Meredith offers the following courses in religious and ethical studies:
 
RES-101 Religions in the United States (3 hrs.)
(Fall and Spring, Course Offered Every Year)
This course is an exploration of the changing religious landscape of the United States, looking at the history and dynamic interaction of the various religious traditions that compose the contemporary American religious scene. We will explore global religious traditions as expressed in the American context, as well as some culturally specific traditions. Throughout we will maintain a dual focus on how the various religious traditions are changing in the American environment and how America is changing in this new multi-religious context.

RES-102 World Religions (3 hrs.)
(Fall and Spring, Course Offered Every Year)
An exploration of major eastern and western religious traditions including, but not limited to, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. In addition to looking at the historical development of such traditions, this course addresses issues concerning current religious practice and the role of major religious traditions in contemporary society.

RES-103 Biblical Literature and History (3 hrs.)
(Fall and Spring, Course Offered Every Year)
A study of the canonical literature of the Jewish and Christian traditions. This course will explore how this diverse body of literature relates to its social and historical contexts. The focus will be on acquiring tools from a variety of academic approaches to reading the Bible. This course will enable students to understand how interpretive choices have been made in the reading of biblical texts and to reflect on how diverse ways of interpreting the Bible have shaped culture and continue to do so.

RES-104 Religious Ethics and Social Issues (3 hrs.)
(Fall and Spring, Course Offered Every Year)
This is an introductory course in ethical reflection which explores contemporary social issues from a variety of religious and philosophical traditions. Issues covered pertain to personal concerns such as sexuality, marriage, and reproduction, as well as broader societal issues regarding our economic lives and the environment.

RES-105 Philosophy of Religion (3 hrs.)
(Fall and Spring, Course Offered Every Year)
This course examines how reason and faith seek in different ways to provide answers to the major questions which people have always asked about the nature and meaning of life. The questions dealt with include the following: What are the various avenues to knowledge, or truth? What are the differing functions of literal and symbolic language? What are the arguments for the existence of God? Can the pluralism of religions be reconciled in unity? Is there a solution to the problem of evil? Is there hope of immortality?

RES-200 Introductory Topics in Religious Studies (3 hrs.)
(Course Offered As Needed)
An introductory study of selected topics within the area of religious studies as determined by faculty expertise and student interest. Topics may take a thematic, historical or comparative approach within the following areas: religion and culture, religion and society, religious ethics, religious thought and sacred texts. The course may be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: one 100-level Religion course, or by permission of the instructor.

RES-201 Introduction to Religious Studies (3 hrs.)
(Spring, Alternate Years)
This is a seminar devoted to the theories and methods in the academic study of religion from its beginnings in the 19th century until the present. Key theories and theorists will be discussed with a goal of developing basic knowledge of the issues in the field. This course will not be a prerequisite to other courses. Prerequisite: one 100-level Religion course, or by permission of the instructor.

RES-220 Ethics of Love and Justice (3 hrs.)
(Fall or Spring, Course Offered Every Year)
This course is an introduction to the historical development of ethical thought in the western philosophical and religious traditions. It is organized around the central themes of love and justice as addressed by major thinkers from the ancient past to the present. Students will explore various interpretations of the nature and demands of justice in conversation with the different roles that love and the emotions are seen to play in shaping ethical commitments and practices.

RES-250 Religion and Film
(Course offered fall or spring, every year)
This course looks at the importance of religious thought in world cinema. It will consider a wide variety of films - from independent to mainstream Hollywood blockbusters - and will provide students with background knowledge of the religious tradition relevant to each film. After introductory readings on film theory, students will critically assess the form and content of films selected from different world cultures. Prerequisite: one 100-level Religion course, or by permission of the instructor.

RES-253 Judaism, Christianity and Islam (3 hrs.)
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam trace their roots to one biblical ancestor: Abraham. This course delves into a comparative study of the beliefs, practices, and social concerns of the Abrahamic religions, and examines constructive methods of interfaith dialogue. This course fulfills the cultural perspectives requirement for Gen Ed.

