Society, Culture and Religion Courses

SCRL-535. Doctoral Seminar in Ethics. 3 crs.

SCRL-200. Sociology of Religion. 3 crs. Examination of the sociological traditions of Max Weber, Emile Durkheim and later contributors to the sociological understanding of religious phenomena, such as Dewey, Mead, Cooley, and Wach.

SCRL-205. Psychology of Religion. 3 crs. Treats psychological factors in religious experience, with special reference to their significance in the phenomena of conversion, revivals, mysticism, personality structure, and social action.

SCRL-300. Nature of the Religious Experience. 3 crs. Interdisciplinary, cross-cultural study of religious experience and expression, with consideration given to the social and historical conditions from which they develop.

SCRL-215. Religious Personality Growth and Development. 3 crs. Definition of religious personality, with an analysis of its theories, development, and perfection. May be used as a developmental approach to the field.

SCRL-220. World Religions. 3 crs. Analysis of concepts and practices in the non-Christian religions, treating each religion in terms of its ideals, ethics, world view, or theology, and contributions by great leaders.

SCRL-223. World Religions: Sacred Narratives. 3 crs.

SCRL-225. Introduction to African Religions. 3 crs. Study of traditional African religions before contact with western thought modes and missionary advance into Africa, including early approaches to the study of the concept of time, the nature of ultimate reality, and sacrifice.

SCRL-230. African Religions in Diaspora. 3 crs. A study of the history and evolution of African traditional religions and beliefs in Central and South America, the Caribbean and the United States. Religions such as Vodun in Haiti, Santeria from Cuba, Candomble from Brazil, Cumina from Jamaica, Shango from Trinidad and Tobago, and Akan and Yoruba in the United States will be examined. Particular attention will be given to the interpenetration of Christianity and African traditional religions.

SCRL-310. Religion and Psychology. 3 crs. Examines Freud’s psychoanalytical view, Jung’s analytical view, the theological perspective of Paul Tillich, Henry Nelson Wieman, and others, with emphasis on existentialism. SCRL-315. Religious Personality and Identity. 3 crs. Deals with faith patterns as presented by students, along with varying religious life styles in the contemporary cultural scene, and explores the works of Erik Erickson.

SCRL-320. Mysticism East and West. 3 crs. Comparative analysis of mystical or peak experiences in such religions as Hinduism, Zen Buddism, Taoism, Jedaism, and Christianity.

SCRL-321. History of Islam in Africa. 3 crs.

SCRL-322. Contemporary Christianity in Africa. 3 crs. Consists of a study of the origins and development of the African independent churches movement. Emphasis is placed on particular themes such as the dynamics of the inter-action of Christianity and African traditional religions; the role of prophecy, healing, and biblical themes such as Zion and Ethiopia.

SCRL-323. Contemporary Issues in Afro-American Islam. 3 crs. Examines the history and evolution of Islam among Afro-Americans; how it developed in the United States; its on-going appeal. Aspects and personalities of Islam considered include Noble Drew Ali, Wallace D. Fard, Elijah Muhammad/Nation of Islam, Louis Farakkhan, the American Muslim Mission, the Ahmadiyya, etc.

SCRL-326. Phenomenology of Religion. 3 crs. Cross-cultural study of such religious phenomena as the sacred essence, the sacred community, the sacred word, and the sacred experience.

SCRL-328. Origins and Development of Egyptian Judaism. 3 crs. Examines the African presence in Judaism as it developed in Alexandria, Egypt. Will consider the importance of the Septuagint Tradition and study in depth the life and writings of the African Jewish Philosopher and Exegete, Philo of Alexandria. An important part of this study will be the conceptual reappropriation of Egypt (Kemit) as a black African civilization. To understand the development of Egyptian Judaism, a study will be done on the impact of Nile Valley civilization on the ancient world.

SCRL-500. Religion, Anthropology, and Modern Social Issues. 3 crs. Examination of the process of social change from the perspective of applied anthropology, along with the role of religion in facilitating and obstructing political change and food production.        

SCRL-400. Method and Theory in the Study of Religion. 3 crs. Presents basic psychological, sociological, historical, form-comparative, and semiological theories and methods for the study of religion.

SCRL-445. Anthropology of Religion. 3 crs. Explores religion as a cultural, functional, and cognitive dimension in traditional and nontraditional societies, including the study of belief, myth, symbol, ritual, worship, and prayer.

SCRL-401. Religious Studies; Its Scope, Logic, and Meaning. 3 crs. Examines the new discipline of religious studies, with a view toward understanding its interdisciplinary role in academic life.

SCRL-485. Directed Study in Religion and Personality. (Master’s level). 3 crs.

SCRL-585. Directed Study in Religion and Personality. (Doctoral level). 3 crs.