Interreligious Studies Certificate

Interreligious Studies Certificate

School: Humanities, Arts, & Social Sciences

Department: Philosophy & Humanities

You will need a total of 16 credits. Choose from the list below.

Core Requirements

You are required to take the following courses:

RLST 1610 (PHIL 1610) - Introduction to Western Religions

For students majoring in humanities-related disciplines and other students interested in the academic study of religion. Presents the comparative study of the history, ritual, "theology," and ethical beliefs of the major western religious traditions including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Explores similarities and differences between them by examining the primary sources and sacred texts along with the unique beliefs and practices of each tradition.

RLST 1620 (PHIL 1620) - Introduction to Eastern Religions

For students majoring in humanities-related disciplines and other students interested in the academic study of religion. Presents the comparative study of the history, ritual, "theology," and ethical beliefs of the major eastern religious traditions including Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Shintoism. Explores similarities and differences between them by examining the primary sources and sacred texts along with the unique beliefs and practices of each tradition.

RLST 367G (PHIL 367G) - Engaging Religious Diversity

Explores how religious communities engage one another and examines the implications of these interactions for religious conflict, spiritual identity, and the role of religion in societal contexts. Employs the tools from diverse disciplines to study the phenomenon of religious encounter in both historical and contemporary contexts. Investigates theories of religious diversity, American religious history, interreligious leadership practices, and narrative encounters.

RLST 367G (PHIL 367G) - Interreligious Studies Practicum

Engages religious, spiritual, and secular diversity through experiential learning opportunities. Explores how religious and worldview diversity affects the ethical, social, civil, and personal dimensions of the human experience. Provides opportunities for students to apply the theories and principles studied in the other Interreligious Studies Certificate courses.

PHIL 295R -  Directed Readings

Provides an opportunity for students to do in-depth research within the discipline of Philosophy. Study is limited to advanced work beyond that which can be completed in existing, available classes. A proposal must be submitted and approved by the department prior to enrollment.

 

Elective Requirements

You are required to take one of the following courses:

ANTH 3400 - Myth, Magic, and Religion

Explores the many aspects of religion, including its history, diversity, and how it relates to social science studies. Also examines terms such as myth, magic, religion, ritual and shamanism, among others, and how these items are used to discuss religious and spiritual practices around the world.

ANTH 3420 - Andean Religion

Poses the question of what religiosity was prior to the Spanish conquest in the countries that were part of the Inca Empire--Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru. Asks how one can determine religiosity given the fierceness of the conquest and the extirpation of idolatries that followed it. Explores the nature of Catholicism that was recreated on these Andean bases. Discusses the contemporary religious issues of Andean societies, such as secularity, and how Andean categories differ foundationally in nature from those on which academic ideas of religion are constructed.

ANTH 3450 - Shamanism and Indigenous Religion

Studies the religious systems of indigenous peoples, particularly those which have been called shamanic. Focuses on the classical study of shamanism and the literature on indigenous shamanism. Locates the study of shamanism within a social context that includes social relational and political economic contexts of the groups within which shamanism is found. Poses questions of how shamanism is different from the expanding world religions and compares and contrasts shamanism with non-shamanic indigenous religions. Looks at the current marketing of shamanism in New Age contexts.

ANTH 3480 - Global Christianity

Explores the key issues that have arisen in the literature that explores Christianity from an anthropological perspective. Examines the development of Christianity from its historical origins to its current status as a "world religion." Discusses how Christianity becomes relevant to different cultural contexts in the modern world. Analyzes Pentecostal, Evangelical Protestant, Eastern Orthodox, and Catholic forms of Christianity.

ENGL 374G - Literature of the Sacred

Focuses on reading and interpreting primary texts of Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and others emphasizing resonances of these texts in later works of literature. Discusses texts from a literary standpoint within the genre of "religious writings."

HIST 3160 - Renaissance and Reformation Europe

Explores European history from the Italian Renaissance to the Reformation era, including the Age of Exploration. Focuses on cultural, religious, and social interactions and changes that established the modern worldview.

PHIL/RLST 366R - Issues in Religious Studies

For students majoring in humanities-related disciplines and other students interested in the academic study of religion. Addresses specific topics and theoretical approaches related to religious studies. Topics may include religion and violence, religion and public discourse, religious ritual, etc. Subject matter varies by semester and is repeatable for a total of 9 hours of credit.

PHIL/RLST 3620 - Mormon Theology and the Christian Tradition

For students majoring in humanities-related disciplines and other students interested in the academic study of religion. Engages students in exploring the defining features of Mormon thought in relation to the broader Christian tradition. Examines traditional theological questions such as the problem of evil, the scriptural canon, the nature of God and humanity, and the role of ritual.

PHIL/RLST 3600 - Philosophy of Religion

For students majoring in humanities related disciplines and other students interested in the academic study of religion. Teaches critical thinking methods and strategies regarding traditional philosophical issues in religious belief and practice. Explores various topics including the traditional arguments for the existence of God, religious experience, the relation between faith and reason, religious pluralism, and the traditional problem of evil.

RLST 3540 (PHIL 3540) - Christian Ethics

Examines key developments and conceptions in Christian ethics through historical and conceptual methodologies. Explores the relationship between religious and secular approaches to ethics in their approach to questions of war, economics, politics, and/or other relevant issues.

RLST 3620 (PHIL 3620) - Mormon Theology & the Christian Tradition

For students majoring in humanities-related disciplines and other students interested in the academic study of religion. Engages students in exploring the defining features of Mormon thought in relation to the broader Christian tradition. Examines traditional theological questions such as the problem of evil, the scriptural canon, the nature of God and humanity, and the role of ritual.

SOC 3400 - Sociology of Religion

Examines religion from a sociological perspective. Analyzes religion as a social phenomenon. Discusses religious organizations, religion and politics, and religion and social class.

 

*other courses may substitute for this requirement in consultation with the program director.