Religion, Ethics & Meaning Courses

REM 1010 HUMAN NATURE AND PURPOSE (3)
From our evolutionary origins and capacity for rational thought to our bodily status and divine image, from our basic sense of right and wrong to questions about ultimate meaning, this course is a fundamental examination of the human being in its zoological, ethical, and religious dimensions. Readings will explore the nature of perception, language, faith, science, and freedom.
Prerequisite: none

REM 1030 GOD, GUILT, AND DEATH (3)
formerly REL 1030
This course will consider first-hand, internal considerations of what animates religious individuals, organized around divine intimations outside and above ourselves and how these relate to existential issues of moral guilt and mortal anxiety within ordinary experience. Each of our classical and contemporary texts will serve as your guides in this endeavor, and writing argumentative responses to them will gauge your acumen.
Prerequisite: none

REM 2000 ETHICS BOWL (1)
This course will cover moral theories, including fairness, utilitarianism, virtue ethics, common good, and Kantian deontology. Students will not only learn these theories but apply them to a selection of morally ambiguous case studies. Past cases have concerned business ethics, education, and technology. Students will have the opportunity to join the MU Ethics Bowl team at the annual NCICU State Ethics Bowl tournament. May be repeated for credit as the case studies change every term.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: fall

REM 2010 THE BIBLE (3)
formerly REL 2010
An introduction to the Hebrew Bible and New Testament according to genre and content, what notable critic Northrop Frye dubbed “The Great Code.” Particular emphasis may be put on individual books of the entire Bible, but specific topics or controversies will be covered in the context of the whole such as it has been historically and canonically determined.
Prerequisite: none

REM 2030 MONOTHEISTIC RELIGIONS (3)
formerly REL 1510
This course will introduce students to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, focusing on their commitment to ethical monotheism.
Prerequisite: none

REM 2040 RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY OF ASIA (3)
formerly REL 1500
This course will survey the historical, sociological, and philosophical development of religious traditions of India, Southeast Asia, and China. This course will cover Hindu, Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist thought, among others.
Prerequisite: none

REM 2050 RELIGION AND LITERATURE (3)
formerly REL 3220
A study of the theological significance of selected religious works, as grouped around particular themes. This course can be repeated for credits as the topic varies. Examples of possible foci include Spiritual Autobiography, How to See God in Literature, the “Inklings” (the works of Lewis and Tolkien), Creation Narratives, Eastern Religious Myth, and the Philosophy and Theology of Horror. In addition to examining the theology of the selective texts, time will be spent exploring the relationship between theology and literature – that is, why did these authors choose these particular forms to relate their religious convictions and theological insights? This course does not meet the general education literature requirement.
Prerequisite: none

REM 2200 LOVE AND JUSTICE (3)
formerly PHI 2200
This course philosophically examines issues of social justice and individual moral problems that we as professionals and citizens face daily in medicine, the military, education, business, personal relationships, and political life.
Prerequisite: none

REM 3010 ARGUMENT AND INFERENCE (3)
formerly PHI 2130
This course offers a practical introduction to inductive logic that can be applied to the sciences, criminal investigation, medical reasoning, reasoning in business, and reasoning in everyday life. Topics covered include basic methods of induction, inference to the best explanation, Mill᾿s methods, and basic probability theory.
Prerequisite: none

REM 3030 RELIGION AND SCIENCE (3)
formerly REL 1050
Examination of science’s questions, methods, history, and results in their relationship to and as a supplement to the enduring religious issues.
Prerequisite: none

REM 3040 RELIGIOUS PLURALISM (3)
We have all experienced the conflict of religions—some with personal confrontations, some indirectly through world events. But must religious disagreement always end in exclusion and violence? This course will explore the philosophical challenge of religious differences and explore different ways that philosophers and theologians have conceived of the relationship between religions that seem to be at odds. Students will be asked to think about religions and develop a position on whether multiple religions might be true, good, or saving.
Prerequisite: none

REM 3050 REASON AND ROMANTICISM (3)
An exploration of major 19th century literary and philosophical responses to the aesthetic, moral, and religiously enlightened ideals of universal, encyclopedic reason that reached its apex in Europe by the close of the 18th century. Eclectically known as “Romantic,” the considerable tensions between this latter tradition and an “Enlightened” worldview still bear us forward like ill-yoked steeds.
Prerequisite: none

REM 3100 CRIME AND PUNISHMENT (3)
formerly PHI 4200
A study of the basic concepts, arguments, and methods of ethics as they apply to those who work in the field of criminal justice. Students will be introduced to the classic theories of normative ethics. Emphasis is placed on the case study approach and ethical decision-making.
Prerequisite: none

REM 3200 THE COST OF MONEY (3)
formerly PHI 3200
After a brief consideration of ethical theory, this course will examine selected ethical issues which arise from business, such as corporate responsibility, whistle blowing, environmental issues, and privacy. Emphasis will be placed on the role of virtues in business practice.
Prerequisite: none
Cross-listed with BUS 3200

REM 3350 ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS (3)
formerly PHI 3350
This course is a theoretical and practical introduction to the ethical obligations embedded in the relationship of human beings to the natural world. It will cover various theories of how we should interact with the environment and other animals. Exercises will include traditional papers as well as group projects that give students an opportunity to explore such issues in concrete ways.
Prerequisite: none

REM 3400 ILLNESS AND HUMAN LIFE (3)
formerly PHI 3400
After a brief consideration of ethical theory, this course will examine selected ethical issues raised by clinical practice, medical theories, and biomedical research and technologies. This course does not meet the medical ethics requirement for the Methodist University Physician Assistant Program.
Prerequisite: none

REM 4010 RELIGION, ETHICS, AND MEANING CAPSTONE PROJECT (4)
In depth capstone course for REM majors. The content parameters may vary according to instructor and/or majors set to take it. May be an entire seminar devoted to a single topic such as AI, Buddhism, or the Anthropocene.

REM 4990 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN RELIGION (TBD)
formerly REL 4990
An opportunity for a well-qualified, upper-division student to engage in special research in his/her major. Credits to be determined.