Religion 100 R - Topic: Intro to the Bible
Tune
Introductory survey of the Old and New Testaments. Attention will be given to historical contexts, cultural perspectives, and theological themes, to help students appreciate biblical literature.
Religion 121 R - Art of Biblical Literature
Kaiser
This course is intended to help readers appreciate the artistry of biblical prose and poetry. We will examine texts from the Old and New Testaments and Apocrypha, paying special attention to plot structure, word-plays, imagery, repetition, characterization, themes, parallelism and aetiology. Throughout the term, we will consider reinterpretations of biblical literature in the music, literature, and art and film of our own culture. Class sessions have a lecture/discussion format. There will be two or three exams and short weekly writings. Writing intensive. No prerequisites.
Religion 134 C/R - Chinese and Japanese Religious Traditions
Oldstone-Moore
This course examines several religious traditions that have shaped East Asian civilizations. We will study the formal traditions of Taoism, Confucianism, Buddhism, Shinto, and the New Religions; we will also consider the popular religious traditions of China and Japan. Classes include both lecture and discussion; students will be evaluated through essay exams, short papers, and analysis of scripture and other texts. No prerequisites.
Religion 137 R - Jewish Tradition
Millen
This course introduces the student to the Jewish tradition, beginning with its development in the biblical and early rabbinic periods. It focuses upon the general history of Judaism as well as its basic concepts, including readings in primary and secondary texts and discussions of the Jewish calendar and life-cycle events. Required: three exams and two book reviews. Not writing intensive.
Religion 176 H - Racism and Social Ethics
Copeland
This is not a course on African American Religion. It is rather a course on the racism practices against African Americans in the United States. It assumes that racism is bad. It does not assume that we know either just what constitutes racism or what to do about it. We shall begin by confronting the reality of the issue in our society. We will then examine some approaches to the issue arising from the Civil Rights and Black Power Movements. Next we will examine the nature of institutional racism in contemporary U.S. society. Assignments will include three hourly exams, and a final paper. Writing intensive.
Religion 221 R - Understanding the Old Testament
Kaiser
This course is designed especially for religion majors, pre-theological students, and others with a serious interest in biblical studies. We will attempt to place the Old Testament literature in its historical context, understand the theological perspectives which shape the texts, develop methods of interpretation, and simply appreciate the artistry and inspiration of the Old Testament literature. Class sessions have lecture/discussion format. Students will take three exams and write a paper. Writing intensive. No prerequisites.
Religion 222 R - Understanding the New Testament
Kaiser
No prerequisites, but Religion 221 (OT) recommended.
This course is designed for religion majors, pre-theological students and other serious students of religion. Throughout the term we will attempt to understand the historical context of the New Testament literature, discover the religious perspectives which shape the New Testament texts and appreciate the richness of the New Testament writings. Students will be required to read the New Testament and some non-canonical texts, write two papers and take two exams. The class has a lecture/discussion format. Writing intensive.
Religion 241 R - Christian Tradition
Nelson
Historical survey of the development of Christian thought and doctrine in the West. Students will be introduced to the work of major theologians (classical and modern) and to issues of perennial debate such as the tensions between reason and revelation, the humanity and divinity of Christ, nature and grace, justification and sanctification, spirit and structure, and differences between Roman Catholic and Protestant doctrine. Lecture/discussion format. Midterm and final examinations. No prerequisite though students should be aware that the course requires careful reading of primary texts, many of which are quite challenging.
Religion 275 H/L - Germans and Jews
Millen
This course analyzes issues that have characterized the history of German Jewry in its relationship to German Christendom, focusing on the period of the Enlightenment to the aftermath of the Holocaust. Problems of cultural difference, assimilation, European identity, and discrimination as reflected in the literature and historical documents of the times are considered. German and religion sections meet together regularly. Writing intensive.
Religion 300 R/C - Topic: Monkeys, Samurai and Gods: Religion and the Literature of China and Japan
Oldstone-Moore
This seminar will look at religious meaning and messages in some of the best loved literature of China and Japan, including Journey to the West, Tale of Heike, Dream of the Red Chamber, and Narrow Road to the Far Provinces. Class will consist mainly of seminar presentations on background as well as analysis of the texts. We will use videos and other media where possible. Writing intensive.
Religion 374 R - Advanced Ethics: Sexism
Copeland
The basic purpose of Religion 374 - Advanced Ethics: (Sexism) is to become familiar with some important works in religious ethics dealing with sexism in the United States. Each assumes that sexism raises fundamental religious issues but describes these issues in different ways. By reading, discussing and writing about these works students learn about sexism and its religious meaning. This learning will be assessed by their questions and comments in class, through journal entries and papers written about the readings, and by how well they can use these various interpretations in examining a contemporary issue of sexism in their final paper. In each case they will need to discuss the religious and ethical significance of the readings. Writing intensive.
Religion 378 R - Bioethics
Nelson
Seminar on contemporary issues and debates in bioethics. Topics may include abortion, reproductive technologies, cloning, euthanasia, autonomy, paternalism, use of human subjects in research, access to health care, allocation of scarce resources, and environmental ethics. Writing intensive.
Religion 381 R - Women and Religion
Millen
The aim of this course is to understand the status of women within classical and modern Judaism and Christianity and to assess feminism's influence upon and critique of them. Religious institutions and laws are examined from a feminist principle of interpretation. Writing intensive.
