2007-08 Undergraduate Catalog
Indiana, Pennsylvania 15705
Religious Studies (RLST)
Department of Religious Studies
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit designation below each title is expressed in (c) class hours per week, (l) lab or (d) discussion section hours per week, and (cr) credits per semester.
RLST 100 Introduction to Religion
3c-0l-3cr
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-3cr
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.
3c-0l-3cr
Enables students to read the prose of Biblical Hebrew or Classical Hebrew–that is, the major language in which the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament was written during the first millennium B.C.E. By learning the fundamentals of Biblical Hebrew grammar and vocabulary, students thus acquire the tools and skill to do translation of this important ancient text for themselves. (Also offered as CRLG 114; may not be taken for duplicate credit)
3c-0l-3cr
A continuation of Biblical Hebrew I with the same objective: to enable students to read the prose of Biblical Hebrew or Classical Hebrew. By learning the fundamentals of Biblical Hebrew grammar and vocabulary, students thus acquire the tools and skill to do translation of this important ancient text for themselves. (Also offered as CRLG 164; may not be taken for duplicate credit)
RLST 200 Religion and Culture: Their Interaction
3c-0l-3cr
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-3cr
Major sacred writings of Hindu, Buddhist, Zoroastrian, Moslem, Confucian, Taoist, and Judeo-Christian traditions are studied from point of view of their religious significance.
RLST 220 Buddhist Thought and Practice
3c-0l-3cr
Explores the history, teachings, and practices of the main schools of Buddhism. Considers the tradition both as it has developed in Asia as well as its modifications as it has been introduced into Western societies.
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite: RLST 110 or instructor permission
Examines women’s roles and experiences within some of the world’s major religious traditions, both past and present. In exploring patterns and instances of the empowerment and oppression of women, the course pays careful attention to feminist critiques.
RLST 250 Understanding the Bible
3c-0l-3cr
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-3cr
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-1-3cr
Prerequisite: As appropriate to course content
Offered on an experimental or temporary basis to explore topics 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-3cr
A study of the beliefs, practices, significant persons, history, and cultural impact of Christianity.
3c-0l-3cr
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-3cr
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-3cr
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-3cr
Prerequisite: One Religious Studies or Women’s Studies course or instructor permission
Surveys and examines the stories and issues concerning women in the Bible and introduces the questions and methods of research that the contemporary world and feminist biblical scholars bring to them.
3c-0l-3cr
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-3cr
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-3cr
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.
RLST 373 Advanced Studies in Buddhism
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite: RLST 110 or 210 or 220 or instructor permission
Explores in depth a particular aspect of the history, teachings, or practices of Buddhism. In certain semesters, focuses on how the tradition has evolved in a particular country, such as India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tibet, China, or Japan. In other semesters, explores the development of one particular school of the tradition, such as Pure Land or Zen Buddhism. Yet, other semesters will consider a specific topic, such as Buddhist scriptures, ethics, or ritual.
3c-0l-3cr
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-3cr
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-3cr
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-3cr
An examination of Christian thought, approached through in-depth study of selected writings from major theologians of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
RLST 480 Seminar in Religious Studies
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite: RLST students or instructor permission
An advanced forum for detailed exploration of a single topic or single author, subject to instructor’s choice. Enrollment limited to RLST majors and other students by invitation or permission.
var-l-3cr
Prerequisite: As appropriate to course content
Offered on an experimental or temporary basis to explore topics 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-1-6cr
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 6cr. (This option is available to both RLST majors and nonmajors.)
RLST 482 Independent Study: Honors
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: 3.00 GPA, 15cr in RLST, and 3.20 GPA in departmental courses
Majors in RLST are invited to take 3cr of independent study-designated Honors Project. Upon satisfactory completion, graduation with departmental honors is possible.
var-1-6cr
Prerequisites: Admission to departmental honors program; prior approval through advisor, faculty member, department chairperson, dean, and Provost’s Office
An intensive, focused study involving independent research culminating in a written thesis approved by a thesis director and two faculty readers/committee members. May be taken more than once to a maximum of 6sh.
RLST 485 Selected Topics in Feminist Studies of Religion
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite: One Religious Studies or Women’s Studies course or instructor permission
Offers rotating topics in feminist studies in religion by alternating professors in the Department of Religious Studies. Such topics may include: “Contemporary Feminist Spirituality Movements,” “Goddesses in the Ancient Near East,” “Feminist Biblical Scholars and Theologians,” and “Women in Buddhism.”
RLST 493 Internship in Religious Studies
6-12cr
Prerequisites: Junior or senior; RLST 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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