Religion 355Ir Readings in Christian Ethics (4). Prerequisite: instructor's permission. Offered jointly with Religion 255r and covering the same topics but with some separate assignments, sessions and expectations for advanced discussion and research. Students cannot receive credit for both 255r and 355r.

Religion 370Ir Readings in Christianity and Culture (4). Prerequisite: instructor's permission. Offered jointly with Religion 270r and covering the same topics but with some separate assignments, sessions and expectations for advanced discussion and research. Students cannot receive credit for both 270r and 370r.

Religion 372Ir Readings in Modern Christian Thought (4). Prerequisite: instructor's permission. Offered jointly with Religioin 272r and covering the same topics, but with some separate assignments, sessions and expectations for advanced discussion and research. Students cannot receive credit for both 272r and 372Ir.

Religion 391 Topics in Religious Studies (Arr). Varying topics determined by the interests of students and the staff. May be repeated for credit.

Religion 397PI The Ministry Internship (Arr). Prerequisites: two courses in religion with at least one at the 200-300 level and instructorts permission. The ministry internship is a supervised work experience which exposes the student to some aspect of ministry. Ideally it would occur in the summer between the Junior and senior years, or perhaps a weekend assignment during a semester. The internship world give the student on-thejob experience in the area of service interest. The internship would be done under the supervision of an established minister, who would work closely with the preministerial program director on campus. Pass/no record basis.

Religion 398PIx Cross-Cultural Ministry Internship (2). Prerequisites: two courses in religion with at least one at the 200-300 level and instructor's permission. This course is similar to Religion 397 except that the supervised work experience will expose the student to a culture or subculture different from the studient's. The student will be asked to write about the cross-cultural aspects of the ministry experience.

Religion 497I Internship in Religion (Arr), Prerequisite: instructor's permission. The internship provides an opportunity for the student to explore a career option in the major field of study. Pass/no record basis.

Religion 499I Independent Study (Arr). Prerequisite: instructor's permission. Designed to give an opportunity for the major or interdisciplinary concentration student to do extensive research and reading in an area of choice. The study includes a project in which the student integrates research and reading with learning as a whole. Offered any semester with the permission of the chair of the department.