Some courses may not be offered every year. The most current syllabus on file is indicated, though be sure you have the correct syllabus before you do assignments or order books.
For more information, read the academic plan for Religious Studies, or view the current list of courses.
REL 150 RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD
Introduces the major religions of the world. CUG
REL 151 INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF RELIGION
Introduces the nature and function of religion, including religious experience, myth, ritual, symbol, and institutions. AHI
REL 201 INTRODUCTION TO TRIBAL RELIGIONS
Introduces the tribal religions of the world, ancient and contemporary. SPWG
REL 202 MYSTICISM: WEST
Comparative study of the mysticism and spiritual practices of the religions of the West, particularly Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. AHI
REL 203 MYSTICISM: ASIA
Comparative study of the mystical traditions and spiritual practices of yoga and meditation in the Asian religions, particularly Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism. AHIG
REL 206 WOMEN'S ROLES AND EXPERIENCE IN ASIAN RELIGIONS
Examines the unique portrayal, roles, and experience of women in the religions of Asia, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Letter grade only. SPWG
REL 210 JUDEO-CHRISTIAN
SCRIPTURES (OLD TESTAMENT)
Examines the major themes and ideas of the books of the Bible shared by the Jewish
and Christian religions (i.e., Christian Old Testament) in the historical context
of their origin. Letter grade only. Course fee required. CU
REL 220 CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURES
(NEW TESTAMENT)
Examines the major themes and ideas of the books of the Christian New Testament
in the historical context of their origin. Letter grade only. CU
REL 300W METHOD & THEORY
IN THE STUDY OF RELIGION
An examination of models and theories in the study of religion, requiring comparative
and analytical writing by students on presented materials. Fulfills NAU's
junior-level writing requirement. Required for majors and minors. Letter
grade only. Prerequisite: 9 hours of Religious Studies and Junior Status or
higher JWRT
REL 301 ANCIENT GODS AND GODDESSES
Explores common characteristics of religious beliefs (plurality of gods), concerns (sustaining the environment), and practices (rituals of sacrifice) among the peoples of ancient Egypt, Greece, Italy, and northern Europe. Prerequisite: Sophomore Status or higher or International Student Group CU
REL 311 JUDAISM
History, theology, and practice of Judaism, with particular attention to the classic texts of Judaism. Prerequisite: Sophomore Status or higher or International Student Group CU
REL 321 CHRISTIANITY
Origins of Christianity and the development of Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantism. Prerequisite: Sophomore Status or higher or International Student Group CU
REL 322 CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN THOUGHT
Studies contemporary Christian thinkers on topics of perennial and current interest. Prerequisite: Sophomore Status or higher or International Student Group AHI
REL 325 THE HISTORICAL JESUS
Training in the methods of modern historical-critical study of gospel materials. Explores how the sayings and deeds of Jesus were remembered, spread, and written down. recommended: REL 220. Prerequisite: (3 hours of REL-Religious Studies coursework and Sophomore Status or higher) or International Student Group AHI
REL 326 EARLY CHRISTIAN
LIFE AND LITERATURE
Investigation through canonical and non-canonical texts of issues, challenges,
and conflicts involved in the formative period of Christianity from Jesus to
the end of the second century. Letter grade only. Prerequisite: Sophomore
status or higher, plus completion of ENG 105 or equivalent CU
REL 331 ISLAM
History, theology, and practice of Islam, with particular attention to its classic text, the Quran. Prerequisite: Sophomore Status or higher or International Student Group CU
REL 332 ISLAMIC ART: RELIGIOUS & SECULAR
ARTS OF ISLAMIC ASIA
Survey of major themes and historical phases of Islam in connection
with its artistic traditions, with attention to regional variety reflected
in the art and architecture of Islamic Asia. Cross-listed with
ARH 380. Letter grade only. Prerequisite: ARH 143,
REL 150 or Junior Status or higher AHIG
REL 341 HINDUISM
Ideas, practices, and social institutions of India's major religious tradition. Prerequisite: Sophomore Status or higher or International Student Group CUG
REL 351 BUDDHISM
Ideas, practices, and social institutions of the one pan-Asian religious tradition, Buddhism. Prerequisite: Sophomore Status or higher or International Student Group CUG
REL 352 BUDDHIST ART: VISUAL LANGUAGE & RELIGIOUS
CONTEXT
Provides an in-depth study of the form and content of Buddhist visual language
in relation to its religious context, seen through the activities of pilgrimage,
faith, meditation, and ritual. Cross-listed with ARH 370. Letter
grade only. Prerequisite: ARH 143, REL 150 or Junior Status or higher
AHIG
REL 355 THE BUDDHA
Examines the founding figure of the Buddhist religious tradition,
including the cultural context of his life, his major teachings,
and his religious significance to Buddhists. Prerequisite: Sophomore
Status or higher or International Student Group CUG
REL 365 RELIGION AND FILM
This course examines religious themes in film. Films are analyzed from
a religious studies perspective in terms of narrative, style, culture and religious
context and reception. Letter grade only. Prerequisite: Sophomore
status or higher AHI
REL 380 NATIVE AMERICAN RELIGIONS
Surveys Native American religious traditions, past and present. Prerequisite: Sophomore
Status or higher or International Student Group CUE
REL 390 RECENT TRENDS IN RELIGION
Topical study of selected religious trends that significantly affect the world today. Prerequisite: Sophomore Status or higher or International Student Group SPW
REL 391 RELIGION, NATURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Examines the relationship between humans and the nonhuman world as proposed by various religious world views. Prerequisite: Sophomore Status or higher or International Student Group CU
REL 392 HEALTH, HEALING,
AND RELIGION
Examines illness, healing, and religion in cross-cultural perspective,
investigating how illness, health, and wellness are understood in a variety
of cultural and religious contexts. Letter grade only. Prerequisite: Sophomore
status or higher, plus completion of ENG 105 or equivalent
REL 421C SEMINAR IN CHRISTIANITY
Intensive study of selected aspects of, or developments in, Christian belief,
practice, or history. May be repeated for up to 9 units of credit. Letter
grade only. Prerequisite: 3 units of Religious Studies and Junior
Status or higher CAP
REL 441C SEMINAR IN HINDUISM
Intensive study of selected aspects of, or developments in, Hindu belief,
practice, or history. May be repeated for up to 9 units of credit. Letter
grade only. Prerequisite: 3 units of Religious Studies and Junior
Status or higher CAP
REL 451C SEMINAR IN BUDDHISM
Intensive study of selected aspects of, or developments in, Buddhist
belief, practice, or history. May be repeated for up to 9 units of credit. Letter
grade only. Prerequisite: 3 units of Religious Studies and
Junior Status or higher CAP
REL 481C SEMINAR IN NATIVE
AMERICAN RELIGION
Intensive study of selected aspects of, or developments in, Native American belief,
practice, or history. May be repeated for up to units of credit. Letter
grade only. Prerequisite: 3 units of Religious Studies and Junior
Status or higher CAP
REL 491C SEMINAR IN COMPARATIVE
RELIGION
Intensive study of selected aspects of, or developments in, religious belief,
practice, or history, involving comparative considerations of more than one
religious tradition. May be repeated for up to 9 units of credit. Letter
grade only. Prerequisite: 3 units of Religious Studies and Junior
Status or higher CAP