Current Courses
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Students interested in a Religious Studies major, minor, or sequence should contact Professor Deepak Sarma at 368-4790 (deepak.sarma@case.edu) or Professor Peter Haas at 368-2741 (peter.haas@case.edu)
For Program and course descriptions in the Program in Judaic Studies go to http://www.case.edu/artsci/jdst/courses.html.
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COURSES AVAILABLE FOR Spring 2013
RLGN 209: Introduction to Biblical Literature
Timothy K. Beal (M.W. 12:30-1:45)
This course is an introduction to the academic study of biblical literature, including Hebrew Scriptures ("Old Testament") and the New Testament. The literature will be studied in light of both ancient and contemporary historical contexts, with a particular emphasis on the roles it plays in American culture and politics today. Class sessions will be discussion oriented and will involve close, careful analysis and interpretation of texts. No background in religion is necessary. Evaluation will be based on class preparation and participation, regular short writing assignments, two exams, and a major paper.
RLGN 216: Hinduism I
Deepak Sarma (T.R. 2:45-4:00)
This course will provide an introduction to the Vedic, Epic, and Puranic periods in the development of Hinduism. We will read a range of primary sources produced during these times. These tests were composed between 1500 BCE and the 5th century CE. The course has an emphasis on research and writing. We will not be examining contemporary issues or practice. The goal of the class is to gain a detailed understanding of the kind of world(s) that were envisioned in these forms of early "Hinduism."
RLGN 221: Indian Philosophy
Deepak Sarma (T.R. 1:15-2:30)
(Cross-listed as PHIL 221.) We will survey the origins of Indian philosophical thought, with an emphasis on early Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain literature. Our concern will be the methods, presuppositions, arguments, and goals of these schools and trajectories of thought. What were their theories on the nature of the person, the nature of reality, and the nature and process of knowing? What were the debates between the schools and the major points of controversy?
RLGN 238: Alternative Altars
Judith Neulander (T.R. 10:00-11:15)
The British colonial jibe that America was a “vast commonwealth of sects,” and the French culinary sneer that America had multiple home-grown religions “but only two sauces” was never more true than today. Taking a multidisciplinary approach, students will become familiar with the distinction between conventional and unconventional religion, with the history and personalities associated with new belief systems in America, and with the means, motivations, and methods of generating faith communities. Students will come to understand the role of cultural anxieties, new technologies, changing gender roles, globalization, and other social tensions in the formation and duration of America’s alternative altars.
RLGN 240: The Heavens in Science and Religion
Peter J. Haas (M.W.F. 10:30-11:20)
(Limit 17. Approved SAGES Departmental Seminar.) People have always been interested in the nature and meaning of the universe beyond our limited earthly experiences. The course examines how the West has understood the “heavenly realm,” both scientifically and religiously, over the last three thousand years. In particular the course will focus on how our scientific understanding of the heavens at different times has shaped religious views and, conversely, how religion has affected scientific exploration and explanation. Special emphasis will be placed on the Modern period, that is, from Copernicus and Galileo, and the Protestant Reformation, onwards.
RLGN 268: Women in the Bible
Judith Neulander (T.R. 1:15-2:30)
(Cross-listed as JDST 268 and WGST 268.) From Ishtar to Esther, the Christian Marys to the Muslim Mary, we will examine the ways in which biblical texts both reflected and reinforced the times in which they were written down. We will explore the creative and strategic ways that women in the Bible were shaped by, and came to shape, changing values over time and across space through rite, ritual, story, song and art. Using folkloristic theory and ethnographic methods we will come to understand how these various views of women inform, reflect and challenge gender roles in modern society.
RLGN 270: Introduction to Gender Studies
Susan Hinze (T.R. 2:45-4:00)
(Also listed as WGST 201, ENGL 270, HSTY 270, and PHIL 270.) This course introduces the methods and concepts of gender studies and women's studies. An interdisciplinary course, it covers feminist approaches to literature, religion, history, political science, anthropology, psychology, and popular culture. This course is required for women's studies majors.
RLGN 283: Muhammed: The Man and the Prophet
Ramez Islambouli (T.R. 1:15-2:30)
The life of the Prophet Muhammad (c.470-632 CE) which was as crucial to the unfolding Islamic ideal as it is today. An examination of how he attempted to bring peace to war-torn Arabia by evolving an entirely new perspective of the human situation, guidance for human lives, and humans' relationship with God. The course will include Western perceptions of Islam, especially in light of September 11, 2001.
