Religious Studies

The religious studies minor is a broadly based interdisciplinary program focused on the various components of religious aspects of human life. This minor is designed to complement academic programs currently offered at Bethel and responds to Bethel’s commitment to understanding diversity, specifically with regard to the fact of religious diversity. The context of the program is an evangelical Christian liberal arts environment that seeks to foster an appreciation for the complexity of the human religious phenomenon; to develop the capacity to critically evaluate religious traditions and worldviews; and to cultivate the skills necessary to engage responsibly as evangelical Christians in religiously plural societies. The goal for students in this program is not only to supplement their major field of study with further preparation for a variety of roles, including leadership in many professional settings, but also to prepare them for graduate study in religion and related fields.

Courses

REL200L • Western Religious Traditions (spring) 3 credits

An introduction to religious studies. Focus on the major Western religious traditions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, African, and Native American indigenous religions), using both primary and secondary sources. Emphasis on their affirmations regarding ultimate reality as it relates to the meaning and purpose of human existence within their respective religious and cultural contexts. Prerequisite: GES130 or GES 145, 146.

REL201 • Religion and Art in Asia (spring, even # yrs) 3 credits

Examination of artistic expressions of the major religious traditions of India, China, Japan, and Southeast Asia. Definitions of “religion” and “art” provide a guide for identifying and understanding Asian architecture, statuary, and paintings. Doctrinal and ritual elements of the major traditions are explained, and art that symbolizes and expresses these elements is analyzed. (Carries cross-credit in art.)

REL205U • Religions of India, China, and Japan (fall) 3 credits

Introduction to the study of religion and its application to religions of India, China, and Japan. The origin, development, and diversity of major and minor religions including Hindu, Buddhist, Confucian, and Shinto traditions through reading primary and secondary literature. The spread and importance of these traditions in America is demonstrated. Prerequisite: GES130 or GES145, 146.

REL206UZ • Religious Traditions in Asia: Thailand (occasionally interim) 3 credits

Formal academic study, direct observation of, and interaction with the Buddhist, Muslim, Christian and traditional religions on location in Thailand. The rich presence of mosques, pagodas, temples, churches, and shrines supported by the respective communities of faith provides the opportunity to engage with living representatives and with the concrete manifestatons of the traditions. Interaction with representatives of the religions supplement academic learning. Prerequisite: GES130 or GES145, 146.

REL225L • New Religious Movements (occasionally) 3 credits

History, beliefs, and practices of the major alternative religions active in America today, including Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, offshoots of Eastern religious traditions, and the New Age movement. Relationships of these movements to their parent traditions are discussed and comparative analyses drawn. Prerequisites: BIB101; GES130 or GES145, 146.

REL230L • Politics and Religion in the United States (interim) 3 credits

Examines the historical and contemporary relationship between religion and politics in the United States. Divisions and political affiliations of various religious communities are considered alongside discussion of secularism, pluralism, and civil religion in America. (Carries cross-credit in political science.) Prerequisites: GES130 or GES145, 146.

REL354 • Islam (spring, odd # yrs) 3 credits

A historical survey of the Islamic tradition from its inception under Muhammad through its seventh-century Common Era expansion under the Rightly Guided Kaliphs to the establishment of Islamic civilizations of the premodern period and their subsequent engagement with colonialism and modernity. Prerequisites: GES130 or GES145, 146; Contemporary Western Life and Thought (L) course or GES245; World Cultures (U) course.

REL356G • Judaism (spring, even # yrs) 3 credits

Exploration of the diverse political, religious, and social expressions of Judaism through study of the significance of the Jewish liturgical year in original contexts, medieval and modern European contexts, and American contexts. Prerequisites: GES130 or GES145, 146; Contemporary Western Life and Thought (L) course or GES245; World Cultures (U) course.

REL401 • Christianity and the World’s Religions (occasionally) 3 credits

Exploration of the historical and contemporary relationships of Christianity and various world religions, specifically focused at the theological level. Focus rotates from year to year, emphasizing the interfaith dialogue between Christianity and one other world religious tradition. Carries cross-credit in Biblical and Theological Studies. Prerequisites: BIB101; THE201.

Programs

In this section, semester credit hours will be shown after the course number and description.

Minor in Religious Studies

REL200L*	Western Religious Traditions	3
REL205U*	Religions of India, China, and Japan	3
Choose from	Disciplinary Perspectives:	3
PHI305G*	Philosophy of Religion
PSY325	Psychology of Religion
SOC372G*	Religion in Society
Choose from:		12
REL201	Religion and Art in Asia
REL206UZ*	Religious Traditions in Asia: Thailand
REL225L*	New Religious Movements
REL230L*	Politics and Religion in the United States
REL354	Islam
REL356G*	Judaism
REL401	Christianity and the World’s Religions
PHI375G*	Asian Thought
	Either or both of the two courses not selected from the Disciplinary Perspectives category
	Directed study on specific religious tradition
	TOTAL	21

Four of the seven courses required in this minor must be taken at Bethel.

* A student may also choose to use this course to meet a General Education requirement.