111- Biblical Hebrew – This course is a formal introduction to the basic rules and principles of Biblical Hebrew that is designed to facilitate critical reading of the Hebrew Bible. Emphases will be placed upon recognition and translation, employing a controlled vocabulary that consists of the most common Hebrew words and forms. Every class session will entail oral reading (some of which students will be required to tape) and writing exercises from the primary (i.e., Hebrew Bible) and/or resource (i.e., grammar book) texts. The premise of the course is that grammatical and literary analyses of the Hebrew texts are facilitated and complemented by writing Hebrew, including translating Hebrew into English, and that learning the language requires vocalization. Area One: Biblical Studies. This course does count toward the RELS major and minor; however it does not count toward the AOK requirement. Prerequisite: none. Three hours. Mr. Ross. Back to top
112- Biblical Hebrew – This course is the sequel to RELS 111 and is designed to focus upon the principles of syntax and to further reading skills. Students will apply the rules and principles of Biblical Hebrew and thereby employ grammatical insights in reading and analyzing selected passages from the Hebrew Bible. This analysis will entail oral reading (some of which students will be required to tape) and diagramming of sentences from the Hebrew Bible. The premise of the course is that grammatical and literary analyses of the Hebrew texts are facilitated and complemented by writing Hebrew and that learning the language requires vocalization. The primary objective of the course is textual, grammatical, and literary criticism of the Hebrew Bible. Area One: Biblical Studies. This course does count toward the RELS major and minor. Also, it fulfills one AOK requirement in Religious Studies/Philosophy. Prerequisite: RELS 111. Three hours. Mr. Ross. Back to top
205 - Introduction to Religion � An inquiry into the nature of religious experience and expression. Themes to be considered include interpretations of the term "religion," theories of the origin of religion, myth and ritual, religious language, religious communities, religion and society. Area Three: Religion and Culture. Three hours. Mr. Breitenberg. Back to top
211 - Old Testament History and Literature � A survey of the Old Testament documents in which attention is given to the theories of critical scholarship concerning such major problems in Old Testament studies as the origins of the literature, the historical development of the Old Testament community which produced the literature, and the religious significance of those writings in their own times. Special consideration is given to the covenant concept, the message of the prophetic books, and the emergence of apocalyptic thought in the late Old Testament period. Area One: Biblical Studies. Three hours. Staff. Back to top
212 - New Testament History and Literature � An introductory survey of the literature of the early Christian church contained in the New Testament, utilizing current critical scholarship concerning such questions as the historical-cultural setting out of which the New Testament emerged, the content of the various New Testament documents, their meaning within their own time, and the kinds of religious questions addressed in the New Testament. Area One: Biblical Studies. Three hours. Staff. Back to top
221 - World Religions: Indian, Buddhist, Chinese, Japanese � An examination of the history, beliefs, and practices of living religions of the world: Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Shinto, and Jainism. Consideration will be given to the variety of answers offered to life's questions, and to the present encounter of world religions. Both primary and secondary sources will be used in learning the basic vocabulary, critical problems, and current state of each of the religions studied. Area Two: The World�s Religious Traditions. Three hours. Mr. Headrick. Back to top
222 - World Religions: Judaic, Christian, Islamic � An examination of the history, literature, beliefs, and practices of living religions of the world: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Zoroastrianism, and Bahai. Consideration will be given to the variety of answers offered to life's basic questions, and to the present encounter of world religions. Both primary and secondary sources will be used in learning the basic vocabulary, critical problems, and current state of each of the religions studied. Area Two: The World's Religious Traditions. Three hours. Mr. Headrick. Back to top
227 - Islam � This course is an introduction to and overview of Islam, from its beginnings to the present. The class examines the origins of Islam, the content and significance of the Qur'an, the role of Muhammad, and the primary beliefs and practices of Muslims throughout the centuries. We will study the development and expansion of Islam and its impact on politics, law, families, the arts and sciences, and other areas of society around the world. Students will learn about various groups within the Islamic tradition, such as Sunni, Shi', Sufi, and The Nation of Islam. We will also examine the relationship of Islam to other religions and the continuing importance of Islam throughout the world today. Area Two: The World's Religious Traditions. Offered every third or fourth year. Three hours. Mr. Headrick. Back to top
235 - Issues in Ethics � A study of the relationships between personal and social ethics and religious faith and practice. We will examine ways in which religious communities, texts, and traditions affect the personal nature of moral decision making and the relationship of this responsibility to specific and basic ethical concerns of the human community. The course introduces students to religious ethics as a field of study and explores personal and social ethics within different cultures and religious traditions. Students will also study and discuss ways in which various religious traditions address specific ethical issues. Area Three: Religion and Culture. Offered every third or fourth year. Three hours. Mr. Breitenberg. Back to top
240 - Italy: Heritage of Christianity � This on-site course is designed to acquaint students with the rich heritage of Christianity, focusing on selected sites of interest from the first century through the rise of the imperial church; medieval and renaissance periods; and modern Christianity. A major component of this focus will be artistic and architectural treasures. Sites visited include Venice, Florence, Assisi, Rome. Area Three: Religion and Culture. Offered alternate years. Three hours. Ms. Seymour and Mr. Headrick. Back to top
251 - Literature of the Holocaust � A study of the impact of the Holocaust upon individuals and groups as evidenced in writings, films, and works of art. The course begins with a historical study, then examines various forms of Holocaust literature produced by survivors of the Holocaust and by its perpetrators, victims, resisters, and bystanders. These works include eyewitness accounts, fiction, poetry, diaries, tales, oral histories, visual arts, music, and videos. We will also learn from the work of Holocaust scholars. Throughout the course we will give attention to religion's role in the Holocaust and ask about the Holocaust's continuing significance for both personal and social ethics and religious faith and practice. Area Three: Religion and Culture. Offered every two or three years. Three hours. Mr. Breitenberg. Back to top
271 - Women and Religion � An examination of the pertinent biblical texts and documents of the Judeo-Christian tradition that relate to the issue of women and religion. A careful inquiry will be made into the roots and the range of the dominant model that has informed Western culture with respect to this concern and alternative patterns of experience will be suggested. Particular attention will be given to the formative role of language in the shaping of attitudes. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Area Three: Religion and Culture. Not open to freshmen. Offered alternate years. Three hours. Mr. Breitenberg. Back to top
275 - Liberation Theology � An examination of the development and expression of liberation theology through the study of representative writings emerging from current liberation movements (Black, feminist, Latin American); theological and ethical resources on which they draw; the delineation of unresolved problems such as the liberation of oppressors and viable forms of political and social transformation. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Area Three: Religion and Culture. Offered every third or fourth year. Three hours. Mr. Headrick. Back to top
311 - Prophecy in Ancient Israel � A study of the life and message of the Old Testament prophets within their historical context. Attention will be given to the phenomenon of prophecy elsewhere in the ancient Fertile Crescent. Students are expected to become familiar with the critical theories concerning the prophetic literature through a study of the scholarly literature. Prerequisite: RELS 211 or permission of the instructor. Area One: Biblical Studies. Offered every three years. Three hours. Mr. Ross. Back to top
321 - Life and Teaching of Jesus � In this course students will investigate such topics as the history of Jesus-research since the eighteenth century, the sources of information about Jesus, what one can know about the life of Jesus of Nazareth, the "kingdom of God" teaching, the works of Jesus and their relationship to his ministry, and the ethical teaching of Jesus. The course is conducted on a seminar basis in which each student is expected to prepare papers for presentation and discussion in class. Prerequisite: RELS 212 or permission of the instructor. Area One: Biblical Studies. Offered alternate years. Three hours. Back to top
322 - Life and Letters of Paul � A study of the Pauline Epistles and current thought concerning the Apostle Paul. Special attention is given to his contribution to the development of Christian thought and its relevance to our day. Students will be expected to familiarize themselves with the major problems of Pauline studies and current scholarship regarding them. This course is speaking intensive. Prerequisite: RELS 212 or permission of the instructor. Area One: Biblical Studies. Speaking intensive. Offered every third year. Three hours. Back to top
323 - The Book of Revelation � This course will approach Revelation as an example of the literary genre "apocalypse." Through comparison with other apocalyptic texts (especially Daniel), and with prophetic materials from the Hebrew Bible, the student will gain entrance into the intricate symbolic world of Revelation. Consideration will be given to the likely social and historical context of the book, and to the light such information can cast upon the function of the work in its original setting. The focus of the course, however, will be the close reading of the text itself. Area One: Biblical Studies. Speaking intensive. Offered every third year. Three hours. Mr. Ross. Back to top
