RELIGION (REL) REL 100 Introduction to the Study of Religion 3 cr As a general introduction to the academic study of religion, REL 100 examines the function of religion in relation to human beliefs, sociall practices, and culture in general. The course surveys a broad number of important debates in the history of religious studies, such as the definition of religion, the insider/outsider problem, theories on the origins of religions, the comparision of religious, religion's psychological, sociological, and political functions, and the manner in which human communities authorize systems of behavior. Fulfills the General Education Requirement.       REL 200 Survey of the Hebrew Bible/ 3 cr   Old Testament   An introduction or survey of the literature and social world of the Hebrew Bible/Christian Old Testament. As a way of further illuminating these materials, attention will also be given to the history and religion of Israel as well as the other peoples of the ancient Near East. Fulfills the General Education Requirement.       REL 201 Survey of the New Testament 3 cr This course is an introductory survey of the New Testament, including the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, apostolic history, related Greco-Roman history and archeology, principal critical issues, and the unity and diversity of New Testament theology. Fulfills the General Education Requirement.       REL 242 Western Philosophy: Medieval 3 cr A survey of medieval Western latin, Jewish and Islamic philosophers. Identical with PHL 242. Credit cannot be received for both REL 242 and PHL 242.       REL 290 Special Topics 3 cr Different themes and issues of significance in religion will be studies as announced. REL 310 Classical Mythology 3 cr Through the disciplines of English and Philosophy, this course will provide an introduction to myths and to the literature that recounts the myths, legends, and folktales of ancient Greece and Rome. Not only will this course offer a survey of Greek and Roman myth, but also it will look at how different writers treat the material and why their treatments vary. Prerequisites: EH 101 and EH 102. Cross-listed with EH 310 and PHL 310. Credit cannot be received for both REL 310 and either EH 310 or PHL 310. Identical with CLA 310, EH 310 and PHL 310. Credit cannot be received for both REL 310 and either CLA 310, EH 310 or PHL 310.   REL 343 Witchcraft and Magic in Medieval and 3 cr   Early Modern Europe   The history of beliefs and practices concerning witches, magic and witch-hunting in Medieval and Early Modern Europe. Identical with HY 343. Credit cannot be received for both REL 343 and HY 343. REL 351 Philosophy of Religion (W) 3 cr Investigates the nature of religion, including religious experience, religious language, arguments for the existence of God, and the problem of evil. Identical with PHL 351. Credit cannot be received for both REL 351 and PHL 351. REL 352 World Religions 3 cr Major Eastern and Western religions emphasizing their historical development, their theological structure, and their philosophical implications. Identical with PHL 352. Credit cannot be received for both REL 352 and PHL 352. REL 353 Reformation Europe 3 cr The role of religious change in the 16th and 17th centuries. Identical with HY 353. Credit cannot be received for both REL 353 and HY 353. REL 354 Philosophies of India 3 cr Introduces the major religions and philosophies of India by the way of the classical Realist/Anti-Realist debate in India. Study of the major religious doctrines of theistic and non-dualist Vedanta, Buddhism, and Jainism, and their philosophical articulation in the Nyaya, Advaita Vedanta, Madhyamaka, and other schools. Identical with PHL 354. Credit cannot be received for both REL 354 and PHL 354. REL 355 Chinese Philosophy 3 cr Introduces the major classical religious and philosophical systems of China by way of an examination of early Confucianism, Mohism, Yangism, Legalism, Taoism, and Chinese Buddhism. Particular emphasis will be placed upon the role of these schools in the development of Chinese religion, morality, and political organization. Identical with PHL 355. Credit cannot be received for both REL 355 and PHL 355. REL 390 Special Topics 3 cr Different figures or topics of significance in religion will be studied as announced. May be repeated, when content varies, for a total of six hours. REL 420 Sociology of Religion (W) 3 cr An analysis of religion as a social institution with emphasis on modern western societies. Topics include the functions of religion for society and individuals, changing patterns of religious belief and practice, and the relationship between religion and other social institutions. Identical with SY 420. Credit cannot be received for both REL 420 and SY 420. REL 492 Seminar 3 cr An investigation of issues and concepts in religion for advanced undergraduates and graduate students. May be repeated, when content varies, for a total of six hours. Junior, senior, or graduate standing. REL 494 Directed Studies 1-3 cr Directed research in religion under the guidance of a member of the department. Credit according to the magnitude of the individual project. May be repeated, if content varies, for a total of three hours. Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing and approval of directing professor and department chair. REL 499 Honors Thesis (W) 3 cr Extended research paper prepared under the direction of thesis advisor plus two-person committee selected by advisor in consultation with student. Prerequisites: The student must have developed a proposal for the thesis in consultation with the advisor, and received permission for the work from the committee. In addition, the student must be a senior major or minor, have completed the Common Core, and have at least a 3.3 GPA in the Religion Concentration of the Philosophy major. Credit for this course is only given as an addition to the hours required for the major.   Department of Philosophy College of Arts and Sciences