Religious Studies (RELS)

This is an archived copy of the 2021-22 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.ndsu.edu.

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 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.

Major developments in the Christian religion including scriptures, persecution, monasticism, papacy, Reformation, science and religion, and the ecumenical movement. 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 340. 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 Latter Day Saints, and the history of anti-cult movements.

RELS 345. Religion and Politics. 3 Credits.

Religion and politics are intertwined throughout national and international politics. This class will explore the historical precedent for this entanglement as well as current issues concerning gender, sexuality, religious nationalism and religious liberty.

RELS 355. History of 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 460. Theory and Methods of Religious Studies. 3 Credits.

Analysis, assessment, and application of classic and contemporary theories of religious studies. {Also offered for graduate credit - see RELS 660}.

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 660. Theory and Methods of Religious Studies. 3 Credits.

Analysis, assessment, and application of classic and contemporary theories of religious studies. {Also offered for undergraduate credit - see RELS 460}.