|
Religious Studies Courses
| Students are required to take one course
at the 200 level or above before taking courses at the 300
level or above. |
RS 200. UNDERSTANDING
RELIGION.
An inquiry into the nature of religious
experience guided by the observation that the religious consciousness
of individuals and cultures is reflected in story, myth, and
symbol. Questions of meaning and value will be raised and
examined.
One semester; three credits |
RS 217. OLD TESTAMENT
(HEBREW SCRIPTURES).
Using the Old Testament
as text and guide, the course explores the origins and early
history of the Jewish people to the destruction of the First
Temple (586 B.C.E.), and encompasses concepts such as Covenant;
Prophecy; Messiah.
One semester; three credits |
RS 218. NEW TESTAMENT.
A discussion of the Christian scriptures from
literary, historical and theological points of view concentrating
on the life and teachings of Christ and the spread of Christianity
after His death and resurrection. Offered in the Fall semester.
One semester; three credits |
RS 220. CLASSICAL
CHRISTIAN THOUGHT.
An examination of major
themes and issues of Christian theology from the time of the
early Church through the Reformation . Major theologians such
as Augustine, Aquinas, Luther and Calvin will be studied amonst
others.
One semester; three credits |
RS 221. MODERN CHRISTIAN
THOUGHT.
An examination of the developments
of Christian thought from the Reformation to the 20th century
through biographical readings, theology and history.
One semester; three credits |
[Top]
RS 225. THE GOSPELS.
A study of the four Gospels using contemporary techniques
of biblical interpretation, with particular emphasis on the
developing Jesus tradition in the early Christian Community.
Offered in the Spring semester.
One semester; three credits |
RS 230. CHRISTIAN
MORALITY.
This course investigates the basis for deciding what is right
and what is wrong in human conduct, guided primarily by the
examples of Jesus and the teachings of the New Testament.
Contemporary moral issues will be assessed in the light of
Christian beliefs, with the help of authors representing both
the Catholic and Protestant traditions.
One semester; three credits |
RS 240. THE RELIGIOUS
DIMENSION OF WORK. (Formerly RS 315.)
A study of the relationships between work and religion in
western society. Career, studied from several perspectives,
will be viewed ultimately as a vocation: a call from God.
One semester; three credits |
RS 254. CHRISTIANITY
AND PEACE.
An analysis of historical Christian attitudes toward war and
peace. In particular, the pacifist and just war traditions
will be analyzed in terms of their development and also as
a guide for examining Christian responses to modern wars such
as World War II, Vietnam and the Persian Gulf War and to military
intervention. (Same as HUM 254.)
One semester; three credits |
RS 256. PEACEMAKING.
(Formerly RS 356.)
An examination of techniques for peaceful resolution of conflicts,
based on the ideals of Jesus Christ and the successful experience
of such 20th century peacemakers as Gandhi and Martin Luther
King. Personal, social and international problems will be
analyzed to find practical ways of fulfilling Jesus' words,
"Blessed are the peacemakers." (Same as HUM 256.)
One semester; three credits |
[Top]
RS 260. PERSON,
WORD, AND GOD.
This course will focus phenomenologically on ways to recognize
God's presence in our everyday lives. How does one person's
religious experience compare/contrast with anothers? Personality
types, prayer forms, biblical references, and theological
studies will be examined in tandem with lived experiences.
One semester; three credits |
RS 274. JUDAISM.
A study of the beliefs and practices of the Jewish faith with
particular emphasis on the time from the French Revolution
to the present.
One semester; three credits |
RS 280. CATHOLICISM.
An examination of the teachings, structures, and cultural
influence of Roman Catholicism with emphasis on the development
of the American Catholic community.
One semester; three credits |
RS 285. HONORS:THE
CHIRISTAIN CHURCH - THEOLOGY, SPIRITUALITY, AND ORGANIZATION.
A study of the theology of the church in the major churches
of western Christianity. Special emphasis will be given to
classic texts in the Lutheran, Calvinist, and Catholic traditions,
as well as to understandings of spirituality and church organization
within those traditions in the present day. The significance
of the ecumenical movement for these churches will also be
considered. Prerequisite: Membership in the Honors Program.
One semester; three credits. |
RS 290-299. SELECTED
TOPICS IN RELIGION.
Selected topics of special interest at an introductory level,
such as Judaism, Race, Religion and Justice, etc. Topics vary
with instructor.
One semester; three credits |
[Top]
RS 300. JESUS CHRIST.
An investigation into the historical features of Jesus' ministry
and message, and His importance in the world today. The course
will examine Christian doctrine about Jesus, and probe the
reasons for His appeal through the centuries. Prerequisite:
RS 218 or 225.
