Religion 100R Topic: Asian Religious Traditions
(4 semester hours)
Glowski, Janice
This course will consider religious traditions from Asia including Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shinto, and popular traditions. In addition we will consider the challenges of religion in a pluralistic world. Students will become familiar with scriptures and practices from these traditions. Class will be in lecture and discussion format. Class requirements include exam, short papers, and class participation.
Religion 121 R Art of Biblical LiteraturePre-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 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. Writing Intensive.
Religion 137 R 01 Jewish TraditionPre-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 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 171 S Urban Life and Social EthicsThis course is rooted in two facts that some people might see as problems -- Springfield is very typical of U.S. cities and a Wittenberg professor is mayor. This course attempts to turn these facts into opportunities -- an opportunity to use Springfield as a laboratory of urban life and a chance to see these issues from the inside. The purpose of this course is to introduce students to ethical dimensions of contemporary urban life in the United States. The first half of the course will involve some analyses of issues facing cities. The second half of the course will examine some issues facing Springfield as examples of these analyses. Assignments will include two papers and weekly quizzes during the first half of the course and two papers and weekly quizzes during the second half of the course and two examinations.
Religion 176 H – Racism and Social EthicsThis is not a course on African American Religion. It is rather a course on the racism practiced 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 weekly quizzes. Writing intensive.
Religion 177 R – Religious Perspectives on Contemporary MoralPre-Requisite: NONE
This course is intended to provide an introduction to basic moral concepts in Judaism and Christianity (both Roman Catholic and Protestant) and their application to specific issues of current interest. The course examines the relation of moral teachings to the broader theological context in which they occur, analyzes in detail positions taken by religious moralists on particular issues and compares these positions with those of secular thinkers. In some cases, Jewish and Christian perspectives may be compared with those of Islamic, Hindu or Buddhist thinkers. Topics may include lying, sexuality and procreation, assisted reproduction, abortion, euthanasia, stem cell research, genetic engineering, human rights, war, terrorism and nuclear deterrence, equality and gender, justice in access to health care, and environmental ethics.
Religion 200 R – Luther and LutheranismPre-requisite: None
This course first examines the life and thought of Martin Luther, in his historical context. It then considers the development of Lutheran ideas and history down to our time, in the context of the broader Christian tradition and some of the challenges of modern culture. Both Lutheran and non-Lutheran contemporary views will be considered. Requirements include two exams, two short papers, and one longer paper. Writing intensive.
Religion 222 R Understanding the New TestamentNo 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 three or four exams. The class has a lecture/discussion format. Writing intensive.
Religion 275H – 1W Topic: Germans & JewsThis 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 300R/C - 1W Topic: Tibetan Buddhism Through ArtPre-requisite: None
This course explores Tibetan Buddhism by looking at the relationship between Tibetan Buddhist teachings, ritual, practices and artistic traditions in the Tibetan cultural regions. The course focuses primarily on the Xizang province and neighboring regions in China, but also examines the foundations of Buddhism in South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh) and the more recent Tibetan diaspora to the West (Europe and the United States). As visual culture, the art and architecture are examined for their role in articulating Buddhist theories and practices within historical and cultural contexts.
Religion 324 – 1W Topic: Apocalyptic Vision in Ancient and Modern LiteraturePrerequisites: One previous biblical course or permission of instructor
We will begin the semester with an analysis of ancient Jewish apocalyptic tests – Daniel, Enoch, and 2 Esdras. Historical context and literary style of the Jewish texts will be the focus of our attention. Second, we will consider apocalyptic literature of two sectarian groups, the Essenes and Christians. During this part of the quarter we will read the War Rule from Qumran, Revelation, the Apocalypse of Peter, the Apocalypse of Paul, and selected descriptions of heaven and hell in the early Church. Finally, we will consider apocalyptic aspects of English literature by examining such texts as poems of William Blake, stories from Flannery O’Connor, Nathaniel West’s Day of the Locust, and a twenty-first century novel. Students will be responsible for a research paper and several short presentations (theodicy debate, imaging ultimate states of good and evil, reporting on newspaper and magazine articles, etc.). The class is conducted as a seminar with discussion, frequent student presentations, occasional lectures. Writing intensive.
Religion 350 – 1W Topic: Approaches to the Study of ReligionPrerequisites: None - Required for Junior Majors
An examination of various methodological approaches to the academic study of religion. We will discuss common reading and pursue individual research projects including a prospectus for senior essays. Required for all religion majors of the class of 2009. Writing intensive.
Religion 381R – 1W Women & ReligionThe 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.
Religion 498 – Senior EssayRequired for senior religion majors.
