Full-Time Faculty: Patrick J. Lynch, S.J., Chair;
Dennis C. Duling, Daniel P. Jamros, Rebecca Krawiec, Christopher R. Lee, Daniel P. Liderbach, S.J., Martin X. Moleski, S.J., Michael R. Pastizzo, S.J., Timothy H. Wadkins, Trevor L. Watt.
Religion plays an important role in human life and history everywhere, and a liberal education would be seriously incomplete if it did not provide some of the intellectual tools necessary for dealing with this important dimension of human life.
The department expresses the religious dimension of the college’s founding in the Jesuit and Catholic tradition, and its orientation is to serve the community that shares the values of that tradition.
The specific aims of Religious Studies and Theology are: (1) To help develop an inquiring mind in matters of religious import by acquainting the student with the role religion has played and is now playing in the total development and life experience of humanity; (2) To provide the student with the methodological tools, both scientific and theological, for the academic study of religion; and (3) To help students appreciate the religious viewpoints and values within their own community and in the broader community of humankind.
To these ends, the department presents in its courses a scientific and theological study and appreciation of the unique approaches of Roman Catholicism, other confessional Christian churches, Jewish religious thought and other religions. This ecumenical approach also attempts a comparative study of religions and a positive approach to the varieties of non-religion, such as atheism. The department provides the opportunity for a more mature and authentic appraisal of religious faith in the 21st century through the study of primary source materials — scriptural, historical and theological — and academic studies of religion.
A major in religious studies and theology provides a broad intellectual context for those who wish to study religion in greater depth. The major program offers courses in five different areas: World Religions, Judeo-Christian Origins, History of Christianity, Christianity in the Modern World and Systematic Theology.
Admission
Admission to the major program is contingent on departmental approval.
Religious Studies Curriculum:
| 1. | ENG 101, ENG 102, PHI 101, RST 101 (4 courses) | (12) | |
| 2. | Area Studies: Two courses from each of these areas: I, II, III, IV, V, VII, VIII(14 courses) | (42) | |
| 3. | Major course requirements: (10 courses) | ||
| RST 200 Introduction to the Old Testament | (3) | ||
| RST 210 Introduction to the New Testament | (3) | ||
| RST 400 Religious Studies Seminar | (3) | ||
| RST 489 Projects for Majors | (3) | ||
| Religious Studies electives: sixcourses. Electives should be concentrated in three of the five areas offered in the Religious Studies program. The GST 004 courses and RST 01 may not be included | (18) | ||
| 4. | Electives (12 courses) | (36) | |
| Total | (40 courses) | (120) | |
Recommended Schedule:
| Fall | Spring | |||||
| Freshman Year | ||||||
| ENG 101 | 3 | ENG 102 | 3 | |||
| RST 101 | 3 | RST 200 | 3 | |||
| AS | 3 | AS | 3 | |||
| AS | 3 | AS | 3 | |||
| AS | 3 | AS | 3 | |||
| Total | 15 | Total | 15 | |||
| Sophomore Year | ||||||
| PHI 101 | 3 | AS | 3 | |||
| RST 210 | 3 | AS | 3 | |||
| AS | 3 | RST elective | 3 | |||
| AS | 3 | Elective | 3 | |||
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 | |||
| Total | 15 | Total | 15 | |||
| Junior Year | ||||||
| RST elective | 3 | RST elective | 3 | |||
| RST elective | 3 | AS | 3 | |||
| AS | 3 | AS | 3 | |||
| AS | 3 | Elective | 3 | |||
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 | |||
| Total | 15 | Total | 15 | |||
| Senior Year | ||||||
| RST 489 | 3 | RST elective | 3 | |||
| RST elective | 3 | RST elective | 3 | |||
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 | |||
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 | |||
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 | |||
| Total | 15 | Total | 15 | |||
| Total | 120 |
Minors
The Religious Studies and Theology Department offers a minor in the general area of religious studies for those seeking an overview of the field, as well as minor tracks in three specialty areas within the discipline.
