World Religions
551. BUDDHISM (3 cr.) Buddhist
religion from its beginnings to its decline in India; transmissions
to and preservation of Indian traditions in Tibet, China, and
central and southeast Asia. Buddhist history, regional variations,
philosophical positions, and social/political applications.
552. HINDUISM (3 cr.) Brahmanical religions
in India from introduction of the Vedas to the development of
the Upanishads, through the classical period. Devotional
movements, brahamanical theologies and philosophies, syntheses
of Indian religions with political and social structures.
553. CHINESE RELIGIONS (3 cr.) Confucianism,
Taoism, and Buddhism, Ancient Chinese beliefs and practices, and
the introduction and adaptations of Buddhism. Philosophical
and cultural manifestations and the gradual development of the
major Chinese religious movements up to the modern period.
554. ISLAMIC SPIRITUALITY (3 cr.)
An elaboration of the mystical/Sufi tradition of Islam
and the emergence of Islamic spirituality. Detailed study of the
Qur'anic verses and paradigms from the sayings of the Prophet
that constitute the main sources for the spiritual dimensions
of Islam.
559. SPECIAL TOPICS IN ASIAN RELIGIONS (3 cr.)
Focus on different Asian religious systems in different
semesters. Approaches include history, philosophy, scripture,
faith, revelation, ethics, and ritual.
Biblical Studies
400.
INTRODUCTION TO BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION (3 cr.)
The problems of and approaches to understanding scripture.
Special focus on the methods essential for doing exegesis, biblical
interpretation, and application.
404. PROPHECY IN ISRAEL AND THE ANCIENT
NEAR EAST (3 cr.) Study of prophecy
and prophets in ancient Israel and its ancient Near Eastern context.
Specific focus on such biblical prophets as Amos, Hosea, Isaiah,
and Jeremiah.
408. PAUL AND
HIS WRITINGS (3 cr.) Introduction to
the cultural and historical background of the Apostle Paul's life
and career; an examination of his major writings and a discussion
of their impact.
501. OLD TESTAMENT EXEGESIS (3
cr.) Detailed exegetical analysis of a major Hebrew Bible
text that will be specified when the course is offered.
505.
NEW TESTAMENT EXEGESIS (3 cr.) Detailed
exegetical analysis of a major New Testament book that will be
specified when the course is offered.
506.
HISTORICAL JESUS (3 cr.) History of research on
the historical Jesus from Strauss through Wrede and Schweitzer
to the present. Analysis of the primary data using the standard
criteria of authenticity. Examination of the value of historical
Jesus research for contemporary christology.
507.
SYNOPTIC GOSPELS (3 cr.) An in-depth analysis of
current research on theories of synoptic relations; the relationship
of the synoptics to the non-canonical Gospel of Peter
and Gospel of Thomas; the literary and theological characteristics
of each of the synoptics; the christology, soteriology and ecclesiology
of the synoptics. Students will engage in independent, critical
research on one or more pericope/ae as case studies for pursuing
these issues.
509.
SPECIAL TOPICS IN OLD OR NEW TESTAMENT HISTORY AND LITERATURE
(1-3 cr.) Selected questions from the text and
background of the Old or New Testament. Specific content and number
of credits to be announced when offered.
Church History
420. EARLY CHRISTIANITY (3 cr.) The
emergence of Christianity into the Greek and Roman world from
the 1st to the 6th centuries; trinitarian theology and Christology,
Church and State, Christian art, the role of women, monasticism,
the interaction with pagan culture, the establishment of ecclesiastical
structures, and the church's self understanding.
RL 525.1 Women in Christian Tradition (3
cr.) What has been women’s place in the two-thousand-year
history of Christianity? This is a burning questiontoday because
of the development of feminist theology in the latter part of
the twentieth century. The coursebegins by establishing briefly
an understanding of contemporary feminism and explores how this
modern secularmovement affects Christian theology. Next, the course
turns to the role played by women in Christian origins.Here we
use the historical-critical approach to the study of the New Testament
to encounter the difficultiesinvolved in uncovering the place
of women in the earliest Christian communities. Finally, the course
studiessome of the most fascinating and important women in Christian
history, the amazing mystics and visionaries ofthe Middle Ages.
