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.