Programs and Courses
Religious Studies
General Information
For Information: Julie Waskow
Phone: 623.845.3867
Student Goals: General Education, Personal Interest
Religious Studies (REL) courses may be used to meet the Humanities part of the General Education requirements for the AA, AGS, and AAS degrees.
Transferability: All courses transfer to state universities.
Course Descriptions
Course Availability: (F) Fall, (S) Spring, (D) Day, (E) Evening, (Su1) Summer 1, (Su2) Summer 2, (O) Occasionally
Religious Studies (REL)
REL101
Introduction to Religion / 3 credits / 3 periods
Various religious expressions of humankind. Focuses on basic religious themes common to religions, such as encounter with the Holy, search for self and community, mystical illumination, spiritual discipline. Prerequisites: None. (F,S,D)
REL201
Classics of Western Religions / 3 credits / 3 periods
Academic study of the scriptures of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and works from later phases of these religious traditions. Prerequisites: None. (O)
REL202
Classics of Asian Religions / 3 credits / 3 periods
Academic study of selected works from Hindu, Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian traditions. Study of cultural and concepts of the world, history, culture, and human nature as represented in these works. Prerequisites: None. (O)
REL203
American Indian Religions / 3 credits / 3 periods
Tribal traditions of the peoples native to North America, and pan-Indian religions in the twentieth century. Prerequisites: ENG101 or ENG107 or equivalent. (F,S,Su1,D)
REL205
Religion and the
Modern World / 3 credits / 3 periods
Introduction to the nature and role of religious beliefs and practices in shaping the lives of individuals and societies, with particular attention to the modern world. Prerequisites: ENG101, or ENG107, or equivalent. (F, S, D)
REL210
Introduction to Judaism / 3 credits / 3 periods
Introduction to the history, scriptures, practices and impact of Judaism. Prerequisites: None. (O)
REL212
Introduction to Islam / 3 credits / 3 periods
Introduction to History, scriptures, practices and impact of Islam. Prerequisites: None. (O)
REL213
Medical and Bio-Ethics / 3 credits / 3 periods
A philosophical consideration of moral problems that arise in relation to medicine and biology, e.g., death, patient rights and biological experimentation. Prerequisites: None. (F,S,Su1,D)
REL243
World Religions / 3 credits / 3 periods
The development of various religions from prehistoric to modern times. Political, economic, social and geographic relationships among world religions. Consideration of both Eastern and Western religions. Prerequisites: None. (F,S,D,E,Su1,2)
REL244
Philosophy of Religion / 3 credits / 3 periods
Religious language, the existence of God, miracles, and human destiny. Prerequisites: None. (O)
REL270
Introduction to Christianity / 3 credits / 3 periods
The nature and content of the Christian tradition developed over time, with overview of the New Testament, major historical trends and figures, major Christian ideas and practices, and survey of denominations. Prerequisites: None. (F)
REL271
Introduction to
The New Testament / 3 credits / 3 periods
The nature and content of the Christian tradition developed over time, with overview of the New Testament, major historical trends and figures, major Christian ideas and practices, and survey of denominations. Prerequisites: None. (S)
REL290
Women and Religion / 3 credits / 3 periods
The role of women in several organized religions and/or religious sects, including a study of myth and symbols as they are used to establish, maintain, and enforce sex-roles within specific religions. Prerequisites: None. (F,S,D,E)


