THEME
9 – RELIGION
Religion is one of the most fundamental and
enduring human responses to life on this planet. Some see it as an illusion,
and opiate, or an understandable reaction to the otherwise intolerable fact
that we will die. Others see religion as the body of ritual and myth that
connects humanity to the Ultimate conditions of existence. This theme will
explore the "variety" of religious practice and theory, through a
number of different approaches and methods, including comparative study, case
studies, guided practice, and philosophical inquiry.
1.
Demonstrated awareness of religious
experience and expression, the variety of this experience and expression, as
well as the sense in which “religion” designates a common human experience
2.
Demonstrated awareness of some major
interpretations of religion
3.
Demonstrated awareness of alternative
forms of religious practice
4.
Demonstrated awareness of the methodological
issues involved in the study of religion
Skills
Objectives
All courses in a Theme use teaching
methods that help students become more proficient in the following skills:
1. To engage in articulate expression
through effective speaking and writing;
2. To think critically and
creatively;
3. To locate, evaluate, and use
information effectively;
4. To integrate different areas of
knowledge and view ideas from multiple perspectives.
If you select this
theme,
you must choose 3 courses from 3 disciplines.
You CANNOT receive theme credit for both HST or
PHI courses.
ANT 315: Comparative
Religions
A cross-cultural study of contemporary religions. Examines
the diversity of religious meaning through the lived experiences of cultures,
traditions, and sects around the world. Exposes
students to anthropological interpretations of religion through a range of
methods, including ethnography. Themes include symbolism, ritual, death,
shamanism, healing, magic, pilgrimage, and interfaith movements. Fulfills World Perspectives requirement.
CLA 315: Ancient
Religion
A study of the religious beliefs and practices of the
ancient world, emphasizing the religious traditions of
HST 211: Survey of the
History of Islamic Civilization
An introduction to the history of Islamic civilization and
the development of its relationship with
HST 342: History of East
Asian Religions
A study of the belief systems of East Asian countries. It introduces the major
East Asian religious traditions and their modern developments. Class readings will center on primary
materials in English translation supplemented by interpretative secondary
scholarship. In this way each student will be challenged to understand
firsthand the religious ideas of Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, and Shinto as
well as the religious practices of communal ritual, shamanism, spirit
possession, faith healing, and meditation.
LIB 300: Jewish
Scriptures and Traditions
Focusing
on the textual heritage of Judaism, the ancestor of Islam and Christianity as
well as a vibrant religion today, this course explores Jewish traditions and
rituals as the originated throughout history and as practiced today in the
world’s diverse Jewish communities.
LIB 335: Scriptures as
Literature
A comparative study of Scriptures as literary masterpieces
that shape and influence their respective cultural expressions and literary
traditions.
PHI 302: Medieval Great
Philosophers
A study of one or several medieval great philosophers, such
as: Plotinus, Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Maimonides. Focus will be on the
philosopher's writings, but attention also will be given to context and
tradition.
PHI 310: Philosophy of
Religion
Does
God exist? Is there life after death? How did evil enter the world? Is there
any place for reason in religion, or is religious faith only a subjective
experience? Questions like these will be considered, as well as the answers
that have been given to them by some important religious philosophers.
Explores the interaction of politics and religion in the
PSY 385: Psychology of Religion
A systematic study of psychological
theories and empirical data on religious phenomena. Consideration will be given to various definitions of
religious belief; the psychological explanations of religious behavior; the
dynamics of religious thought, the relationships between religion, positive
mental health, and psychopathology;
and the social functions served by religion. Prerequisite: PSY
101. Offered winter semester.
Critically analyzes religion
as an institutional structure and belief system, and explores the relationship
of religion to social change and organization.
Emphasis on religion in the contemporary Untied States; includes
attention to non-Western influences.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing