Religion course catalog

2024-25 catalog

KHALIL ANDANI, Assistant Professor of Religion
B.Math., University of Waterloo; M.Acc., University of Waterloo., MTS, Harvard Divinity School; Ph.D., Harvard University

DANIEL E. LEE, Marian Taft Cannon Professor in the Humanities
B.A., Concordia (Moorhead); M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D., Yale University

JASON MAHN, Conrad Bergendoff Professor in the Humanities
B.A., Gustavus Adolphus; M.A., Luther Theological Seminary; Ph.D., Emory University

NIRMALA S. SALGADO, Professor
B.A., M.A., London; Ph.D., Northwestern University

ERIC C. STEWART, Professor
B.A., Pacific Lutheran; M.A., Claremont; Ph.D., University of Notre Dame

M. WOLFF, Associate Professor
B.A. Westmont; MTS Duke Divinity School; Ph.D., Duke University

Reasoned Examination of Faith (REF) Courses

All REF courses will include a critical examination into the ways in which faith and reason challenge and enrich each other through the academic study of Christianity, ethical theories, and worldviews. REF courses are 200-level courses (except for RELG 304 ) with numbering up to and including RELG 216. The "reasoned examination of faith" constitutes one of Augustana's five faith commitments; sections of this course may focus on additional faith commitments. One or more significant writing projects builds on skills introduced in FYI or FYH. Reasoned Examination of Faith (REF) courses are listed below. Honors courses taught by Religion faculty may also count for the REF requirement. Barring exceptional circumstances, students may not take more than one course that qualifies as an REF course.

RELG-201 Christian Origins
RELG-202 Jewish and Christian Scriptures
RELG-203 Christian Ethics
RELG-204 Christian Theology and Contemporary Issues
RELG-205 American Christianities
RELG-206 Reformers and Radicals
RELG-207 Jesus and Discipleship, Then and Now
RELG-208 Literature and Theology
RELG-209 Global Christianities
RELG-210 Sages, Mystics, and Philosophers (4)
RELG-211 Religion and Film
RELG-212 The Disciplined Life: Asceticism in Buddhism, Christianity and Hinduism
RELG-213 Called to Work and Sabbath Rest
RELG-214 Angels & Demons
RELG-215 Philosophy & Theology
RELG-216 Disability & Religion
RELG-304 Reasoned Examination of Faith

Major in Religion

28 credits beginning with any REF or with RELG 150 and culminating with 449 Theorizing Religion (2 credits) or 399 SI Research (2 credits) and 450 (2 credits). (Those two, 2-credit courses make the Senior Inquiry sequence in Religion.) At least one course must be taken from each of the following three areas:

History and Theology: 270, 273, 370, 371, 372, 374
Ethics and Practice: 259, 263, 355, 356, 360, 361, 362, 363
Cross Cultural: 284, 285, 287, 384, 385, 386, 387

RELG 150: Encountering Religion is strongly encouraged for all religion majors.

Minor in Religion

20 credits, including any REF and at least one course at the 300-level.

RELG 150: Encountering Religion is strongly encouraged for all religion minors.

Minor in Ethics (Religion and Philosophy departments)

20 credits, including the following:

• Core courses: RELG 203; either PHIL 103 or PHIL 105; and PHIL 320

• Two complementary courses (at least one must have the RELG designation)

-Choose two from RELG 259, RELG 355, RELG 356, RELG 363, RELG 385, PHIL 122, PHIL 312, PHIL 320, PHIL 322, PHIL 324, or PHIL 330

-RELG 357 and RELG 358 may be substituted for one listed complementary course

Minor in Interreligious Leadership (Religion and Business or Communication departments)

16 credits, including REF, and the following courses and practicum:

Any 2 courses (8 credits) from two of the below Distribution Categories:

a) Religious Pluralism: RELG-150

b) Asian Religions: RELG 284, 287, 384, or 387

c) Islam: RELG 285, 385

• One course ( 4 credits) in either BUSN 304, COMM-210L, or COMM 260

Participation in 0-4 credits of Augustana (internal) interfaith leadership or external internship work done through CORE (Careers, Opportunities, Research and Exploration), “CORE-INTR.” This will be for a minimum of 80 hours.

Grade Point Average Notation: All courses listed in the catalog as required courses for any major and/or minor, including those courses outside of the department or with a different subject coding, are considered part of the major and will count in the grade point average. Some departments may have additional grade requirements for the courses offered within their department. Recommended supporting courses that are optional and not required may also count in the major depending on the program. For more information see your department chair or the degree requirements for Bachelor of Arts and information on Majors/Minors.

Courses (RELG)