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Religion (REL)
Joseph Molleur (chair), Steven Sacks
Major: A minimum of nine courses, to include the following:
- REL 101 and 222;
- A minimum of one Bible course, chosen from the following:
REL 243,
244,
251, or
252;
- Either PHI 203 (Logic and Critical Thinking) or
355 (Philosophy of Religion);
- REL 388; and
- A minimum of four additional Religion courses, chosen such that both of the following criteria are met: (a) all four courses may not come from a single religious tradition, and (b) at least three of the four must be at the 300 level.
Up to two of the following courses, each with substantial religion-related content, may be included in the nine courses required for the major:
ART 265 (Ritual Arts of the African Diaspora),
361 (Saints and She-Devils);
CLA 216 (Classical Mythology);
ENG 326 (Milton);
PHI 301 (Asian Philosophy), and
355 (Philosophy of Religion).
Minor: A minimum of five courses in Religion, to include the following:
- REL 222; and
- A minimum of four additional Religion courses, chosen such that both of the following criteria are met: (a) all four courses may not come from a single religious tradition, and (b) at least three of the four must be at the 300 level.
101. Introduction to Religion
Role of religion in human experience, with attention to major historical forms of religion and a special focus upon the individual quest for meaning and religious understanding. (Humanities) SACKS
222. Religions of the World
Comparative in-depth survey of the major world religions, including the monotheistic traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; the Indo-European traditions of India; and the religions of East Asia. Systematic attention to historical interrelations among traditions as well as differences in worldview and the significance of these differences for understanding human nature and culture. (Humanities) MOLLEUR
241. Israel and Torah
Historical development and character of Israelite religion through its reflections in Hebrew Scriptures from the Pentateuch to the founding of the monarchy. Consideration given to the problem of textual interpretation in light of differences between the traditional and critical approaches to the Bible. Alternate years. (Humanities) SACKS
242. Hebrew Poets and Prophets
Ancient Israelite religious worldview as reflected in a historical, literary, and interpretive study of the prophetic and hagiographic writings in Hebrew Scriptures. Problem of understanding the nature and significance of prophecy, both as a mode of religious experience and a development within the history of Israel's faith. Role of hagiographer in Israelite religion. Alternate years. (Humanities) SACKS
243. Introduction to Hebrew Bible
Introduction to the historical development and character of Israelite religion through its representation in Hebrew Scriptures and relationship to neighboring societies of the Ancient Near East. Consideration given to the problem of textual interpretation, as well as to the differences between the traditional and critical approaches to the Bible. Alternate years. (Humanities) SACKS
244. Issues in Hebrew Bible
Focus on a particular issue or skill in the study of the Hebrew Bible. In the framework of a critical engagement with the Biblical text, the course will focus on issues such as Biblical Hebrew language, religions of the Ancient Near East or archaeology and Biblical history. Particular issue will be specified in the current Course Schedule. Alternate years. (Humanities) SACKS
251. Jesus in the Gospels
Interpretation of Jesus in early Christian literature, focusing on the theological and historical problems in the Gospels. Alternate years. (Humanities) MOLLEUR
252. The Epistles of Paul
Life and writings of the apostle Paul, with special attention to the theological controversies that surrounded his proclamation of the Christian faith. Alternate years. (Humanities) MOLLEUR
265
through 270. Topics in Religion
Topics vary according to specialization or interest of instructor. See Topics Courses.
275. Religion, Magic, and Witchcraft
Cross-cultural perspective on religious beliefs, practices, and world views. Topics include rites of passage, death and dying, the spirit world, witches, magic, myths, syncretism, drugs, shamanism, and revitalization. Special attention is given to ethnomedicine. Prerequisite: ANT 101. Alternate years. Same course as ANT 210. (Social Science) MONAGAN
280/380. Internship in the Practice of Religion
Participation in the activities of a religious organization or institution. See Index. Courses 280/380.
290/390. Individual Project: See Courses 290/390.
