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Religious Studies (RL)
101. INTRODUCTION TO RELIGIOUS STUDIES 3 cr. Introduction to the academic
study of religion. Topics include the nature of religion; the human search
for meaning; revelation; symbol, myth, and ritual; faith as it relates
to reason, experience, and morality. Introduction to the areas of scripture,
theology, ethics, and religious traditions. RL 101 is designed to prepare
students for courses at the 200 and 300 level.
200. OLD TESTAMENT INTRODUCTION 3 cr. Historical and cultural environment
of the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible), its nature and composition, and its
religious and theological developments.
205. NEW TESTAMENT INTRODUCTION 3 cr. Development and composition of the
New Testament, the historical, cultural, and religious environment out
of which it arose, and the various theological perspectives found within
it.
220. HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY I 3 cr. Christianity from its origins to
1300: the earliest communities, the encounter with the Roman world, establishment
of Christian intellectual and artistic life, conversion of the barbarians,
rise of the papacy, the Gothic age.
221. HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY II 3 cr. Christianity from 1300 to the modern
era: decline of the Medieval Church, the Reformation and Counter Reformation,
challenge of the Enlightenment, extension to the Americas, Africa, and
Asia, the American experiment, secularization, ecumenism, churches of
the Third World.
222. ECUMENICAL COUNCILS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH 3cr. Historical survey
of the twenty-one ecumenical councils of the Catholic Church from the
ancient to the modern world. Emphasis on the historical circumstances
which occasioned the councils and on the council’s doctrinal and
pastoral teachings.
223. AFRICAN AMERICAN RELIGION 3 cr. The African American religious experience,
including historical roots of African religion essential to slave Christianity,
development of the institutional church, and spiritual expressions influencing
African American worship styles. Important political and social foundations
of the church from which political and social organizations were created,
as well as African American theology.
227. INTRODUCTION TO EASTERN CHRISTIANITY 3 cr. History, spiritualities,
iconography, theologies and current practices of the Eastern Christian
Churches. Study of the Eastern Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Oriental
Orthodox Churches. Presentations provided by experts from various Eastern
Churches.
228. AMERICAN CHRISTIANITY 3 cr. Development of Christianity in the United
States from the colonial period to the present. Emphasis on the interaction
between Christianity and American culture and on the development of Roman
Catholicism in the U.S. Topics include the Puritans, religious liberty,
abolition, revivalism, immigration, nativism, the Industrial Revolution,
Catholic education, prohibition, fundamentalism, rise of the laity, modern
secularism.
231. CONTEMPORARY CATHOLIC THEOLOGY 3 cr. Overview of Roman Catholic theological
themes and issues since the Second Vatican Council (1962 65) with attention
to selected areas: scripture, grace, sin, redemption, the role of Jesus,
the Church, ethical norms and morality, and sacraments.
232. JESUS: PERSON AND SAVIOR 3 cr. Examination of the ways Christians
have understood the person and work of Jesus. Use of scripture and tradition
to illumine how those who confess him as Savior have defined him and to
provide means for traditional and creative thinking about the central
figure of Christian faith.
233. THEOLOGY IN THE LIGHT OF VATICAN COUNCIL II 3 cr. How Vatican Council
II (1962-65) gave impulses and guidelines to theological thinking: sources
witnessing to God’s word, attention to historical context, and bringing
good news to the whole human family. Analysis of Vatican II teachings,
such as human dignity and freedom, Christ’s salvation and the religions,
and Catholic Church’s self-understanding.
234. RELIGION AND PSYCHOLOGY 3 cr. Survey of several works by such psychologists
as Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung which treat the topic of religion; a theological
response to the works.
237. CONTEMPORARY PROTESTANT THEOLOGY 3 cr. Main ideas and expressions
of Protestantism; selected writings of major modern Protestant theologians.
250. INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM 3 cr. Historical overview of the development
of Judaism from its Biblical beginnings through the modern period, together
with a discussion of the major religious ideas of classical Judaism.
255. ISLAM 3 cr. Study of the historical and scriptural foundations of
Islam, its theology, and social structures. Topics include study of the
Qur’an, the Five Pillars, Muslim lifestyles, the spread of Islam,
Muslim contributions to world culture, and different manifestations of
Islam.
