Course Listings
Religion
See also the minor available in Theological Studies and Christian Ministries.
Major in Religion
39 total credit hours (core + one concentration area)
Core Requirements:
(24 credits)
Concentration Areas:
Religion, Ethics & Environment concentration:
(15 credit hours)
- Five of the following15
- PJCS 202 Spiritual Path of Peacemaking
- HIST 204 What is the Good Life?
- SUST 298 Ecology & Sustainability in India
- PHIL 302 Ethics and Morality
- REL 316 Liberation Theologies
- WGS 316 Liberation Theologies
- SUST 309 Sustainability, Spirituality Ethics
- SUST 328 Organizing Communities for Change
- SUST 335 Climate Ethics & Climate Policy
- SUST 345 Ecol Ethics & Environ Movements
Interreligious Studies concentration:
(15 credit hours)
Generalist concentration:
(15 credit hours)
- Choose from the following15
- 200-300 level Bible, religion or philosophy courses
- Up to 6 credits from courses offered by Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS)
- Up to one 3-credit relevant course from another department on campus. Requires faculty advisor approval.
Student learning outcomes
Graduates in Religion will:
- Demonstrate scriptural literacy and develop a range of interpretive skills for understanding and applying sacred texts and symbols.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the varied theologies, convictions, and worldviews of local and global Christian communities as well as their roles in society.
- Analyze and engage the various approaches that people take to identify, interpret, and respond to moral issues within social contexts.
- Examine and practice intercultural and interreligious awareness and action.
- Analyze and articulate their own religious, spiritual, and ethical convictions.
Planning guide:
| First Year | Goshen Core Engaging the Bible Living Ethically and/or another RW course |
| Second Year | Goshen Core 200-300 level courses in major Global Studies |
| Third Year | Goshen Core Upper-level courses in major Related courses |
| Fourth Year | Balance of Goshen Core Balance of major Course at AMBS Internship & Career Senior Seminar |
Planning and advising notes:
The religion major’s core courses and concentration courses can be taken in any semester that they are offered (the core does not need to be completed before beginning the concentration). Religion students are encouraged to select their concentration area in the first or second year of study.
Courses offered through the Global Studies department may be taken and substituted for the Interreligious studies concentration with approval of the faculty advisor.
Religion majors have the opportunity of taking 1-2 courses at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS) in Elkhart. For AMBS course listings, see https://www.ambs.edu/academics/academic-course-list-and-calendar/.
Minor in Bible and Religion
(18 credit hours)
CORE 120 Engaging the Bible
An exploration of biblical themes and narratives alongside the modern application of the Bible in religion, culture, and politics. Students will develop diverse socio-historical, literary, and contextual interpretive skills. This course should be taken by the end of the second...
PHIL 203 Living Ethically
Living Ethically will focus on ethical decision-making as well as ethical being, drawing on historical and contemporary forms and structures in ethics as well as contemporary applications of ethical frameworks. Students will be encouraged to identify the bases for their...
REL 409 Internship & Career
Approved practical experience related to studies in religion, including a 40-hour internship or work experience and a directed career preparation component. This can include internships with local religious agencies, non-profits, spiritual care offices, or related organizations. Further options in ministry...
REL 410 Religion Senior Seminar
Advanced work in the principles and challenges of religious identities, studies, and applications. The senior seminar includes an individual research thesis project and collaborative readings/discussions on a particular theme in theology or ethics.