Reasoned Examination of Faith courses, 2026-27 fall semester

One of the core requirements at Augustana College is for students to select a course that examines religious traditions. This requirement is called Reasoned Examination of Faith (REF).

Below are Reasoned Examination of Faith (REF) courses for fall semester 2026.

RELG-203 Christian Ethics (REF)

An examination of Christian and other perspectives on ethical decision-making and on issues such as sexual ethics, abortion, war and peace, and the environment.

RELG-210 Sages, Mystics, and Philosophers (4 Credits) (REF)

Students explore how Christian, Hindu & Muslim mystics think about Ultimate Reality (God, Brahman, Allah) through both logic & faith and how they undertake spiritual journeys toward mystical union with Him/Her/It. Students consider contemporary issues about Yoga, mystical tourism, "spiritual but not religious" & the challenge of studying religions through one's own biases.

RELG-212 The Disciplined Life (4 Credits) (REF)

The Disciplined Life: Asceticism in Buddhism, Christianity and Hinduism is a comparative study of the disciplined life focusing on asceticism in the religious traditions of Buddhism, Christianity, and Hinduism.