Religious Studies Curriculum
F=Courses generally taught in the Fall Semester
S=Courses generally taught in the Spring SemesterSummer 2008 Course: Italy Program
RS210F8
An Introduction to Literature of the Bible (A)
4 credits; F/S
A survey of the Bible using modern literary methods, recent historical and archaeological findings highlighting themes of justice, religious experience, and the development of Jewish and Christian faith traditions. Offered as 210A F8 Hebrew Scriptures, 210B F8 Gospels, 210C F8 Acts/ Letters. Cross listed with ENG 230.
RS 218F8
Images of Faith in Literature and Film (C)
4 credits; Spring Only
An exploration of the place of religious faith in human development, the symbolic elements which landscape the religious imagination, and the ways these find expression in scripture, autobiography, poetry, fiction, drama, contemporary music and/or film.
RS: 220, 221, 222,
223Swarsensky Chair-Selected Topics: Jewish Life and Thought
2 credits; Spring Only
These courses consider the life of the Jewish people as related in the Bible and in Rabbinic literature, with special emphasis on the development of liturgical life and festivals following the order of Torah, Prophets, Writings and contemporary Judaism:
RS 220 Torah (A, B)
RS 221 Prophets (A, B)
RS 222 Writings (A, B)
RS 223 Contemporary Judaism (B)
RS 224F8
Introduction to Christian Thought (B)
4 credits; Spring Only
An investigation of contemporary Christian thinking about human experience, God, creation, Jesus, spirit, community, worship, spirituality, peace, justice and other religions.
RS 225F8
Introduction to Major Religious Traditions (B)
4 credits; F/S
A study of the basic beliefs, rituals, scriptures and moral codes of the five major living religious traditions of the world: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Lectures are supplemented with films, slides, field trips and interviews with believers of these traditions.
RS 230F8
History of Christianity (B)
4 credits; Fall Only
A survey of major historical events which affecting the development of Christianity from the time of the Gospels until the present. Attention is given to diverse traditions, and to the experience of women in Christian history.
RS 240F8
Christian Responsibility and Moral Development (C)
4 credits; Fall Only
A basic study of Christian morality emphasizing the personal and social dimensions, including a discussion of freedom, conscience, stages of moral development, and basic ethical systems.
RS 242F8
Moral Responsibility and Medical Ethics (C)
4 credits
A basic study of morality, with emphasis on Judeo-Christian morality, stressing both personal and social dimensions, including a discussion of freedom, conscience, basic ethical systems and stages of moral development, with special considerations of contemporary problems in the fields of bio- and medical ethics.
RS 247F8
Christian Religious Experience (C)
4 credits; F/S
Exploration of a variety of Christian experiences of relationship with God in Jesus Christ as expressed in scripture, traditions, lifestyles and spiritualities. Investigates the roots and evolution of contemporary beliefs and practices with attention given to the insights and experiences of women and minorities. Cross listed with WS 247.
RS 250F8 Catholicism (B)
4 credits; Fall Only
An interdisciplinary, multicultural, experiential, historical and theological introduction to Catholicism in the 21st Century.
RS 265
Religious Traditions of the East (B)
4 credits; Spring Only
A study of selected major religions of South and East Asia with respect to their history, literature, and influence today. Offered every fourth year.
RS 279
Independent Reading and Research in Religious Studies
1-3 credits
(Prerequisite: any F8 course or an equivalent)
Students choose a topic of interest in Religious Studies or select writings of a major theologian (e.g., Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, Tillich, Segundo, Ruether, Johnson, Neo-Thomists, Feminists, Liberation Theology). Requires preparation of a paper or public presentation to report the results of the investigation. Topics and credits to be approved by Department of Religious Studies.
HI 305
Human Issues Seminar in Religion & Public Life I
2 credits; Fall Only
First semester of a study of contemporary issues relating to religion and public life. Biblical notions of justice, papal encyclicals, pastoral letters of Bishops' Conferences, and statements of the World Council of Churches provide a basis for discussion and participation in an area of social justice. Cross listed with Human Issues 305.
RS 331
Christian Worship (C)
4 credits; Spring Only
An experiential and theological investigation of liturgical celebration as encounter with and response to the Beauty, Love and Mystery of God. Remembering, rehearsing and realizing the Reign of God in times & seasons, places and spaces, signs and symbols, proclamations and prayers, meals and music, passages and journeys, ministries and mission. Offered in alternate years.
