Courses

Please check PSU's catalog for other RST courses.

Spring 2012 courses that will count as Religious Studies Minor electives.  

S2012 Courses for RST Minor.docx

Below are descriptions of the required courses for the Religious Studies minor.

RST 201  Introduction to Religious Studies I: Introduction to World Religions

(Fall 2011/Winter 2011)

This class will introduce students to a number of religious traditions in their classical formulations and their contemporary practices. Students will also explore the academic study of religion, considering how various disciplines approach the myths, stories, symbols, rituals, ideas, and ethical practices of these religions. This introduction will provide students a framework within which to reflect on their own experiences, as well as prepare them for further academic study in both the humanities and social sciences. Traditions include: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Click here for sample syllabus

RST 301  Introduction to Religious Studies II: The Study of Religion

(Winter/Spring 2012)

What is religion? Is it defined by what people believe? How do we know what people believe? From what they say? How they act? How can we determine which beliefs and practices are religious and which are secular? In this class, we will examine theories of religion that seek to define the term religion and investigate how they can be used to analyze specific religious traditions. By comparing these theories, students will gain a better understanding of the questions inherent in the study of religion and begin developing a critical vocabulary that will allow them to approach the study of specific religions with greater intellectual precision and complexity.

Click here for sample syllabus

RST 415 Tradition, Time and Place

(Spring 2012)

Portland is a city rich in religious communities from around the world. In this class we will examine how religious communities respond to changes arising from the passage of time and patterns of migration. We will ask a series of questions related to place and time in the study of religion: How do religious groups imagine their relationship to the geographical areas of particular significance to their religions? What effects do encounters with other religious groups have on the beliefs and practices of a group? What resources do religious groups use to address beliefs and practices that seem contradictory to their own? How do religious groups account for the changes in their beliefs and practices over time?

Prerequisites: RST 301. However, you can take RST 301 and RST415 during the same quarter, but you will need to be manually added using this form. Transfer students may also be able to take RST415 depending on prior coursework. If you have any questions, please email jschub@pdx.edu