Religious Studies

What  Will I Study As a Religious Studies Student?

Religious Studies is the study of different religions as human social constructions in particular historical contexts. The study of religion is, in many ways, the key to the study of the many and varied cultures that make up the complex world in the twenty-first century.

You can take interesting classes like

• The World of Islam
• The Hebrew Prophets
• Hindu Mysticism
• Literature of the New Testament
• Buddhism
• The Teachings of Jesus
• Jewish Holocaust
• Religion in America

What Can I Do With Religious Studies?

Almost anything!

Many of our majors go on to law school, medical school, or pursue a Ph.D. in Religious Studies or a related field. As an undergraduate stand-alone degree it is excellent preparation for any position where dealing with the many cultures of our pluralistic world is involved. About half of our majors are double majors, e.g., psychology and religion, art and religion, etc. A double major is very valuable in setting a student apart and above the rest in competition for graduate admissions.

Religious Studies students get

• Small classes, a close-knit group of fellow students, and faculty who know and care about your individual goals.
• Intense advising: Students meet with Religious Studies professors once a semester for detailed discussions of major requirements, research interests, and job opportunities.
• A flexible major that you can mold to your interests: With the aid of the faculty and staff, students can create a major that allows them to study topics not necessarily covered in the normal curriculum.

For more information about the Religious Studies major, contact Dr. Jeff Ruff:

304-696-2702 / ruff@marshall.edu / Harris Hall 411

or email: religious-studies@marshall.edu

Faculty

Dr. Jeffrey C. Ruff

Dr. Sydnor Roy

Allen Armel

Teffany Armel

Larry Bailey

Alexandra Bright

Dr. James Leonard

Dr. Amine Oudghiri-Otmani

Rosa Ross

Fall 2026 Courses

RST 206: Religious Traditions Asia (A. Armel) Online Course

RST 220: Literature of the Old Testament (Bailey) TR 2-3:15, HH 137

RST 280: SpTp: Yoga Traditions (Ruff) MW 12-1:15, HH 447

RST 351: Classics of Religious Literature (Ruff) MW 2-3:15, HH 447

RST 360: Hindu Mysticism (Ruff) TR 2-3:15, HH 447

RST 375: Humanities Internship (Roy) TBA

RST 450: Sociology of Religion (Trombley) Online Course

Course Catalog 2026-2027

  - General Education Course

RST 205   Religious Trads of West3 Credit hours   

A comparative study of major religious traditions of the Western world: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Zorastrianism and religions of the Americas.

Attributes: Core II Humanities, International

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 206   Religious Traditions Asia3 Credit hours   

A comparative study of the major religious traditions of Asia: Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism and Shinto, and how these religions have influenced Asian thought and cultures.

Attributes: Core II Humanities, International

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 207   Biblical Geography3 Credit hours   

Students explore the physical and human geography of ancient Palestine and assess how geography informs our understanding of people, events, and places described by Jewish and Christian scriptures.

Attributes: Core II Humanities

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 220   Lit of Old Testament3 Credit hours   

Traces the origins, growth and development of the literature of Hebrew people to the Greek period. Includes an introduction to and application of modern tools of biblical study.

Attributes: Core II Humanities, Literature

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 225   Lit of New Testament3 Credit hours   

Traces the origins, growth, and development of the literature of the early Christian church. Includes an introduction to and application of modern tools of biblical study.

Attributes: Core II Humanities, Literature

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 250   Humanities and Film (CT)3 Credit hours   

An interdisciplinary course to introduce students to the elements of a humanistic education through study of film. (Same as Philosophy 250 and Classics 250; PR or CR: ENG 101)

Pre-req: ENG 101 with a minimum grade of C or ENG 200H (may be taken concurrently) or ENG 201H (may be taken concurrently) or ENG 101P (may be taken concurrently).

Concurrent PR: ENG 101 or ENG 200H or ENG 201H or ENG 101P

Attributes: Critical Thinking, Core II Humanities, Literature, Multicultural

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 260 Intro Anc Egypt Relig & Cult3 Credit hours   

Treats the cultures and religions of Egypt from the Neolithic to Late Periods, and their impacts and receptions in ancient and modern cultures. Archaeology art literature and history based.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 280 Special Topics1-4 Credit hours   

Research adaptable to the needs of the individual student.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 281 Special Topics1-4 Credit hours   

Research adaptable to the needs of the individual student.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 282 Special Topics1-4 Credit hours   

Research adaptable to the needs of the individual student.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 283 Special Topics1-4 Credit hours   

Research adaptable to the needs of the individual student.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 300   The Nature of Religion3 Credit hours   

An analysis of the nature of religious personalities, institutions, literature, philosophies, experiences, and education.