256. BUDDHISM 3 cr. Buddhist religion from its beginnings to its decline
in India. Transmissions to and preservation of Indian traditions in Tibet,
East Asia, China, Southeast Asia. Buddhist history, regional variations,
philosophical positions, and social/political applications.
257. HINDUISM 3 cr. Brahmanical religions in India from introduction of
the Vedas and Upanishads to the modern period. Includes the study of devotional
movements, art, brahmanical theologies and philosophies, Indian social
and political structures.
260. MORAL DECISION MAKING 3 cr. Examination of contemporary moral issues
with a focus on methods for analyzing and evaluating moral problems, as
well as the sources from the Christian tradition which form moral identity
and inform ethical decisions.
264. AFRICAN AMERICAN CHRISTIAN SOCIAL ETHICS 3 cr. Nature, origins and
functions of African American ethical response as related to social, political,
and religious belief systems. Emphasis on historical and social translation
of values dictated by African American religion and theology. Topics include
African American social Christianity; ethical/political issues of religion;
womanist ethics; and current ethical dialogues.
272. CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY 3 cr. Basic introduction to the centrality
of Jesus, the church, social justice, human sexuality, and a life of prayer
as essential components for a vital Christian spiritual life for our time.
299. SPECIAL TOPICS 1-3 cr. Selected topics in one of the areas of religious
studies. Selected content and number of credits to be announced when offered.
300. HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST (HS 300) 3 cr. History, culture,
and religion of Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Syro Palestine.
301. ARCHAEOLOGY AND THE BIBLE 3 cr. Principles and methodologies of archaeology;
examination of how archaeology broadens and informs our understanding
of the world and events of the Bible.
306. JESUS OF NAZARETH 3 cr. Prerequisite or corequisite: RL 205 or equivalent.
Introduction to the historical person Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus’
words and deeds as they would have been understood by his own contemporaries.
Comparisons to how Jesus was later understood and portrayed by his followers
and in popular media (e.g., art, literature, cinema).
307. SYNOPTIC GOSPELS 3 cr. Prerequisite or corequisite: RL 205 or equivalent.
Investigation of the earliest Christian narratives, the “synoptic
gospels” of Mark, Matthew, and Luke, analyzed in terms of their
new literary genre and of the communities to which they witness, as well
as of the different theological perspectives which they convey concerning
Jesus (his life, teachings, death, and resurrection) and his community
of disciples.
308. THE WORD OF GOD IN CATHOLIC PERSPECTIVE 3 cr. Biblical accounts of
God’s revelation to humans through his prophets and in his Son Jesus;
official recognition of biblical books as the Church’s authoritative
canon of Scripture. Catholic perspective on how Scripture is “inspired
by the Holy Spirit.” Consequences for interpreting the Bible as
human historical words which bring to us today God’s own Word.
312. CONTEMPORARY JEWISH PRACTICE 3 cr. Survey of customs and ceremonies
including holiday observances, Sabbath and daily worship, and life cycle
rituals. Historical and traditional origins and development of these practices.
Visits to synagogues for worship services and special events optional.
313. MODERN TRENDS IN JUDAISM 3 cr. Nineteenth-century foundations of
contemporary Judaism; development of Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform
Judaism; Zionism and secularism; influence of the Holocaust and the rebirth
of the State of Israel on Jewish thought.
315. THE HOLOCAUST AND ITS MEANING 3 cr. Reaction of Jewish and Christian
intellectuals to the Nazi attempt to destroy the Jewish people; analysis
of accounts of Holocaust survivors; the singular witness of Elie Wiesel;
significance of the Holocaust for Jewish Christian dialogue.
320. HISTORY OF CHRISTMAS 3 cr. Origins of the feast; gospel infancy narratives;
apocryphal traditions; Christology; Christmas in Medieval art, music,
and drama; the cult of Saint Nicholas; Puritan attack on the feast; the
struggle for Christmas in nineteenth century American churches; modern
secularization.
321. HISTORY OF THE IDEA OF EVIL 3 cr. Problem of evil from its biblical
origins to the modern period with emphasis on the interaction between
religious notions and cultural forces. Topics include the Book of Job,
the rise of Satan, Augustine and original sin, Aquinas, Dante, the Reformation,
the Enlightenment, demonic and Gothic, modern theological and scientific
approaches.