RLGN 304/404: Representations of Black Women and Religion in Film
Joy Bostic (Th. 4:30-7:00)
In this course we will explore cinematic representations of black women and religion in film. Each week we will view a film in class. We will begin the class with the film Imitation of Life and then the course with The Help. Throughout the course we will analyze the ways in which notations of gender, sexuality, intimate violence, and modern notions of race and color, have informed representations of black women and religion in film. In addition, we will discuss how these representations, in turn, have influenced cultural ideas about black women in the Americas.
RLGN 345/445: Religion and Horror
Timothy K. Beal (Tu. 4:30-7:30)
(Prerequisite: RLGN 102 or permission.) This course explores relations between religion, horror, and the monstrous in ancient scripture and contemporary horror. Course readings, discussions, and research projects approach the subject from two distinct but related directions: first, through an examination of elements of horror and the monstrous in biblical and related ancient texts; second, through an examination of religious dimensions in modern horror, especially as they are found in representations of monstrosity in literature and film. Evaluation is based on class preparation and participation, regular short papers, a major research paper, and a final essay exam.
RLGN 370/470: Structuralism and Anthropology of Religion
Peter J. Haas
This course introduces the philosophical and cognitive background to the anthropological study of religion and traces the ways in which this method has evolved and been applied over the last century and a half. Special emphasis will be placed on more recent developments, such as Structuralism, which focuses especially on the underlying structures of religions and religious organizations.
RLGN 392: Independent Study
Staff (Times as arranged)
(1-3 credit hours. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.) Up to three semester hours of independent study may be taken in a single semester. Must have prior approval of faculty member directing the project.
RLGN 394: Honors Research I
Staff (Times as arranged)
(Prerequisite: Department Consent) Intensive study of a topic or problem leading to the writing of an honors thesis. Requires RLGN 102 plus 9 RLGN credits and department approval.
RLGN 395: Honors Research II
Staff (Times as arranged)
(Prerequisite: Consent of department chair.) Intensive study of a topic or problem leading to the writing of an honors thesis. Maximum six credits.
RLGN 399: Major/ Minor Seminar
Joy R. Bostic (T.R. 2:45-4:00)
(Recommended preparation: RLGN 102 and one other RLGN course.) Capstone course primarily for majors and minors in Religion. Allows students to interact with peers and faculty, reflect critically, and integrate their learning experiences. Prepares students to continue their learning in the discipline and in the liberal arts. Subject matter varies according to student and faculty needs and perspectives. May be repeated once for up to six credit hours.
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JUDAIC STUDIES
See http://www.case.edu/artsci/jdst/courses.html
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CROSS REGISTRATION IN NORTHEAST OHIO
In addition to the courses offered on campus, Case students here have the option of taking courses at other universities in the area under an agreement with the North East Ohio Higher Education Council. Under the agreement with NEOCHE there is no extra tuition charged to the students and the course credits transfer easily (provided no equivalent course is taught at Case and with the approval of Case).
In general, to participate in this program, the student must be in academic good standing. Credits earned for courses taken at other area institutions do count toward the 15-credit-hour limit on credits earned at other institutions after matriculation at Case. Grades received for such courses will not appear on a student's Case transcript, nor will they be included in the GPA calculation. Such courses can count toward a RLGN major or minor, however, but only with Department of Religious Studies approval. Students should check with the Department of Religious Studies or with the Office of Undergraduate Studies before enrolling in one of these courses.
Below is a sample listing of some of the courses available at John Carroll University that students in Religious Studies might consider in addition to the offerings here. For up-to-date information about which courses are offered in a particular semester, about times and places, and on exact course descriptions, you should contact the Department of Religious Studies at JCU at 397-4780.
334. CHRISTOLOGY. (3 cr.) The person and work of Jesus Christ according to the scriptures, historical theology, and contemporary theology.
328. THEOLOGY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN SACRED MUSIC (3 cr.) Survey of theological issues and constructs in African American Sacred Music. Musical theology of Negro Spirituals as starting point in discovering expressions of biblical and societal musings. Gospel music as well as anthematic presentations present a basic understanding of life and being in the African American experience.
321. HISTORY OF THE IDEA OF EVIL (3 cr.) Problem of evil from its biblical origins to the modern period with emphasis on the interaction between religious notions and cultural forces. Topics include the Book of Job, the rise of Satan, Augustine and Original Sin, Aquinas, Dante, the Reformation, the Enlightenment, demonic and Gothic, modern theological and scientific approaches.
360. CATHOLIC MORAL THEOLOGY (3 cr.) Review and discussion of the sources of Catholic moral theology; study of how contemporary Catholic moral theologians apply these methods and sources to current questions of personal and social morality.
227. INTRODUCTION TO EASTERN CHRISTIANITY (3 cr.) History, spiritualities, iconography, theologies and current practices of the Eastern Christian Churches. Study of the Eastern Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Oriental Orthodox Churches. Presentations provided by experts from various Eastern Churches.