107. Introduction to African American Religious Traditions. Baldwin (1:10-2:25 TR) An historical survey of the leadership, dynamics, and cultural milieu of African-American religious traditions, with some attention to institutional expressions and theologies from the colonial period to the present.
109. Themes in New Testament . Patte (1:10-:2:00 MW; F Sections) This introductory course is a study of New Testament texts--with special attention to the Gospel of John, the Sermon on the Mount, the Cross and Resurrection according to Mark, Matthew, and Luke, and Romans–focused on important themes including "discipleship," "significance of Jesus' death and resurrection," "evil, sin, and salvation." In the process students will learn a) to understand how believers interpret New Testament texts as Scripture in their faith- interpretation (with sample interpretations from contemporary main line Protestant and Catholic, African- American, and "third-world" churches and from feminist circles); b) to appreciate the role of religious, cultural, and social contexts in interpretation; c) to appreciate the contributions of scholarly studies of these texts, as they are set in their historical context by scholars.
"Reading the Bible Is Not a Spectator Sport!" Thus, the class will proceed in three steps which require the students' direct involvement. 1) Students will be asked to formulate in brief reports what is in their view "the Teaching for Believers Today" of each text; 2) then, we will proceed to a comparison of the Themes and Textual Evidence emphasized in the students' interpretation with those emphasized by other interpretations of each text; 3) and to a discussion of the relative value of each interpretation, seeking to spell out as clearly as possible the reasons for choosing an interpretation rather than an other. The requirements for the course include active participation in class discussions, a series of short reports/papers and frequent quizzes (but no comprehensive exams and no long term paper).
112. Introduction to Judaism. Rabbi David Davis (11:00-12:15 TR) The content and development of Judaism from Biblical times to the present. The course will focus on the history, philosophies and theologies from the ancient Hebrews to the present time. Students will be introduced to the Judaisms that have evolved over a four hundred year period. Emphasis will be placed on what beliefs and practices constitute "doing" Judaism; types of Jewish leaders (rabbis, mystics, messiah); Judaism and the Land of Israel; and concepts of God. Through examination of this one tradition the course also introduces the student to the academic study of religion in general.
115.02 Freshman Sem: Native American Religion. Harrod (2:35- 3:50 TR) This seminar focuses upon the religions of American Indians. The approach involves an investigation of the way core symbols, enacted in ritual processes, give rise both to religious experience and to religious worlds of meaning. Religious experience is understood to be an integral part of native American cultures, and thus is interpreted in relation to particular kinship arrangements, economic and political systems, and distinct understandings of everyday life. Critical differences, such as those which characterize hunting as compared with horticultural societies, will also be investigated. The most general aims of the seminar are to evoke a sense of the historical complexity and diversity of American Indian religions, as well as to provide a general view of the contemporary religious situation of particular peoples. During the course of the semester students will also do research on religious traditions and ritual processes which are generated by particular peoples.
115W.06/HIST 115W.45 Freshman Seminar: The Crusades. Messier (2:35-3:50 TR) This course will examine the ideology of the Crusades as expressed in the writings of Christian churchmen and chroniclers and the Muslim reaction of the Crusades, including the evolution of the concept of Jihad, as expressed in Muslim religious and historical writing.
130. Asian Religious Values in Contemporary Life. Arai (11:10-12:00 MWF) Asian religious values that influence decision-making processes in personal, political, business, and health matters. Based upon Hindu, Buddhist, Confucian, Taoist, and Shinto religious teachings, we will analyze how they might affect the way in which particular situations are addressed in the contemporary world, issues of social mobility, international business, political conflict, and abortion. The aim is to engage students in active application of values derived from Asian religious traditions as the method to learn the significance of religious values in shaping cultures and societies.
209. New Testament. Levine (11:10-12:00 MW +F sections) An introduction to the materials documenting the origins of Christianity, the social, literary, and ideological contexts in which they emerged and which they reflect, and the various critical methodologies employed in interpreting them.
