Religious Studies
Duane L. Olson, Ph.D., Associate 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.
GENERAL STUDIES TRACK 33-34 hrs.
Major requirements 30 hrs.
REL 200 INTRODUCTION TO RELIGION (3)
REL 205 ETHICS IN THE WORLD’S RELIGIONS (3)
REL 230 INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIANITY (3)
REL 320 RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD (3)
REL 325 PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION (3)
Five other courses in Religious Studies (15)
(at least three must be 300 or 400 level)
Supplementary requirements 3-4 hrs.
PHI 201 INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY (4)
or
Phi 333 METAPHYSICS AND HUMAN NATURE (3)
CHRISTIAN STUDIES TRACK 33-34 hrs.
Major requirements 30 hrs.
REL 200 INTRODUCTION TO RELIGION (3)
REL 230 INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIANITY (3)
REL 330 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN THOUGHT (3)
REL 335 CHRISTIAN ETHICS (3)
REL 340 OLD TESTAMENT (3)
REL 345 NEW TESTAMENT (3)
Four other courses in Religious Studies (12)
(at least two must be 300 or 400 level)
Supplementary requirements 3-4 hrs.
PHI 201 INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY (4)
or
PHI 333 METAPHYSICS AND HUMAN NATURE (3)
or
REL 325 PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION (3)
REL 200 INTRODUCTION TO RELIGION (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.
REL 205 ETHICS IN THE WORLD’S RELIGIONS (3)
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.
REL 212 RELIGION AND GENDER (3)
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.
REL 215/315 RELIGION IN THE UNITED STATES (3)
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.
REL 230 INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIANITY (3)
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.
REL 280-89 TOPICS IN RELIGION (3)
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.
REL 312 RELIGION AND RACE (W) (3)
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’08.
REL 320 RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD (3)
A historical and comparative study of the world’s living religions, including their beliefs, practices,
literature, and influence in the world today. Annually, Spring.
REL 325 PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION (3)
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 ‘09.
REL 330 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN THOUGHT (W) (3)
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 ‘07.
REL 332 CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN THOUGHT (W) (3)
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 ‘09.
REL 335 CHRISTIAN ETHICS (3)
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.
REL 340 THE OLD TESTAMENT (3)
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.
REL 345 THE NEW TESTAMENT (3)
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.
REL 367 MUSIC OF THE CHURCH (3)
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.
REL 380-89 TOPICS IN RELIGION (3)
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.
REL 450 RELIGION IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY (3)
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 ‘09.
REL 470 INTERNSHIP IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES (3-8)
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.
REL 480 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN RELIGION (1-4)
Individualized research in topic areas not covered in the regular curriculum. Prerequisite: 15 hours in
Religious Studies, 3.0 GPA, permission of instructor.
REL 490 SEMINAR IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES (W) (1-4)
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.