Special focus is on the writings of these women, addressing three
questions to each: 1) Whatis the woman’s historical context?
2) How does she describe her experience of God? 3) Is there anythingdistinctive
about her insights into the nature of God and/or the human being
that comes from her experience as a woman?
522. GOD AND RADICAL EVIL IN THE MODERN
WORLD (3 cr.) Development of the idea of God's relation
to evil from the Renaissance until today; emphasis on the changing
notion of evil in response to cultural changes such as the enlightenment
and Darwinism; the demonic and the Gothic in the nineteenth century;
modern literary and philosophical theodicies; scientific theories;
theological responses.
529. SPECIAL TOPICS IN THE HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN
THOUGHT (1- 3 cr.) Selected questions from the history
of Christian thought with emphasis on reading in primary sources.
Specific content and number of credits to be announced when offered.
Ethics
460. INTRODUCTION TO RELIGIOUS ETHICS (3
cr.) The sources, methods, and style of moral argumentation
of religious ethics. Focuses primarily on the Christian
tradition and secondarily on an Eastern religion.
463. ETHICS OF LIBERATION THEOLOGY (3 cr.)
Examination of Latino and African-American liberation theologies
which contribute toward a social ethic. Special focus on political,
economic, and cultural contexts from which social Issues arise.
466. JUSTICE AND THE ECONOMY (3 cr.)
Team-taught, interdisciplinary seminar. Interrelationship between
economic and ethical choices and their ethical and economic implications.
Basic economic and theological-ethical frameworks for decision
making. Case studies.
562. CHRISTIAN SOCIAL JUSTICE (3 cr.)
Examination of Catholic and Protestant social teachings
which contribute to a social ethic. Special focus on political,
economic, and cultural problems, including war and peace, poverty,
and prejudice.
569. SPECIAL TOPICS IN RELIGIOUS ETHICS
(1-3 cr.) Selected issues or authors in the history of
Christian ethics. Specific content and number of credits to be
announced when offered.
Jewish Studies
The Department of Religious Studies is privileged
to offer several courses in Jewish thought and practice with the
support of an endowment for the Bernard Hollander Lectureship
in Jewish Studies. These courses, taught by a Rabbi,
are sponsored by the Jewish Chautauqua Society. It is the
Society's goal to make accessible to students courses in Jewish
history and theology. Since 1976, this program has been
made possible by a gift in the memory of Bernard Hollander.
Past holders of the lectureship include Rabbis Philip Horowitz
(1976–1978), Stuart Geller (1978–1980), Arthur J.
Lelyveld (1980–1995), and Jacob Shtull (1995). The current
Hollander Lecturer is Rabbi Michael Oppenheimer (1996–).
While graduate-level courses are not routinely available
in Jewish Studies, arrangements can be made with the Hollander
Lecturer or the Biblical Studies faculty for interested students
to undertake tutorial studies in this field. For further
information, see the Undergraduate Program listings in Jewish
Studies.
Ministry & Practical Theology
480.
INTRODUCTION TO CANON LAW (1-3 cr.) Introduction to 1983
Codex in its historical context, with a view to its pastoral application.
Special attention to the canons on the sacraments of baptism,
eucharist, and marriage. Case studies.
RL489.51 CS D; RL 489L.51 The New Covenant
& Social Justice: A Praxis Approach (4 cr.) & 1-hr lab.
This course aims to link theological theory with religious
and pastoral practice. Participants will investigatethe connection
between New Testament theology and its concrete implications for
social justice by engagingin research and community action with
respect to a specific social-justice problem. A minimum of twenty-five
(25) hours engaged in a concrete community service project will
be combined with background researchon the topic, seminar discussion,
and written reflection in light of the essential gospel message.
Thisseminar is part of the Catholic Studies curriculum, and is
a “Diversity” course in the University CoreCurriculum.
For more information, see <http://www.jcu.edu/Bible/489/>
580. PASTORAL COUNSELING (3 cr.)
The theory and practice of pastoral counseling. Emphasis placed
on specific approaches to intervention that match the needs, populations,
and contexts in which the pastoral counselor functions. Offered
in conjunction with HU 580.
