38.100 Introduction to the Bible  3 credits
An introductory study of the literature, life and faith of  ancient Israel, early Judaism and early Christianity as expressed in the  Old and New Testaments.

38.111 Introduction to Religion  3 credits
An introductory study of the religious experiences, practices  and thought of the world's communities, with attention to differences as  well as similarities.

38.121 Introduction to Christianity  3 credits
An introductory study of Christianity; the biblical sources and the central figure of Jesus; Christian theology; the history of Christianity; and Christianity in the modern world.

38.206 Jesus in the Gospels 3 credits
A study of the portraits of Jesus in the Gospels of the New  Testament. Students will be introduced to critical methods of investigating  the Gospels as well as to the current state of "life of Jesus" research.
Prerequisite: 38.100 Introduction to the Bible or 38.111 Introduction  to Religion or equivalent. Offered as needed.

38.207 The Prophets of Israel 3 credits
A study of the prophetic movement in ancient Israel with emphasis  on the prophets' historical contexts, forms of prophetic speech,  the message of the prophets to their generations and the contributions  of the prophets to Jewish and Christian tradition.
Prerequisite: 38.100 Introduction to the Bible or 38.111 Introduction  to Religion or equivalent. Offered alternate years.

38.308 Studies in Paul 3 credits
A study of the career and writings of the Apostle Paul in an attempt  to better understand his theological message and to assess his  significance for early Christianity and the present.
Prerequisite: 38.100 Introduction to the Bible or 38.111 Introduction  to Religion or equivalent. Offered alternate years.

38.309 Judaism 3 credits
A study of Judaism as a way of life from post-biblical times to  the present. Emphasis will be given to the Jewish experience in  America, the Holocaust, the modern State of Israel and the current  Jewish-Christian dialogue.
Prerequisite: 38.100 Introduction to the Bible or 38.111 Introduction  to Religion or equivalent. Offered alternate years.

38.323 History of Christianity 3 credits
A survey of the history of the Christian community in its  social context with emphasis upon one or more designated periods or topics.
Prerequisite: 38.100 Introduction to the Bible or 38.111 Introduction  to Religion or equivalent. Offered alternate years.

38.324 Major Religions 3 credits
A study of the nature, origin and development of the major  non-Christian religions of the world.
Prerequisite: 38.100 Introduction to the Bible or 38.111 Introduction  to Religion or equivalent. Offered alternate years. (Cross-listed as Philosophy 43.324)

38.342 Christian Thought 3 credits
A study of the central doctrines of the Christian faith, with attention  to their classical formulations as well as more recent interpretations  of them.
Prerequisite: 38.100 Introduction to the Bible or 38.111 Introduction  to Religion or equivalent. Offered alternate years.

38.352 Christian Thought in the Non-Western World 3 credits
An investigation of the main trends, themes, and contributions to Christian thought of the non-Western world; particularly Africa, Latin America, and South-East Asia where Christianity is rapidly expanding. Special attention is paid to colonial and post-colonial methods for the study of Christianity, as well as the historical, socio-economic, cultural, and political factors that inform the theological process.
Prerequisite: 38.100 Introduction to the Bible, 38.111 Introduction to Religion, or 38.121 Introduction to Christianity.

38.399 Special Topics 1-3 credits
A selected area of study in religion. The topic is announced in  the appropriate semester's course schedule.
Prerequisite: Generally, sophomore standing or permission of  instructor. Offered as needed.

38.432 Supervised Church Work 1-4 credits
An applied course designed particularly for students wishing  to pursue careers in full-time church work. The work will be done  under the direction of the supervising pastor (or the equivalent  thereof) and a member of the Religion Department. Areas of  concentration may be chosen in accordance with the student's interests and  vocational objectives. Reading assignments will normally precede  and/or accompany the practical experience. At least 40 hours of work will  be required for each hour of credit.
Prerequisite: 12 hours of religion and permission of department chair.

38.433 Reformation Era 3 credits
A study of the sixteenth-century Reformation with special  emphasis upon Lutheran, Reformed, and Catholic movements.
Prerequisite: 38.100 Introduction to the Bible or 38.111 Introduction  to Religion or equivalent. Offered alternate years.  (Cross-listed as History 27.433)

38.435 Contemporary Theology  3 credits
An analysis and critique of major theologians and decisive  theological movements marking the twentieth century.
Prerequisite: 38.100 Introduction to the Bible or 38.111 Introduction  to Religion or equivalent. Offered alternate years.

38.479 Special Projects 1-2 credits
Individualized projects in religious studies which may involve  research, participation and reporting.
Prerequisite: Junior standing, 12 hours of religion and permission of department chair.

38.489 Readings in Religion 1-3 credits
Extensive reading under the supervision of the instructor in  the following areas: 1) biblical studies; 2) church history; 3) theology;  4) life and worship.
Prerequisite: Junior standing, 9 hours of religion, and permission of department chair.

260 World Christianity 3 credits
A study of the contemporary situation of the Christian religion globally. The course will focus on the emergence an development of Christianity in the traditionally non-Christian, non-western world, paying attention to incultured forms of Christianity, evolving pattern of Christian participation in political action, justice issues, fundamentalism, and Pentecostalism in Africa, South-East Asia, and Latin America.
Prerequisite: REL 100 Introduction to the Bible, REL 111 Introduction to Religion, or REL 121 Introduction to Christianity.