335 - History of Christianity from the Early Church to the Protestant Reformation � A survey of the development of the Christian Church from the second century to the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. Particular attention will be given to theological controversies and Church Councils, the expansion of the Church into the West in the early Middle Ages, the relationships between Western and Eastern Churches, the Crusades, monasticism, and the influence of the Renaissance. Area Three: Religion and Culture. Offered every fourth year. Three hours. Back to top
336 - History of Christianity from the Protestant Reformation to the Present � Attention will be given to the rise and development of denominations, major theologies, controversies, and trends. Topics explored will also include the Counter Reformation, the Great Awakening, conflicts between science and religion, fundamentalism, liberalism, ecumenism, and third world developments. Area Three: Religion and Culture. Offered every fourth year. Three hours. Mr. Headrick. Back to top
341 - Studies in Contemporary Theology and Theologians � This course is designed to introduce the student to the field of theology through a study of selected contemporary theological issues and directed reading in works by theologians including Tillich, Bultmann, Bonhoeffer, Barth, Ruether, Niebuhr, Trible and Buber. Students will be expected to research assigned topics and to prepare papers for presentation and class discussion. Prerequisites: Two previous courses in the department or permission of the instructor. Area Three: Religion and Culture. Offered every fourth year. Three hours. Back to top
343 - History of Christian Thought: Themes � A study of selected themes of special significance in the history of Christian thought, including religious language, the philosophy of existentialism, and major issues in Christian history. Students will be expected to keep journals, to research assigned topics, and to conduct class discussions dealing with their research. Area Three: Religion and Culture. Offered every third years. Three hours. Staff. Back to top
352 - Religion and Literature � An attempt to relate major themes of such authors as Auden, Melville, Camus, Dostoevsky, Greene, Hurston, Fugard, Eliot, and Faulkner with the concerns of religion. Emphasis will be placed upon the dominant values and attitudes arising in Western literature in relation to theological issues and religious practice. Students will be expected to research assigned topics and to conduct class discussions dealing with their research. Area Three: Religion and Culture. Offered alternate years. Three hours. Back to top
362 - The Johannine Literature � An investigation of the Fourth Gospel and the Epistles of John with an emphasis on their particular contribution to New Testament thought. Consideration will be given to the relationship between the Fourth Gospel and the Epistles in terms of authorship, style, and content, the relationship between the Fourth Gospel and the Synoptic Gospels, the religious traditions which may have influenced the Fourth Gospel, and the content of the Johannine writings. Prerequisite: RELS 212 or permission of the instructor. Area One: Biblical Studies. Offered alternate years. Three hours. Back to top
375 - Religion and Sexuality � An exploration of the theological dimension of human sexuality and how differing faith perspectives understand issues in sexuality. Concerns that face individuals and how these are framed through religious experience will be examined. Issues include the role of women in the church, AIDS, pornography, family life education, homosexuality, and abortion. Area Three: Religion and Culture. Three hours. Mr. Vaughn. Back to top
404 - The Dead Sea Scrolls � A study of the scrolls discovered in the Judean wilderness and the continuing debate concerning their interpretation and importance. An effort will be made to determine their significance for the study of the Old Testament, late Judaism, and early Christianity. Area One: Biblical Studies. Offered every third year. Three hours. Back to top
450 - Internship � Students will have opportunity to gain practical experience in the application of their learning in Religious Studies to actual situations through a field placement with area churches, church-related agencies, and organizations whose concerns focus upon social/ethical/religious issues. Area Three: Religion and Culture. Application required; see page 43. Three hours. Staff. Back to top
481-482 - Special Topics � Designed to meet the needs and interests of advanced students. Topics will vary but may include an intensive study and interpretation of figures and movements in religion not covered in the general curriculum. Three hours each. Staff. Back to top
487-488 - Department Honors I and II. Staff. Back to top
491-492 - Independent Study � An independent study under the guidance of a member of the department. At least a 3.25 cumulative grade point average and approval by the curriculum committee are required. Three or six hours. Staff. Back to top
497-498 - Senior Project � Senior majors may select an area of religious studies in which they will undertake intensive and independent research. Six hours. Back to top