26 courses with the subject REL, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
A study of the characteristic and universal features of religions as expressed in the institutions, rituals, beliefs, and other phenomena of religions of the past and present.
A study of the origins, development, literature, structures, and modes of life and thought of the major living religions that originated in the Near East: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and the modern denominations and sects which derive from them.
A study of the origins, development, literature, structures, and modes of life and thought of the major living religions that originated in India and the Far East, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Zen, Confucianism, Taoism, Shinto, and current movements and cults which derive from these faiths.
214 | CATAWBA COLLEGE 2026–2027 Undergraduate Catalog
An introduction to the documents of the New Testament, their origins and interpretation.
Religion, Nature, and the Environment is an interdisciplinary course that introduces students to the historical and contemporary intersections of religious traditions and environmental thought.
Same as MUS 1801. An introduction to the Biblical, historic, and aesthetic values of music in worship that includes an interpretive methodology for theological study, the history and meaning of religious ritual, the development of Christian worship from Jewish roots, the structure and integrity of the Church Year, the anatomy of hymns and hymnals, the Revised Common Lectionary, the Psalter, and a study of music in the Hebrew Bible and New Testament along with some Jewish ritual music.
Area 3: Focused Topics
A “history of religions” study of those world religions most likely to be encountered in the world market.
Total: 18 *No more than two courses may come from a given prefix. 114 | CATAWBA COLLEGE 2026–2027 Undergraduate Catalog
A study of the scriptural and theological bases for community, the principles of hospitality and the practical application of the principles, to include program development, worship, and the techniques and application of practice for the ministries of serving and hosting.
This course examines the history and cultural expressions of the diverse forms of religion found among African Americans in North America from 1619 to the present, drawing on the academic disciplines of religious studies, history, and African American Studies. It includes attention to religion among enslaved persons, the Black Church (including both Black Protestantism and Black Catholicism), African American Islam, African-derived magical and conjuring traditions in U.S., and Haitian-American Vodou.
A non-denominational study of basic Christian doctrines.
This course examines the history of the US Civil Rights and Black Power Movements, with a particular focus on the role of religious figures and ideas, including the contributions of women, LGBTQ+ individuals, Protestants, Catholics, and Muslims, drawing on the academic disciplines of religious studies, history, and African American Studies.
A historical study of the life, letters, and theology of the Apostle Paul. Prerequisite: REL 1122.
An exploration into the ways that people experience faith and the development of their faith. Consideration of the curricula and program approaches appropriate for the facilitation of various stages of development. (Offered in alternate years.) 215 | CATAWBA COLLEGE 2026–2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Same as SOC 3102. An examination of religion from a sociological perspective. Topics may include conversion, church-sect typology, and deviant religious groups. (Offered in alternate years.)
A study of a religion topic which may include fieldwork or study abroad. May be elected more than once. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
Four electives selected from the list below ............................................................................................................. 12 REL Electives at any level PSYC 2500 Developmental Theory PHIL Electives at any level PSYC 3210 Psychology of Addictions COMM 3260 Media Law and Ethics PSYC 3380 Psychology of Personality ENV 2405 Socio-Ecological Systems PSYC 3480 Abnormal Psychology ENV 2415 Media, Culture, and Environ. PSYC 3530 Fund. of Cognitive Processes ENV 3615 Env. Justice & Advocacy PSYC 3980 Behavior Modification for Well-Being ENV 3715 Ecological Law & Policy SOC 2201 Contemporary Social Theory HIST Elective at 2000 level or above SOC 2301 Social Science Research HUM 2200 Being Human: Humanities Persp. SOC 2401 Social Inequalities MGT 2566 Business Ethics SOC 3102 Sociology of Religion POLS Elective at 2000 level or above SPM 4100 Sport Philosophy and Ethics Total: 30
Reading, discussion, independent research, and formal reports on a theme or problem designated by the instructor.
An application of theory and methods from religion to fieldwork experience, supervised by a Catawba College instructor designated by the department. Prerequisite: permission of the department chair.
Self-directed study following a contractual plan initiated by the student and accepted by the staff.
A field experience in religion in which formal evaluation, supervision, and direction are provided by an outside agency in concert with the supervising professor and student.
A seminar for senior religion majors that will integrate knowledge learned in the major and in the student’s experience, emphasizing reading, writing, and oral communication skills.
Source: Catawba College's catalog, linked per course · table learning_unit · CourseShelf publish 61
