Religion Courses

Required Courses for the Major

PHIL 1050

Philosophy & Culture

An elementary introduction to philosophy through consideration of the role of philosophy in culture.
(3 Hours)
PHIL 2170

Ethics

A non-denominational study of basic Christian doctrines. (Offered in alternate years.)
(3 Hours)
REL 1030

Introduction to Religion

A study of the characteristic and universal features of religions as expressed in the institutions, rituals, beliefs, and other phenomena of religions of the past and present.
(3 Hours)
REL 1121

Hebrew Bible Introduction

An introduction to the academic study of the books of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), their historical setting, and their religious and theological content.
(3 Hours)
REL 1122

New Testament Introduction

An introduction to the documents of the New Testament, their origins and interpretation.
(3 Hours)
REL 2250

Princ & Practice of Community

A study of the scriptural and theological bases for community, the principles of hospitality and the practical application of the principles, to include program management, worship, and the techniques and application of practice for the ministries of serving and hosting.
(3 Hours)
REL 2535

Christian Beliefs

A non-denominational study of basic Christian doctrines. (Offered in alternate years.)
(3 Hours)
REL 3102

Sociology of Religion

An examination of religion from a sociological perspective. Topics may include conversion, church-sect typology, and deviant religious groups. Same as SOC 3102. (Offered in alternate years).
(3 Hours)
PHIL 4500

Capstone Seminar in Philosophy

A seminar for senior RELP majors that will integrate knowldege in the major and in the student's experiences, emphasizing reading, writing and oral communication skills.
(3 Hours)

Select ONE of the following:

PHIL 1155

Introduction to Logic

A study of basic structure in reasoning and of methods for the recognition and use of valid deductive argument forms.
(3 Hours)
PHIL 1166

Critical Thinking

A study of reasoning that emphasizes informal critical thinking.
(3 Hours)

Select ONE of the following:

REL 1035

Near Eastern Religions

A study of the origins, development, literature, structures, and modes of life and thought of the major living religions that originated in the Near East: Judaism, Christianity, Islam and the modern denominations and sects which derive from them.
(3 Hours)
REL 1036

Far Eastern Religions

A study of the origins, development, literature, structures, and modes of life and thought of the major living religions that originated in India and the Far East, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Zen, Confucianism, Taoism, Shinto, and current movements and cults which derive from these faiths.
(3 Hours)

Select ONE of the following:

REL 2000

History of Christian Church

A history of the Christian Church from its beginning through the present day. (Offered in alternate years).
(3 Hours)
REL 2035

Comparative Denominations

A comparative study of the beliefs and practices of major Christian denominations in America. (Offered in alternate years).
(3 Hours)

Select ONE of the following:

REL 4201

Practicum in Religion

An application of theory and methods from religion to fieldwork experience, supervised by a Catawba College instructor designated by the Chair of the Religion and Philosophy Department. Prerequisite: permission of the Chair of the Religion and Philosophy Department.
(6 Hours)
REL 4401

Internship in Religion

A field experience in Religion in which formal evaluation, supervision, and direction are provided by an outside agency in concert with the supervising professor and student.
(3 Hours)

Departmental Electives selected from the following (9 hours):

HIST 2301

Ancient Political Theory

A critical analysis of the basic political writings of selected modern authors important to the development of western civilization, e.g., Plato, Aristotle, St. Augustine and St. Thomas (Same as PHIL 2060 and POLS 2300).
(3 Hours)
HIST 2310

Modern Political Theory

A critical analysis of the basic political writings of selected modern authors important to the development of western civilization and political thought, e.g. Machiavelli, Bodin, Hobbes, Harrington, Locke and Rousseau. (Same as POLS 2310 and PHIL 2400.)
(3 Hours)
PHIL 2100

Topics in Applied Ethics

This course uses philosophical and cultural history to introduce and contrast the nature of a humanistic worldview and the nature of our modern Western naturalistic worldview.
(3 Hours)
PHIL 4370

Independent Study in Phil

Self-directed study following a contractual plan initiated by the student and accepted by the staff.
(4 Hours)
REL 1577

Topics: Religion

A study of a Religion topic, which may involve field work or study abroad. May be elected more than once.
(3 Hours)
REL 1801

Foundations in Worship

Same as MUS 1801. An introduction to the Biblical, historic and aesthetic values of music in worship that includes the Biblical foundation of Christian worship, the trends, practices, and expressions from Judeo-Christian times to the present day and how they developed throughout history.
(3 Hours)
REL 3000

Faith Development

An exploration into the ways that people experience faith and the development of their faith. Consideration of the curricula and program approaches appropriate for the facilitation of various stages of development. (Offered in alternate years).
(3 Hours)
REL 3600

Contemp Theologians

A study of the major movements within 20th century Christian theology. (Offered in alternate years).
(3 Hours)
REL 4170

Seminar in Religion

Reading, discussion, independent research, and formal reports on a theme or problem designated by the instructor.
(3 Hours)
REL 4370

Independent Study in Religion

Self-directed study following a contractual plan initiated by the student and accepted by the staff.
(4 Hours)

Select ONE of the following:

REL 1035

Near Eastern Religions

A study of the origins, development, literature, structures, and modes of life and thought of the major living religions that originated in the Near East: Judaism, Christianity, Islam and the modern denominations and sects which derive from them.
(3 Hours)
REL 1036

Far Eastern Religions

A study of the origins, development, literature, structures, and modes of life and thought of the major living religions that originated in India and the Far East, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Zen, Confucianism, Taoism, Shinto, and current movements and cults which derive from these faiths.
(3 Hours)

Select ONE of the following:

REL 2000

History of Christian Church

A history of the Christian Church from its beginning through the present day. (Offered in alternate years).
(3 Hours)
REL 2035

Comparative Denominations

A comparative study of the beliefs and practices of major Christian denominations in America. (Offered in alternate years).
(3 Hours)