Religious Studies / Center for Religious Understanding

Varner Hall, Room 217
371 Varner Drive
Rochester, MI 48309-4485
(location map)
(248) 370-2154

A staircase with electronic words scrolling across the front.

Schedule of Classes

A glowing range of classes are offered each semester ranging through various religious and cultural perspectives. Introductory courses on Christianity, Islam and Judaism are offered most semesters, and our faculty have several tailored courses highlighting their specialties, including religious traditions, mystics, ethics and the divine.

The Religious Studies program also supports an engaging study abroad program for students to further their hands-on experience as well.

Summer 2023

The semester has ended.  Please refer to the tab for Fall 2023 semester.

Fall 2023

The semester has ended.  Please refer to the tab for Winter 2024 semester.

Winter 2024

Winter 2024 - 1/4/2024 - 4/24/2024

Introduction to Judaism 
REL 1200/CRN 15077
Online - Async
Taught by Michael Pytlik

Religious beliefs, practices and philosophies embedded within the major historical experiences (Biblical and Diasporic) of Jewish people including main institutional branches of Judaism, central characteristics of Jewish culture, and their relationship with non-Jewish groups and societies.

(Satisfies the general education requirement in the global perspective knowledge exploration area. Satisfies the university general education requirement for a writing intensive course in general education. Prerequisite for writing intensive: completion of the university writing foundation requirement.)

Introduction to Christianity
REL 1250/CRN 12833/CRN 11573
Monday/Wednesday/Friday 9:20-10:27 a.m. 
Taught by Randall Engle 
Online -Async
Taught by Charles Mabee 

Key ideas, major concepts, and peculiar language of the Christian religious experience. Focus on history of Christianity, creeds and doctrines of various denominations, Christianity’s cultural influences, and Christian ethical systems.

(Satisfies the general education requirement in the global perspective knowledge exploration area.)

World Religious Traditions
REL 1850/CRN 10378
Online - Async
Taught by Charles Mabee 

Examines the core teachings and practices of the world’s major religious traditions, including Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Chinese religions. Emphasis is on terminology developed within each tradition, identification of human problems that each attempts to solve, and the insights and problematic issues that arise from these attempts.

(Satisfies the general education requirement in the global perspective knowledge exploration area.)

Directed Readings in Religious Studies 
REL 4920/ CRN 10379
Permission of coordinator ([email protected]) 
Taught by Randall Engle 

Individual study of topic(s) not covered in available courses. May be repeated for additional credit.

Religious Comm Prjt Internship
REL 4950/ CRN 15488
Permission of Coordinator ([email protected])
Taught by Randall Engle