Religious Studies

Course Description - Religious Studies

The course descriptions listed are updated from time to time as information changes. The University reserves the right to terminate or change these requirements as and when it deems appropriate.

RS 200 INTRODUCTION TO RELIGIOUS STUDIES (3.00) Introduces the academic study of religion and develops an awareness of the nature of religion, the way it functions and its role in human existence. Highlights diversity of religious phenomena and universal human concerns.     

RS 200H HONORS INTRODUCTION TO RELIGIOUS STUDIES (3.00) Introduces the academic study of religion and develops an awareness of the nature of religion, the way it functions and its role in human existence. Highlights diversity of religious phenomena and universal human concerns. NOTE: Honors students only.     

RS 211 CATHOLICS AND POLITICS (1.00) Discusses and analyzes the Catholic Church position on the relationship of faith to citizenship. NOTE: Does not count toward Religious Studies Core.    Cross listing(s): CAS 211. 

RS 301E-W INTRODUCTION/CHRISTIAN FAITH: (3.00) Investigates selected, central themes of Christian belief and practice including Roman Catholic tradition and Catholic social thought, and their application to living in the contemporary world.  Prerequisite(s): RS 200;   

RS 305 OLD TESTAMENT THEMES (3.00) Surveys the history, cultural background and literature of the Old Testament focusing on specific Old Testament themes. RC Prerequisite(s): RS 200. SPS Prerequisite(s): None.    

RS 306 NEW TESTAMENT THEMES (3.00) Surveys the history, cultural background and literature of the New Testament, emphasizing the person of Jesus and the Gospels and writings of Paul. RC Prerequisite(s): RS 200. SPS Prerequisite(s): None.    

RS 307 JESUS IN HISTORY (3.00) Explores various portrayals of Jesus, mainly in the Gospels, but also in the early non-canonical literature and in subsequent history including present day art, literature, music, and film.  Prerequisite(s): RS 200;   

RS 310E-W CHRISTIAN HISTORY: (3.00) Introductory explorations of topics in particular periods and perspectives of Christian history.  Prerequisite(s): RS 200;   

RS 320E-W TOPICS IN CHRISTIANITY: (3.00) Studies various topics about Christianity. Examples of such specific topics include Contemporary Catholicism or Women and Christianity.  Prerequisite(s): RS 200;   

RS 340 CATHOLIC SACRAMENTAL PRACTICE (3.00) Explores the sacramental tradition in Catholic Christian history, thought and practice. Emphasis is on implications for Catholic lay persons in light of Vatican Council II.  Prerequisite(s): RS 200;  Cross listing(s): CAS 440G. 

RS 350E-W CHRISTIAN SERVICE: (3.00) Combines Christian service and reflection based on service or ministry for study and reflection. Includes Christian service and reflection, models of ministry, Christian leadership.  Prerequisite(s): RS 200;   

RS 351 LAY MINISTRY PRACTICUM (1.00 - 3.00) Creates and leads community prayer and prayerful scripture study, understand the parts of the Mass, roles and skills of liturgical ministers, understand ministry as service, develop skills in self reflection, theological reflection, practical application in catechetical leadership, youth and campus ministry, social justice work, and parish leadership.  Prerequisite(s): RS 200;   

RS 360 CHRISTIAN ETHICS (3.00) Examines central elements, sources, and dynamics of Christian moral life, and their implications for contemporary moral issues. Emphasizes Catholic fundamental moral theology.  Prerequisite(s): RS 200;  Cross listing(s): CAS 300M. 

RS 365 CHRISTIAN LOVE AND MARRIAGE (3.00) Investigates the nature of Christian love focusing on the Christian understanding of marriage.  Prerequisite(s): RS 200;   

RS 370E-W SPIRITUALITY: (3.00) Explores fundamentals of Christian spirituality emphasizing the role of history, culture and the divine-human relationship. Focuses on central themes including prayer, discernment and the Holy Spirit.  Prerequisite(s): RS 200;   

RS 400E-W THEMES IN CHRISTIANITY: (3.00) Examines selected themes or areas of specific study in terms of both relevant historical background and contemporary discussion. Includes Christology, Ecclesiology, sacrament, ecumenical thought and liberation thought.  Prerequisite(s): RS 200;   

RS 400Q INDIG REL TRADS OF S PACIFIC (3.00) Examines the religious myths, stories, and history of the Indigenous peoples of the South Pacific region. Focuses on the aboriginal people of Australia and the Maori people of New Zealand but may also include other indigenous people of the South Pacific region.     

RS 401E-W TOPICS IN OLD TESTAMENT STUDIES: (3.00) Investigates key themes in Old Testament literature, involving study of the resources and methods of biblical scholarship. RC prerequisite(s): RS 200. CPS prerequisite(s): None.    

RS 402E-W THEMES IN NEW TESTAMENT STUDIES: (3.00) Investigates key themes in New Testament literature, involving study of the resources and methods of modern biblical scholarship. RC prerequisite(s): RS 200. CPS prerequisite(s): None.    

