Introduction to Biblical Criticism ( formerly Judeo-Christian Roots) This course is an introduction to the academic study of the composition, content and interpretation of the Bible. The goal of the course is to give students a grasp of major biblical events and concepts and to engage them in thoughtful reflection on scholarly interpretation of the Bible today. Students will be exposed to substantial portions of primary sources from the Hebrew Bible and Greek New Testament. It is important to note that scholarly study of the Bible is not the same as devotional study, and that the basic assumptions of the Historical-Critical Method may differ radically from those of an individual student’s faith community.
Religion in Literature (Honors) - Requires departmental approval. This honors-level reading, writing, and discussion course considers how literature deals with the realm of religion. We will look at literary texts based on religious ones (C.S. Lewis’s Perelandra and John Milton’s Paradise Lost, in their relation to Genesis; Archibald MacLeish’s J.B. in relation to Job; Steven Pressfield’s The legend of Bagger Vance in relation to The Bhagavad-Gita; and Naguib Mahfouz’s The Children of Gebelawi and the Qur’an); at a literary text which acts as if it were itself religious, Dante’s Divine Comedy; and at two literary texts which examine the lives of religious persons (Elie Wiesel’s Night and Chaim Potok’s The Chosen). The course will give some attention to the writing process, with regularly scheduled papers and revisions. (Not offered 2011-2012)
God and Free Will (Honors) - Requires departmental approval. If God knows that you’re going to have oatmeal for breakfast tomorrow, are you still free to have scrapple? How does God’s knowledge relate to your free will? If God knows everything that has been, is, and will be, does God know that time it is? How does God’s unchanging eternal knowledge relate to the idea of “now”? Thinkers in the three great Abrahamic traditions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, have all had to deal with the apparent conflict between (a) the idea that God, who is the all-powerful creator, knows everything all at once and (b) the principle that human beings make free choices in passing time. (In the Christian world, this discussion often takes place in terms of “predestination” and “free will.”) This Honors level course assumes no background in philosophy or theology. We will begin by considering what it means to “do theology”—particularly philosophical theology, the branch which specializes in the big abstract questions. Once we have a handle on how to work as philosophical theologians, we will read a significant range of primary texts from all three traditions, as well as Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five and essays by contemporary philosophers.
Worldviews and World Religions - This course surveys five of the world’s major religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. We will explore the history, central teachings, sacred texts, and basic practices of these religious traditions. Students will also examine contemporary social, cultural, and political issues pertinent to each religion. The goal of this course is for students to gain an understanding of and respect for worldviews other than their own. Students will be expected to come to class prepared and eager to learn, to actively engage in class discussions, and to demonstrate their understanding of the course material clearly and thoroughly.
Religion in America Recognizing the importance religion has played in American history, this course will examine various religious trends throughout the history of the country. Protestant Christianity forms the majority of American religion, but the plurality of the religious experiences in the nation played a vital role in its shaping. Accordingly this course will examine both the intricacies of the Christian experience in America while also delving into the experience of other religious groups as they tried to stake their claim in a new country. The Spring Term will be split between a historical analysis of ancient history to uncover the origins of Christianity and an examination of the modern state of politics and religion in the country. (Not offered 2011-2012)
Religion in America (Honors) - Requires departmental approval. This course will be driven by an examination of primary sources covering the expanse of American history. We will analyze the adaptations of Christianity throughout American history. In the nation’s past, various groups have co-opted and adapted the image of Jesus to fit their particular needs and historical contexts. We will examine how American understanding of Jesus has changed from the time of Native American conversion, to Puritanism, to muscular Christianity of the early 20th century, to the rise of the Religious Right in modern day politics. Particular attention will also be given to the African-American experience of Christianity. Students will be expected to come to class prepared to discuss the readings and contribute to class discussions on a daily basis. (Not offered 2011-2012)
Philosophy Seminar: Can Virtue Be Taught? - This course provides students with an introduction to the formal philosophical study of Ethics. Topics covered will include the basics of ethical inquiry, the relationship between the self and society, as well as more focused examinations of racism, non-violence, war and peace, and other specific exercises in “applied ethics.” All will be taught from various perspectives in both Western and Eastern religious and philosophical traditions. In addition to the specific problems examined, the course will attempt to bring students to an understanding of the vital importance and relevance of the formal study of Ethics. To this end, the course methodology will be primarily Socratic and students will be expected to be active, informed and engaged participants at all times. This course is open to students in the Fourth Form. It fulfills the Religious Studies graduation requirement.