Courses of Instruction

Course Categories (For Students Under Older Major/Minor Requirements)

Course Descriptions

RELI 10023 - Understanding Religion: Communities
This course introduces students to the vital role of religion in human experience by considering historical, comparative and methodological issues in the study of religion with reference to rituals, institutions, texts, figures, and beliefs in major world religions. Credit cannot be given for both RELI 10013 and 10023.

RELI 10033 - Understanding Religion: Texts and Ideas
This course introduces students to the vital role of religion in human experience by exploring literary, historical, cultural dimensions of religion texts, patterns of belief, and related ritual and ethical practices. Credit cannot be given for both RELI 10003 and 10033.

RELI 10043 - Understanding Religion: Society and Culture
This course introduces students to the vital role of religion in human experience. Through case studies, readings, lectures, and multimedia demonstrations, students will learn about the various relations between religion, culture, and society. Credit cannot be given for both RELI 10013 and RELI 10043.

RELI 10433 - Freshman Seminar in Religion
Topics may vary each time it is offered.

RELI 10533 - Freshman Seminar in Religion
Topics may vary each time it is offered.

RELI 20123 - New Testament Literature and Life
An introduction to the writings in the New Testament with special attention to the content of the individual books, together with an understanding of the beginnings of the Christian faith seen through the study of the Gospels and the initial development of the Christian movement.

RELI 20443 - Faith and Ethical Leadership
What's religion got to do with making moral decisions? In this introduction to religious ethics, students learn how to deepen their capacity to make moral choices by thinking about the interrelationship of modes of decision-making, social analyses and faith commitments. Then, using case studies, students explore how Muslims, Christians and Jews can provide moral leadership in civic discourse regarding ethical issues from pre-marital sex to economic justice.

RELI 20503 - Africa and the African Diaspora: History, Religion, and Culture
This class examines the origins and impact of African civilization, focusing on the worlds of traditional religions, Islam and Christianity in Africa; colonialism, anti-colonial struggles, independence, and postcolonialism; African studies in Western Scholarship; and issues affecting modern Africa.

RELI 20513 - Africa and the African Diaspora: History, Religion, and Culture
Building on RELI 20503, this class examines West African religious traditions, the 'involuntary diaspora' to the New World, as well as 'creole' religions and culture within the Caribbean. In concludes with an account of the rise of the African Independent Churches; the place of women in North African Islam; the presence of Rastafari in Ghana, and the continuing clash of traditional African and Western cultures.

RELI 20523 - Sophomore Seminar: Finding the Founders: Lives of Confucius, the Buddha, and Jesus
Prerequisite: Religion major or permission of instructor. Must have completed introductory religion course. This course considers the founders of three important religious traditions, both in their own right and as examples of what happens during the creation of a religious tradition. After considering the question "what is religion?" we turn to reports of the lives of Confucius, the Buddha, and Jesus Christ. We will inquire into how their cultural context shapes them, and how our cultural upbringing shapes the way we look at them.

RELI 20533 - Sophomore Seminar: Life After Death
Prerequisite: Religion major or permission of the instructor. Must have completed an introductory religion course. This course will explore the varied ways in which different religions in various historical and cultural contexts address mortality and the question of life after death. By focusing on social constructions of death and post-morten destiny in different religious traditions, students will encounter a range of beliefs, rituals and sacred narratives.

RELI 20643 - Sophomore Seminar: Thinking About Christian Faith
Prerequisites: Religion major or permission of instructor; Must have completed an introductory Religion course. An introduction to theological reading, thinking, and writing through an exploration of major doctrines in Christian theology. Nineteenth- and twentieth-century developments, such as the rise of historical thinking and its impact on Christology, the rise of scientific thinking and its impact on the doctrine of creation, and the rise of postmodern thinking and its impact on Christian views of other religions will be emphasized. Class procedure will be seminar discussion of assigned readings.

RELI 20703 - Leadership in Ministry
Prerequisite: Religion major or minor, or departmental permission. Introduces the role of the minister and outlines his/her responsibilities. Special emphasis on preaching, religious education (including youth work) and pastoral care.

