1999-2000 Undergraduate Catalog
Indiana, Pennsylvania 15705
RS 110 World Religions
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.
RS 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.
RS 210 World Scriptures
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.
RS 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.
RS 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.
RS 281 Special Topics
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.
RS 290 Christianity
3c-0l-3sh
A study of the beliefs, practices, significant persons, history, and cultural impact of Christianity.
RS 311 Eastern Philosophy
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.
RS 312 Archaeology and the Bible
3c-0l-3sh
An investigation of religious-historical traditions of the Bible in light of archaeological research. Will include 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.
RS 329 Philosophy of Religion
3c-0l-3sh
This course is 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. (Offered as PH329 prior to 1995-96)
RS 360 African Religions
3c-0l-3sh
An examination of the nature of African traditional religion and how traditional religion, Islam, and Christianity coexist and influence each other.
RS 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. This course 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.
RS 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.
RS 375 Religions of India
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.
RS 380 Islam
3c-0l-3sh
A study of Islam including historical and theological foundations, developments of thought, contemporary expressions, and encounters with the modern world.
RS 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.
RS 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.
RS 481 Special Topics
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 481 are offered primarily for upper-level undergraduate students.
RS 482 Independent Study
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 credit. 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.)
RS 482 Independent Study: Honors
3c-0l-3sh
Prerequisites: 3.00 QPA, 15sh in Religious Studies, and 3.20 average 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.
RS 493 Internship in Religious Studies
6-12sh
Prerequisites: Junior or senior; Religious Studies major or double major; 2.5 QPA in major; department approval
Supervised experience in a public or private organization which extends and complements coursework in Religious Studies.
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