Course Catalog 2007-2008
Associate Professor Harold Van Broekhoven, Chair
Professors John E. Cort, David O. Woodyard; Associate Professors John L. Jackson, Joan Novak, Harold Van Broekhoven; Assistant Professors C. Keith Boone, JoAnne Henry, Jennifer B. Saunders; Visiting Assistant Professors Lyone Fein, JoAnne F. Henry; Academic Secretary Sandra Mead
Religion is an essential part of humanistic studies in a liberal arts education. The study of religion is one way to establish a view of reality, and more specifically a view of the meaning of human existence as individuals and as social beings in relation to ultimate reality.
The goals of the Department are to familiarize the student with the nature of religion, to give him or her an understanding of both Western and non-Western religious traditions, to help the student develop critical and analytical skills for examining the various religious systems offered in a pluralistic society, and to examine his or her own religious perceptions.
A Religion major requires nine courses. It has the following components. (1) A common set of five courses - Religion 201, Religion 203, Religion 224, Religion 211 and Religion 215 from which four are required. (2) A concentration of at least three courses in designated areas. (3) A seminar for majors and minors only, designed around special topics that will be in a concentration area. (4) A comprehensive examination with take-home and in-class components. First-Year Seminars taught by a member of the department may count toward a concentration. However, no more than one course at the 100-level may count. If a major has completed the common courses and fulfilled a concentration, an Honors Project may count toward the nine-course requirement.
A Religion minor consists of (1) a common set of five courses - Religion 201, Religion 203, Religion 224, Religion 211 and Religion 215 from which four are required; (2) an elective course; (3) a seminar for majors and minors only, designed around special topics; and (4) an abbreviated comprehensive examination.
Introduction to Theology (REL-101). Theology is an attempt to understand ourselves and our world in relation to transcendent reality. It is simultaneously an attempt to state persuasively the claims of faith in relation to the controlling experiences of an era. The course will focus upon theological responses to issues like environmental deterioration, race and gender, war and violence. Woodyard. 4
Ethics, Society and the Moral Self (REL-102). An introductory course which explores contemporary moral dilemmas in light of a variety of ethical alternatives. A variety of moral approaches will be compared. Practical applications will vary but usually include dilemmas related to sexuality, economic justice, racism and sexism, and the use of violence. Novak. 4
World Religions: Wisdom and Compassion (REL-103). An introduction to the comparative study of religion, involving case study surveys of several of the major religious traditions of the contemporary world. Guiding questions include: What does it mean to live within each tradition? What does one do? How does one view the world? To what extent is religion a matter of personal experience and to what extent a matter of social and cultural experience? How have people in these traditions balanced the pursuit of wisdom and the practice of compassion in their lives? How do we begin to study the world's religious traditions? Fein. 4
Introductory Topics in Religion (REL-199). A general category used only in the evaluation of transfer credit. Staff. 1-4
The Reality of God (REL-201). The premise of the course is that the metaphors we use for God are profoundly consequential. The ways we image God effect our understanding of ourselves and our society. We will explore how particular metaphors impact economic justice, the ecological crisis, history and human oppression as well as our personal lives. Woodyard. 4
Jewish Studies (REL-202). The course is an inquiry into the nature of Judaism. The emphasis will be on the development of Rabbinic Judaism during the first half of the first millennium: Theology, History, Rabbinic Literature, Holy Day and life cycle observances. (Not offered 2007-2008) Fein. 4
Asian Religions in the U.S. (REL-203). This course will be a thematic and historical survey of Asian religions in the United States with an emphasis on the last 40 years. Not only will we study the religions of Asian immigrants, but we will also examine Americans who have converted to religions originating in Asia and the ways that Asian religions have been imagined and portrayed in American elite and popular culture. Saunders. 4
Religion and Nature (REL-205). An investigation of the religious value of nature in Christianity and Buddhism, particularly in America and Japan. We look at how people in these cultures have viewed the place of humanity within the world of nature, and the relationships among humanity, God and nature. (Not offered 2007-2008) Cort. 4
Religion in American Politics and Law (REL-206). This course explores the interplay between religion and American culture through the lenses of politics and law. Is there an American view of religion? Is there a religious view of America? Is there an inherent tension between religion and constitutional democracy? Among the topics to be treated are the following: religion in education; science and religion; "civil religion"; war and religion, sects, cults and Native American practices; religious values in the making of public policy. (Not offered 2007-2008) Boone. 4