RES-254 Introduction to Asian Religions (3 hrs.)
This course introduces the major religions of India, China, and Japan, including (but not limited to) Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. Students will develop a cross-cultural understanding of religion by engaging in a comparative study of beliefs, practices, and sacred texts of these Asian traditions.

RES-262 Jesus and the Gospels (3 hrs.)
(Spring Semester, Every Year)
This course examines the varied and multiple ways that Jesus is portrayed in the New Testament gospels and other Christian gospels. The modern quest for the historical Jesus is a focal point of this course, and students will examine a variety of historical, literary and theological problems posed by the gospel texts and the quest. This course meets the general education literature requirement. Prerequisite: One 100 level Religion course, or by permission of the instructor.

RES-267 Christian Origins: From Cult to Empire (3 hrs.)
(Fall or Spring, Alternate Years)
A study of the development and diversity of early Christian life and thought as reflected in literature spanning from the New Testament letters of Paul to the writings of St. Augustine in the fifth century. Topics will include the spread of Christianity and the formation of the early church; persecution and martyrdom; heresy and orthodoxy; women’s roles; social issues; asceticism and sainthood. Prerequisite: One 100 level Religion course, or by permission of the instructor.

RES-268 Women and the Bible (3 hrs.)
(Fall or Spring, Alternate Years)
A study of the status of women in the Old and New Testament cultures, the understandings of women in biblical theology, and the role of women in the events of biblical history. Prerequisite: One 100 level Religion course, or by permission of the instructor.

RES-284 Sin, Satan, and Evil (3 hrs.)
(Varies, Contact Dept. Head)
A study of beliefs, images, and stories about sin and evil in the religious traditions of Judaism and Christianity, focusing on the figure of Satan and patterns of belief and disbelief in Western religious history. Prerequisite: One 100 level Religion course, or by permission of the instructor.

RES-285 Religion and Literature (3 hrs.)
(Fall Semester, Alternate Years)
A study of religious themes in contemporary novels and drama, together with an introduction to film as a contemporary art form. Typical authors examined: Beckett, Camus, Kafka, Salinger, DeVries, Steinbeck, Tennessee Williams, and Updike. This course meets the general education literature requirement. Prerequisite: One 100 level Religion course, or by permission of the instructor.

RES-299 Introduction to Research in Religious Studies (1–3 hrs.)
(Fall and Spring, Course Offered Every Year)
In conjunction with a faculty mentor, the student will participate in a research project that will culminate in a paper and, if appropriate, a presentation. A research proposal form completed by the student and faculty mentor is required for registration. Prerequisite: one 100-level Religion course.

RES-343 Violence, War and Peace (3 hrs.)
(Fall or Spring, Course Offered Every Year)
This course looks at the perennial issues of violence, war, and peace from personal, local, national, and international points of view. We will examine these problems from various perspectives, including those of social sciences, cultural studies, and the humanities. Using a variety of texts, films, fiction, and current affairs readings, we will examine root casues of wars in the past and will examine the possibilities of non-violence and constructive peace-making in the world of today. The course counts towards fulfillment of the requirements in the Religion major and Philosophy and Religion minors. Prerequisite: one 100-level Religion course, or by permission of the instructor.

RES-344 Biomedical Ethics (3 hrs.)
(Fall or Spring, Course Offered Every Year)
This course explores the ethical implications of technological and economic developments in the areas of health care and medical research relevant to both the general public and health care professionals and researchers. Specific issues covered include professional ethics, reproductive technologies, genetic testing and engineering, organ transplants, biomedical research and health care allocation and access. Prerequisites: one 100-level Religion course. Prerequisite: One 100 level Religion course, or by permission of the instructor.

