Religious Studies (RELS)

RELS 100. World Religions. 3 Credits.

Explores the beliefs, practices and origins of the world's major religions and introduces analytical approaches to studying religion.

RELS 194. Individual Study. 1-5 Credits.

RELS 196. Field Experience. 1-15 Credits.

RELS 199. Special Topics. 1-5 Credits.

RELS 220. Old Testament. 3 Credits.

Study of the religious, political, and social history of ancient Israel as reflected in the Hebrew Bible.

RELS 230. New Testament. 3 Credits.

Survey of the religious, political, and social history of the New Testament and other early Christian literature.

RELS 240. "Cults" and New Religious Movements. 3 Credits.

This course examines the creation and sustainability of new religious movements, including Scientology, Jehovah's Witness, Aum Shinrikyo, Peoples Temple, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the history of anti-cult movements. Cross-listed with HIST.

RELS 270. American Religious History. 3 Credits.

Introduction to the basic issues in American history including the study of Puritans, immigration, church and state, revivalism, civil and military religion, apocalypticism, and new age religion. Cross-listed with HIST 270.

RELS 291. Seminar. 1-5 Credits.

RELS 292. Global Practicum: Study Abroad. 1-15 Credits.

Pre-Arranged study at accredited foreign institutions (study abroad), domestic institutions (National Student Exchange) or on approved study abroad programs. Pre-requisite: Sophomore standing and prior approval by International Student and Study Abroad Services and major department. Graded 'P'or 'F' (Undergraduate), or 'S' or 'U' (Graduate).

RELS 294. Individual Study. 1-5 Credits.

RELS 299. Special Topics. 1-5 Credits.

RELS 315. Contemporary Religion. 3 Credits.

Study of how contemporary cultural developments require the rethinking of historic religious perspectives in such topics as natural science, political thought, psychology, history, and gender.

RELS 320. History of Christianity. 3 Credits.

A study of Christianity's formation, the rise of the Catholic Church, Eastern Christianity, the Reformation, monasticism, Pentecostalism, liberation theology, and global missions. Cross-listed with HIST 320.

RELS 335. History of Judaism. 3 Credits.

Survey of major historical, religious, and cultural developments in Jewish traditions from the early Second Temple period to the present.

RELS 345. Church and State in America. 3 Credits.

Study the entanglements of religion and the state in America, including its impacts on religious liberty, gender, sexuality, race, foreign relations, and religious nationalism. Cross-listed with HIST 345.

RELS 355. Global Islam. 3 Credits.

Examination of the foundational history, texts, laws, and rituals of Islam, in addition to the lived experience of Islam and related political dynamics in the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America. Cross-listed with HIST 355.

RELS 379. Global Seminar. 1-6 Credits.

NDSU instructed experience or field study in a foreign country. Conducted in English for residence credit. Pre-requisite: Prior approval by International Student and Study Abroad Services and major department. May be repeated. Standard Grading.

RELS 391. Seminar. 1-5 Credits.

RELS 394. Individual Study. 1-5 Credits.

RELS 399. Special Topics. 1-5 Credits.

RELS 401. Sociology of Religion. 3 Credits.

See Sociology for description. {Also offered for graduate credit - see RELS 601.}.

RELS 410. Religion and Violence. 3 Credits.

An analysis and assessment of critical theories on religion and violence, including examinations of martyrdom and redemptive suffering, the violence of social stratification and "othering", war and terrorism, and apocalyptic and spiritual warfare.

RELS 453. Magic And Religion. 3 Credits.

Comparative religion, religious concepts, practices, and practitioners. In-depth study of selected religious systems with a focus on shamanic religions. Prereq: ANTH 111. Cross-listed with ANTH 453.

RELS 491. Seminar. 1-5 Credits.

RELS 492. Global Practicum: Study Abroad. 1-15 Credits.

Pre-Arranged study at accredited foreign institutions (study abroad), domestic institutions (National Student Exchange) or on approved study abroad programs. Pre-requisite: Sophomore standing and prior approval by International Student and Study Abroad Services and major department. Graded 'P'or 'F' (Undergraduate), or 'S' or 'U' (Graduate).

RELS 493. Undergraduate Research. 1-5 Credits.

RELS 494. Individual Study. 1-5 Credits.

RELS 496. Field Experience. 1-15 Credits.

RELS 499. Special Topics. 1-5 Credits.

RELS 793. Individual Study. 1-5 Credits.