| RELS 1100 Primer in Religious Studies |
RELS 3302 The Wisdom of Asia |
| RELS 1304 Introduction to Religions of the World |
RELS 3304 Religions of the
Book: Beyond Christianity |
| RELS 1315 Basic Christian Questions |
RELS 3320 Archaeology and the Bible |
| RELS 1316 Introduction to Catholicism |
RELS 3326 Traditions of the End Times:
Messiah and Apocalypse |
| RELS 1318 Introduction to Christian
Morality |
RELS 3332 Christian Spirituality |
| RELS 2302 Abrahamic Traditions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam |
RELS 3333 History of Christian Theology
I |
| RELS 2303 Asian Traditions |
RELS 3334 History of Christian Theology
II |
| RELS 2321 Introduction to the Hebrew
Bible |
RELS 3338 Sacramental Theology |
| RELS 2322 Introduction to the New Testament |
RELS 3345 Special Issues in Theology |
| RELS 2323 Justice, Peace and Liberation |
RELS 4303 Dialogue of World Religions |
| RELS 2325 Topics in Hebrew Bible |
RELS 4322 The Bible and Its Modern
Interpreters |
| RELS 2326 Women in the Bible |
RELS 4341 Contemporary Theological
Questions |
| RELS 2328 New Testament Literature |
RELS 4342 Senior Seminar |
| RELS 2342 Special Topics in Religious
Studies |
RELS 4350 Internship in Religious Studies |
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| 1100 Primer in Religious Studies |
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| This course is a one-hour general introduction to topics of special interest to students. Topics may include the reading of a particular religious text, such as the Quran, or an introduction to theological methodology. The course does not assume prior background in religious studies, and may be repeated as topics change. No prerequisites. 1 hour. |
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| 1304 Introduction to Religions of the World |
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| This course examines the historical development
and sacred writings of the five major religious traditions
of the world: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and
Islam. By utilizing historical methodology, the student learns
the context in which major religious ideas emerged. Fall and
Spring, even-numbered years. 3 hours. |
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| 1315 Basic Christian Questions |
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| This course is designed to offer a systematic
approach to Christian thought, where each issue discussed
lays the foundation for the succeeding questions. In this
way, students will see Christian doctrine not as discrete,
unrelated ideas, but as an integrated whole. The attempt will
not be so much as to explore Catholic, Methodist, Baptist,
etc., “points of view,” but to explore theological
issues held in common by the Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant
traditions. Fall. 3 hours. |
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| 1316 Introduction to Catholicism |
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| This course will provide a survey and study
of the major beliefs, traditions and practices of the Catholic
faith. Making use of the documents of Vatican II and recent initiatives in contextual
theology, the course will explore Catholic theological reflections on community,
revelation, authority, the Trinity, Christ, salvation, spirituality, morality and
the sacraments. The course will also examine various Catholic traditions as well
as the relation of Catholicism to other Christian denominations and other religions.
Spring. 3 hours. |
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| 1318 Introduction to Christian Morality |
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| This course will investigate the foundations
of Christian morality contained within Scripture, natural
law, Church tradition and various theological systems. Among
the many themes and topics covered will be Christ as the model
of Christian behavior, the formation of a Christian conscience,
and the application of Christian principles to such issues
as medical ethics, sexual morality, social justice, and discussions
of war and peace. Fall. 3 hours. |
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| 2302 Abrahamic Traditions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam |
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| This course will explore the religious, philosophical
and theological developments of the three Abrahamic traditions:
Judaism, Christianity and Islam. By focusing on the historical
development of each of these traditions, students will be
in a position to appreciate the dynamic nature of each tradition
and to raise questions about the future of these traditions.
Fall, odd-numbered years. 3 hours. |
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| 2303 Asian Traditions |
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| This course will explore the religious, philosophical
and theological developments of three Asian traditions: Hinduism,
Buddhism, and either Taoism, Confucianism or Shintoism. By
focusing on the historical development of each of these traditions,
students will be in a position to appreciate the dynamic nature
of each tradition and to raise questions about the future
of these traditions. Spring, odd-numbered years. 3 hours. |
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| 2321 Introduction to the Hebrew Bible |
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| This course studies ancient Israel in terms
of its history, religion and literature as they are articulated
in the books of the Hebrew Bible. Fall, odd-numbered years.
3 hours. |
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| 2322 Introduction to the New Testament |
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| This course takes a multifaceted approach to
the study of the gospels, the epistles and the Book of Revelation.