RES-345 Environmental Ethics (3 hrs.)
(Fall or Spring, Course Offered Alternate Years)
This course explores ethical issues that arise in connection to the environment including: biodiversity; wilderness preservation; pollution; population; private property and common resources; intergenerational justice; environmental public policy; and corporate responsibility. Students will be introduced to the historical traditions of thought with respect to the environment, new and emerging forms of environmental ethics and the practical application of ethical theories and principles to current environmental concerns. Particular attention will be give to the ethical challenges of weighing competing interests and claims of individuals, social groups and institutions, future generations and the broader biotic community. Prerequisite: One 100 level Religion course, or by permission of the instructor.

RES-346 Anthropology of Religion (3 hrs.)
(Fall Semester, Every Year)
This course focuses on the ways in which religion and human culture intersect. We will look at such themes as myth, symbol, magic and ritual and see how they contribute to the formation of human societies. Students will engage in a local field research project to learn how anthropologists study religion. Students enroll in CORE 407 to take this course. Prerequisite: one 100-level Religion course, or by permission of the instructor.

RES-352 History of Christian Thought and Ethics (3 hrs.)
This course examines both historical development and contemporary themes in christian thought and ethics. How have beliefs about God, humanity, love and justice influenced moral teaching on significant social issues including economic interests, race, gender and ecology? What are ethics of individual human action, and what is the role of the church? Prerequisite: One 100 level Religion course or permission of the instructor.

RES/HIS-385 Europe in the Middle Ages (3 hrs.)
(Spring, Even-Numbered Years Only)
This course will survey major developments in western Europe from roughly 400 CE to 1300 CE. It will use primary and secondary sources to explore the growth of a distinctly European civilization upon its Judaeo-Christian, classical and Germanic roots, and will trace the expression of this civilization through its political, religious and educational institutions; its formal religious thought and vernacular literature; its art, architecture and music; and its interactions with different cultures both within and beyond its borders. Specific topics covered will include the Germanic invasions, monasticism, the conversion of Europe, the growth of the manorial and feudal systems, scholastic thought in the universities, heresy and the crusades, the growth of representative government and others. Also offered as HIS-385.

RES/HIS-387 Age of Renaissance/Reformation (3 hrs.)
(Spring, Odd-Numbered Years Only)
This course will work primarily through class discussion of primary sources to understand the changes in outlook expressed in the Renaissance, the Reformation and the Scientific Revolution between the fourteenth and seventeenth centuries. In particular, it will focus upon the transition from medieval toward modern attitudes in areas such as historical and scientific thought, political and educational theory, philosophy, art, music and religious thought and practice. It will also address the economic, social and political variables that underlay these changes in intellectual life, as well as the impact that these ideas had upon European society. Students will be encouraged to explore individual interests from their own major fields and personal backgrounds. Also offered as HIS-387.

RES-400 Selected Topics in Religious and Ethical Studies (3 hrs.)
(Course Offered As Needed)
A study of selected topics within the area of religious studies as determined by faculty expertise and student interest. Topics may take a thematic, historical or comparative approach within the following areas: religion and culture, religion and society, religious ethics, religious thought and sacred texts. The course may be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: one 100-level Religion course, or by permission of the instructor.

RES-498 Honors Thesis in Religious and Ethical Studies (3 hrs.)
(Fall and Spring, Course Offered Every Year)
In conjunction with a faculty mentor, the student will formulate and conduct a research project that will culminate in a paper and a presentation. A research proposal form completed by the student and faculty mentor is required for registration. The project must meet Honors Program Thesis requirements and conform to the thesis guidelines of the department of Religion and Philosophy. Open to Honors Students and Teaching Fellows during their junior or senior year. Prerequisite: 12 credits in RES, or by permission of the instructor.

RES-499 Research in Religious and Ethical Studies (1–3 hrs.)
(Fall and Spring, Course Offered Every Year)
In conjunction with a faculty mentor, the student will participate in a research project that will culminate in a paper and a presentation. A research proposal form completed by the student and faculty mentor is required for registration. Open to Junior and Senior RES Majors, Religion Minors, and Ethics and the Public Interest Minors.

Students who wish to pursue advanced study or research in religious and ethical studies should consult with the department head. Students may elect courses through the Cooperating Raleigh Colleges.