RS 403E-W TOPICS IN CHURCH HISTORY: (3.00) Explores selected topics in the field of Christian history from the standpoint of historic, social, cultural and religious influences and developments. May include Church history, the patristic era, medieval Christianity, the Renaissance and Reformation or the modern era.  Prerequisite(s): RS 200;   

RS 404 CHRIST IN A CULTURE OF VIOLENCE (3.00) Explores contemporary issues and values in U.S. society. Analyzes the culture of consumerism and violence in contrast to the gospel message. Focuses on nonviolent alternatives consistent with the life and teachings of Jesus.  Prerequisite(s): RS 200;  Cross listing(s): CAS 420G PJ 404. 

RS 405E-W ISSUES/CONTEMP. CHRISTIANITY: (3.00) Explores practical issues that face contemporary Christianity including issues of poverty and racism, hunger, death and dying.  Prerequisite(s): RS 200;   

RS 408 DIMENSIONS OF CONTEMPORARY CATHOLICISM (3.00) Introduces contemporary Catholicism with particular emphasis on United States Catholicism. Examines Catholic belief and practice and recent changes and tensions within Catholicism. RC Prerequisite(s): Completion of Religious Studies Core. SPS Prerequisite(s): None.   Cross listing(s): CAS 420H. 

RS 411H HONORS RELIGIOUS STUDIES (3.00) Explores themes central to the study of religion, such as, classics of Christian thought, major thinkers, topics in Christianity, including church history, ethics, or spirituality; topics from Old and New Testament studies; intersections between various traditions, as well as between Religious Studies and other disciplines. NOTE: Honors students only. Additional prerequisite(s): or permission of instructor. Prerequisite(s): RS 200H;   

RS 412 CATHOLIC LIFE AND THOUGHT (3.00) An exploration of post-Vatican Council II Catholic Christian belief and practice with emphasis on the foundations, historical forms, and resources of the tradition and its development. Special attention will be given to topics of interest to adults. RC prerequisite(s): RS 200. CPS prerequisite(s): None.   Cross listing(s): CAS 412. 

RS 414E-W TOPICS IN CHRISTIAN ETHICS: (3.00) Surveys issues in method and/or particular topics of contemporary concern including method in Protestant and Catholic moral thought, feminist Christian ethics, medical ethics, economic justice, and war and peace.  Prerequisite(s): RS 200;   

RS 425 CHRIST/CENT: ETHICS & SPIRIT (3.00) Provides a selective survey of Christian praxis over the centuries. Focuses on major movements in ethics and spirituality during key historical periods, including the 1st century, the patristic period, monastic period, late middle ages, the reformation and the modern period.  Prerequisite(s): RS 200;  Cross listing(s): CAS 440J HO 468M. 

RS 426 CLASSICS OF CHRISTIAN THOUGHT (3.00) Explores significant contributors to Catholic intellectual tradition as well as of the basic issues that have determined that tradition: the role of faith and reason, the place of culture in Christian evangelization, spirituality and autobiography. Emphasizes the study of primary texts.  Prerequisite(s): RS 200;  Cross listing(s): CAS 400E HO 468K. 

RS 450 CHRISTIAN ETHICAL THOUGHT (3.00) In-depth study of Christian ethics with an emphasis on Roman Catholic tradition. Remove cross list CAS 440K. Leave equated. Prerequisite(s): RS 200;  Cross listing(s): CAS 440K. 

RS 471E-W TOPICS IN SPIRITUALITY: (3.00) Investigates spirituality focusing on modern Christian spirituality, spiritual leaders including Ignatius of Loyola and prayer in the Christian tradition.  Prerequisite(s): RS 200;   

RS 490E-W INDEPENDENT/RELIGIOUS STUDIES: (1.00 - 3.00) Provides focused research on a topic in religious studies not covered in regular course offerings.  Prerequisite(s): RS 200;   

RS 495H CHRISTIANITY AND THE HUMAN IMAGINATION (3.00) Develops a critical analysis of the social imaginary of U.S. culture and politics. Considers the images in society of political and cultural conflicts and how they become absolutized and polarized. Provides a critical analysis of a Christian sensibility which debunks or treats ironically such absolutizing and provides resources for more realistic forms of imagination in the arts, media, and in ordinary life.  Prerequisite(s): RS 200;  Cross listing(s): CAS 423F. 

RS 498E-W INTERNSHIP/RELIGIOUS STUDIES (3.00) Offers interested students an opportunity to explore Religious Studies in its practical application to the various working areas or contemporary life and to reflect critically and constructively on their experience.  Prerequisite(s): RS 200;   

RS 499A SENIOR PROJECT A (1.00) Student seeks out a supervisor trained in the proposed area of research and approved by the Department Chair, as well as two outside readers. Student works with the supervisor to develop a project proposal, an annotated bibliography or list of resources crucial to the project, and a short paper on a central theme of the research. NOTE: First part of a two-semester research project required for all religious studies majors. Prerequisite(s): Majors only. Approval of Department Chair.    

RS 499B SENIOR PROJECT B (2.00) Continuation of RS 499A. Requires completion of the research project designed in RS 499A and a public presentation of research results. NOTE: Second part of a two-semester research project required for all religious studies majors. Prerequisite(s): Majors only. Approval of Department Chair.