RELI 20803 - Sophomore Seminar: Myth and Ritual on Film
Through course readings and screenings, students will see how films are created in ways strikingly similar to the ways religious rituals and myths are created. Films screened include The Matrix, The Wizard of Oz, Apocalypse Now, and Before the Rain.

RELI 20903 - Sophomore Seminar: Religion and Literature
This course explores the present and potential role of novels, religious theory and literary criticism in understanding religion's nature and function. The seminar's focus draws from one of the following three topics: "World Faiths, World Fictions," "Pilgrimage," and "Nonwestern Christianity."

RELI 20990 - International Residential Study
This course represents credit earned through a semester study abroad experience with an institution or program with which Texas Christian University has an official agreement to accept credit. The site and specific content will be identified on the official transcript. Courses appearing on a student's official transcript have been included in the student's grade point average.

RELI 30003 - Honors Seminar in Religion
Creative dialogue between religion and other disciplines of learning, or aspects of culture.

RELI 30113 - Jesus and the Gospels
A careful look at early Christian gospels, including Thomas, and at how scholars construct a historical Jesus from them.

RELI 30123 - Paul and the Early Church
The developing origins of Christianity, with particular emphasis on Paul and his influence.

RELI 30133 - Religion and the Search for Meaning in the Old Testament
Study of the biblical books of Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Job within their own socio-historic contexts as a basis for investigating some of the fundamental questions of human religious experience, including the function of worship, the relationship of reason and faith, the problem of evil, and the bases of ethical behavior.

RELI 30153 - How to Read the Bible: Story and Politics
Prerequisite: RELI 10003, 10013, or permission of instructor. Explores distinctive characteristics of biblical narrative and investigates why readers produce different interpretations of biblical stories. It asks how social structures and value systems, ancient and modern, affect texts and interpreters.

RELI 30163 - The Bible at the Movies
Prerequisite: RELI 10003, 10013, or permission of instructor. Examines movies based on biblical stories to see how the Bible may be interpreted in words and visual images. Investigates how the Bible's authority is used to promote particular religious, moral, social, and political values in popular culture.

RELI 30173 - Greco-Roman Religions
A survey of the diverse religious landscape of the Greco-Roman world from the end of the Roman Republic through the third century CE, including the official Roman state religion, Dionysiac/Orphic cult, Isis cult, Mithras cult, Greco-Roman Magic, Hellenistic Judaism and early Christianity.

RELI 30303 - Christian Ethics
 An introduction (beginning with the Bible) to major perspectives, with particular focus on developments since the Reformation. The student will argue a contemporary issue from a historical perspective.

RELI 30323 - Christian Tradition: Emergence to the Renaissance
A study of developments in Christian thought, practice, and institutions from the beginnings of the church through the 15th century.

RELI 30333 - Christian Tradition: Reformation To Modernity
A study of developments in Western Christianity from the 16th century
Reformation to the 20th century, with attention to issues of theology,
institutions, and practices. Does not include religion in America.
 

RELI 30343 - Black Religion in United States
Explores the relationship between "race" and religion, and surveys
African-American religious history in the United States, from the
religious commitments of enslaved Africans to contemporary American
black people's faiths.

RELI 30353 - The History of Evangelicalism in the U.S.
This course explores the history, development, and characteristics of evangelicalism in the United States. It will proceed both chronologically and topically, focusing more heavily on the post World War II period and contemporary American culture. It will consider a diverse range of personalities, communities, and subjects ranging from Billy Graham and presidential politics to “True Love Waits” and evangelical romance novels.

RELI 30413 - Contemporary Catholicism
Roman Catholicism in the modern period with particular attention given
to the Second Vatican Council and its intellectual and institutional
implications. There will be some emphasis on American Catholicism.

