Religion

This course introduces the critical study of religion. Students examine the cognitive, performative and social characteristics of religion. The course includes cross-cultural studies of religious beliefs and practices.

This course examines the different components that create and develop our responsibility, both personal and social. This sense of responsibility emerges in dialogue with God, ourselves, our neighbors, and the environment. We then can act in loving and just ways to respond to and transform the twenty-first century world.

A panoramic view of the content, main characteristics and message(s) of the books of the Old Testament in the light of their social context and as literary expressions of the faith, life and history of Ancient Israel.

A panoramic view of the content, main characteristics and message(s) of the books of the New Testament in light of their social context and as literary expressions of the faith, life and history of the first followers of Jesus and the faith communities they created.

This course offers an opportunity to examine the book of Genesis in a focused way, develop skills of interpretation of ancient texts and closely examine the way one ancient text continues to inform and shape the world in which we live today. The book of Genesis is a foundational text for Judaism, Christianity and Islam and the source of iconic imagery that has been adopted and adapted in some of the world's most famous art and literature.

Perceptions of and actions upon the natural world are deeply connected to religious traditions and practices. The way we encounter, destroy, enhance, consume, honor, and attend to the natural world is related to human understandings of creation, beauty, responsibility, community, justice, interconnection, human identity, the value of non-human sentient life, and expectations of the future, all of which are often related to religious teaching and commitments. In a world currently characterized by environmental crisis and conflict, it has never been more important to examine the role of religion in human understandings of the natural world. This class offers students an opportunity to investigate the connection between religion and nature in the current 21st Century context of urgent eco-anxiety, as well as stubborn hopefulness for a just and sustainable relationship with the Earth.

Religious traditions are often studied in isolation from one another. However, religious traditions have always developed in relation to the world around them. Because of this connection between religious traditions and the practices and beliefs of others, religious traditions are perhaps best understand when they are explored in relation to one another. Therefore, the objective of this course is to explore the ways that religious traditions develop in conversations with each other, both historically and in our present-day context.

This course offers students an opportunity to identify the ways their own lives, personally and culturally, have been shaped by racial and ethnic identity and develop an understanding of the way race and ethnicity have developed over time.

This class will explore how the New Testament has been interpreted, retold and visualized in literature, art and film. What happens in the appropriation of an ancient text to other forms of media? Will will explore the dynamics of biblicall interpretation in deiverse forms of media with the intention of becoming more astute "readers" of film, visual and literary culture, as well as the biblical text itself.

This course is about assumptions (ancient and modern) about social justice, human rights, economic equality, concepts of otherness, and social ethics. In this class, we will examine the various bibilcal ideas of social justice in an attempt to hear more clearly their assumptions and their cultural location. Studying ancient ideas of social justice will provide a clearer understanding of our own understandings of these important concerns.

This course, which explores a topic of contemporary interest to the study of religion, is offered as needed to students with sophomore standing.

This course, which involves supervised research on a selected topic, is offered to students with sophomore standing. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor

This course examines the history of Christian thought and practice from its post-biblical formation to the 20th century. The course focuses on selected thinkers such as Augustine, Anselm, Aquinas, Luther, Calvin, Schleirmacher and Wesley. In addition, the course covers selected topics such as Christianity in the Roman Empire, the theological significance of the ecumenical councils, the split between Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy, the interactions with Judaism and Islam, the medieval church-state relations, the backgrounds of the Reformation and the Counter-Reformation, the Enlightenment’s impact on religious thinking and the beginnings of pietism. Prerequisites: ENG 101 (or ENG 100 with a grade of A), ENG 102 or ENG 103 or COM 103 or SCI 103

This course explores different versions of Christianity around the world. The course also examines the social context, the arts and the ethical and theological writings of various figures of Christianity in Africa, Asia, Latin and South America and the Pacific region. Prerequisites: ENG 101(or ENG 100 with a grade of A), ENG 102 or ENG 103 or COM 103 or SCI 103

This course concentrates on developments within Christian theology and practice during the 20th century. The course covers liberalism and the reaction of neo-orthodoxy. More recent theologians and theological movements such as liberation, feminist, charismatic and evangelical theology are also examined. Prerequisites: ENG 101 (or ENG 100 with a grade of A), ENG 102 or ENG 103 or COM 103 or SCI 103

This course is a study of the political, economic, social and cultural history of Judaism and Islam and the texts of these beliefs. In addition, this course develops an understanding of the historical similarities and dissimilarities in Judaism and Islam and their relevance for modern America. Prerequisites: ENG 101(or ENG 100 with a grade of A), ENG 102 or ENG 103 or COM 103 or SCI 103

This course explores selected aspects of the history of Christian ethics. The course also examines ethical issues in the areas of sex, medicine, politics, economics and the environment. Prerequisite: ENG 101(or ENG 100 with a grade of A), ENG 102 or ENG 103 or COM 103 or SCI 103

This class examines a diversity of ways religious traditions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) have understood, taught and enforced sexual ethics. Special attention will be given to understandings of sexual ethics in sacred texts and the ways those ancient narratives continue to affect modern discourse around the world about such issues as gender identity and gender roles, constructions of the body, marriage and family, sexual orientation, and the place of sexualtiy in human life more generally.

This course is an exploration of the violent narratives, imagery, symbolism and rhetoric of the Bible. That the Bible contains violent themes and stories is not a new observation. In fact, one of the fundamental assumptions of this class is that violence occurs in biblical texts and that the Bible, as well as other sacred texts, has authorized and legitimated acts of violence in the world on many occasions.

This course covers selected stories of Jesus’ birth, public ministry, death and resurrection in Matthew, Mark and Luke and introduces students to the interpretation of these gospel traditions from a critical standpoint. Prerequisites: ENG 101 (or ENG 100 with a grade of A), ENG 102 or ENG 103 or COM 103 or SCI 103

This course focuses on the historical development of Hinduism in South Asia. It also covers Hinduism’s relationship with wider aspects of South Asian society as well as the relationship of Hinduism to other religions such as Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and Islam. Hinduism’s confrontations with modernity are also considered. Prerequisites: ENG 101(or ENG 100 with a grade of A), ENG 102 or ENG 103 or COM 103 or SCI 103

This course surveys the history of religion in America. While examining the wide variety of religions in the U.S., this course focuses primarily upon various forms of Christianity and their relationships to the surrounding society and culture. Prerequisites: ENG 101(or ENG 100 with a grade of A), ENG 102 or ENG 103 or COM 103 or SCI 103

A holistic analysis of the main sociological variables expressing and contributing to a person’s strong sense of calling and mission in life such as vision, passion, gifts, skills, talents, current social needs and challenges and professional opportunities of service in the church and related ministries in a global society.

A research paper on a religious topic of the student’s choice in consultation with his or her advisor. Though optional, the thesis is recommended for students who plan to go to graduate school.

A supervised practical experience in a setting that will help students refine their religious vocation, explore options of service, integrate skills and insights learned in class and prepare them for a career in the church, the community, or the field of religion. This internship is required for students in the Christian Vocation tracks.

This course, which explores a topic of contemporary interest to the study of religion, is offered as needed to students with junior-senior standing.

This course, which involves supervised research on a selected topic, is offered as needed to students with junior-senior standing. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor