Major and Degree Religious Studies (B.A.) Minor Religious Studies Certificate Buddhist Studies

Visit Webster's online course schedule to view our Religious Studies offerings Visit Online Course Schedules For St. Louis courses, click on "St. Louis Area Campuses". For Thailand courses, click on "All Other Campuses" Click the appropriate "session" and "year". If searching for Thailand courses, also select the campus "THAI". For the "Courses by Type" option, select "Religion" Leave all other default settings and select "Enter Data".

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RELIGIOUS STUDIES COURSE LISTINGS

RELG 1000 Roots of Religion (3)
Introduces the study of religion through investigation of major theories of religion, through direct contact with religious institutions or
through the study of the lives of religious persons. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

RELG 1040 Phenomena (3)
Examines a religious phenomenon of current interest. Recent topics have included: magic and the occult, the Jesus movement, and ecstasy and meaning. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

RELG 1050 Experience and Values (3)
Provides frameworks for examining, understanding, and clarifying personal experience and values, including the students’ own experience and values, to introduce the connections between religious teachings and personal living and decision making. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

RELG 1060 World Religions (3)
Concerns origins, historical development of worship, ethics, theology, scriptures, and institutions of the world religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shintoism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

RELG 1080 Thinking Through Religions (3)
There is no guarantee that anything you read in religion is true! This course introduces students to separating plausible and implausible claims to truth in different religions, and demonstrates how religious studies contribute to critical thinking—through the acquisition of skills in argumentation, debate, analysis, and decision making. Students will evaluate the validity of religious truth claims, religious language, religious authorities, spiritual experience, conflicting claims in science and religion, and ethical judgments.

RELG 2030 Contemporary Topics (3)
Involves inquiry into current religious developments, such as liberation theology, black theology, women’s theology, contemporary religious thinkers, and native American religious thought. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

RELG 2050 Religion and Human Values (3)
Investigates the theories and processes of moral decision making. Analyzes specific issues such as war and peace, nonviolence, sexuality, race, medical experimentation, and poverty in relation to such values as freedom, justice, and equality in an organized society. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

RELG 2070 Introduction to Religions of the East (3)
Provides a basic framework for approaching the major religious and philosophical traditions of Asia. The student is exposed to the ideas, rituals, and practices of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Shintoism. By studying the religious issues of India, China, and Japan, one gleans an awareness and appreciation of the historical and cultural heritage of Asia.

RELG 2075 Introduction to Buddhism (3)
Covers comprehensively the full range of historical, doctrinal, practical, and cultural forms of Buddhism, and its geographic spread around the globe. Includes consideration of the lives and teachings of the Buddha, major scriptures and forms of practice and devotionalism, and Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana, syncretic, and Western Buddhisms.

RELG 2080 Introduction to Western Religions (3)
Provides a basic framework for approaching the major religious and philosophical traditions of the West, meaning those derived from the Mediterranean and Arabic worlds. The student is introduced to the ideas, rituals, and practices of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, with reference also to Greek and Roman religions, Zoroastrianism, and related religions. By studying the religious issues of the Near East, the Middle East, and Europe, one gleans an awareness and appreciation of the historical and cultural heritage of the Americas and the West.

RELG 2100 Religion and Literature (3)
Studies the important interrelationships of literary forms and the world’s religions. Examines religious reflection on various complexities of existence as depicted in selected genres or examples of literature. Typically considers literary themes in religious terms, or vice versa, and the ways in which creative writings and religious ideas amplify and interrogate each other. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

RELG 2150 Existence and Meaning (3)
Introduces key religious perspectives on human life and thought through a sustained analysis of religious ideas, thinkers, or cultural forms. Examines defining conditions of human existence and our roles as meaning- makers and interpreters of inherited meanings, especially those of religious teachings. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

RELG 2200 Renaissance and Reformation (3)
Surveys the social, political, philosophical, and cultural events of a keystone period in the history of Western civilization. Cross-listed with HIST 2210.

RELG 2350 Sacred Texts (3)
Explores the foundational texts, scriptures, or classics of one or more religious traditions with particular attention to literary, historical, and critical issues and how these texts have remained sacred or normative within their tradition. May be repeated for credit if content differs. Prerequisite: any 1000-level religious studies course.

RELG 2400 Religion and the Arts (3)
Studies the important interrelationships of the arts in world religions. The use of the visual and allied arts for communication and edification has been a primary concern both positive: e.g., the glorification of Rome during the counter-reformation, and negative: e.g., the Islamic proscription of images for all religions. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

RELG 2420 Religion and Culture (3)
Studies selected areas in which religious institutions and beliefs are influenced by their cultural environment and cultures are influenced and molded by religious ideas. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

RELG 2430 Environments and Religion (3)
Brings to reflection the inherent relationships between specific geographic locations, environmental issues, religion, and the world’s religions. May include considerations of sacred space, spiritual relationships with the earth, doctrinal views of eco-responsibility, environmentalism, and forms of eco-activism. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

RELG 2440 Religion and Social Action (3)
Examines key instances and ideas in which one (or more) religion or religiously inspired group or movement has sought to influence or change a particular society or social behavior. May include consideration of appropriate and effective methods for achieving social change. Examples include (but are not limited to) Engaged Buddhism, Liberation Theology, the civil rights movement, utopian religious groups, and peace activism. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

RELG 2450 Death and Dying (3)
Attempts to define life and death and deal with the processes that facilitate and accompany the transition from life to death.