Religion and Art (REL-207). This course explores the relationship between artistic expression and religious experience. At the heart of the course is the question, "What is the relationship between religion and art?" To explore this question, we will undertake a comparative study of the use and critique of sacred images in Hinduism and Christianity. (Not offered 2007-2008) Cort. 4
The Nature of Religion (REL-210). This course explores some of the ways different scholars have asked and attempted to answer the basic questions, What is religion? What is religious experience? How does one lead a properly religious life? Scholarly approaches include those of history, philosophy, theology, anthropology and psychology. Fein. 4
Introduction to the Bible (REL-211). An introduction to the Hebrew Bible and to the Early Christian (New) Testament interpretation of the Hebrew Bible. The course focuses on the development of the literature of the Bible as reflecting the history of debates over what constituted the religion and culture of ancient Israel and early Judaism. Van Broekhoven. 4
Introduction to the New Testament (REL-212). This course introduces the main areas of New Testament studies: the history, culture, and religious background of the New Testament community; the characteristics, religious phenomena and theological themes of the New Testament writings, and the history of the development of thought during the early centuries of the church, leading to the council of Nicaea. Van Broekhoven. 4
History of Christian Thought (REL-213). A topical study in the development of Christian teachings from the early Middle Ages to the 19th Century. Changing concepts of the church and its approach to human problems are studied. Van Broekhoven. 4
Hinduism (REL-215). A historical and thematic survey of the beliefs and practices of the people of the Indian subcontinent from ancient times until today. Reading selections include both classical texts and modern interpretations. Fein. 4
Religions of China and Japan (REL-216). This course explores the basic teachings and historical development of the most influential religious traditions and schools of thought in East Asia, including Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, and Shinto. Attention is given to classical texts, popular practice and the recent impact of Western culture on East Asian religion. Staff. 4
Sects and Cults (REL-217). A study of religious cults, sects and movements in America. The course will investigate both Western and Oriental religious movements. Western movements would include charismatic, adventist and legalistic sects within Christianity. Oriental movements would include cults of Hindu, Buddhist, and Islamic origins. The study would deal with the theology and practices of the groups, and with problems of the relationship of these religions to society. Jackson. 4
Islam (REL-218). A historical and thematic survey of the beliefs and practices of the Muslim tradition from the time of the Prophet Muhammad to the present. Emphasis upon the ways that Islamic teachings and practices have interacted with, changed, and been changed by various cultures in Asia, Africa, Europe, and more recently North America. Saunders. 4
Christian Ethics (REL-224). An inquiry into the lifestyles based on biblical presuppositions and theological convictions. The course deals with both theory and practice. Various theological perspectives will be considered as we examine specific applications, such as social and economic justice, medical ethics and the use of violence. Novak. 4
Ethics and Institutional Morality (REL-225). A critical analysis of the prospects of morality functioning within organizations and affecting their interactions with other groups. Attention will be given to comparing the moral possibilities of individuals with those of institutions and collectives, and to exploring how institutional and group loyalties tend to shape the behavior of the individuals devoted to them. The course will include an in-depth examination of some of the significant moral dilemmas faced by those in a selected occupation involving institutional commitments (for example, hospital administrators, advertisers, business managers, etc.). Different occupations will be chosen in different semesters. (Not offered 2007-2008) Staff. 4
Exploring Women's Spirituality (REL-227). This course explores writings on spirituality developed by women for the contemporary world. Students will be asked to compare the proposals made by women from diverse backgrounds in order to identify commonalties and to better understand reasons for differences. Each semester, several traditions will be examined in depth; possible traditions include Christian Feminist Spirituality, Goddess Spirituality, African American Womanist Spirituality, Eco-Feminist Spirituality, Lesbian Spirituality, Jewish Feminist Spirituality, Asian American Woman's Spirituality, Latina Spirituality, and Women's Christian Spiritual Writings developed in Asia, Africa and South America. Novak. 4
Rebellion, Resistance and Black Religion (REL-228). This course examines the cultural continuities between African traditional religions and Black religion in the United States. It also explores the connection between politics and religion among Black Americans and the role religion plays in the African-American quest for liberation. The course examines theological and ethical issues, such as the color of God and the moral justifiability of violent revolution. Students will be given an opportunity to study contemporary religious movements, such as Rastafarianism and the Nation of Islam, along with more traditional African sectarian practices such as vodoo and Santeria. Jackson. 4
