Religious Studies

Duane L. Olson, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Religious Studies;

dolson@mckendree.edu; (618) 537-6961; Carnegie Hall 216

 

The discipline of Religious Studies analyzes the human relationship to what is conceived as ultimate reality or the highest reality. It studies the beliefs, practices, and behaviors that are expressions of this relationship, examining them in their individual and corporate, historical and contemporary forms.

 

Human history displays established patterns of the relationship to ultimate reality in the world’s major religious traditions. Religious studies courses at McKendree explore the world’s religions in all their diversity, while also focusing in a special way on the Christian tradition.

 

Students majoring in religious studies choose from two tracks. A) The General Studies track offers a broad examination of human religious experience. Students can use this degree in any career that values critical thinking and sensitivity to human motivation, and involves encounter with diverse communities of belief in our increasingly global society. It is also the major of choice for students intending to pursue a graduate degree in religious studies. B) The Christian Studies track offers a more focused examination of the Christian tradition. Students in this track are often preparing for seminary studies and/or a career in Christian ministry, but may also be interested simply in deepening their knowledge of the Christian tradition. Both tracks stress the development of skills in critical thinking, and oral and written communication. They involve the use and analysis of diverse methodological perspectives to understand the phenomenon of religion, and to interpret religious texts.

 

Both programs require 33-34 hours for completion. Students must obtain a grade better than D in all courses required for the major. Religious Studies majors must also fulfill the general Humanities requirement of six credit hours in a single foreign language. Students who took a foreign language in high school and earned at least a C in the highest course taken may be exempted from this requirement at the rate of three credit hours for every two semesters of high school work. Students in the “Christian Studies” track often elect to take New Testament Greek (GRK 370 and 371) to satisfy their language requirement.

 

To receive a minor in Religious Studies, a student must complete 18 credit hours of course work in the department (REL 200, REL 230, and four electives) and achieve a grade better than D in each course and a major GPA of 2.0 or higher. At least six credit hours must be taken at the 300 level or above.

 

Planning Sheets:

 

2005-06 Catalog

REL 200 REL 205 REL 230 REL 320 REL 325

INTRODUCTION TO RELIGION       ETHICS IN THE WORLD’S RELIGIONS     INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIANITY   RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD    PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION

(3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Five other courses in Religious Studies                   (at least three must be 300 or 400 level)

(15)

        

PHI 201 or PHI 333

INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY      METAPHYSICS AND HUMAN NATURE

(4) (3)

  

REL 200 REL 230 REL 330 REL 335 REL 340 REL 345

INTRODUCTION TO RELIGION       INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIANITY       HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN THOUGHT     CHRISTIAN ETHICS     OLD TESTAMENT       NEW TESTAMENT

(3) (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Four other courses in Religious Studies                    (at least two must be 300 or 400 level)

(12)

 

 

PHY 201 or PHI 333 or REL 325

INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY    METAPHYSICS AND HUMAN NATURE      PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION

(4) (3) (3)

 

 

A cross-cultural examination of the similarities and differences in human religious expression. Topics to be covered include the meaning and purposes of religion for individuals and societies, the nature of religious belief and experience, the importance of stories in religion, the role of rituals, and the communal dimension of religion. Each semester.

 

A comparative survey of the similarities and differences in the moral and ethical teachings of the major world religions. Students will read extensively in the scriptures and other writings of various religious traditions to uncover their understanding of human moral obligation and its relation to religious belief. Annually, Spring.

 

An exploration of the diverse experiences of women and men in a variety of religious traditions. Issues to be treated include beliefs about women and men in the major world religions; the role of religion in determining gender roles in human society; the relation between gender and spirituality; and the contemporary feminist challenge to male-dominated forms of religion. Annually, Fall.

 

An overview of the history, character, and variety of religion in the United States. Elements of the course include summarizing historical developments in religion, analyzing constitutional issues regarding the separation of church and state, and examining the distinctive characteristics of denominational and religious groups, including the way they respond to important contemporary issues. Annually, Spring.

 

An overview of the Christian tradition, including its roots in Judaism and its growth and development through the centuries. Special attention is given to critical analysis of significant issues Christian churches face in the contemporary world. Annually, Fall.

 

Focused study of a particular topic, theme, or issue in Religious Studies that is meant to be accessible to general education students. Topics will be announced in the course schedule each semester. As needed.

 

A broadly interdisciplinary study of the historic and contemporary relation between religion and racial ideologies in the United States and around the globe. The course will focus on the many ways in which religion has been used both to support and to combat racism in the modern world. Special attention will be given to the history of black-white relations in America and the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe. Alternate years, Spring ’06.

 

A historical and comparative study of the world’s living religions, including their beliefs, practices, literature, and influence in the world today. Annually, Spring.

 

An exploration of traditional and recent philosophical and theological thinking in such areas as arguments for the existence of God, the nature of religious knowledge, the problem of evil, the question of human destiny, and the nature of religious language. Same as PHI 325. Alternate years, Spring ’07.

 

An examination of key thinkers and issues that have shaped Christian theology over the last two thousand years, including extensive reading in primary sources. Prerequisite: REL 230 or permission of instructor. Alternate years, Fall ’05.

 

An examination of key thinkers and issues in Christian thought from the early twentieth century to the present. Includes thinkers such as Barth, Bultmann, Bonhoeffer, Tillich, Niebuhr, and issues in liberation theology, feminist theology, and pluralism. Alternate years, Spring ’07.

 

An investigation of the means by which Christians attempt to discern what is “right” and “wrong” for themselves and their society. Case studies are used throughout the course to illustrate and examine broader theoretical issues. Annually, Fall.

 

An introduction to the beliefs and practices of the ancient Hebrew people, as expressed in the literature of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament. Annually, Fall.

 

An introduction to the literature of early Christianity, with special attention to the authors’ ideas about Jesus of Nazareth and the life and problems of the earliest Christian communities. Annually, Spring.

 

A study of the music of the Christian church, including an examination of the history of hymnody and the relationship between hymns and the history of the church and its theology. Important works written for the church by composers such as Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, and Schubert will also be studied. Same as MUS 367. As needed.

 

Focused study of a particular topic, theme, or issue in Religious Studies that should prove interesting to majors and serious general education students. Topics will be announced in the course schedule each semester. As needed.

 

A “service-learning” course that explores the ways in which religious groups work to meet the practical needs of their communities. Classroom studies will be augmented by volunteer work in a local religious service organization to help students learn more about community service. Alternate years, Spring ’07.

 

Internships are arranged by the student in consultation with faculty and the Career Placement office. Prerequisites: Senior standing, 15 hours of Religious Studies course work, 2.0 overall GPA. Internships with a current employer must represent a change of duties. No more than 4 credit hours of internship may be applied toward a major or minor in Religious Studies.

 

Individualized research in topic areas not covered in the regular curriculum. Prerequisite: 15 hours in Religious Studies, 3.0 GPA, permission of instructor.

 

Intensive study of a current topic in Religious Studies. Seminar topics will be announced in the course schedule as they are offered. Prerequisite: Major or minor in Religious Studies, or permission of instructor. As needed.