COURSE OFFERINGS
Fall 2009

RS 101: INTRODUCTION TO WESTERN RELIGIONS

Humanities Division Credit; Historical and Cultural Analysis Mode Credit for new core; Required for Religious Studies Major and Minor

Section I
Instructor: N. Weatherwax 
MWF 1:10 - 2:00pm
CRN 4322

Section II
Instructor:  M. Soileau
MWF 9:10 - 10:00am
CRN 4565

Course Description:

Contemporary Americans must contend with an unprecedented plurality of religious viewpoints. In this course we will seek to address this situation responsibly by examining three prominent “Western” religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. We will analyze the characteristic beliefs and practices of these three tradi-tions so as to understand and appreciate their similarities and differences. While we will survey the distinctive origins and histories of these religions, we will also study their contact with one another and explore the conditions necessary for dialogue between them. Our approach will be academic rather than confessional or apologetic.

RS 102: INTRODUCTION TO EASTERN RELIGIONS

Humanities Division Credit; Historical and Cultural Analysis Mode Credit; Required for Religious Studies Major and Minor

Section I
Instructor: D. Fiordalis
MWF  12:10 - 1:00pm
CRN 4321

Section II
Instructor:  D. Fiordalis
TR 2:10 - 3:30pm
CRN 4323

Course Description:

Religion has always played an important role in the identities of individuals, in society and in politics, but today, as adherents of different religions are coming into closer contact with one another, it is becoming increasingly important to try to understand religious faiths other than our own. This course is an introduction to the religions that have developed in South and East Asia, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, Confucianism, Daoism and Shinto. We will analyze the histories, myths, beliefs and practices of these religious traditions, and note similarities and differences between them.

RS 104: 1 INTRODUCTION TO ISLAM

Humanities Division Credit; Historical and Cultural Analysis Mode Credit; Fulfills Islamic Religion requirement for Religious Studies Major

Instructor: M. Soileau
TR  10:10 - 11:30am
CRN 4324

Course Description:

This course is an introduction to the religion of Islam in its various manifestations, with additional emphasis on the history, politics and gender issues which have both influenced and been influenced by the Islamic tradition. Throughout the course there will be a focus on Islam as it is lived by people, and we will look at many cultural expressions of Islam. Students should gain a basic understanding of the key features of Islamic faith and practice, the historical development of Islam as a world religion, and the variety of ways in which it is practiced by Muslims. This should provide students with the background to put into perspective reports on world events that pertain to Islam.

RS 121:  HISTORY, LITERATURE AND RELIGION OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

Humanities Division Credit; Textual Analysis credit; Fulfills Biblical Studies Requirement For Religious Studies Majors

Instructor: J. McWhirter
MWF 10:10 - 11:00am
CRN 4325

Course Description:

The Exodus from Egypt; the Golden Age of David and Solomon; the encroachment of the Assyrian Empire; the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians; the rebuilding of Jerusalem under the Persians; the ban of Judaism by Antiochus IV: Israel’s religious leaders saw God at work in such momentous events. They recorded their perceptions in the books that now make up the Hebrew Bible, known to Christians as the Old Testament. We will read their stories, laws, prophecies, psalms, wisdom literature, and apocalyptic visions, emphasizing how each author understands Israel’s religious traditions in light of contemporary circumstances. In the process, we will become more competent interpreters of these ancient and often entertaining texts.

RS 131 INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIAN THOUGHT

Humanities Division Credit; Fulfills Textual Analysis mode requirement; Fulfills Theology and Ethics Requirement for Religious Studies Major

Instructor: N. Weatherwax
MW  2:10 - 3:30pm
CRN 4326

Course Description:

In this course we will examine some important literary and theological works of the Christian tradition. We will seek to understand how the authors of these works understand God, Jesus, the world, human persons, sin, and salvation. There have been many different understandings of the nature of Christianity. We will examine some texts that have been very popular and influential and some that present unorthodox or minority views. Since this course will focus on Christian thought, rather than Christian practice, we will emphasize the skills necessary both to interpret and to evaluate the arguments and rhetoric of the authors. Our primary methods will accordingly be theological and philosophical. This course fulfills the Textual Analysis mode requirement.

RS 211: HINDUISM

Humanities Division Credit; Historical and Cultural Analysis Mode Credit; Fulfills Islamic Religion requirement for Religious Studies Major

Instructor:  D. Fiordalis
TR 10:10 - 11:30am
CRN 4327

Course Description:

Described as polytheistic-monotheism, Hinduism, which has given birth to three world religions, commands the religious life of nearly 900 million people. Its ancient history, sacred literature, schools of philosophy, corpus of myths, multiplicity of gods and goddesses, central beliefs (karma, mukti/moksha), intriguing institutions (caste), popular practices (festivals & pilgrimages), and modern expressions would constitute the general scope of this critical study.

To learn more about the Major, browse the Major in Religious Studies.