17 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.
REL 126INTRODUCTION TO RELIGION IN A GLOBAL CONTEXT4
Does religion matter? A brief scan of world events tells us that it does. This course introduces students to the study of religion in its cultural and historical contexts. It aims to familiarize students with the multi-faceted role of religion in the world, including examination of social, economic, historical, political, and ethical factors. Open to first-year students. No prerequisite.
A Biblical study of the identity, faith, and history of Israel through a survey of drama, story, and event. This course broadly samples the law, prophets, and writings, in view of histories of Hollins University 2026–27 Undergraduate Catalog Page 391
A survey of the early Christian writings and their interpretation. This course explores selected gospels, epistles, and writings in their historical context. Attention is paid to the development of historical Christian identity and community, liturgical practices and symbols, major themes, as well as to the history of interpretation of New Testament texts. The course also provides an introduction to exegesis and to historical and literary criticism. Open to first-year students. No prerequisite.
The many sects of Christianity have repeatedly attempted to reinterpret the origins of the tradition in ways which provide a new or “reformed” framework for a community. The course examines not only the history of early Christianity, but also a selection of such reinterpretations and of Christians’ responses to other cultures with whom they coexist. Open to first-year students.
The early community of Muslims at Medina is explicitly understood to be a model for the ideal Islamic polity. Struggles to define the relationship between religious and political leadership and community in these early years established problems and precedents that remain issues in Islam even today. The course examines the early community and follows some of these issues of Islamic self-identity into the present. Open to first-year students.
This class is both an introduction to Buddhism as well as an investigation of how Buddhist teachings, symbols, stories, doctrines, ethics, and practices inform human understanding and engagement with the environment and the natural world. Topics discussed in class fall into two primary categories: a basic introduction to Buddhism, and an exploration of Buddhism and ecology. Open to first-year students. Hollins University 2026–27 Undergraduate Catalog Page 392
Through the lens of the foundational communities in Palestine and the diaspora, we will view some of the basic issues in the definition of Jewish self-identity: exile and return, sacrifice and study, cultural assimilation, and the physical and spiritual “lands” of Israel. Open to first-year students.
This course analyzes religion as it relates to a range of social identities. We begin with a discussion of sociological theories of religion through which we will consider trends within religious practice, the purposes and effects of religion, and the intersection of religion and other social structures. The class will then consider these theories in empirical contexts. Also listed and described as SOC 241. (DIV)
Is K-Pop Demon Hunters part of the Korean religious experience? We’re going to find out! This course will explore what being religious means in Korea, whether it be Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Christianity, or Musok—Korean shamanism. Women play a large role in all of these traditions. Open to first-year students. No Prerequisite.
A survey of the major world religions through the voices of their sacred stories. We will consider how religious traditions understand and use their sacred texts – an exciting challenge since the meaning of these texts is not always clear. The course provides an opportunity to dig deeper into the texts, with the help of modern interpretation, to discover the richness of these religious writings and the faiths which inspired them. Open to first year students. No Prerequisite. Hollins University 2026–27 Undergraduate Catalog Page 393
An analysis of Paradise Lost. We will use close readings of the poem’s language, structure, and themes to understand Milton’s epic as a literary masterpiece; we will consider literary responses to the poem as a means of determining the epic’s cultural significance. Also listed and described as ENG 335. Prerequisite: junior standing or permission.
