Staff

Department Head and Graduate Chair: L. Anderson, Ph.D.

Professors: L. Anderson, Ph.D.; B. Fiore, Ph.D.; B. Hillis, Ph.D.; R. Hordern, Ph.D.

Associate Professors: W. Arnal, Ph.D.; P. Bisson, Ph.D.; V. Greifenhagen, Ph.D.; J. Kuikman, Ph.D.; Y. Ren, Ph.D.

Assistant Professors: K. Bond, Ph.D.

Department Description

The Religious Studies program offers students the opportunity to examine critically the realm of religion in its varied manifestations. It includes several religious traditions, thematic, and methodological studies. Religious Studies offers an M.A. program consisting of a minimum of 15 credit hours of courses at the 800 level and 15 credit hours of thesis research. Students are encouraged to focus their thesis work on comparative topics in religion.

Degree Requirements:

Students will be assigned to a specific faculty member who will act as their supervisor. Candidates may also utilize the expertise of non-religious studies faculty in the composition of their supervising committees and, with special permission, for the position of supervisor. Students will be required to submit their individual programs to the Religious Studies Instructors Committee for approval.

*All students will be required to take RLST 810 (Religious Studies Research Seminar) and two courses from: RLST 800 (Advanced Theory and Method for the Study of Religion), RLST 801 (Comparative Religious Thought), and RLST 802 (Religion after Modernity). The remaining classes will be comprised of RLST 820, 840, Directed Readings in Religious Studies or approved cognate classes, the classes to be selected under the guidance of the student's supervisor. Students may be required to take an external course in an area of need.

Under the advisement of the thesis committee, candidates will normally fulfill a foreign language requirement. Particularly candidates who might be considering Doctoral studies will be strongly encouraged to develop proficiency in an appropriate foreign language. This requirement must be successfully completed before the thesis is presented.

Course Descriptions

RLST 800 Advanced Theory and Method for the Study of Religion (3)
An intensive study of selected methodological approaches to the study of religion, and significant contemporary issues in the discipline.
Prerequisite: RLST 300 or permission of Coordinator

RLST 801 Comparative Religious Thought (3)
Comparative study of a constant theme in major religious traditions, an important influence on the current development of religions, or the thought of thinkers drawn from several traditions.
Prerequisite: Permission of Coordinator

RLST 820 Feminist Contributions to the Study of Religion (3)
This course is a critical overview of the feminist writings in the religions of the world. Select authors will be examined in detail with special reference to such themes as eco-feminism, personal growth, empowerment, psychological and spiritual health and interaction between religious institutions. Authors will be selected from one or more traditions and may include Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, Christianity, and/or Indigenous traditions of Africa and North and South America.

RLST 890AA-ZZ Directed Readings in Selected Topics (3)
Directed readings in selected topics.
Prerequisite: Permission of Coordinator

RLST 901 Thesis Research (Variable credit 1-15)
Thesis research.
Prerequisite: Permission of Coordinator

RLST 904AA-ZZ Religious Studies Comprehensive Exams (0)
Religious Studies special case doctoral students will complete a series of comprehensive examinations as established by the supervisory committees.

RLST 906AA-ZZ Religious Studies Research Language (0)
Religious Studies graduate students will complete one or more courses in a research language as established by their supervisory committees.