Religion Classes for Spring 2018

REL106 Exploring the Bible - Six sections (M,W, F, 10,11; T,Th, 9:25, 10:50,12:15) - core: Religion

There is a reason it is a best seller -- take this class and find out why for yourself.

REL107 Exploring World Religions - Six sections in a classroom (M,W, F, 10, 11, 12; T,Th,10:50, 12:15) and two sections online - core: Religion

REL 213 Life and Letters of Paul (M,W,F 11) 

An examination with Dr. Aune of the life of Saul/Paul, author of much of the New Testament and arguably the most important figure in Christianity after Jesus.  We make a careful study of relevant sections in the Book of Acts and the letters attributed to Paul, aided by useful secondary sources.  We consider not only theological and social concerns addressed by Paul but also the ways in which his teachings apply to the contemporary world.

REL214 Christian Formation & Life Calling (T,Th 1:40)

Dr. Dickson says: What matters? Sign up to figure it out. Seriously . . . if you are serious about your faith and wish to explore what it means to serve God faithfully then this class is for you.

REL 220 Taking Human Life - Two Sections (M,W, F 12 & 1)- core: Humanities

Dr. Hovey says: Is it ever okay to take human life? If so, under what conditions? Many of the hardest contemporary issues in society and for religious communities are related to these questions, whether suicide, euthanasia, abortion, capital punishment, or warfare. Join us for an exciting yet also serious course examining these ethical issues from philosophical and theological perspectives.

REL3SGI Legacy of Peter and Paul in Italy (M,W 3:05)

The deadline has passed to register to study with Dr. Aune and go to Italy for Spring Break - have a great time if you are going!

REL 340 Religion & The Civil Rights Movement in America - One Section (T, Th 10:50) - core: Humanities

Dr. Slade says: From the streets of Montgomery in 1954 to St Louis in 2015, churches and people of faith have been deeply involved in both sides of the civil rights movement in America. Using the tools of history, sociology and theology, this class will explore this recent chapter of American history. In addition to the movement of the 19650s and 60s, we will also look at the church-based racial reconciliation initiatives of the 90s and 00s. We will end with an examination of church's involvement in #BlackLivesMatter -- what has been dubbed by the press as the new civil rights movement, and mass incarceration "the New Jim Crow."

REL404  Seminar in Christian Theology: Atonement  One Section - (T-Th 12:15)
Dr. Hovey says: This semester's theme is the Doctrine of the Atonement: the meaning of the death of Christ. Does an innocent man's death appease an angry God? In what sense should Christ's death be considered a sacrifice? Is it a ransom? To whom? We will go in-depth into these and related debates in contemporary theological scholarship. Not to be missed!  This is one of the required theology seminars for Religion majors and both REL 106 and REL 208 are prerequisites.