The course will emphasize the methodology of historical criticism
for the purpose of identifying the authors of each New Testament
work, as well as their respective theologies and witness to
Jesus Christ. Spring, even-numbered years. 3 hours. |
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| 2323 Justice, Peace and Liberation |
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| This course examines the issues of justice and
peace within the context of the Gospel of Jesus. Beginning
with the social teachings found in the Old and New Testaments,
this course will examine current issues in light of modern
Christian social doctrine. 3 hours. |
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| 2325 Topics in Hebrew Bible |
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| This course provides a study of a discrete corpus
from the Hebrew Scriptures. This could include an in-depth
study of the Pentateuch, the Prophetic or Wisdom Literature,
or the Psalms. Particular attention will be paid to historical
and literary-critical issues. 3 hours. |
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| 2326 Women in the Bible |
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| This course provides a survey of women in the
Hebrew Bible and New Testament. We consider women in their
Near Eastern and Greco-Roman contexts by means of textual,
literary, historical and anthropological approaches. 3 hours. |
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| 2328 New Testament Literature |
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| This course provides a study of a discrete corpus
from the New Testament. This could include an in-depth study
of the Synoptic Gospels, the Pauline Epistles or Jesus Traditions
in the New Testament. Focus will be on the Scriptural texts
and contemporary Scripture scholars and theologians. 3 hours. |
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| 2342 Special Topics in Religious Studies |
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| This course will examine particular topics within
religious studies. These topics will be general in nature
and will not assume prior background in religious studies.
Possible topics may include The Family in Biblical Literature
and Modern Novels, Religion in Latin America, The Thought
of C.S. Lewis, Exploring Inner Space, Angels and Saints, and
Mary in Doctrine and Devotion. Course may be repeated as topics
vary. 3 hours. |
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| 3302 The Wisdom of Asia |
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| This course will explore the religious, philosophical
and theological developments of either Hinduism or Buddhism.
Focus will be on the major philosophical schools and sects,
both historical and contemporary. Course may be repeated as
topics vary. Prerequisite: Six hours of religious studies
or philosophy, which must include either RELS 1304, 2302 or
2303, or permission of instructor. 3 hours. |
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| 3304 Religions of the Book: Beyond Christianity |
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| This course will explore the religious, philosophical
and theological developments of either Judaism or Islam. The
former will include study of the major movements in modern
Judaism: Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Hasidism and Jewish
Reconstruction. The latter will explore the religious, philosophical
and theological developments of Islam. Focus will be on the
major legal and philosophical movements as well as the study
of Sunni, Shi’ite and Sufi thought and practice. Course
may be repeated as traditions vary. Prerequisite: Six hours
of religious studies or philosophy, which must include either
RELS 1304, 2302 or 2303, or permission of instructor. 3 hours. |
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| 3320 Archaeology and the Bible |
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| This course examines how the ancient physical
remains of the Mediterranean Basin have contributed to our
understanding of the biblical text as well as to the religions
of ancient Israel and the Greco-Roman world. Course may be
repeated as topics vary. Prerequisite: Six hours of religious
studies or philosophy or permission of instructor. Prerequisite
hours must include one of the following: RELS 2321, RELS 2322,
RELS 2325, RELS 2326 or RELS 2328. 3 hours. |
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| 3326 Traditions of the End Times: Messiah and Apocalypse |
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This course involves the study of themes that
accompany apocalyptic, or end times, movements. These themes
may include the study of the concept of a messiah or apocalyptic
literature. There will be a focus on the variety of perspectives
that reflect different and distinct points in the histories
of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Course may be repeated
as topics vary. Prerequisite: Six hours of religious studies
or philosophy or permission of instructor. Prerequisite hours
must include one of the following: RELS 2321,
RELS 2322, RELS 2325, RELS 2326 or RELS 2328. 3 hours. |
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| 3332 Christian Spirituality |
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| This course will explore the history of Christian
spirituality, from the ancient to contemporary church. Major
spiritual movements, such as the Desert Fathers and Mothers,
the rise of monasticism, various forms of mysticism, and popular
devotions will be examined. An attempt will be made to connect
spiritual movements with the doctrinal and theological traditions.