Attributes: Multicultural

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 303   World of Islam3 Credit hours   

An examination of the global cultures of Islam with particular focus upon the origin and development of the religion which binds them together.

Attributes: International

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 304 The Teachings of Jesus3 Credit hours   

An analysis of early Christian writing and a systematic study of the message of the historical Jesus that stands behind it.

Attributes: Literature

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 305 Early Christianity3 Credit hours   

Traces the background, birth, and development of Christian thought from Paul through Augustine.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 310 The Hebrew Prophets3 Credit hours   

The rise of the office of prophet and the contributions of prophecy to religion.

Attributes: COLA Humanities, Literature

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 311 Jewish Holocaust3 Credit hours   

An examination of the religious/philosophical questions raised by the Holocaust of European Jews: Why and how did it occur? What does it tell us about religion and humanity?

Attributes: COLA Humanities

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 319 ABCs of Orthodoxy3 Credit hours   

An examination of Eastern Orthodox Christianity from the culture in which it was birthed to its place in today's society.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 321 The Protestant Faith3 Credit hours   

An examination of the distinctive historical and theological features of the Protestant movement in Western Christendom, with special attention to the distinctive beliefs and practices of contemporary American denominations.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 323 Religion in America3 Credit hours   

The rise and development of religious thinking in America. (Same as History 323)

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 324 The Jewish Way of Life3 Credit hours   

An exploration of the distinctive features of the heritage of modern Judaism. An integrated approach to the study of Jewish religious practices, teachings, literature, and contributions to contemporary life.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 351 Classics of Rel Lit3 Credit hours   

A contextual analysis of selected popular religious classics, e.g., Foxe's Book of Martyrs, Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, St. Augustine's Confessions, Bhagavad-Gita, and the like.

Attributes: Literature

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 360 Hindu Mysticism3 Credit hours   

A general survey of religious life and mysticism throughout South Asian history.

Attributes: COLA Humanities

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 361   Buddhism3 Credit hours   

General survey of Buddhist life throughout history and around the world.

Attributes: International, COLA Humanities

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 375 Humanities Internship3-12 Credit hours   

This course provides the academic structure for- and assessment of- an internship experience.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 390 Junior Seminar in Humanities3 Credit hours   

A structured interdisciplinary study offered by the departments of Classics, Philosopy and Religious Studies in the foundations of human thought, myth, literature, religion, philosophy, art. (Same as Classics 390 - 394 and Philosophy 390 - 394).

Pre-req: ENG 102 or ENG 302 or ENG 201H or YGS 162 or IST 201 or CL 231 or CL 232 or CL 233 or CL 319 or PHL 200 or PHL 201 or PHL 303 or PHL 321 or PHL 340 or PHL 353 or RST 205 or RST 206 or RST 300 or RST 304 or RST 320 or RST 325.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 391 Junior Seminar in Humanities3 Credit hours   

A structured interdisciplinary study offered by the departments of Classics, Philosopy and Religious Studies in the foundations of human thought, myth, literature, religion, philosopy, art. (Same as Classics 390 - 394 and Philosophy 390 - 394).

Pre-req: ENG 102 or ENG 302 or ENG 201H or YGS 162 or IST 201 or CL 231 or CL 232 or CL 233 or CL 319 or PHL 200 or PHL 201 or PHL 303 or PHL 321 or PHL 340 or PHL 353 or RST 205 or RST 206 or RST 300 or RST 304 or RST 320 or RST 325.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 392 Junior Seminar3 Credit hours   

A structured interdisciplinary study offered by the departments of Classics, Philosophy and Religious Studies in the foundations of human thought, myth, literature, religion, philosophy, art. (Same as Classics 390 - 394 and Philosopy 390 - 394).

Pre-req: ENG 102 or ENG 302 or ENG 201 or ENG 201H or YGS 162 or IST 201 or CL 231 or CL 232 or CL 233 or CL 319 or PHL 200 or PHL 201 or PHL 303 or PHL 321 or PHL 340 or PHL 353 or RST 205 or RST 206 or RST 300 or RST 304 or RST 320 or RST 325.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 393 Junior Seminar in Humanities3 Credit hours   

A structured interdisciplinary study offered by the departments of Classics, Philosophy and Religious Studies in the foundations of human thought, myth, literature, religion, philosophy, art. (Same as Classics 390 - 394 and Philosophy 390 - 394).