RELI 30433 - Christianity and Contemporary Social Issues
Critical study of the relationship of Christianity to the formation of social
values, to participation in national and international ethical discourse,
and to participation in popular culture in America

RELI 30443 - Religion and Politics in Latin America: The Cross and the Sword
Study will focus on the traditional and newly-emerging interaction of
Judeo-Christian ideas and institutions with the society and politics of
certain Latin American countries. In comparison, the cultural bases of
North American presuppositions about religion and politics will also be
explored. (Also taught as POSC 30503).

RELI 30453 - Sects and Cults in American Religion
The categories "sect" and "cult" in religion studies, with illustrations from
existing groups, both within and outside the Christian tradition, e.g.,
Hasidic Judaism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Science, Baha'i, the
Amish, and Mormonism.

RELI 30463 - Being Latina/o and Religious in the U.S.
This course will investigate the variety of religious life found among U.S.
Latina/o, looking beyond misconceptions, generalizations and
stereotypes.

RELI 30513 - Hindu Religious Perspectives
An exploration of the diverse strands of the Hindu religious tradition
(ritual, philosophical, devotional) from the Vedic period to the modern
day.

RELI 30523 - East Asian Religious Perspectives
Examines the development of Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism.
The course will explore the religious worldviews of these East Asian
traditions in historical and cultural context, as well as issues relating to
the comparative study of religions.

RELI 30533 - Buddhism: Thought and Practice
The development of Buddhism in India, Southeast Asia, Tibet, China,
Japan, and North America. Material will range from the Buddha's life to
contemporary forms of Buddhism in America.

RELI 30543 - Islam
The Islamic religious tradition from 7th century Arabia to current
resurgence, including social, theological, and mystical dimensions.
Topics include Muslim views of Allah, revelation the Qur'an, and the
Prophet Muhammad. Islam's encounter with "modernity" will also be
addressed.

RELI 30553 - African Religions
Explores the worldviews, beliefs and practices of African Traditional
Religions. Also examines the impact of Christianity and Islam on African
Traditional Religions since the colonial period.

RELI 30563 - Judaism
The course is an introduction to many of the historical forms and
manifestations of Judaism. The goal of this course is to examine
Judaism conceptually, considering topics such as literature, politics, art,
history and ritual, and to provide the student with a conceptual basis that
will facilitate the comparison of Judaism with other world religions.

RELI 30573 - Daoism and Chinese Religions
This course explores the development of the Daoist tradition in the
context of Chinese popular religions. We will study early Daoist
communities, texts, and practices to advance our understanding of such
religious themes as: the body and the cosmos; magical medicine;
immortality practice; ritual; scripture and revelation; apocalypticism; and
the relationship between "classical" and "popular" religious traditions.

RELI 30633 - Philosophy of Religion
Prerequisite: PHIL 10003 or any religion course. This course is centrally
concerned with issues relating to the rationality and justification of
religious convictions. There is also an interest in the coherence of
religious concepts. Various philosophical models for understanding and
evaluating religious convictions and practices are examined and applied.

RELI 30643 - God in Modern Thought
Prerequisite: 3 semester hours of Religion or Philosophy. An exploration
of ideas of God as they have developed in Western theology and
philosophy since the 17th century. The relation between these ideas and
current models for thinking about God will be stressed.

RELI 30673 - Anthropology and Religion
Prerequisites: ANTH 20623, RELI 10023 or RELI 10043 or consent of
the instructor. Anthropological findings in the comparative study of
religion and culture across a broad range of societies. Studies of sacred
experience, myth, ritual, magic, witchcraft, religious language, gender
and religion, healing, and relationships between social and religious
change.

RELI 30683 - Sociology of Religion
Prerequisite: SOCI 20213, or SOCI 20223 or permission of instructor.
An introduction to understanding the role of religion in society and to
sociological methods for the study of religion. The course will introduce
theories and research pertaining to types of religious experience,
conversion and commitment, denominationalism, secularization and
fundamentalism. Class, gender, race and ethnicity will also be
addressed as they influence religion in society. (Offered as RELI or
SOCI credit.)

RELI 30703 - Liberating God: Liberation and Postcolonial Theologies
An investigation and analysis of discourses within Liberation and
Postcolonial Theologies. An examination of the historical and
sociological development of these new theological understandings of
God, and their relation to the communities where they came from.

