Program in Spirituality and Religion

Spirituality is widely regarded as one of the most fundamental dimensions of the human experience. Learn how the beliefs and practices of the major world traditions (including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, African and Native American traditions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and Shinto) have helped to shape the lives of people around the world — past, present and future.

You can explore and compare various traditions as well as focus on specific aspects of religion, such as theology, ethics or sacred scriptures. By studying these beliefs and practices you will develop a strong foundation for understanding the diversity of our global community.

A degree in Spirituality and Religion will allow you to pursue graduate study, attend seminary, work in social and/or religious service or pursue careers in a variety of other fields.

We also encourage our students to form personal relationships with their professors in order to discover ways that the study of religion can fit in with their own personal and career goals.

Spirituality and Religion, B.A.

Students critically explore spirituality and religion through a variety of academic methods and experiential opportunities. Engaging with various worldviews provides a foundation for developing a deeper understanding of diverse cultural perspectives.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Philosophy and Spirituality & Religion.

A minimum of 32 credit hours, including:

Required Courses

Spirituality and Religion Electives

20 credit hours of SPRE elective courses with at least four credit hours at the 300-level or above.

Additional Elective

Complete four additional credit hours of SPRE or from the following approved elective courses:

Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language. For more information, see the B.A. Degree Requirements within the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

Spirituality and Religion Minor

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Philosophy and Spirituality & Religion.

A minimum of 16 credit hours, including:

Spirituality and Religion Electives

Twelve credit hours of SPRE elective courses with at least four credit hours at the 300-level or above.

Additional Elective

Complete four additional credit hours of SPRE or from the following approved elective courses:

SPRE 100 - Introduction to World Religions

4.00 credit hours. A phenomenological study of the major religions of the world. Special emphasis is given to the beliefs, rituals, sacred texts, and ethical dimensions of each religion.

Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Humanities, Global Understanding.
iCon(s): Being Human, Thinking Globally

  

SPRE 101 - Wisdom, Worldviews and Wonder

4.00 credit hours. This course introduces and examines multiple religious and philosophical worldviews through which people and communities have reflected on the world, their place in it, and the paths that lead to a meaningful and good life.

Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Humanities, Ethical Dimensions.
iCon(s): Being Human.
 

SPRE 110 - Introduction to the Bible

4.00 credit hours. An introduction to the academic study of the Bible, including the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible and the New Testament. Students will explore these texts as complex literary and theological documents created under the influence of multiple historical and cultural contexts.

Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Humanities, Ethical Dimensions.
iCon(s): Being Human, Experiencing Place.
 

SPRE 115 - Christian Ethics

4.00 credit hours. An examination of ethical texts, spiritual practices, and applied topics from Early Christianity to the present. Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestant sources and perspectives are included. Topics may include Environment, End of Life, Sexuality and Marriage, War and Military, Immigration and Consumerism.

Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Humanities, Ethical Dimensions, Well Being.
iCon(s): Being Human.
 

SPRE 140 - Jesus

4.00 credit hours. In this course, we will learn about Jesus, his interpreters and his cultural influence. There are no prerequisites or co-prerequisites for this course. No previous religious knowledge or affiliation is required. All are welcome!

Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Humanities.
iCon(s): Being Human.
 

SPRE 150 - Nature and Well Being

2.00 credit hours. Same as: ENVI 150. An introductory course on holistic wellness in which students explore the DuPage County Forest Preserves in concert with readings from the various disciplines. Special emphasis is placed on texts and spiritual practices from various religious traditions.

Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Humanities, Well Being.
iCon(s): Examining Health, Sustaining Our World.
 

SPRE 160 - Christian Spirituality

2.00 credit hours. An 8-week course on Christian spirituality with special emphasis on spiritual practices and spiritual well being. There are no prerequisites or co-requisites for this course. No previous religious knowledge or affiliation is required for this course. All are welcome!

Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Humanities, Well-Being.
iCon(s): Being Human.
 