RELG 2500 Gender, Culture, and Religion (3)
Discusses diverse representations of gender in selected religious traditions and cultural contexts. Considers their influence on religious conceptions of personhood and divinity, relationships between humans, cosmic and natural orders, and representations of the divine. Cultural and social definitions of gender roles, and resistances to those definitions, may also be included. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

RELG 3030 Topics in Religion and Society (3)
Examines religious belief, ritual, and organization through the study of social structure and cultural values. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

RELG 3050 Topics in Religion and Philosophy (3)
Studies philosophical reflections on religion, including analysis of claims and concepts used to support or challenge religious beliefs. May focus on philosophers, such as Camus, Dewey, Nietzsche, Otto, or Whitehead, or on topics, using arguments from classical, European, American, and Asian sources. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

RELG 3070 Topics in Religion and Psychology (3)
Investigates religious beliefs and behavior and the influence of religion on the life of the individual. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

RELG 3100 Hinduism (3)
Presents the historical background and developments, the cultural contexts, and the distinctive religious features of Hinduism, including its ideas, rituals, practices, major historical figures, symbolic representations, and influences in the lives of adherents. Usually a survey course, the specific emphasis is announced each time the course is offered. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

RELG 3120 Buddhism (3)
Presents the historical background and developments, the cultural contexts, and the distinctive religious features of Buddhism, including its ideas, rituals, practices, major historical figures, symbolic representations, and influences in the lives of adherents. Usually a survey course, the specific emphasis is announced each time the course is offered. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

RELG 3130 Religions of China and Japan (3)
Presents the historical background and developments, the cultural contexts, and the distinctive religious features of Chinese and/or Japanese religions, including their ideas, rituals, practices, major historical figures, symbolic representations, and influences in the lives of adherents. Usually a survey course, the specific emphasis is announced each time the course is offered. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

RELG 3180 Judaism (3)
Presents the historical background and developments, the cultural contexts, and the distinctive religious features of Judaism, including its ideas, rituals, practices, major historical figures, symbolic representations, and influences in the lives of adherents. Usually a survey course, the specific emphasis is announced each time the course is offered. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

RELG 3190 Christianity (3)
Presents the historical background and developments, the cultural contexts, and the distinctive religious features of Christianity, including its ideas, rituals, practices, major historical figures, symbolic representations, and influences in the lives of adherents. Usually a survey course, the specific emphasis is announced each time the course is offered. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

RELG 3200 Islam (3)
Presents the historical background and developments, the cultural contexts, and the distinctive religious features of Islam, including its ideas, rituals, practices, major historical figures, symbolic representations, and influences in the lives of adherents. Usually a survey course, the specific emphasis is announced each time the course is offered. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

RELG 3210 African Religions (3)
Presents the historical background and developments, the cultural contexts, and the distinctive religious features of African religions, including their ideas, rituals, practices, major historical figures, symbolic representations, and influences in the lives of adherents. Usually a survey course, the specific emphasis is announced each time the course is offered. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

RELG 3600 Field Experience in Religion (1–6)
For students undertaking travel and research into a specific religious topic through direct contact with the material or people studied, outside academic confines. Requires prior and follow-up consultation with a faculty member approved by the department chair, and preparation of a portfolio, to include an advance description of the intended field experience and projected itinerary; documentation of the travel and experiences; and a summary of and formal reflection on those experiences. May be repeated for credit if content varies.

RELG 3605 International Field Experience in Religion (1–6)
See description of RELG 3600 above for requirements. Intended for students undertaking travel and research into a specific religious topic, outside the student’s home campus. Highly recommended for religious studies majors and minors, especially juniors, to enhance an understanding of religion in global contexts. May be repeated for credit if content varies.

RELG 4040 Belief Systems (3)
Approaches the issues of belief and unbelief through readings from philosophers and theologians. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

RELG 4310 Business Ethics (3)
Explores the ethical and moral aspects of the relationship of business organizations and practices to business people and to the larger society.

RELG 4330 Bio Ethics (3)
Examines both the theoretical relationship between religion and science and the practical moral and religious implications of scientific investigation and medical practice.

RELG 4400 Spiritual Paths and Classics (3)
Focuses on classics in spiritual practice and development chosen from specific religious traditions, so as to reflect on the paths and teachings they set forth. Builds on introductory courses in spiritual exploration and in world religions. Topics may include: Chinese mysticism (especially Taoism), Islamic Sufism, the English Christian mystics, Zen, and other Buddhist schools, utopian religious communities, or Hindu yoga(s). May be repeated for credit if content differs.

RELG 4550 Advanced Study in Religion (3)
An open-topic seminar course, examining in detail aspects of a religious tradition or traditions introduced in prior courses. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

RELG 4560 Practicum (3–5)
Supervised internship in direct practica with individuals and groups. Placement may include teaching, pastoral work, or social activism. Prerequisites: 9 credit hours of religious studies and permission of the department chair.

RELG 4600 Senior Project Preparation (3)
This course will give a student, under the direction of a mentor, guidance in proposing, researching and outlining their Senior Project. The student, under the direction of a mentor, prepares and presents a substantial project demonstrating the competencies acquired in the major and integrating the various components of the student’s interests within the field. RELG 4600 is used to develop a proposal, do background research, and prepare an outline for the project. RELG 4700 is used to complete and present the project to the faculty. Prerequisites: senior standing and permission of the department chair.

RELG 4610 Reading Course (1–6)
Prerequisites: approval of the instructor and filing of official form. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

RELG 4700 Senior Project (3)
Involves preparation and presentation of a major project to serve as senior overview. Prerequisites: senior standing and permission of the department chair.