Religion 121 R Art of Biblical Literature
(4 semester hours)
Kaiser, Barbara
Pre-requisite: None
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 three or four exams and regular written responses to readings.
Religion 137 R 01 Jewish Tradition
(4 semester hours)
Millen, Rochelle
Pre-requisite: None
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 -cycle events. Required: three exams and two book reviews. Not writing intensive.
Religion 200 R: History and Literature of the Holocaust
(4 semester hours)
Millen, Rochelle
The near destruction of European Jewry under the Nazi regime stands as one of the greatest human tragedies of all time. As such, the Holocaust has engendered some of the most difficult and lingering philosophical questions of the twentieth century and beyond. What does this event suggest about humanity? What does it suggest about the modern world? About God? About the presence of evil in the world? How ought we to live in a post-Holocaust era? What are our responsibilities—to ourselves, our country, and to others, especially “the Other”? And how can we write about a catastrophe of this magnitude? In what ways should it be represented? Who has the right to do the representing? This class will confront these difficult and significant questions. The class will consider a variety of memoirs, poems, historical documents, and ethical/theological studies. We will also view a number of films and, at the course’s end, consider various works of art (such as sculpture and paintings). Please be forewarned: this material will at times be emotionally upsetting and philosophically challenging. Students will keep journals throughout the semester as well as write several short papers and a longer research paper. A midterm, final, and group presentations will also be required. Writing intensive.
Religion 221 R – Understanding the Old Testament
(4 semester hours)
Kaiser, Barbara
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 241 R – Christian Tradition
(4 semester hours)
Nelson, Paul
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 378 R – Bioethics
(4 semester hours)
Nelson, Paul
This seminar introduces students to basic concepts, issues and arguments in bioethics. The readings are taken from the disciplines of biology, ecology, medicine, philosophy, religious ethics, law and policy studies. Goals for the seminar include (1) becoming familiar with a significant body of professional literature; (2) learning to identify moral issues, analyze moral arguments, and to make and defend moral judgments; (3) reflecting on what it means to be a physician or patient; and (4) exploring the relations between ethics, law and public policy. Topics include abortion, reproductive technologies, stem cell research, cloning, euthanasia, autonomy, paternalism, use of human subjects in research, access to health care, allocation of scarce resources, and environmental ethics. Writing intensive.
