Course Catalog 2008-2009
Associate Professor Harold Van Broekhoven, Chair
Professors John E. Cort, David O. Woodyard; Associate Professors John L. Jackson, Harold Van Broekhoven; Assistant Professors C. Keith Boone, K. Christine Pae, Jennifer B. Saunders; Visiting Assistant Professor Lyone Fein; 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 211, Religion 215, and Religion 224 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. Ordinarily, 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 211, Religion 215, and Religion 224 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. (Only offered Fall 2008) 4
Ethics, Society and the Moral Self (REL-102). Any forms of ethical considerations in human society underlie a basic assumption that a human person is a social being. From cross-cultural and historical perspectives, this course will explore philosophical and religious understandings of a human person as a morally responsible being in society. How do these understandings lead an individual analyze her/his social context and make an ethical decision in order to make society a better place for all? As a person of blood and flesh, how is one's ethical reflection on society limited to or transforming contemporary social issues such as racial injustice, economic distribution, gender equality, and militarism? The students are expected to critically engage with an ethical concept of justice, as an analytical tool. 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? 4
Introductory Topics in Religion (REL-199). A general category used only in the evaluation of transfer credit. 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. (Only offered Fall 2008) 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, and Rabbinic Literature. (Not offered 2008-2009) 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. (Only offered Spring 2009) 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 2008-2009) 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 2008-2009) 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 2008-2009) 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? Scholarly approaches include those of history, philosophy, theology, anthropology and psychology. (Not offered 2008-2009) 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. (Only offered Fall 2008) 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. (Only offered Spring 2009) 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. (Only offered Spring 2009) 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. (Only offered Spring 2009) 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. (Not offered 2008-2009) 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. (Only offered Fall 2008) 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. (Only offered Fall 2008) 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. (Only offered Spring 2009) 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 2008-2009) 4
Exploring Women's Spirituality (REL-227). Are religions problematic to women's lives or vice versa? Inquiring about women's commitment to social activism in their respective religions and societies, this course will explore various spiritualities practiced by women. The students will be asked to contemplate what issues women are facing in their institutionalized religions and societies; how they create their own sacred space through spiritual practices; and in what ways these women interweave their lived experiences, religious traditions, and social activism together. This course will explore women's diverse spiritualities from cross-cultural and inter-religious perspectives. Prospective traditions will be drawn from Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Native-American religion practiced by eco-feminists, Latinas, Asian and African women, womanists, and western feminists. (Only offered Fall 2008). 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. (Only offered Spring 2009) 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 2008-2009) 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 divine. 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. (Not offered 2008-2009) 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. (Only offered Spring 2009) 4
Special Topics (REL-240). "Christians and Jews" (REL 240-01) The Blood Libel. "Witch" Burnings. Expulsions. Ghettos. Dress Codes. The Spanish Inquisition. Pogroms. Making Intermarriage Punishable By Death. Child Kidnappings. Forced Baptism. Social Exclusion. Church-approved Theft and Violence. Accusations of Satanism. The Holocaust. Double-Standards Regarding National Sovereignty and Self-Defense. Why has it been so difficult for so many Christians to act like "Christians" when it has come to the Jews? Anti-semitism has dogged the reputation of those who claim to speak in the name of Jesus, the gentle Jew from Nazareth, for about 1,800 years now. Is this "longest hatred" endemic to the Christian Religion, or simply an unfortunate accident of history? How have the centuries of persecution affected Judaism's religious outlook? What are the hopes for authentic reconciliation between these two great traditions? Does this history obligate us to re-examine our own attitudes and actions today? (Only offered Fall 2008) "Sex and Violence in Ancient India: The Mahabharata" (REL 240-02) An epic tale of family betrayal and spiritual struggle, the Mahabharata is one of the most widely read pieces of literature in India. We will explore the Mahabharata as a sacred text and place the events portrayed therein in the broader context of the human search for meaning in life. Why does it seem so difficult, at times, to obtain the simplest of things? Does one's cultural, or historical context alter the search for meaning in ways that are significant? How can I tell that I have truly found peace? (Only offered Fall 2008) 4
Intermediate Topics in Religion (REL-299). A general category used only in the evaluation of transfer credit. 1-4
Major/Minor Seminar (REL-300). (Only offered Spring 2009) 4
Seminar: Special Topics (REL-301). (Not offered 2008-2009) 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. (Not offered 2008-2009) 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 2008-2009) 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 2008-2009) 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 2008-2009) 4
Individualism in U.S. Society (REL-331). (Not offered 2008-2009) 4
Seminar: Special Topics (REL-340). Empire: Is America the New Rome? (Not offered 2008-2009) 4
Independent Study (REL-363). 1-4
Independent Study (REL-364). 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 2008-2009) 4
Advanced Topics in Religion (REL-399). A general category used only in the evaluation of transfer credit. 1-4