Religious Studies

Graduate Chair: Randal Rogers, PhD

Faculty Listing

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

Master of Arts (MA) in Religious Studies (thesis)

* 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.

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.

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.

Courses

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
Note: Students may receive credit for one of RLST 801 or RLST 490AJ.

RLST 802 (301) Religion After Modernity (3)
This graduate level course examines four different theoretical locations; postpatriarchy, postmodernism, poststructuralism, and postcolonialism, and their importance to the study of religion. The course engages each theoretical location according to intersections with modernity, epistemological assertions, theoretical import, and implications for the study of religion. Further to the understanding of the four 'posts' the writing of some of their more recognized proponents are read.
Prerequisite: Permission of Department Head

RLST 810 Religious Studies Research Seminar (3) This seminar is a critical examination of issues involved in the construction of a research project. It is designed to integrate theoretical perspectives and scientific research projects.
Prerequisite: Permission of Department Head

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 840 Advanced Studies in the Religions of Asia (3)
This course will explore selected themes, movements, philosophies, and religious practices of Asian religions such as Hinduism, Jaininsm, Sikhism, Buddhism, Doaism, Confucianism, and Shinto through the examination of selcted figures, myths, rituals, and symbols.
Prerequisite: Permission of Department Head

RLST 843 Advanced Studies in Islam  (3)
This course will explore selected themes, movements, philosophies, historical periods, and religious practices of Islam through the examination of selected figures, myths, texts, rituals and symbols.

RLST 845 Advanced Studies in Christianity  (3)
This course will explore selected themes, movements, philosophies, historical periods, and religious practices of Christianity through the examination of selected figures, myths, texts, rituals and symbols.

RLST 847 Advanced Studies in Ancient Religions  (3)
This course will explore selected themes, movements, philosophies, and religious practices ancient religions including the traditional religions of Greece and Rome, Hellenistic religions, Hermetic materials, ancient Judaism, and ancient Christianity, through the examination of selected figures, myths, texts, rituals and symbols.

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

RLST 901 Thesis Research (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.