Cascade Campus
Cascade Hall (CH), Room 306
971-722-5251
Rock Creek Campus
Building 5, Room 245
971-722-7327
Southeast Campus
Scott 106
971-722-6217
pcc.edu/programs/religious-studies/
Career and Program Description
Religious Studies, as an interdisciplinary field, investigates the variety of human religious experience. A broad understanding of religion is sought through critical reflection on the various founders, history, myths and doctrines, rituals and traditions, and social and personal ethics. Techniques from the arts, humanities, social, and even hard sciences are employed. Religious Studies prepares students for work and study in disciplines such as religion and ministry, social service, archaeology, education, law, linguistics, or political science.
PCC offers four Religious Studies courses. The basic course is World Religions, R 210, which fulfills both General Education and cultural literacy requirements, as does Asian Religions, R 201. Both classes can be used to meet requirements for the Asian Studies Focus Award. Introduction to Old Testament, R 211 and Introduction to New Testament, R 212 provide overviews of the religious background to Western culture, and also meet prerequisites for students transferring to some private colleges and universities.
AAOT students interested in earning a bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies should take related courses in areas such as anthropology, history, literature, and philosophy. Students must check for the specific requirements of the bachelor’s program to which they intend to transfer. The interdisciplinary nature of the field allows students to customize their educational goals while providing a solid foundation for future learning.
R 201. Asian Religions. 4 Credits.
Explores the religions of Asia, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Daoism, Confucianism, and Shinto. Includes readings of sacred texts and scholarly literature. Focuses on the founders and history, myths and doctrines, rituals and traditions, and social and personal ethics for each tradition. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available. This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Cultural Literacy, Arts and Letters/AAOT, Arts and Letters/AS, Arts and Letters/AAS, Arts and Letters/AGS, Arts and Letters/ASOT-B.
R 210. World Religions. 4 Credits.
Examines the major religions of the world, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Chinese religions, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Attention is given to their founders and history, myths and doctrines, rituals and traditions, and social and personal ethics. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available. This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Cultural Literacy, Arts and Letters/AAOT, Arts and Letters/AS, Arts and Letters/AAS, Arts and Letters/AGS, Arts and Letters/ASOT-B.
R 211. Introduction to the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible. 4 Credits.
Examines the biblical texts of the Old Testament from a distinctly academic perspective. Focuses on major historical events and interactions with various empires as they relate to the faith and definition of early Israel. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available. This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Arts and Letters/AAOT, Arts and Letters/AS, Arts and Letters/AAS, Arts and Letters/AGS, Arts and Letters/ASOT-B.
R 212. Introduction to the New Testament. 4 Credits.
Examines the historical antecedents of New Testament events and the context in which New Testament texts were written and the situations they were intended to address. Focuses on the placement of the texts within the development of the early Christian movement and the different genres represented within the writings of the New Testament canon. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available. This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Arts and Letters/AAOT, Arts and Letters/AS, Arts and Letters/AAS, Arts and Letters/AGS, Arts and Letters/ASOT-B.