SPRE 213 - Religion and Healthcare

4.00 credit hours. Designed primarily for pre-Health students. Examines and discusses: 1.) the meaning of health and illness from multiple religious perspectives; 2.) the relationship between spiritual practices and well-being; and 3.) ethical challenges patients and health care professional encounter at the intersection of religion and health care.

Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Ethical Dimensions, Well-Being
iCon(s): Being Human, Thinking Globally.
 

SPRE 215 - The Global Buddha: Permeating Space-Time

4.00 credit hours. A study of the global transformations of Buddhism from its initial development in India to its various formulations in Southeast, Central, and East Asia as well as its more recent manifestations in the West.

Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Humanities, Well-Being.
iCon(s): Being Human, Examining Health, Experiencing Place, Thinking Globally.
 

SPRE 220 - Suffering and Meaning

4.00 credit hours. This course explores how philosophers, theologians, and artists have tried to explain, or at least give meaning to, suffering.

Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Humanities, Ethical Dimensions.
iCon(s): Being Human, Thinking Globally.
 

SPRE 222 - Peace and Violence in the Bible

4.00 credit hours. A survey course designed to examine the themes of peace, war, and violence in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and the New Testament. Special attention is given to the historical context in which the Bible was written and the portrayals of God that result.

Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Humanities, Global Understanding.
iCon(s): Thinking Globally.
 

SPRE 227 - Jesus and Buddha in Dialogue

4.00 credit hours. A comparison of Christianity and Buddhism with a particular focus on their respective contemplative traditions.

Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Humanities, Global Understanding, Well Being.
iCon(s): Examining Health.
 

SPRE 230 - Women and the Bible

4.00 credit hours (Same as GSST 230.) An introductory course that examines how women are depicted in biblical tradition. Students will carefully read narratives about women in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and New Testament and explore their history of interpretation, including contemporary readings.

Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Humanities, U.S. Power Structures.
iCon(s): Being Human, Challenging Inequity.
 

SPRE 235 - Sexuality and Christianity

4.00 credit hours. (Same as GSST 235.) A study of contemporary Christian approaches to sexuality in dialogue with secular philosophies of sexuality.

Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Humanities, Ethical Dimensions, U.S. Power Structures.
iCon(s): Being Human, Challenging Inequality. 

 

SPRE 245 - Hollywood, Values and Religion

4.00 credit hours. An exploration of religious and ethical values in contemporary films with a particular emphasis on social justice concerns related to race, gender and religious diversity.

Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Arts, Ethical Dimensions, U.S. Power Structures.
iCon(s): Challenging Inequity.
 

SPRE 250 - Death and Dying

4.00 credit hours. An examination of the meaning and mystery of death and dying from several religious, philosophical and scientific perspectives. The course also considers both spiritual practices and ethical issues connected to death and dying.

Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Humanities, Ethical Dimensions.
iCon(s): Being Human, Examining Health.
 

SPRE 255 - Spiritual Liberation in India

4.00 credit hours. An exploration of spiritual liberation in the religions of India with a particular focus on overcoming the problems of karma, suffering, and rebirth in Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism.

Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Humanities, Global Understanding.
iCon(s): Being Human, Experiencing Place, Thinking Globally.
 

SPRE 260 - Religious Harmony in China

4.00 credit hours. A survey of the major religions of China with a particular focus on self-cultivation as the key to establishing social harmony (Confucianism), living in harmony with the forces of nature (Daoism), and harmonizing with the totality of space and time (Buddhism).

Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Humanities, Global Understanding.
iCon(s): Being Human, Experiencing Place, Thinking Globally.
 

SPRE 265 - Religious Pluralism in Japan

4.00 credit hours. An examination of the major religious traditions of Japan (Shinto, Buddhism and the so-called “New Religions”) with a particular focus on the harmonious co-existence of diverse religious beliefs and practices from ancient times to the contemporary period.

Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Humanities, Global Understanding.
iCon(s): Being Human, Thinking Globally.
 

SPRE 330 - Cross, Violence and Resistance

4.00 credit hours. An examination of theological interpretations of the life and death of Jesus. Attention is given to how the violent death of Jesus at the core of Christian theology influences the way societies perceive and respond to violence.

Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Humanities, U.S. Power Structures, Community Engaged Learning.
iCon(s): Engaging Civic Life.
 

SPRE 350 - Gender and World Religions

4.00 credit hours. (Same as GSST 350.) An analysis of feminist thought in various global religious traditions with a focus on the redefinition of traditional concepts, rituals and practices.

Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Humanities, Global Understanding, U.S. Power Structures.
iCon(s): Challenging Inequity, Thinking Globally.
 

SPRE 390 - Special Topics

4.00 credit hours. An examination of a current topic, theme, or approach within Spirituality and Religion. Encompasses both theory and applications to personal and communal life.

Prerequisite(s): Two courses from PHIL, SPRE or RELG and ENGL 110.
 

SPRE 392 - Bible Seminar

4.00 credit hours. A reading and writing intensive seminar in which students will join the scholarly conversation on the Bible. Students will analyze select biblical texts, engage in academic research and writing, and discuss their findings with their peers. Rather than survey the breadth of the whole Bible, this course will delve the depths of one small portion of the biblical text, such as Genesis, Psalms, the gospels, or Paul’s letters.

Prerequisite(s): SPRE 110 and ENGL 110.
Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Humanities, Writing Intensive.
iCon(s): Being Human.
 

SPRE 393 - The Evolution of Daoism

4.00 credit hours. (Same as SHMR 393.) This course explores the evolution of Daoism from the earliest masters to its popularization in the West through a student-centered pedagogy that focuses on in-depth reading and lively class discussion.

Prerequisite(s): ENGL 110, English Composition or equivalent.
Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Humanities, Writing Intensive.
iCon(s): Being Human, Experiencing Place, Thinking Globally.
 

SPRE 397 - Internship

0.00-12.00 credit hours. Valuable professional experiences supplement classroom instruction and allow students to apply theories and concepts to broader issues and system. Students explore career options within a specific area of study and critically reflect on the experience in a structured manner. May be repeated with different professional experience.
 

SPRE 399 - Independent Study

1.00-12.00 credit hours. Individual studies undertaken with guidance of a faculty member. May be repeated with different content.
 

SPRE 497 - Internship

0.00-12.00 credit hours. Valuable professional experiences supplement classroom instruction and allow students to apply theories and concepts to broader issues and system. Students explore career options within a specific area of study and critically reflect on the experience in a structured manner. May be repeated with different professional experience.
 

SPRE 498 - Spirituality and Religion Capstone

2.00 credit hours. Engage in the processes of research and iterative writing in order to produce a major final project/paper that will be presented to peers and faculty.

Prerequisite(s): One 300-level SPRE course.
Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Writing Intensive.
 


 

Faculty Emeriti

Thomas R. McFaul
Professor of Ethics and Religious Studies Emeritus
B.A., Northern Illinois University, 1964; M.Div., Pacific School of Religion, 1967; Ph.D., Boston University, 1972
trmcfaul@noctrl.edu

Howard E. Mueller
Dr. C. Frederick Toenniges Professor of Religious Studies
B.A., North Central College, 1958; B.D., Evangelical Theological Seminary, 1961; S.T.M., Yale University Divinity School, 1962; Ph.D., Northwestern University, 1973
hemueller@noctrl.edu

William H. Naumann
Professor of Religious Studies Emeritus
whnaumann@noctrl.edu

Engaging in unique opportunities on and off campus can only enrich your education.

While here, you can

  • Apply for internships and jobs through robust faculty and alumni networks or the Center for Career and Professional Development.
  • Begin graduate-level courseworkat Garrett- Evangelical Theological Seminary, with up to 15 hours of elective credit put towards your undergraduate and graduate degrees.
  • Apply for a Richter Independent Study Fellowship, with grants of up to $5000 for individual research projects, including the cost of overseas travel and living expenses.
  • Engage in Breakaway community service projects.
  • Participate in Focus, Catholic Cardinals, Orthodox Christian Fellowship, the Muslim Student Association, Witches Brew, or other student groups centered on faith and spiritual life.

Let us help you discover your potential!