Women and Western Religion (REL-229). An introductory course analyzing the historical experiences of women within Western religion and contemporary trends in feminist theological thought. Although emphasis will vary, students will be asked to evaluate critical topics such as: how the Bible presents women, feminist reconstructions of Biblical texts, arguments that Christianity and Judaism are essentially sexist, feminist Christian and Jewish theological reconstructions and contemporary Western Goddess spirituality. (Not offered 2007-2008) Staff. 4
Goddesses and Gender in South Asian Religions (REL-230). Since the earliest days of contact Europeans have criticized the status of women in South Asia. Scholars, however, have struggled to reconcile women's apparent subjugation with the myriad religious traditions that honor the feminine devine. This course will explore gender in South Asian religions both through understanding the place of the Goddess in Hinduism and Buddhism and women's religious practices throughout the subcontinent. Saunders. 4
Buddhism (REL-233). A historical and thematic survey of the Buddhist tradition from the time of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, until the present. Emphasis upon the ways in which Buddhist teachings and practices have interacted with and been changed by various cultures in Asia, and more recently in North America. Staff. 4
Special Topics (REL-240). "Religion and Migration" (REL 240-01): Despite a common perception that religions are static and bounded entities rooted in tradition, scholars of religion find, in fact, that religions are dynamic, shifting, and fluid. The migration of people is an area of human activity in which change is foregrounded. Thus, the intersection of religion and migration provides a fruitful field in which we can observe religions, religious institutions, religious people, and religious practices change in light of shifting contexts. This course will examine the range of religios needs and practices of uprooted participants who adapt to new environments and impact their societies of origin and destination as a way to view the process of globalization from the ground up. Jennifer Saunders. "African American Women" (REL 240-02): The course is an interdisciplinary approach to interrogate the experiences of African American Women during the 1960's. What was the social/spiritual/cultural/political matrix out of which African American women came to be initiators, and participants of the Civil Rights, and The Black Power Movements? How does the rise of "Motown Sound", "Soul" music and the Black Arts movement connect with what was happening in both African American culture and the American popular culture? JoAnne Henry. Henry, Saunders. 4
Intermediate Topics in Religion (REL-299). A general category used only in the evaluation of transfer credit. Staff. 1-4
Major/Minor Seminar (REL-300). Staff. 4
Seminar: Special Topics (REL-301). (Not offered 2007-2008) Staff. 4
Christian Origins and the Letter to the Colossians (REL-308). This seminar will examine in depth either a text or group of texts or a theme that is important in the New Testament. Van Broekhoven. 4
Old Testament Studies (REL-309). This seminar will concentrate on either a text or a group of texts or a theme that is important in the Hebrew Bible (or Old Testament). (Not offered 2007-2008) Van Broekhoven. 4
Religion and Society (REL-317). This course investigates the relationships between religion and society and the social dimension of religious truth-claims. The central theme entails a cross-cultural study of religious influences on both social stability and change or revolution. In exploring this tension between religion and existing socioeconomic and political orders, we will consider such examples as religious movements, civil religion, and liberation theology. (Not offered 2007-2008) Woodyard. 4
The Human Condition: Economic Factors and Theological Perspectives (REL-319). Exploration of the interfaces between theological claims and economic policies. The focus will be on the impact of theology upon societal values and of societal values upon economic institutions. Of special concern will be the ways in which outmoded societal values are sustained in the form of economic institutions which may oppress a minority or even a majority in a society. The context of the study will include both the Third World and the United States. (Not offered 2007-2008) Woodyard. 4
Individualism in U.S. Society (REL-331). (Not offered 2007-2008) Woodyard. 4
Seminar: Special Topics (REL-340). Empire: Is America the New Rome? (Not offered 2007-2008) Woodyard. 4
Directed Study (REL-361). Staff. 1-4
Directed Study (REL-362). Staff. 1-4
Independent Study (REL-363). Staff. 1-4
Independent Study (REL-364). Staff. 1-4
Ethical Decisions in Medicine (REL-392). Staffed by faculty in the Religion Department, this course is designed to expose students to various topics in medical areas: genetic screening and counseling, distribution and availability of health care resources, informed consent in patient-physician relationships, and death and dying. (Not offered 2006-2007) Staff. 4
Advanced Topics in Religion (REL-399). A general category used only in the evaluation of transfer credit. Staff. 1-4
Senior Research (REL-451). Staff. 4
Senior Research (REL-452). Staff. 4