RELI 30713 - Women and Womanhood in Western Religion
An exploration of the ways Christianity, Judaism, and Islam have helped
to shape Western attitudes toward women. The lives of representative
women and their influence will be examined in some detail; readings
from religious thinkers on the nature of woman will be studied.

RELI 30723 - Religion and Science
Prerequisites: 3 hours of Religion and any 6 hours from among Biology,
Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geology, Physics, and Psychology.
An exploration of the ways of knowing utilized in religion (particularly the
Judeo-Christian heritage) and in science, and how these ways of
knowing relate.

RELI 30733 - Mysticism
Prerequisite: RELI 10003, 10013 or permission of instructor. An
examination of concepts of mysticism and mystical experience.
Examples will be drawn from Christian, Hindu, and Buddhist sources.

RELI 30743 - Religion, Art and Visual Culture
This course examines interactions between religious practices and the
visual arts in cross-cultural settings. Looking at visual art media such as
architecture, painting, film, landscape, gardens, and calligraphy, the
course will situate these media in specific religious traditions and
practices including Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and
Islam.

RELI 30753 - The Many Faces of Krishna
This course considers the many images of the god Krishna in the literary and religious imagination of the Indian people. After introducing some background of Hindu thought and practice, we shall look at how Krishna appears in different versions and interpretations of the great Indian epic, the Mahabharata, including the famous portion called the Bhagavad Gita. We then examine how Krishna appears in later devotional literature and poetry in the classical Sanskrit tradition, and finally Krishna in popular and regional understandings up to the present day. Credit cannot be granted for both RELI 30773 AND 30753.

RELI 30773 - India: Texts and Traditions
(ENGL 30773) A consideration of selected classic works of religious and
literary imagination in Indian culture. Versions and interpretations of the
Hindu epics Mahabharata and Ramayana will be examined in
translation.

RELI 30783 - Religion and Environmental Ethics
Explores the ethical challenge of increased competition for world
resources. Examines how changing religious understandings of
stewardship, fairness and rights shape moral choice in issues like
distribution of goods, care of nature and population shifts.

RELI 30803 - Religion and News Media
Prerequisites: RELI 10023, or 10033, or 10043, or permission of the
instructor. This course will explore the role of religion, religious ethics
and values in society and news media. Students will study methods of
covering religion, investigate the importance of religion in the news
media, and raise questions about the content of religious news stories.

RELI 30813 - Black Religion and Black Literature
This course explores the religious themes found within black literature
for the purpose of developing new interdisciplinary methods and
validating the use of black literary analysis for the study of black religion.
The course introduces interdisciplinary methods and approaches to
religious inquiry about the nature and meaning of God, religious
experiences, community, and culture. Particular attention will be given
to the black woman's literary tradition.

RELI 30823 - Jesus in Fiction and Film
Over the past fifty years many creative writers and movie makers have
attempted portraits of Jesus and Christ-figures in fiction and film. This
course will identify the christological themes in these portraits and
examine their importance for the development of contemporary Christian
theology.

RELI 30833 - Theology and Literature
This course probes the Christian theological themes (the reality of God,
the person and work of Jesus Christ, the relationship between good and
evil, the life and mission of the Church, and the idea of life after death)
expressed in various works of post-1945 fiction and the Christian
theological tradition.

RELI 30843 - Latina Feminist Religious Thought
In this course we will investigate and analyze discourses put forward by
Latinas within the religious/theological field and how they fit the larger
picture of Latina Feminisms in the United States.

RELI 30853 - Women in American Religion
Explores the experiences of women in American religion with attention
to the interplay between women's religious identities and their roles in
the work force, families, and racial, ethnic and/or minority groups.
Readings will be drawn from historical, sociological and theological
works.

RELI 30863 - Religion and Violence
Case studies of religiously inspired violence against those considered
"other" or outside specific religious groups, examined through the lens of
classic and contemporary religious theory. Special attention to the
Middle East and Asia.

