World Religions

Students pursuing a concentration in World Religions will take REL 640 and REL 665 along with at least three selections from either the Western Traditions or the Eastern Traditions.  The thesis will  focus on a topic within either Eastern or Western religious traditions. 

REL 640  Phenomenology of Religion (3 hours).  The nature of religion as disclosed in ritual, artwork, and experience.  Application of the theories of Otto, Eliade, Jung, Ricoeur and Schmidt.

REL 665  Theology of Religions (3 hours).  The nature of non-Christian religions from the perspective of Christian theology.  Included are the issues of original monotheism, truth and salvation outside of Christian faith, and the convergence of beliefs. 

Western Traditions

REL 600  Readings in Judaic Literature (3 hours).  Each semester will be devoted to selected readings from one of the following: Mishnah, Talmud, Zohar, or other traditional Judaic writings.  May be repeated for credit as the topic changes.

REL 610  Readings in Islamic Literature (3 hours).  Each semester will be devoted to selected readings from one of the following: Qur'an, Hadith, or other Islamic literature.  May be repeated for credit as the topic changes.

REL 620  Readings in Western Traditions (3 hours).  Each semester will be devoted to selected readings from one of the Western Traditions other than Judaism, Islam, and Christianity, including: Zoroastrianism (including Avesta) and Baha'i.  May be repeated for credit as the topic changes.

Eastern Traditions

REL 605  Readings in Hindu Literature (3 hours).  Each semester will be devoted to selected readings from one of the following: Shruti [Vedic, Vendantic] and Smriti [epics, puranas], and other Hindu writings.  May be repeated for credit as the topic changes.

REL 615  Readings in Buddhist Literature (3 hours).  Each semester will be devoted to selected readings from one of the following areas of Buddhist literature: Theravada [Tripitaka] and Mahayana schools [Lotus Sutra, Sutra of the Pure Land]. May be repeated for credit as the topic changes.

REL 625  Readings in Eastern Traditions (3 hours).Each semester will be devoted to selected readings from one of the following: Jainism (including Digambara and Svetambara sutras), Sikhism (including Adi Granth), Daoism (including Daodejing), or Confucianism (including Analects). May be repeated for credit as the topic changes.