COURSES OF STUDY
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RE 205 Hebrew Bible (1)
A study of the history and literature of the Hebrew Bible, or Old
Testament. The course locates the Hebrew Bible in its historical context
in the ancient Near East and explores the new ways of thinking about
sacred texts that have emerged in modern biblical studies. A discussion-
rich course, students will be equipped to enter into discussion with
Jewish and Christian interpreters who wrestle with the political,
ideological, and theological implications of these texts, both in the
ancient world and in modern settings.
RE 215 Christian Scriptures (1)
A study of the history and literature of the Christian Scriptures, or New
Testament. The course equips students for culturally-cued reading of
these texts by exploring the historical setting from which they emerged,
bringing significant themes of this early Christian literature into
conversation with issues of concern in modern Christian theology (a
Leadership Studies designated course).
RE 221 World Religions (1)
An introductory survey of such major world religious traditions as
Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism, Judaism, Christianity,
and Islam. Course topics may vary each time the course is taught. In
addition to a historical overview of diverse thought traditions and
practices, a primary focus will be the response to modernity and the
challenge and change in contemporary religious thought. Additional
topics may include the place of women in these different traditions,
understanding of diversity and pluralism, and responses to religious
violence.
RE 222 Religions of Asia (1)
A survey of the major religious traditions of Asia including Hinduism,
Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Confucianism, Daoism, and Shinto.
This course explores the major concepts, doctrines, and practices of
each tradition in historical perspective. Emphasis will be placed on the
examination of cross-cultural religious categories within each, such as
salvation, ritual, gender, or ecology.
RE 230 Christian Scriptures in Literature, Art, and Film (1)
An investigation of the
interpreted
Bible, or the Bible as it has been
visualized, filmed, painted, sculpted, and retold by early and modern
readers. One reason for the Bible’s enduring cultural significance is
the way artists and authors have engaged biblical texts and themes as
conversation partners in the creation of their own texts. This course
explores the dynamics of biblical interpretation in diverse forms of
media with the intention of fostering more sophisticated reading
strategies of film, visual, and literary culture, and the biblical text itself.