Religious Studies Minor:
| Track 1: Religious Studies and Theology | ||
| Biblical studies (RST 200 or 210) | (3) | |
| Survey of world religions (RST 218 or 220) | (3) | |
| Christian tradition(s): one course2 (e.g., RST 260, 340) | (3) | |
| Religious Studies and Theology electives: three upper-level (200 or above) courses2 |
(9) | |
| Total (6 courses) | (18) | |
| Track 2: Biblical Studies | ||
| RST 200 Introduction to the Old Testament | (3) | |
| RST 210 Introduction to the New Testament | (3) | |
| Biblical studies electives: four upper-level (200 or above) courses2 | (12) | |
| Total (6 courses) | (18) | |
| Track 3: Christian History, Thought, and Ethics | ||
| Christian history: one course2 (e.g., RST 215, 216, 217, 223, 224, or 260) | (3) | |
| RST 340 Moral Issues Today | (3) | |
| Religious Studies electives: four upper-level (200 or above) courses2 | (12) | |
| Total (6 courses) | (18) | |
| Track 4: Religions of the World | ||
| RST 218 Introduction to Western Religions | (3) | |
| RST 220 Introduction to Eastern Religions | (3) | |
| Religious Studies electives: four upper-level (200 or above) courses2 | ||
| Total (6 courses) | (18) | |
Interdisciplinary Minor in Catholic Studies
The Religious Studies and Theology department is the administrative center for an Interdisciplinary Minor in Catholic Studies. This minor has six required courses: RST 231, CTH 400 and four other courses. These are taken in each of four areas: Catholic Theology and Life; Catholic History and Politics; Catholic Social Thought and Philosophy; Catholic Culture: Literature, Art, Music and Science. For further information, see Catholic Studies in the “Special Programs” section of this catalog.
COURSES: 2005 - 2007
INTRODUCTORY LEVEL
RST 101 Introduction to Religious Studies and Theology 3
Nature and role of religion in human life and society. Religious viewpoints, values and practices within Judeo-Christian tradition and world at large. Methodological tools, both scientific and theological, used in academic study of religion.
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL:
RST 200 Introduction to the Old Testament 3
Introduction to the literature of the Old Testament within its ancient Near Eastern setting. Particular attention paid to historical, literary, cultural and theological questions. (AS VI)
RST 210 Introduction to New Testament 3
Introduction to the literature and background of the New Testament. (AS VI)
RST 215 (HIS 215) History of Christian Community I 3
Historical study of life, thought and worship of the Christian community from first-century beginnings to the eve of the sixteenth-century reformation. (AS VI)
RST 217 History of the Christian Community III 3
Historical study of the life, thought and worship of Christians, both Protestant and Catholic, from the Reformation to the present.
RST 218 Introduction to Western Religious Tradition 3
Introduction to and survey of the western religious tradition, including the ancient Near East, Greece and the great traditions of Judaism, Islam and Christianity. (AS VI) (ICD)
RST 220 Introduction to Eastern Religions 3
History, meaning and practice of living religions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam. (AS VI) (ICD)
RST 225 Religion and Society 3
Relationship of religion and society. Sociological theories of religion. Concrete interaction of religion and society in U.S. and other cultures. (AS VI)
RST 230 Catholic Belief Today 3
Scripture and tradition. The Trinity, incarnation, grace, sacramental life, worship. The Church as community and structure. (AS VI)
RST 231 Introduction to Catholic Studies — Origins of Catholicism 3
Major movements and personalities in Catholic theology, history, culture and spirituality. The Catholic worldview in and its relation to modern society. (AS VI)
RST 235 Religion and Politics 3
Interaction of religion and politics in the United States. Christian understanding of religion and politics in other cultures. (AS VI)
RST 236 Theology and Film 3
Analysis of a selection of foreign films to understand the artists’ positions regarding the nature of humanity, of God and of other theological themes. (AS VI)
RST 240 The Development of Jewish Religious Thought and Practice 3
Jewish religious thought from biblical times to the present: Hebraism and Judaism in pre-Christian times, Jesus and Jewish thought and modern trends in Judaism. (AS VI)
RST 250 Biblical Greek 3
Introduction to Greek with focus on grammar, vocabulary, and syntax of the koine Greek used in the New Testament. Taught as a private study. Prerequisite: Permission of chair.