RS 341
Catholic Theology for the 21st Century (C)
4 credits; Spring Only
An investigation of principal themes in Catholicism using Church documents and the writings of contemporary Catholic theologians. (Prerequisites: RS 224F8 - Introduction to Christian Thought or RS 250 Catholicism; Religious Studies major; consent of the instructor) Offered in alternate years.
RS 343
Women and Religion (B)
4 credits; F/S
A study of women's issues in a variety of religious traditions from a feminist perspective including, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Native American, Eastern traditions and goddess religions. Autobiography, feminist interpretation of scripture and women's spirituality are included. Cross listed with Women's and Gender Studies 343.
RS 345
Religion and Society (C)
2 credits
An introduction to the sociology of religion, including the concepts of "sacred and secular," sect and church, secularization, and the church as a social institution. Cross listed with SOC 345.
RS 379
Independent Reading and Research in Religious Studies
1-4 credits
Topics and credits to be approved by the Department of Religious Studies. (Prerequisite: F8 course and a RS major or minor.)
RS 380
The Teaching of Religious Studies
2 credits
A study of traditional as well as contemporary methods of teaching religious studies, including opportunities for evaluating curricula, methodologies, programs. Adaptations appropriate to the needs of students of different ages and different types of learning situations will be emphasized according to the goals of the participants. (Prerequisite: RS major or minor, or consent of the instructor)
HI 405
Human Issues Seminar in Religion & Public Life II
2 credits; Spring Only
Second semester of study of contemporary issues relating to religion and public life. Biblical notions of justice, papal encyclicals, pastoral letters of Bishops' Conferences, statements of the World Council of Churches provide a basis for continued discussion and participation in an area of social justice. Includes experiential and/or service learning and/or trip abroad with additional expenses. Cross listed with Human Issues 405.
RS 414
Scripture: Advanced Study (A)
4 credits
An advanced detailed study of specific books or themes in scripture. (Prerequisite: RS 210A & B or equivalent, consent of the instructor).
RS 422
The Reformation and Counter-Reformation (B)
4 credits
A survey of the rise of Protestantism and Protestant theologies, the reform of Roman Catholicism, the response of Roman Catholicism to Protestantism, and the effects of these movements on European society.
RS 429
The Teaching of Religious Studies: Grades 1-6
2 credits
A study of curricula and methods appropriate for the teaching of religious studies in the elementary school. Cross listed with ED 429.
RS 431
Sacramental Celebrations (C)
4 credits
Historical development and contemporary theology and practice of the chief liturgical rites of the Christian churches. Includes pastoral and practical implications for preparing and participating in sacramental liturgies. (Prerequisite: RS 331 or consent of instructor.)
RS 451-455
Selected Topics in Religious Studies: A study of contemporary topics in religious thought including theology, scripture, spirituality, interpersonal ethics, sociology of religion.
2-4 credits.451- Selected Topics: Revelation
452- Selected Topics: Fourth Gospel
453- Selected Topics: Spirituality and Public Life
454- Selected Topics: Foundations in Faith
455- Selected Topics: Religion in America
RS 456
The Challenge of Islam
RS 459
The Teaching of Religious Studies: Grades 7-12
2 credits
The study of curricula and methods appropriate for the teaching of religious studies in the secondary school.
RS 484
Internship in Religious Education or Pastoral Ministry
8-10 credits
Supervised observation and participation in one or more of the following situations according to the goal of the student:1) teaching in a school situation;
2) teaching in another type of program;
3) interning as a Director of Religious Education;
4) interning in a Pastoral Ministry program.
RS 485B
Internship in Religious Studies - Secondary Level
10 credits
Cross listed with ED 485B.
RS 487
ArrStudent Teaching in Religious Studies - Secondary Level
Cross listed with Ed 487.
RS 490
ArrPracticum
Practicum in Religious Education or Christian Ministry according to the goals of the student.
RS 498
Religious Studies Senior Seminar
4 Credits
Reading and discussion in preparation for senior paper and/or presentation. Capstone for RS majors integrating at least two of the three areas of study. Required of majors. (Prerequisites: 32 credits in RS and Senior status)
RS 499
Workshop in Religious Studies
2 credits
