Academic Bulletin Religion - 2012-13

Currently viewing 2012-13 bulletin

Faculty: D. Blix (chair) J. Baer, R. Royalty, S. Webb

In keeping with the mission of Wabash College to educate men to “think critically, act responsibly, lead effectively, and live humanely,” the Religion Department promotes the academic study of religion as part of a rich, well-rounded liberal arts education. We recognize that learning how people have understood and practiced religion throughout history and around the globe is not only important for understanding our world, but also intellectually exciting and personally enriching. In our courses, we encourage broad and rigorous critical thinking about, and engagement with, religion and theology. We use lectures, discussions, and immersion learning, as well as a wide diversity of methods, including those of theology, philosophy, sociology, anthropology, literature and the arts, and history. We invite students to study everything from ancient texts to contemporary issues, from religious traditions that they likely know well to those that are new to them. As such, our courses are intended for all students, including believers, skeptics, and seekers of all kinds. They typically challenge and complicate students’ religious beliefs, while at the same time giving students the tools to broaden and deepen their beliefs. We thus prepare our graduates for success in graduate school, in religious vocations, as teachers of religion, and in all the career options open to liberal arts college graduates. As it has done for many years, the Religion Department also supports a variety of activities on campus, such as the annual Christmas service with the Music Department, the Muslim Students Association’s Ramadan Dinner, a Wednesday religious chapel in the Protestant Christian tradition, the Roman Catholic Newman Club, and other student religious activities.

We try to provide a large number of “entry points” for interested students. Courses numbered in the 100’s are typically lecture courses and are appropriate to take as a first course in religion. Courses numbered in the 200’s without a prerequisite listed are also appropriate to take as a first course but will be smaller discussion classes. Courses numbered in the 300’s are more advanced and have prerequisites as indicated. REL 490 is usually taken by majors in their senior year.

Comprehensive Examinations: Students write for two days, three hours each day. The usual pattern has been to write on two questions the first day. There is a wide range of questions from which to choose, and questions characteristically draw on material from more than one course. The second day has usually involved writing on one question, focusing on the study of religion.

Requirements for the Major: A minimum of nine course credits including:

A. The history of Christianity, REL 171 and 172

B. A total of two course credits from the following:

• Hebrew Bible—REL 141, 240, or 340
• New Testament—REL 162, 260, or 360
• History of Christianity—REL 272 or 372
• Theology—REL 173, 273, 370, or 373
• Ethics—REL 270, 274, or 374
• American religion—REL 181, 280, or 380
• Judaism—REL 150, 250, or 350
• Independent Study—REL 287 or 387

C. A total of two course credits from the following:

• Islam and South-Asian religions—REL 103, 210, 220, 310, or 320
• East-Asian religions—REL 104, 230, or 330
• Judaism—REL 151, 251, or 351
• Independent Study—REL 288 or 388

D. REL 297 or 298 or 370 taken before the senior year

E. Senior Seminar, REL 490

F. At least one course at the 200 level or above, apart from those listed under D and E

Requirements for the Minor: a minimum of five course credits, including at least one of the following sequences: 
   REL103 and 104 
   REL 141 and 162 
   REL 171 and 172
   And at least one credit from Religion courses numbered 200 or above.