RST 251 Greek Exegesis 3
Biblical Greek on an intermediate level. Nuances of grammar and syntax and their effect on translation and interpretation of the text of the New Testament. Taught as a private study. Prerequisite: Permission of chair.
RST 300 The Problem of Suffering 3
Suffering confronts each individual in illness, broken relationships, failures, drug abuse and death. The course addresses how God is active even in suffering. (AS VI) 2005-2006 only
RST 301 The First Three Gospels 3
Portraits of Jesus in Matthew, Mark, Luke and “Q” leading to the question of the historical Jesus, against the backdrop of history and religions of New Testament times. (AS VI)
RST 305 The Life and Teachings of Jesus 3
Contemporary approach to the life and teachings of Jesus with focus on the Kingdom, prayer and especially parable teaching. (AS VI) 2005-2006 only
RST 308 Pagans and Christians (CLS 308, HIS 308) 3
Religious thought and action in Late Antiquity, the 3rd through 8th centuries AD, the idea of the holy; manifestations of the sacred; body, soul, cosmos; Christianity and classical culture; Neoplatonism. (AS VI)
RST 309 (CLS 309) Greek and Roman Religion 3
Religious thought and action in ancient Greece and Rome from Homer through the 2nd century AD. Polytheism, anthropomorphism, ritual, cult and sacrifice. (AS VI)
RST 310 Matthew: The Church’s Gospel 3
A contemporary, literary, historical and social interpretation of the Gospel of Matthew. (AS VI)
RST 311 Paul and His Churches 3
Survey of St. Paul’s theology and mission, the variety and controversies of the early church.
RST 312 The Gospel, Letters and Revelation of St. John 3
The gospel message analyzed in Jesus’ words and deeds. The symbols of Revelation seen in their historical and contemporary meaning. (AS VI)
RST 314 New Testament in Literature and Art 3
New Testament themes and personalities analyzed from scriptural perspective and compared with expressions in arts. Relationship of religion and art; scriptural roots of Christian art. (AS VI) 2005-2006 only
RST 315 Ancient Israelite Prophecy 3
The nature of ancient Israelite prophecy and the major prophets of the Old Testament. Emphasis on the development of prophecy in social and historical context. (AS VI)
RST 319 Jesuits: History, Spirituality, Culture 3
Life of St. Ignatius of Loyola. History of Jesuits.
RST 330 Zen & the Meditative Life 3
A study of the Zen tradition in China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and the West from a Buddhist persepctive: meditation, historical context, social milieu, primary texts and modern commodification.
RST 321 New Testament Society 3
Recent sociological and cultural-anthropological interpretation of the New Testament and its ancient environment. (AS VI)
RST 326 Freedom, Sin, and Grace 3
What is humankind? What are our possibilities, radical problems, resources? What Christian faith has to offer as answers to these and other universal human questions. (AS VI)
RST 328 Sacramental Theology 3
The presence of God in the midst of the human community, as symbolized by the sacraments. Their history, interpretation and anthropology. (AS VI)
2005-2006 only
RST 332 Islam: Tradition and Revival 3
From pre-Islamic Arabia to Muslim reform in the modern world. Islamic cult, institutions and faith. Islam in Africa, Asia and the Middle East today.