Pre-req: ENG 102 or ENG 302 or ENG 201H or YGS 162 or IST 201 or CL 231 or CL 232 or CL 233 or CL 319 or PHL 200 or PHL 201 or PHL 303 or PHL 321 or PHL 340 or PHL 353 or RST 205 or RST 206 or RST 300 or RST 304 or RST 320 or RST 325.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 394 Junior Seminar in Humanities3 Credit hours   

A structured interdisciplinary study offered by the departments of Classics, Philosophy and Religious Studies in the foundations of human thought, myth, literature, religion, philosophy, art. (Same as Classics 390 - 394 and Philosophy 390 - 394).

Pre-req: ENG 102 or ENG 302 or ENG 201H or YGS 162 or IST 201 or CL 231 or CL 232 or CL 233 or CL 319 or PHL 200 or PHL 201 or PHL 303 or PHL 321 or PHL 340 or PHL 353 or RST 205 or RST 206 or RST 300 or RST 304 or RST 320 or RST 325.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 419 Rel Thought in West World3 Credit hours   

An analysis of the major schools of religious thought as they have developed in the West.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 450 Sociology of Religion3 Credit hours   

An investigation into religion as a social phenomenon.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 480 Special Topics1-4 Credit hours   

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 481 Special Topics1-4 Credit hours   

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 482 Special Topics1-4 Credit hours   

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 483 Special Topics1-4 Credit hours   

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 485 Independent Study1-4 Credit hours   

Attributes: No Textbook Required

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 486 Independent Study1-4 Credit hours   

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 487 Independent Study1-4 Credit hours   

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 488 Independent Study1-4 Credit hours   

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 490 Senior Seminar in Humanities3 Credit hours   

Disigned for majors as a senior humanities seminar and the culminating interdisciplinary study in the Humanities program. (Same as Classics 490 -494 and Philosopy 490 - 494),

Pre-req: ENG 102 or ENG 302 or ENG 201H or ENG 201 or YGS 162 or IST 201 or CL 231 or CL 232 or CL 233 or CL 319 or PHL 200 or PHL 201 or PHL 303 or PHL 321 or PHL 340 or PHL 353 or RST 205 or RST 206 or RST 300 or RST 304 or RST 320 or RST 325.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 491 Senior Seminar in Humanities3 Credit hours   

Designed for majors as a senior humanities seminar and the culminating interdisciplinary study in the Humanities program. (Same as Classics 490 - 494 and Philosphy 490 - 494).

Pre-req: ENG 102 or ENG 302 or ENG 201H or YGS 162 or IST 201 or CL 231 or CL 232 or CL 233 or CL 319 or PHL 200 or PHL 201 or PHL 303 or PHL 321 or PHL 340 or PHL 353 or RST 205 or RST 206 or RST 300 or RST 304 or RST 320 or RST 325.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 492 Senior Seminar in Humanities3 Credit hours   

Designed for majors as a senior humanities seminar and the culminating interdisciplinary study in the Humanities program. Same as Classics 490 - 494 and Philosophy 490 - 494 ).

Pre-req: ENG 102 or ENG 302 or ENG 201H or YGS 162 or IST 201 or CL 231 or CL 232 or CL 233 or CL 319 or PHL 200 or PHL 201 or PHL 303 or PHL 321 or PHL 340 or PHL 353 or RST 205 or RST 206 or RST 300 or RST 304 or RST 320 or RST 325.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 493 Senior Seminar in Humanities3 Credit hours   

Designed for majors as a senior humanities seminar and the culminating interdisciplinary study in the Humanities program. (Same as Classics 490 - 494 and Philosophy 490 - 494).

Pre-req: ENG 102 or ENG 302 or ENG 201H or YGS 162 or IST 201 or CL 231 or CL 232 or CL 233 or CL 319 or PHL 200 or PHL 201 or PHL 303 or PHL 321 or PHL 340 or PHL 353 or RST 205 or RST 206 or RST 300 or RST 304 or RST 320 or RST 325.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

RST 494 Senior Seminar in Humanities3 Credit hours   

Designed for majors as a senior humanities seminar and the culminating interdisciplinary study in the Humanities program. (Same as Classics 490 -494 and Philosophy 490 - 494).

Pre-req: ENG 102 or ENG 302 or ENG 201H or YGS 162 or IST 201 or CL 231 or CL 232 or CL 233 or CL 319 or PHL 200 or PHL 201 or PHL 303 or PHL 321 or PHL 340 or PHL 353 or RST 205 or RST 206 or RST 300 or RST 304 or RST 320 or RST 325.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

Graduate Course Catalog 2026-2027