Elective Requirements
You are required to complete 9 credit hours from following courses:
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ANTH 3400 - Myth, Magic, and Religion
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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.
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ANTH 3420 - Andean Religion
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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. |
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ANTH 3450 - Shamanism and Indigenous Religion
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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. |
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ANTH 3460 - Anthropology of Mormonism
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Examines the anthropological and sociological work on Mormonism, both the Church and
Mormon society and culture. Studies Mormonism in a comparative framework, and will
explore the question of the adequacy of the conceptual apparatus of a social science
of religion for comprehending Mormonism. |
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ANTH 3480 - Global Christianity
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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. |
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COMM 3780 - Mormon Cultural Studies
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Studies contemporary Mormon cultural issues from a cultural studies point of view.
Interrogates prejudice against Mormons and non-Mormons. Explores historical Mormon
constructions of race and gender. Develops an understanding of culture as a complex
site of struggle where identities and social relations are actively produced, negotiated,
and changed. |
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ENGL 3740 - Literature of the Sacred
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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." Requires reading, informal and formal writing, and tests. |
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ENGL 3780 - Mormon Literature
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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 religions including Judaism,
Christianity, Islam, Zoroastrianism, Baha'i, and nontraditional religious belief in
the western world. Explores similarities and differences between them by examining
the primary sources and sacred texts along with the unique beliefs and practices of
each tradition. |
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HIST 3160 - Renaissance and Reformation Europe
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Explores European history from the rise of modern Humanism, in the fourteenth century,
to the religious conflicts of the sixteenth century. Studies the Italian Renaissance,
the spread of Italian cultural influence throughout Europe, the European discovery
of the Americas and voyages around the globe, the Protestant Reformation and Catholic
Counter-Reformation, and the social and economic transformations of the early modern
period. |
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HIST 4630G - Missions and Conversions in Early North America
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Examines in a comparative perspective various European religious missionary enterprises
in North America and their reception among Indians from the seventeenth century through
the antebellum period. Surveys the origins, doctrines, methods, and changes over time
of the Jesuit, Franciscan, Moravian, Puritan, and other Protestant missions, emphasizing
the international and multicultural aspects of the missionary landscape in early America.
Addresses the ways in which various Native American groups and individuals responded
to these European missionary efforts. |
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HIST 3300G - Mediterranean World (1500-1800)
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Examines religious, political, and social life of the Mediterranean Basin from 1500
to 1800. Focuses on the shared traditions, rituals, and cultural practices of Christians,
Jews, and Muslims of the Mediterranean Basin. Analyzes the legacy and influence of
this period of Mediterranean History on today's world. |
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PHIL 3610 - Introduction to Christian Theology
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Examines key developments and conceptions in Christian theology through historical
and conceptual methodologies. |
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PHIL 3620 - Mormon Theology & the Christian Tradition
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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. |
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PHIL 3670G - Engaging Religious Diversity
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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. |
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SOC 3400 - Sociology of Religion
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Examines religion from a sociological perspective. Analyzes religion as a social phenomenon.
Discusses religious organizations, religion and politics, and religion and social
class. |