RST 340 (GRN 340) Moral Issues Today 3
An inquiry into religious and secular approaches to morality and the issues raised by specific moral problems. (AS VI)
RST 343 Religion and the Challenge of Science 3
Traces the emergence of science as independent from and a challenge to the religious world view. (AS VI)
RST 344 Theology of Family Process 3
Bible and religious ideals of Judaism, Catholicism, Protestantism. Current ethical issues: intimacy, relationship, power. Relevancy of love to sex, marriage, family. Experimental projects. Communication styles. (AS VI)
RST 350 Christian Concept of God 3
Concept of God in light of Biblical faith. Historical development and modern approaches to the Christian doctrine of God. (AS VI)
RST 354 Jesus Christ and Modern Man 3
An historical- theological inquiry into the person of Jesus of Nazareth. (AS VI)
RST 359 Revelation and Faith 3
Exploration into meaning of revelation and its correlative, faith, in light of modern challenges to these foundational concepts. (AS VI)
RST 360 Magic, Science and Religion 3
Scholarly approaches used to understand how diverse peoples of the world conceive, make use of, and tap into the realm of the extrahuman. Focus on “exotic” societies and peoples, exploration of the meanings of magic, science and religion in the more familiar contemporary Unites States and Europe.
RST 362 Fundamentalism 3
Critical study of religious fundamentalism in a variety of religious traditions and cultural and geographical contexts. Historical, anthropological and sociological methodologies applied to the academic study of religion.
ADVANCED LEVEL
RST 400 Religious Studies and Theology Seminar 3
A seminar for RST majors and minors, focusing on the history of theory and method in the academic study of religion.
RST 402 Christianity in the New World 3
A study of Third World Christianity by immersion in different areas of Third World Countries. Prerequisite: RST 217.
RST 405 Biblical Archaeology 3
Contributions of Syro-Palestinian and other ancient Near Eastern archeological information to reconstructing the social world, history and religion of ancient Israel. (AS VI)
RST 420 (WST 420) Feminine Role in Religion 3
Feminine symbolism and mythologies dealing with feminine archetypes in ancient religions and contemporary cultures: women in the Bible. The feminine in current psychology and theology. (AS VI)
RST 421 Hinduism 3
Development of classical and contemporary styles of Hindu religious thought and practice; from the Vedas to Hare Krishna; from Patanjali to TM. (AS VI) (ICD)
RST 445 Christian Spirituality 3
Historical, analytical and appreciative study of the fundamental principles and development of Christian ascetical theology. (AS VI)
RST 452 Theology of Evil 3
Pain, suffering, tragedy. How the problem is dealt with in the Old Testament, New Testament and in some Eastern religions and in the works of various Western philosophers. The concept of a suffering God. 2005-2006 only
RST 453 (GRN 453) Theology of Death 3
The experience of dying and the meaning of death in the Old Testament and New Testament and in Christian theology. Loss and grief. The funeral. Suicide. Aging. Eternal life. (AS VI)
RST 489 Projects for Majors 3
Concentrated investigation of a topic of particular interest to the student, under supervision of faculty advisor. Prerequisite: Departmental approval.
RST 496 Internship 3
Combination of teaching or religious work with special readings and theological reflection, under the guidance of department faculty. Prerequisite: Consent of chair. No AS credit.
RST 499 Independent Study 3
Student development of private or group reading or research program with permission of chair and instructor.
INTERDISCIPLINARY
RST 448 (BIO 448, GRN 448) Bio Moral Problems 3
Considers a number of problem areas such as genetic intervention, medical experimentation, behavior control, organ transplants and resource allocation and death and dying. (AS VI)
ZPR 351 Catholic Social Thought & Theological and Philosophical Perspectives 4
Analysis of Catholic social principles and their time-conditioned application, especially through examination of papal social encyclicals and documents of the U.S. Catholic bishops.
1 Area VI is automatically fulfilled because this program is in the Religious Studies and Theology area.
2 To be selected in consultation with a faculty adviser in the department.