Rel 100 C/R - TOPIC: Hinduism
(4 semester hours)
Glowski, Janice
This course explores Hinduism as a socio-religious tradition in South Asia (India, Bangladesh, Pakistan) by examining the relationship between Hindu thought, artistic traditions, ritual and social structures from about 2,5000 BCE to the present. The course also analyzes historical and modern interpretations of Hinduism, from the “Orientalists,” to Mark Twain, to post-colonial scholars, as a way of reflecting on contextual perspective and how “knowing” changes over time. Student assessment is based on group work and presentations, quizzes, mid-semester and final exams, and short writing assignments. No prerequisites.
Religion 100 R - TOPIC: Reflections on the Holocaust
(4 semester hours)
Millen, Rochelle
Pre-requisite: None
As the pivotal event in twentieth century history, the Holocaust raises significant questions for Western culture. How did racism become the ideology of Germany? Why did other European countries assist in carrying out Germany's plans of genocide? Who were the perpetrators, victims, rescuers, and bystanders--and why? How could systematic murder take place in the heart of Christian culture? This course will introduce the student to the historical context of the Holocaust as well as the memoirs, poetry, essays, and post-Holocaust theology that attempt to deal with both its roots and its impact. Writing intensive.
Religion 100R/C - TOPIC: Religions of the Silk Road
(4 semester hours)
Oldstone-Moore, Jennifer
By the second century BCE the Silk Road connected diverse and powerful civilizations across the Eurasian landmass. The civilizations of China, Iran, Iraq, India, the Mediterranean world and numerous nomadic tribes were a part of a movement that integrated regional systems into an early world system. This was a time of tremendous religious ferment, growth and change. Taking the starting place of the Chinese empire and its role in this global trading network, this course will focus on the religions found on the Silk Road through time (second century BCE to the fourteenth century CE, and in the modern era) and space (central and eastern Eurasia). In addition to an overview of major traditions of the premodern era, including Zoroastrianism, Manichaeism, Nestorian Christianity, Islam, Judaism, many schools of Buddhism, and indigenous Chinese religion, we will spend part of our semester focusing on the movement of Buddhist pilgrims responding to the religious growth of Buddhism on the Silk Road including Xuanzang and Fa Xian. We will finish with a look at the modern Silk Road, especially in China's Muslim Xinjiang province.
RELI 100R TOPIC: Judaism and Christianity: The 2000 Year Conversation
(4 semester hours)
Millen, R.
This seminar examines the ongoing relationship between Judaism and Christianity beginning in the first century. Through analysis of primary texts, as well as some secondary ones, the course will familiarize the student with the variety of ways that Judaism and Christianity interacted over the centuries of Western history. Students will read Christian sources on Judaism and Jewish sources on Christianity; will study the medieval disputations of the thirteenth century; and also focus on Luther's writings on Judaism. The early modern period, as well as the nineteenth and twentieth centuries will be discussed through the exploration of primary documents. The central focus of study will be the questions of how and why Jews and Christians came to view each other as religious opponents and what does this 2000 year conversation tell us about the nature of religious truth and religion in general. The course will conclude with discussions of interfaith efforts and analysis of their implications for us all.
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 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. This course counts toward the PAST minor.
Religion 134 C/R - Chinese and Japanese Religious Traditions
(4 semester hours)
Oldstone-Moore, Jennifer
Pre-requisite: None
This course examines several religious traditions which 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.
Religion 177 R - Religious Perspectives on Contemporary Moral Issues
(4 semester hours)
Nelson, Paul
Pre-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 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 324 R - Apocalyptic Vision in Ancient and Modern Literature
(4 semester hours)
Kaiser
Prerequisite: one previous biblical course.
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 and Revelation and examine and respond to modern interpretations of the latter, such as views of the Branch Davidians of Waco. Finally, we will consider apocalyptic aspects of English literature by examining such texts as poems of William Blake, Nathaniel West's Day of the Locust and selected novels chosen by participants. 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 498 - 1W Senior Seminar
(4 semester hours)
Nelson, Paul
Required of all religion majors in the fall semester of the senior year. Examination of several influential theories of religion (Tylor, Frazier, Marx, Durkheim, Weber, Freud, Jung, Evans-Pritchard, Eliade and Geertz) and methodological issues in the academic study of religion. Students will submit a Senior Essay (20 pages) by the last class day. The Senior Essay may be revised prior to final submission for Senior Assessment in the spring semester. Writing intensive. Every year.
