Courses Taught in the
Religious Studies Program
. . . described
by those who teach them. . . .
- RS 3101 Introduction to Religious Studies
- What is religion? What are its origins? What does religion do--or not
do--for humanity and individuals? Using both primary sources and commentaries, students
will explore these questions from philosophical, psychological, sociological,
phenomenological, and experiential perspectives. Students will be encouraged to formulate
personal responses to the issues presented.
- RS 3310 Major World Religions
- We will explore the primary religious traditions of the world from the
standpoint of the human spiritual experience: Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism,
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Guest speakers from various faiths will visit the class
informally to provide insider insight. We will use a cross-cultural, comparative approach.
You may gain self-understanding and knowledge important to living in a pluralistic world.
- RS 3350 Culture, Personality, and Religious
Belief
- Why do people believe what they believe? How does personality affect
religious belief, and how does religious belief affect personality? In what ways is
personality manifested in religious belief? Beginning with these questions, this course
will explore the dynamic relationship between personality and religious belief. In
addition to readings, in-class discussions, and individual research, students should
expect to do some in-depth personal assessments
- RS 3350 Life and Teachings of Jesus
- This crucially important subject will be presented with reference both to
traditional interpretations and to modern research. Some time will be devoted to possible
new sayings of Jesus, discovered in recent years.
- RS 3350 Hispanic Religious Expressions
- What role does religion play in Hispanic culture? What are the many ways
that such beliefs are manifested? How do the fields of history, anthropology, sociology,
theology, literature, and art all contribute to a better understanding of how Latinos and
Latinas experience the Sacred? This course provides an opportunity for students to explore
such areas as popular religion, the historical roots of religions expressions, how
religion appears in contemporary movies, art, and music, and also to learn about various
perspectives. In addition to regular lectures and readings, the class features films,
slides, class discussions, and guest speakers. (May be used for Chicano Studies.)
- RS 3350 Understanding Judaism and the
Holocaust
- This course will explore the Holocaust in the context of the basic
principles and teachings of Judaism from its inception to modern life. In addition to the
Holocaust, we will explore perspectives on other dilemmas of Jewish living, including
assimilation, Zionism, anti-Semitism, ethical monotheism, relationship to other religions,
Jewish identity, observance, and the hereafter. We will also discuss Jewish perspectives
on issues such as capital punishment, homosexuality, and medical ethics.
- RS 3350 Gender and Western Religion
- In this course we explore in depth how religion shapes and reinforces
cultural identities of gender as well as how men and women contribute to shaping their
religious traditions. Using a gender analysis approach, we examine the myths, beliefs,
institutional structure, scripture, ethics, and rituals of the three major monotheistic
faiths: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. We consider past and present situations along
with creative revisioning within each tradition for the future.
- RS 3350 Early Jewish and Christian
Literature
- Important early Jewish and Christian material that was never accepted
into the Bible helps us understand the Bible and the origins of Judaism and Christianity.
We will study selections from the book of Enoch, the Dead Sea Scrolls, Pirqe Aboth, the
Apostolic Fathers, the Gnostic Gospel of Thomas, and Apocryphon of James.
- RS 3350 Buddhism
- In this course we will explore what it means to be a Buddhist. How does a
Buddhist understand the world, society, the individual--in short, the way things are? How
have diverse cultures of Asia, the primary home of Buddhism for its first two millennia,
shaped Buddhist ideals, beliefs, and practices; and how have Buddhists contributed to, and
inspired, the development of these cultures? In addition, we
will examine Buddhism in America and issues of gender within the Buddhist tradition.
- RS 3350 Practical Christian Ethics
- This course is an exploration of the ethical reasoning used in questions
of public policy. We will uncover conceptions of what is "good" and
"better" in the thinking of activists, the media, and the social sciences as
well as in classical, philosophical, and theological texts. In addition to reading
assigned the whole class, each student will choose a policy question to investigate.
Students will learn to construct a multi-levelled, "thick," description of the
situation they chose and will interview someone active in it. Students will also be
encouraged to become personally engaged in volunteer service.
Note: RS 3101 Introduction to Religious Studies and RS 3310 Major World
Religions are offered twice each academic year. The variable topics courses (RS 3350)
and cross-listed courses are offered as often as possible, contingent upon department
course rotations and availability of instructors.
Home Page