Prerequisite: Six hours of religious studies or philosophy,
which must include either RELS 1315 or RELS 1316, or permission
of instructor. 3 hours. |
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| 3333 History of Christian Theology I |
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| This course introduces students to the development of Christian theology from the end of the first through the fifth century. This period saw the incorporation of Hellenistic philosophy into Christian thought. Early controversies over the nature of God, the humanity and divinity of Christ, and the structure of the Church helped the early Fathers to formulate the doctrines of the Trinity, Christology, and ecclesiology, and to lay the foundations for Medieval and contemporary Christian thought and practice. Prerequisite: Six hours of religious studies or philosophy or permission of instructor. Prerequisite hours must include one of the following: RELS 1315, RELS 1316, PHIL 2316 or PHIL 2317. Fall, even-numbered years. 3 hours. |
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| 3334 History of Christian Theology II |
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| This course begins with the early Middle Ages and continues through the Protestant Reformation. This period saw the discovery of the writings of Aristotle and the birth of the Medieval universities. Theological issues included the relationship between nature and grace, reason and revelation, and the Christian understanding of the sacraments. The course will also explore the historical and theological factors that led to the Protestant Reformation, helping to bring an end to the theological synthesis developed in the Middle Ages. Prerequisite: Six hours of religious studies or philosophy or permission of instructor. Prerequisite hours must include one of the following: RELS 1315, RELS 1316, PHIL 2316 or PHIL 2317. Spring, odd-numbered years. 3 hours. |
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| 3338 Sacramental Theology |
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This course will examine the history of the
development of sacramental theology from scriptural roots
to the present. The individual sacraments will be studied
individually as well as within the context of the overall
sacramental structure of the Church. Prerequisite: Six
hours of philosophy or religious studies, which must include
either RELS 1315 or RELS 1316, or permission of instructor.
3 hours. |
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| 3345 Special Issues in Theology |
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This class will explore issues of particular
interest within theology. These topics will be focused in
nature and will assume prior background in religious studies.
Possible topics may include Priests, Prophets and Kings: Religious
Forces in Ancient Israel; Kings and Chronicles: the Religious
Historiography of Ancient Israel; Mysticism; Faith and the
Workplace; Christian Ecumenism; Sharing the Faith; Religion
and Psychology; Trinity, Christology and Grace; the Documents
of Vatican II. Course may be repeated as topics
vary. Prerequisite: Six hours of religious studies or philosophy
or permission of instructor. Specific topics may have additional
specific prerequisites. 3 hours. |
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| 4303 Dialogue of World Religions |
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| It has been said that if one knows only one
religious tradition, one does not know any. This course will
explore the possibility of dialog among the major religious
traditions, as well as the difficult issues dialogue uncovers.
Prerequisite: Twelve hours of religious studies or permission
of instructor. Prerequisite hours must include one of the
following: RELS 1304, 2302 or 2303. 3 hours. |
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| 4322 The Bible and Its Modern Interpreters |
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| Perennial issues in biblical studies are examined
through the lens of 19th- and 20th-century scholarship. Prerequisite:
Twelve hours of religious studies or permission of instructor.
Prerequisite hours must include one of the following: RELS
2321, RELS 2322, RELS 2325, RELS 2326 or RELS 2328. 3 hours. |
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| 4341 Contemporary Theological Questions |
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| This course will explore the philosophical and
theological shifts that have taken place since the Enlightenment.
Material will concentrate on one major systematic theologian
(e.g., Karl Rahner), and new theological issues, such as feminist
theology and dialog of world religions. Prerequisite: Twelve
hours of religious studies, which must include either RELS
1315 or RELS 1316, or permission of instructor. 3 hours. |
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| 4342 Senior Seminar |
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| This course is designed to teach an upper-division
student how to research and write an in-depth paper. Students
will be responsible for reading the assigned material and
discussing it in a seminar format. Focus can be on a particular
text or set of texts, issues, or thinkers in the fields of
Scripture scholarship, systematic theology or non-Christian
religious traditions. This seminar can be repeated as topics
vary. Prerequisite: Twelve hours of religious studies or permission
of instructor. Specific topics may have specific prerequisites. |
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| 4350 Internship in Religious Studies |
In this course, students go out into the larger
community of Austin to learn from working with trained professionals
in the various areas of applied religion. The student produces
evidence of competencies in his field work according to the
testing and criteria demanded by his directing professor.
May be repeated once for credit. Offered each term by arrangement
with the department. Prerequisite: Twenty-one hours in religious
studies.
Permission of instructor required. Offered each term by arrangement with the department.
3 hours. |