One semester; three credits |
RS 320. RELIGION
IN AMERICA.
An examination of the various religious communities of the
United States; how they were shaped by, and helped shape,
the American culture. Prerequisite: Any RS 200 level course.
One semester; three credits |
RS 324. CHRISTIAN
SPIRITUALITY.
The focus of the readings and class discussions is on an integration
of religious principles and theology with personal experience.
Regular reflection papers and a term paper are required. Prerequisite:
Any RS 200 level course.
One semester; three credits |
RS 325. RELIGIOUS
TRADITIONS AND WOMEN.
An examination of the attitudes, doctrines, structures, ethics,
images and symbols of religious traditions as they reflect
and foster an understanding of women and bear on women's concrete
existence. Prerequisite: Any RS 200 level course.
One semester; three credits |
RS 330. JUSTICE
AND SOCIETY.
A study of issues relating to justice and human rights in
contemporary social life (economic political, cultural), focusing
on the contributions of developing social justice teachings
or the churches. Offered in the Spring semester. Prerequisite:
Any RS 200 level course.
One semester; three credits |
[Top]
RS 335. PHILOSOPHY
OF RELIGION.
(Same as PHIL 335.) Prerequisite: Any RS 200 level course.
One semester; three credits |
RS 340. RELIGION
AND PREJUDICE.
A study of justice issues in relation to race, gender, religion
and social life. This course will concentrate on issues relating
to prejudice as it has historically affected the Black community
in America, and women in the Christian tradition. Prerequisite:
Any RS 200 level course.
One semester; three credits |
RS 350. WORLD RELIGIONS.
A survey of the great religious traditions of the eastern
and western worlds. Emphasis will be placed on their literature
and expression in contemporary life. The religions studies
are Hinduism and Buddhism from India, Confucianism and Taoism
from China, Zen and Shinto from Japan, Judaism and Christianity
from Palestine/Israel, and Islam from Arabia. Offered in the
Spring semester. Prerequisite: Any RS 200 level course.
One semester; three credits |
RS 367. MYTH AND
SYMBOL.
An examination of myth that spans cultures and world religions.
Myths studied deal with the beginning of the human life cycle
to life beyond death, with special emphasis on specific, mythic
motifs (hero journey, initiation, and rebirth). (Same as HUM
367.) Prerequisite: Any RS 200 level course.
One semester; three credits |
RS 371. SOCIOLOGY
OF RELIGION.
An examination of religion as a social phenomenon focusing
on the sociology of knowledge, classic social theory of religion,
and the social function of religion, including mechanisms
of control and liberation. (Same as SOC 371.) Prerequisite:
Any RS 200 level course and SOC 101.
One semester; three credits |
[Top]
RS 373. PSYCHOLOGY
OF RELIGION.
Same as PSYC 373. Prerequisite: Any RS 200 level course and
PSYCH 105. One semester; three credits |
RS 375. THE PROPHETS.
This course will examine the ideas of the Prophets of the
Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) in the historical contexts
in which they were presented. Students will explore the multiplicity
of meanings and the many-layered intentions of the Prophets
as understood by scholars spanning thousands of years. Prerequisite:
Any RS 200 level course.
One semester; three credits |
RS 376. HOLOCAUST
AND GENOCIDE. (Formerly RS 276.)
A study of the origins and causes of the deep-rooted anti-Semitism
which erupted between the years 1933-1945 in an attempt to
destroy the Jewish people. The course will also explore lessons
of the Holocaust for our times today. Prerequisite: Any RS
200 level course.
One semester; three credits |
RS 402. CONTEMPORARY
RELIGIOUS THINKERS.
A serious study of one or more selected theologians and religious
thinkers from the Twentieth Century. Prerequisite: Any RS
200 level course.
One semester; three credits |
RS 405. HONORS CONTEMPORARY
RELIGIOUS THOUGHT.
This course is designed to study 20th century theologians
and their theologies concerning scripture, tradition and human
experience. Prerequisite: at least one course in Religious
Studies at CBU and membership in the Honors Program. Offered
in the Spring semester.
One semester; three credits |
[Top]
RS 485. INTERNSHIP.
Combines work in a professional field with academic consideration
of the relationship of that work to Religious Studies. Prerequisite:
Permission of the Religious Studies Internship Director.
One semester; one to three credits |
RS 490-496. SPECIAL
TOPICS IN RELIGION.
Selected topics of interest to individual students or small
groups. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.
Two semesters; one to three credits each |
RS 499. SENIOR SEMINAR.
The seminar, for Religion and Philosophy majors in their senior
year, includes an independent study project on a topic related
to their previous years of study in the major.
One semester; three credits |
|
|