324. The Hindu Vision
Hindu worldview as embodied and expressed in this tradition's major teachings, rituals, and social practices. Primary focus on such classical texts as the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Bhagavad-Gita, and the Ramayana. Some attention to developments within modern Hinduism, with particular emphasis on the writings of Mohandas K. Gandhi. Prerequisite: sophomore standing. Alternate years. (Humanities) MOLLEUR
325. The Buddhist Way
Primary teachings, formative figures, and major movements in the development of Buddhist thought in India, Tibet, China, and Japan. Special attention to the Buddhist understanding of reality, analysis of the human condition, and path to Nirvana or Enlightenment. Prerequisite: sophomore standing. Alternate years. (Humanities) MOLLEUR
326. The Islamic Path
Muslim beliefs and practices, theology, law, and rituals in the context of the historical development of Islam into a world religion, with attention to such contemporary topics as the relation of politics to religion, the status of women, and Islamic ``fundamentalism.'' Prerequisite: sophomore standing. Alternate years. (Humanities) SACKS
335. Religions of Ancient Mexico
History and phenomenology of religions in Mesoamerica from Olmec beginnings, with special attention to the worldviews of Aztec and Mayan civilizations and their unique place in the global religious picture. Prerequisite: sophomore standing. Alternate years. (Humanities) VERNOFF
342. Judaism
Basic concepts, practices, and worldview of post-biblical Judaism. Interpretation of Jewish religious life as it existed in Eastern Europe until recent times. Background readings in the history of Jewish people, religion, and thought. Prerequisite: sophomore standing. Offered every third year. (Humanities) SACKS
353. Christian Foundations
Original development of some classic ideas of the Christian faith, with special emphasis on the idea of God. Texts will include the writings of such formative figures as Justin Martyr, Irenaeus of Lyons, and Augustine of Hippo, with attention to early Church councils and creedal documents. Prerequisite: sophomore standing. Offered every third year. (Humanities) MOLLEUR
354. The Protestant Revolution
Major figures and movements that contributed to the division of Western Christendom into Protestant and Roman Catholic communities. Primary emphasis on the writings of Luther, Calvin, and the leaders of the English Reformation, concluding with consideration of the activities and writings of John and Charles Wesley, founders of Methodism. Prerequisite: sophomore standing. Offered every third year. (Humanities) MOLLEUR
356. Christianity in America
An examination of several of the central figures and movements in the history of American Christianity, including the ideas and experiences of Protestant and Catholic Christians, conservative and liberal Christians, black and white Christians, and male and female Christians. Prerequisite: sophomore standing. Offered every third year. (Humanities) MOLLEUR
359. Issues in Christianity Today
Focus upon a particular issue that is of concern in contemporary Christianity, in the framework of an overview of nineteenth and twentieth century developments which define the issue's context. Among the issues that may be highlighted are: the question of faith, the problem of evil, modern concepts of God, the reality of religious pluralism, and feminist theological critiques of traditional Christianity. Particular issue will be specified in the current Course Schedule. Prerequisite: sophomore standing. Offered two out of every three years. Not repeatable, even when topic is different. (Humanities) MOLLEUR
362. Holocaust and Response
Theological developments in the contemporary interaction between Judaism and Christianity as shaped by the watershed events of the Nazi Holocaust, the return of the Jewish People to the Land of Israel, as well as the current political climate, with attention to the claim that basic changes in Western religious understanding are now inevitable. Prerequisite: sophomore standing. Offered every third year. (Humanities) SACKS
363. Suffering and the Sacred
Diverse biblical responses to human suffering, and their elaboration in later Jewish and Christian traditions. Exploration of lament tradition, forgiveness, redemptive suffering, relinquishment, transformation of suffering through personal or group resistance, defiant joy and hope. Includes liberation, black, womanist/feminist, Holocaust, and apophatic approaches. Exposure to contemplative practice. Prerequisite: sophomore standing. Offered every third year. (Humanities) QUEHL-ENGEL
366
through 370. Advanced Topics in Religion
Topics vary according to specialization or interest of instructor. See Topics Courses. Prerequisite: sophomore standing.
375. Religion, Spirituality, and Community
Examines the religious experience; the provision of meaning and belonging; religious commitment and conversion; official and nonofficial religion; the dynamics of religious collectivities; religion, cohesion, and conflict; religion and social inequality; and religious movements and social change. Topics may include women's spirituality and modern witchcraft communities, Native Americans and the sacred earth, and civil rights and faith-based social change. Prerequisite: SOC 101. Alternate years. Same course as SOC 370. (Social Science) OLSON
376. Ritual, Symbol, and Behavior
Exploration of various theories of symbolic anthropology. Emphasis on mythology, festivals, and rites of passage. Topics include secular and religious ritual analysis, ritual drama, tricksters and communitas. Prerequisites: ANT 101 and sophomore standing. Alternate years. Same course as ANT 308. (Social Science) MONAGAN
377. Religion and Literature
Examination of religious themes in contemporary literature and film, including works by such authors as Flannery O'Connor, Annie Dillard, Frederick Buechner, and Zora Neale Hurston. Methods of analysis are drawn from biblical narrative, feminist theory, developmental psychology, and mythic archetypes. Prerequisite: sophomore standing. Alternate years. (Humanities) GILLESPIE
379. Religion and the Artistic Imagination
Exploration of relations between religion and the visual arts, applying theoretical or other insights to concrete materials of European artistic tradition or a non-Western culture. Individual or group-directed study based on ART 256 (Italian Renaissance Art), 257 (Medusa's Gaze: Art in the Age of Galileo), or 266 (American Indian Art: Gender and the Marketplace). Details of other readings, testing, etc. to be worked out with instructor. Available by student request. Prerequisites: two Religion courses and permission of instructor. (Humanities) McOMBER
388. Seminar in Perspectives on Religion
Exploration of advanced issues in the study of religion, treating selected theoretical perspectives as they apply to diverse religious traditions. Content will vary from course to course. Emphasis on individual research. Prerequisites: three Religion courses and junior standing. Alternate years. (Humanities) SACKS
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