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 Sermon on the Mount, the Cross and Resurrection according to Mark, Matthew, and Luke, John, Paul, Hebrews–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; 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.
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 in the students' interpretation with those by other interpretations; 3) and to a discussion of the relative value of each interpretation.
Requirements: Active participation in class discussions, a series of short reports/papers and a number of quizzes (but no comprehensive exams and no long term paper).
112. Introduction to Judaism. Cherry (9:10-10:00 MWF) 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.
113. Introduction to Islam. Messier (2:35-3:50 TR) Beginning with Pre-Islamic Arabia and ending with Islam in America today, the chronological scope of the course is broad. The course examines the early history of Islam, the development of sectarianism and the role of the Qur'an in molding the socio-political lives of the early Muslims. Students will be introduced to pivotal issues like the systematization (and subsequent idealization) of Islamic law, the rise of the mystical traditions of Islam, Islamic culture and the contribution of Muslims to the scientific world in medieval times. The course also examines the spread of Islam in America and the changing role of women in contemporary Islam.
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.
131. Themes in Western Religions (CPLE). Cherry (12:10- 1:00 MWF) A basic introduction to the world's three major monotheistic religions--Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It traces the roots of the religions, examines their historical development, and focuses on the themes common to all three religions--e.g. monotheism, modes of revelation, role of scripture in formulating human response to the divine call, relationship between church and state, emergence of the "religious community." Differences among the three religions and their impact on the contemporary world.
207. Jesus the Jew. Davis (9:35-10:50 TR) Examination of the world in which Jesus lived and died, the religious and political thought of his day, and the origins of the Jewish sect which became Christianity. Exploration of the Jewishness of Jesus with special emphasis on the place of Jesus within early Judaism, rabbinic Judaism and the meaning of Pharisaism. The political scene will be examined with particular reference to the role of Rome in shaping early Judaism and Christianity.
209. New Testament. Levine (11:10-12:00 MW + W or F section) 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. Pauline Christianity. Patte (11:10-12:00 MWF or 3:10-6:00 M) An exploration of the central themes of Paul's teaching as expressed through his letters to the Corinthians (I; II). How was his teaching to the church of Corinth 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 of community life (including diversity in the church, baptism, etc.); significance of the cross; significance of the resurrection; moral life; condemnation of sinners and/or good news of the gospel; sexuality; gender relationship; homosexuality; authority in the church (including Paul's authority); the authority of Scripture; law and 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 presentations. Active participation in discussion expected.
216. Christianity Reform Era. Johnson (9:10-10:00 MWF) As one of the foundations courses in the church history sequence of the Divinity School, this class will cover the important ecclesiastical, theological, and historical issues of the Reformation period (c. 1500-1648). The aim of the course will be to help students understand and interpret the events, become familiar with some of the significant theological documents, and reflect upon questions of continuing historical interest that have come from the Reformation. From a consideration of some of the backgrounds and causes of the Reformation, the course will take up specific situations and individuals as a way of indicating the variety of theological positions and responses during this period. The course will be conducted as a combination of two lectures and one discussion session weekly. Students will be responsible for participating actively in discussions on primary source readings and historical issues and will write short papers for two of these occasions. There will be two examinations, one near the middle of the semester and one at the end. There are no prerequisites.
223. Ethics and Feminism. Welch (11:00-12:15 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).
239. Religious Autobiography. Geller (11:10-12:15 TR) An examination of the construction of identity in religious autobiography. Issues include motivations (personal salvation, testimony or witness, therapy, to mobilize believers, to proselytize); relationships among self, God, and religious tradition; relationships among life, death, and afterlife; role of memory and narrative; oral vs. Written; cultural, ethnic, gender, and religious differences. Emphases will be placed on the autobiographies of those for whom the dominant society has denied a self as well as on the demands that an event like the Holocaust makes on the autobiographical and religious consciousness of those who have as it were survived their own deaths. Readings will include Augustine, Spiegelman, Malcolm X, Angelou, Derrida.
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.
254. Native American Religious Traditions. Harrod (???) This seminar focuses upon the religions of North 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.
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.
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.