322. 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 theodices; theological
responses.
323. AFRICAN AMERICAN THEOLOGY 3 cr. Survey of the theological foundations
and systems which dominate African American religious thought; contemporary
theological issues relating to Biblical ideals, liberation and justice,
Black feminist theology, and concepts from the African American religious
experience.
324. LIFE, TIMES, AND THEOLOGY OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. 3 cr. Life,
career, and teaching of the civil-rights leader and Christian theologian;
sources of his unique theology; analysis of speeches and writings; King’s
relationship to thinkers such as Tillich and Gandhi; milestones of justice
and peace.
325. WOMEN IN CHRISTIAN TRADITION 3 cr. Lives and writings of prominent
women within the Christian tradition from the viewpoint of contemporary
feminist theology. Emphasis on women’s contribution to theology
in light of their historical context.
326. HISTORY OF THE PAPACY 3 cr. Origins of the papacy in the Roman world;
growth of papal influence in the Early Middle Ages; decline of the papacy
and rise of Protestantism; Counter Reformation; the popes and the absolute
monarchs; the Enlightenment attacks; responses to European revolutions;
the papacy and European totalitarianism; the papacy and the Third World;
the popes and modern democratic trends.
328. THEOLOGY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN SACRED MUSIC 3 cr. Survey of theological
issues and constructs in African American sacred music. Musical theology
of Negro spirituals as starting point in discovering expressions of biblical
and societal musings. Gospel music as well as anthematic presentations
present a basic understanding of life and being in the African American
experience.
330. CONTEMPORARY APPROACHES TO THEOLOGY 3 cr. Several approaches to important
theological issues, such as models of the Church, the feminist critique,
ecumenical and interfaith dialogue; which Jesus do Christians proclaim?
Among theologians to be read are Dulles, Küng, Ruether, Fiorenza,
Knitter, Hick, Gilkey, and Ogden.
331. MODELS OF GOD 3 cr. Comparison of several models for understanding
God and God’s relations to the world: personal models (Mother, Friend);
soul body model; traditional models (Monarch, Being Itself); process models
(Cosmic Lover, Creator Redeemer Liberator); God as Mystery. Among theologians
to be read are Aquinas, Kierkegaard, Teilhard de Chardin, Hartshorne,
Ogden, and McFague.
332. SIN, GRACE, AND WHOLENESS 3 cr. The human being understood in relation
to God and in conflict with evil, as seen in the works of Paul, Augustine,
Julian of Norwich, Martin Luther, Karl Rahner, and contemporary liberation
and feminist theologians.
333. ECOLOGY AND THEOLOGY 3 cr. Christian doctrine in light of the contemporary
ecological crisis. Areas of study include creation, doctrine of God, theological
anthropology, christology, and eschatology. Method followed will be that
of liberation theology, with the goal of attempting an interpretation
of Christianity sensitive to the preservation of the earth and its resources.
334. CHRISTOLOGY. 3 cr. The person and work of Jesus Christ according
to the Scriptures, historical theology, and contemporary theology.
335. THEOLOGY OF THE CHURCH 3 cr. 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.
337. THE QUEST FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY 3 cr. Key events in the 20th-century
ecumenical movement; principles guiding Catholic participation in the
quest for unity; selected theological dialogues between churches seeking
communion with each other; Pope John Paul II’s encyclical Ut unum
sint (1995); crisis of ecumenism in 21st century.
339. CHRISTIAN WORSHIP 3 cr. Tradition of Christian worship in terms of
symbol, ritual, and gesture: the history of Christian rites, and the theologies
and circumstances that gave rise to them, from their roots in Judaism
through the reforms of the Second Vatican Council; symbols and rites connected
with initiation and the Eucharist, or Lord’s Supper, which has shaped
Christian faith, life, and worship for 2000 years.
340. THE CHURCH OF THE NEW MILLENNIUM: THE SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL (1962-1965)
AND BEYOND 3 cr. Historical introduction and theological interpretation
of the Second Vatican Council with an overview of each of the documents
of Vatican II. Attention to the chief elements of continuity and discontinuity
in documents on the Church, the Bible, ecumenism, liturgy, and the ecumenical
dialogue. Subsequent modifications and alterations in these areas, the
effect on lives of Roman Catholics, and the unfinished agenda of the Council.