RELI 30873 - Islam in America
Explores the growth and spread of Islam in America. Introduces
students to different Islamic groups and how they relate to each other.
Discusses Muslims' responses to different challenges and criticism of
Islam and Muslims by the media. Explains the roles of African
Americans and women in Islamic institutions in America.

RELI 30883 - Literary Images of God
Prerequisite: RELI 10003, 10013, or permission of instructor. This
course examines the nature and activity of God from a variety of literary
perspectives. One focus is a study of God as the protagonist of a
classic of world literature, namely, the Hebrew Bible. Another focus is
that of God in contemporary novels, short stories, and memoirs.

RELI 30893 - Caribbean Religions
Beginning with an historical account of the origins and development of
religions in the Caribbean, this course views the Neo-African traditions
of Vodoun, Shamanism, Santeria, Rastafarianism, and Obeah through
the prism of contemporary Caribbean literature.

RELI 30970 - Directed Study: Religion
Directed Study in Religion.

RELI 30990 - International Residential Study
This course represents credit earned through a semester study abroad
experience with an institution or program with which Texas Christian
University has an official agreement to accept credit. The site and
specific content will be identified on the official transcript. Courses
appearing on a student's official transcript have been included in the
student's grade point average.

RELI 35990 - International Residential Study
This course represents credit earned through a semester study abroad
experience with an institution or program with which Texas Christian
University has an official agreement to accept credit. The site and
specific content will be identified on the official transcript. Courses
appearing on a student's official transcript have been included in the
student's grade point average.

RELI 40003 - Senior Honors Research Paper
To be written under the tutorial leadership of members of the faculty.

RELI 40130 - Issues in Biblical Interpretation
Prerequisite: RELI 10003 or permission of instructor. Examination of
issues that arise from the interpretation of biblical texts. The particular
issues studied will be chosen from areas of current interest or from
methodological considerations (such as contemporary hermeneutics,
biblical theology and ethics, or critical methodologies). (3-6 semester
hours)

RELI 40143 - Love and Sex in the Biblical World
Prerequisite: At least six hours in Religion, or permission of instructor.
Critical analysis of gender relationships in biblical literature, society, and
religion, with attention to the relevance of biblical values to today's
society.

RELI 40313 - The History of Religion in America
A survey of the major events and developments in religion in the United
States, taking into account the development of institutions and thought
patterns in terms of their interaction with the American context.

RELI 40603 - Senior Seminar
Prerequisite: Senior standing and 12 hours in Religion. Capstone
seminar exploring selected issues, themes, or methods in the academic
study of religion.

RELI 40613 - Constructive Global Ethics
A critical study of ethical inquiry in a pluralistic world by focusing on
proposals for a global ethic, scholarship on interreligious dialogue and
research in comparative religious ethics. Students write proposals for
promoting moral consensus on an international issue.

RELI 40700 - Religion in Geographical Context
A seminar dealing with a significant topic such as religion in art, church
history, or contemporary issues, conducted in appropriate locations in
this country or abroad. Specific topic will be defined as course is
scheduled. Admission to course through application by announced
deadline. (1-6 semester hours)

RELI 40733 - Church and State Relations in America
The relationships between religious institutions and civil authority in
America. While providing a historic context for the study, the course is
primarily issue-oriented, dealing with such topics as prayer and Bible
reading in public schools, state aid to parochial schools, conscientious
objection to military service, Sunday closing laws, and taxation of
churches.

RELI 40900 - Projects in Religion
Assigned special problems in religion. (1-3 semester hours)

RELI 50130 - Seminar in Biblical Studies
Prerequisite: approval of instructor. A particular topic in Biblical Studies
will be selected for detailed study. (3-6 semester hours)

RELI 50970 - Directed Study in Religion
1 - 6 semester hours

RELI 10003 Understanding Religion: The Bible. This course considers historical, comparative and methodological issues in the study of religion by focusing on the background and contents of the Hebrew and Christian Bibles and ways these foundational texts inform later Judaism and Christianity.