RL 585. Theologies of the Human Person (3
cr.) “What does it mean to be a human person?”
is a perennial question. Students will engage this question withattention
to the relationship of the person to self, others, the world,
and the Divine. While primacy will begiven to authentic humanness
in Christian (especially Catholic) theology, perspectives from
Judaism andIslam will also be addressed. This is the Tuohy Chair
lectureship for 2008.
Seminars & Special Topics
490. RESEARCH METHODS IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES
(0 cr.) An introduction to basic resources and methods for research
in religious studies.
492.
INDEPENDENT STUDY (1-3 cr.) Prerequisite: consent of
the chair and the instructor. In-depth study on a tutorial basis
of a particular problem, approved by the chair and directed by
a member of the department. A paper is required.
499. SPECIAL TOPICS (1-3 cr.) Selected
topics in one of the areas of religious studies. Specific content
and number of credits to be announced when offered.
592.
INDEPENDENT RESEARCH (1-3 cr.) Research on some topic
selected by the student, approved by his or her adviser and by
the chair, and supervised by a member of the department faculty.
A paper is required of all students.
599. MASTER'S THESIS (6 cr.) upon
approval.
Systematic Theology
430. INTRODUCTION TO SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY
(3 cr.) The nature, method, and content of systematic
theology with emphasis upon the influence of history and culture
on the articulation of doctrine. Readings and discussions centered
on significant contributors to systematic theology.
437. INTRODUCTION TO FEMINIST THEOLOGY (1-3
cr.) Various topics in feminist theory and its impact
upon religion and theology. Specific content and number of credits
are announced when the course is offered.
530. CONTEMPORARY APPROACHES TO THEOLOGY
(3 cr.) Several approaches to important theological issues:
varieties of postmodern theology; feminist contributions to theology;
theology of religions; which "Jesus" is proclaimed?
Among theologians likely to be read are: Fiorenza, Gilkey, Griffin,
Hick, Knitter, Küng, McFague, Ogden, and Ruether.
531. MODELS OF GOD (3 cr.) Comparison
of several models for understanding God and God's relations to
the world. Personal models (Parent, Friend); the Soul-Body model;
Traditional models (Monarch, Being Itself); Process models (Cosmic
Lover, Creator-Redeemer-Liberator); God as Mystery. Among the
thinkers likely to be read are: Philo, Anselm, Aquinas, Spinoza,
Whitehead, Hartshorne, Ogden, and McFague.
532. SIN, GRACE AND WHOLENESS (3 cr.)
The human being understood in relation to God and in conflict
with evil, as seen in the Bible and in the works of Paul, Augustine,
Julian of Norwich, Martin Luther, Karl Rahner, and contemporary
liberation and feminist theologians.
533. METAPHYSICS AND THEOLOGY (3 cr.)
Examination of the ideas of several modern philosophers whose
thought has been utilized by important theologians. Among the
philosophers to be read are Whitehead, Heidegger, and Hartshorne.
Among the theologians are Rahner, Ogden, and Griffin.
534. CHRISTOLOGY (3 cr.) The person and work
of Jesus Christ according to the scriptures, historical theology,
and contemporary theology.
535. THEOLOGY OF THE CHURCH (3 cr.)
The origin, nature, and mission of the Church in light of its
evolution from the preaching and mission of Jesus and his disciples,
through its developing history, to its current self-understanding
since Vatican II.
538. SACRAMENTAL THEOLOGY (3 cr.)
Focus on sacramental theology and praxis with particular attention
to symbol, liturgical celebration, and pastoral issues which have
emerged in the historical and theological development of sacraments
in the Christian tradition.
539. SPECIAL TOPICS IN SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY
(1-3 cr.) Selected problems or authors in systematic
theology. Specific content and number of credits to be announced
when offered.
Spirituality
573. CLASSICS IN SPIRITUALITY (1-3 cr.)
Selected readings from the works of religious leaders with attention
to historical and cultural background, theological and psychological
insights, and practical application. Authors to be considered:
Ignatius Loyola, Teresa of Avila, Catherine of Siena, C.S. Lewis,
Thomas Merton.
Tuohy Chair
The department is honored to sponsor the Walter
and Mary Tuohy Chair of Interreligious Studies which annually
brings to the department a distinguished visiting scholar who
offers RL 385/585. The chair, named in honor of the late Walter
Tuohy, a leading railroad executive, and his wife Mary, was established
in 1966.