212. The Pauline Interpretation of Christianity. Patte (11:10- 12:00 MWF) An exploration of the central themes of Paul's teaching as expressed through his magistral letter to the Romans. How was his teaching to the church of Rome related to his teaching to the other churches? How was this teaching received by the churches of his time? In the following generations? By the gnostics? By the church through the centuries? By believers today in different religious, political, socio-economic and cultural contexts? After a study of a primary theological theme--"evil, sin, and salvation according to Romans"--and the way it was received, we shall explore other themes chosen by the members of the class. Possible themes include most aspects of spiritual life (such as justification through faith, reconciliation, predestination, life in the spirit, love, sanctification, hope) and a community life (including diversity in the church, baptism, etc); condemnation of sinners and/or good news of the gospel; gospel and Judaism; gospel and other religions; the vocation of believers; gospel and politics; and so on and so forth. How each theme has been variously interpreted through the centuries and in scholarship.
Short reports helping students to bring to critical understanding specific faith-interpretations A research paper prepared by short reports and oral presentation. Active participation in discussion expected.
214. Modern European Christianity. Johnson (9:10-10:00 MWF) Institutional and intellectual developments in European Christianity between the mid-seventeenth and the twentieth centuries, providing an introduction to the major personalities and movements of this period. Some attention is also given to political, social, cultural, and philosophical developments influenced Christian existence during this time.
219. M.L.K., Jr. and the Social Roles of Religion. Baldwin (9:35-10:50 TR) An intermediate level course exploring Martin Luther King, Jr.'s roles as preacher, religious leader, theologian, and social change agent, with special attention to his cultural roots and legacy, the experiential and intellectual sources of his thought and praxis, and the development of his communitarian ideal beyond southern particularism to an explicit and enlightened globalism. King's perspective on the social roles of religion will be studied and critically analyzed against the background of classical Judeo-Christian views (e.g., the ancient Hebrew Prophets, Jesus, the Apostolic Church, the Church Fathers, and Fundamentalist and Evangelical traditions), of Western philosophical streams (e.g., Plato, Socrates, Heraclitus, Hegel, Kant, the Existentialists), of 19th and 20th Century dissenting traditions (e.g., Marx, Thoreau, Gandhi, Luthuli), and of the perspectives of African American leaders from the time of slavery to the present (e.g., Hammon, Walker, Truth, Tubman, Delany, Douglass, Washington, DuBois, Garvey, Jackson, Eikerenkoetter, Malcolm X, and others). The roles of the church and religion in King-led civil rights campaigns from Montgomery to Memphis will also be examined. Finally, attention will be devoted to King's image as a world leader and symbol, taking into account his position against racism, colonialism, poverty, and economic injustice in the United States and abroad.
223. Ethics and Feminism. Welch (11:10-12:15 TR) Implications of gender theory for understanding the Judeo- Christian moral traditions. Topics include: the nature of the moral subject, the social construction of gender, patriarchal consciousness, the abuse of women, woman-nature connection, female friendship, heterosexism, and race & class issues.
Course requirements include: Reading assignments & reaction paragraphs, class participation, final exam, two 5-page reaction papers using a minimum of three assigned readings, creation of a glossary of terms (Group papers and glossaries are encouraged).
249. Zen Buddhism . Arai (1:10-2:00 MWF). A study of the development of Zen Buddhism as it developed over the centuries in various cultural climates, including its inception in China, growth in Japan, and emergence in the west. Special attention will be given to its basic philosophy, its position within Mahayana Buddhism, its practices, and its contemporary activities.
299A. Honors Thesis-Research. (TBA) Reading of primary research sources in preparation of writing honors thesis under supervision of the thesis advisor. Open only to senior honors students.
299B. Honors Thesis-Writing. (TBA) Writing honors thesis under the supervision of the thesis advisor. Open only to senior honors students.
HEBR 111B. Elementary Hebrew. Halachmi (3:10-4:00 MWF) Elementary conversational Hebrew emphasizing the spoken colloquial usage of Israel today. Course prepares students for further study in modern Hebrew, while also providing a foundation for understanding Biblical Hebrew. Some knowledge of reading Hebrew needed. Fulfills language requirement.
HEBR 113B. Intermediate Hebrew. Halachmi (2:10-3:00 MWF) Reinforcement of advance grammar, reading, and conversation in modern Hebrew. Some knowledge of elementary Hebrew is required. Fulfills language requirement.