| Religious Studies |
RS 483 - History of World Religions
Credits:
4.00
Introduction to the religions of the world in terms of
historical development, relationship to society, belief
system, central texts, and ritual practices. (Also offered
as HIST 483.) Writing intensive.
RS 484 - Patterns in World Religions
Credits:
4.00
Introductory course on the comparison of religions and
religious patterns. Examining cross-cultural themes such as
sacred places, sacred books, and sainthood, students become
acquainted with the concepts and methods used in the
historical study of religions. Primary and secondary
readings encompass a wide variety of religious practices
and ideas. (Also offered as HIST 484.) Writing intensive.
RS 576 - Hebrew Bible in Historical Context
Credits:
4.00
An introductory study of the Hebrew Bible, or Old Testament,
examining the development of biblical literature in the
context of ancient Near Eastern cultures and history. Course
topics include the interpretation of creation stories and
the patriarchal narratives using literary and folklore
methods; the transformation of Israelite religion from Moses
to David to Ezra; the role of prophets and nature of ancient
prophecy; the concept of the messiah; "wisdom" literature
and the biblical interpretations of misfortune; the
formation of a biblical canon; and the critical analysis of
sacred texts. (Also offered as HIST 576.) Writing intensive.
RS 577 - New Testament in Historical Context
Credits:
4.00
A study of the collection of writings known as the New
Testament as both literature and historical documentation.
Assigned readings from primary and secondary sources stress
the historical, social, religious, and literary backgrounds
of gospels, Paul's letters, and the Apocalypse, and will
include a variety of early Christian texts left out of the
canonical New Testament. Other more general themes are:
the formation of the Christian canon, the division of the
Jesus-movement from Judaism, the status of Jesus in his own
time, the nature of parables, the end of the world, and the
authority of women in early churches. Emphasis on the
historical understanding of sacred scripture. (Also offered
HIST 577.) Writing intensive.
RS 599 - Special Topics
Credits:
4.00
Studies of particular religious traditions, or periods
within those traditions, or special topics and issues of
concern within religious studies such as mythology, ritual,
mysticism, etc.
RS 601 - Seminar in Religious Texts
Credits:
4.00
Close study of sacred text(s) from a particular religious
tradition (Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, etc.) or
a thematic selection of texts across religions. (Also
offered as HIST 601.)
RS #607 - Religion in American Thought and Life
Credits:
4.00
Interdisciplinary study of the varied nature of American
religious experience and its relationship to other aspects
of American culture. Topics vary from year to year, and may
include, for example: the interdisciplinary study of a
spiritual community, African American religious history,
material culture and spiritual expression, politics and
religious free speech, religious culture in the nineteenth
century, multi-ethnic religions, and literature. (Also
offered as AMST 607.) Writing intensive.
RS #682 - Cults and Charisma
Credits:
4.00
Examines religious sects and charismatic leaders using case
studies from history and the contemporary world, as well as
analytical principles from Religious Studies and
anthropology. Explores various approaches to the
question, what makes a person powerful over others?,
in connection with the formation of messianic sects, the
genesis of the "cult," the traditional authority of priests
and kings, sainthood, the events at Jonestown and Waco, and
the popular image of the "cult." Students learn to employ a
variety of tools and models to understand historical
situations of charismatic leadership. (Also offered as
HIST 682.)
RS 699 - Seminar in Religious Studies
Credits:
4.00
Advanced discussion of a particular theme in Religious
Studies, meant both to give students a solid foundation in
classic theories of religion and to explore new authors and
ideas. Past topics have included ritual, possession, magic,
and apocalypticism. Classes are in seminar format and
culminate in a final research paper. (Priority to minors in
Religious Studies.) Prereq: permission.
RS 795 - Independent Study
Credits:
2.00 or 4.00
Independent study of traditions, topics, or figures within
the scope of Religious Studies. Before registration, student
must formulate a project and secure consent of a cooperating
program/faculty member who will supervise the independent
study.
RS 796 - Independent Study
Credits:
2.00 or 4.00
Independent study of traditions, topics, or figures within
the scope of Religious Studies. Before registration, student
must formulate a project and secure consent of a cooperating
program/faculty member who will supervise the independent
study.
RS XXX - Special message place holder
Credits: