2002-2003 Undergraduate Catalog
Indiana, Pennsylvania 15705
Religious Studies
Credit designation at right of title is expressed in (c) class hours per week, (l) lab or (d) discussion section hours per week, and (sh) semester hours of credit per semester.
RLST: Religious Studies
Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
RLST 100 Introduction to Religion
3c-0l-3sh
An introduction to the academic study of religion through an examination of various dimensions of religious expression and traditions. Covers such areas as problems about definition of religion; approaches to the study of religion; the goals, language, and rituals of religion; cases of religious experience; faith, disbelief, and alternatives to religion; religion and the sociocultural context.
3c-0l-3sh
A comparative study of the history, teaching, and rituals of the major religions of the world and their influence on contemporary society. A nonsectarian approach to religions such as Native American religion, Afro-American religion, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam in relationship to Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Shinto.
RLST 200 Religion and Culture: Their Interaction
3c-0l-3sh
A systematic study of the interaction of religions and various components of culture, as a way of understanding the phenomenon of religion. The approach is functional and descriptive; it uses case studies which are chronologically and culturally diverse, covering such areas as religion and politics, economics, arts, science, and literature.
3c-0l-3sh
Major sacred writings of Hindu, Buddhist, Zoroastrian, Moslem, Confucian, Taoist, and Judeo-Christian traditions will be studied from point of view of their religious significance.
RLST 250 Understanding the Bible
3c-0l-3sh
An introduction to scholarly methods and major themes necessary to understand the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testaments of the Judeo-Christian tradition.
RLST 260 American Religious Development
3c-0l-3sh
A survey and analysis of topics which depict the role of religion in the U.S., e.g., American Indian religion; religion and the discovery/colonization/immigration trends of the U.S.; religion and the Constitution; indigenous religious movements; black religion; ecumenism; atheism; cults; mass media and religion; religion in Indiana County.
var-1-3sh
Prerequisite: As appropriate to course content
Special topics are offered on an experimental or temporary basis to explore topics that are not included in the established curriculum. A given topic may be offered under any special topic identity no more than three times. Special topics numbered 281 are offered primarily for lower-level undergraduate students.
3c-0l-3sh
A study of the beliefs, practices, significant persons, history, and cultural impact of Christianity.
3c-0l-3sh
An examination and critique of the philosophies which have shaped Eastern world views and ways of life as found in a representative sampling of Chinese, Japanese, and Indian thought.
RLST 312 Archaeology and the Bible
3c-0l-3sh
An investigation of religious-historical traditions of the Bible in light of archaeological research. Includes a study of archaeological method and interpretation, discoveries in Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Syro-Palestine as background for understanding the traditions and religious practices and beliefs of Israel, and special questions surrounding the Patriarchal narratives, the Exodus and Conquest, Israel under David and Solomon, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and New Testament times.
RLST 329 Philosophy of Religion
3c-0l-3sh
A philosophical critical examination of religion to include: the nature of religion; religious argumentation; existence and nature of God; meaning and relation of faith and knowledge; theories of origin or religion.
3c-0l-3sh
An examination of the nature of African traditional religion and how traditional religion, Islam, and Christianity coexist and influence each other.
RLST 365 Native North American Religions
3c-0l-3sh
An introduction to the indigenous religions of North America and to the peoples who practice these rich and varied approaches to the sacred. Not only examines major religious themes and dimensions (myth, ritual, ethics, etc.) but includes a historical perspective on North American Indian lifeways. This perspective involves discussion of the clash with Euro-American values and contemporary native religious responses to social crisis and change.
RLST 370 Religions of China and Japan
3c-0l-3sh
A study of Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, Shinto, and popular religion in China and Japan, including historical and theological foundations, development of thought, contemporary expressions, and encounters with the modern world.
3c-0l-3sh
A study of Hinduism, Indian Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, including historical and theological foundations, development of thought, contemporary expressions, and encounters with the modern world.
3c-0l-3sh
A study of Islam including historical and theological foundations, developments of thought, contemporary expressions, and encounters with the modern world.
RLST 410 Early Christian Thought
3c-0l-3sh
The development of Christian thought approached through an in-depth study of selected writings from the early Church Fathers to the Protestant Reformers.
RLST 440 Modern Christian Thought
3c-0l-3sh
An examination of Christian thought, approached through in-depth study of selected writings from major theologians of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
var-l-3sh
Prerequisite: As appropriate to course content
Special topics are offered on an experimental or temporary basis to explore topics that are not included in the established curriculum. A given topic may be offered under any special topic identity no more than three times. Special topics numbered 481 are offered primarily for upper-level undergraduate students.
var-1-6sh
Prerequisite: Prior approval through advisor, faculty member, department chairperson, dean, and Provost’s Office
Individual students wishing to pursue religious studies interests not covered in the department’s regular offering may do so by approval. Upon approval students are guaranteed at least five hours of faculty time per semester hour. All programs of study must be accepted by the department as a whole. May be taken more than once to maximum of 6sh. (This option is available to both Religious Studies majors and nonmajors.)
RLST 482 Independent Study: Honors
3c-0l-3sh
Prerequisites: 3.00 GPA, 15sh in Religious Studies, and 3.20 GPA in departmental courses
Majors in Religious Studies are invited to take 3sh of independent study-designated Honors Project. Upon satisfactory completion, graduation with departmental honors is possible.
RLST 493 Internship in Religious Studies
6-12sh
Prerequisites: Junior or senior; Religious Studies major or double major; 2.5 GPA in major; department approval
A supervised experience in a public or private organization which extends and complements coursework in Religious Studies.
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