353. 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.
354. JAPANESE RELIGIONS 3 cr. Ancient Shinto beliefs, importation and
modification of Korean and Chinese cultures and religions up to the modern
era. Emergence of the Japanese empire in the 7th century, and the developments
of Tendai, Kegon, Zen, and Shingon beliefs and practices.
356. ISLAM IN AMERICA 3 cr. Islam: the second largest religion in the
world and fastest growing religion in the United States today. Outline
of the impact of Muslims on American society and the relationship between
the United States and the Muslim world.
360. CATHOLIC MORAL THEOLOGY 3 cr. Methods for making informed and prudential
moral decisions grounded in experience, Scripture, church teaching, and
rational discourse. In light of moral theory within the Catholic tradition,
the course addresses contemporary interpersonal and social problems.
363. RELIGION, ETHICS, AND GENETICS 3 cr. Examination of the religious
and ethical issues raised by the revolution in biotechnology made possible
by contemporary advances in genetics.
364. CHRISTIAN SEXUALITY 3 cr. Symbolic dimension of sexuality as it affects
human personal and social life. Examination of both traditional Christian
views and contemporary alternatives.
366. HUMAN RIGHTS SINCE VATICAN II 3 cr. Introduction to the international
human rights regime as it intersects with Catholic teaching on social
justice. Focuses on some of the major international human rights documents
and explores various issues raised by these documents.
367. ETHICS OF LIBERATION THEOLOGY 3 cr. Major theological movements of
the present day which have as their central focus the themes of human
liberation and God the Liberator.
368. CHRISTIAN SOCIAL JUSTICE 3 cr. Writings of significant Catholic and
Protestant theologians and Christian social teachings that relate to important
sociopolitical and economic contemporary issues. Church state, war and
peace, and international economic relations.
372. CATHOLIC SPIRITUALITY IN THE UNITED STATES 3 cr. Investigation of
three distinct spiritual traditions in the American Catholic Church: the
Americanist tradition, devotional Catholicism, and radicalist Catholicism.
Prominent figures to be studied include John Carroll, Elizabeth Ann Seton,
Isaac Hecker, John Ryan and the labor priests, Dorothy Day, and Thomas
Merton.
374. DOROTHY DAY AND THOMAS MERTON 3 cr. Day and Merton as influences
on the Church’s self understanding and mission, social reform, war
and nonviolence, prayer and mysticism, race relations, and inter religious
dialogue.
376. THE FRANCISCAN MOVEMENT 3 cr. Franciscan movement from its birth
in the life of Francis of Assisi to its contemporary manifestations. Historical
and spiritual aspects of the Franciscan phenomenon and its import for
the Church today.
385. TUOHY CHAIR 3 cr. Specific content will be announced.
399. 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.
NOTE: REGISTRATION IN ALL 400 LEVEL COURSES REQUIRES PRIOR PERMISSION
FROM THE INSTRUCTOR AND FROM THE CHAIR, EXCEPT IN THE CASE OF RL MAJORS
AND GRADUATE STUDENTS.
400. INTRODUCTION TO BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION 3 cr. 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.
430. INTRODUCTION TO SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY 3 cr. Nature, method, and content
of systematic theology, with emphasis on the influence of history and
culture on the articulation of doctrine. Readings and discussions centered
on significant contributors to Christian systematic theology.
437. READINGS IN FEMINIST THEOLOGY 1-3 cr. Various topics in feminist
theory and its impact on religion and theology. Specific content and number
of credits announced when the course is offered.
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.
480. INTRODUCTION TO CANON LAW 1 3 cr. Introduction to the 1983 Code in
its historical context, with a view to its pastoral application. Special
attention to canons on sacraments of baptism, Eucharist, and marriage.
490. RESEARCH METHODS IN THEOLOGY 0 cr. Orientation to the master’s
program in Religious Studies and an introduction to basic resources and
methods for research in theology.
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.
496. BORROMEO SENIOR SEMINAR 3 cr. Synthesis of four years of collegiate
priestly formation.
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.
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