Full-Time Faculty: Patrick J. Lynch, S.J., Chair; Dennis C. Duling, Daniel P. Jamros, S.J., Rebecca Krawiec, Jonathan Lawrence, Christopher R. Lee, Martin X. Moleski, 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.
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, Jewish & Christian Origins, History of Christianity, Religion in the Modern World and Systematic Theology.
At the conclusion of the program majors should be able to 1) assess the role of Christianity and other religions in human development and experience; 2) explain, compare, and contrast various viewpoints and values of differing religions; 3) use the theoretical tools necessary for the academic study of religion and theology in texts, rituals and practices; and 4) describe, analyze and draw conclusions about important religious and theological issues.
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.
Admission
Admission to the major program is contingent on departmental approval.
Religious Studies and Theology Curriculum
| 1. | ENG 101, ENG 102, PHI 101, RST 101 (4 courses) | (12 credits) | |
| 2. | Area Studies: Two courses from each of these areas: I, II, III, IV, V, VII, VIII (14 courses)1 |
(42 credits) | |
| 3. | Major course requirements: (10 courses) | ||
| RST 200 Introduction to the Old Testament | (3 credits) | ||
| RST 210 Introduction to the New Testament | (3 credits) | ||
| RST 400 Religious Studies and Theology Seminar | (3 credits) | ||
| RST 489 Projects for Majors | (3 credits) | ||
| 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 101 may not be included |
(18 credits) | ||
| World Religions RST 218 Intro to Western Religious Traditions RST 220 Intro to Eastern Religions RST 221 Native American Religions RST 223 Religions in N America I RST 224 Religions in N America II RST 240 Dev of Jewish Rel Thought & Practice RST 309 Greek and Roman Religion RST 330 Zen and the Meditative Life RST 331 Religions of China RST 332 Islam: Tradition & Revival RST 360 Magic, Science & Religion RST 381 Types of Religious Experience RST 420 Feminine Role in Religion RST 421 Hinduism History of Christianity RST 215 History of Christian Community I RST 216 History of Christian Community II RST 217 History of Christian Community III RST 219 History of Eastern Orthodox Christianity RST 231 Intro to Catholic Studies RST 302 The Jesuits: History, Spirituality & Culture RST 308 Pagans & Christians RST 314 New Testament in Literature & Art Systematic Theology RST 260 The History of Catholic Belief RST 300 The Problem of Suffering RST 326 Freedom, Sin & Grace RST 327 Church in the Modern World RST 328 Sacramental Theology RST 350 The Christian Concept of God RST 354 Jesus Christ and Modern Man RST 358 Development of Christian Doctrine RST 359 Revelation and Faith RST 445 Christian Spirituality |
Judeo-Christian Origins RST 200 Intro to Old Testament RST 210 Intro to New Testament RST 301 The First Three Gospels RST 303 Ethics and the New Testament RST 305 The Life and Teachings of Jesus RST 310 Matthew: The Church’s Gospel RST 311 Paul’s NT Epistles & His Church RST 312 The Gospel, Letters & Rev of St. John RST 315 Ancient Israelite Prophesy RST 321 New Testament Society RST 405 Biblical Archeology Religion in the Modern World RST 217 History of Christian Community III RST 225 Religion & Society RST 230 Catholic Belief Today RST 231 Intro to Catholic Studies RST 235 Religion & Politics RST 236 Theology & Film RST 340 Moral Issues Today RST 343 Religion & Challenge of Science RST 344 Theology of the Family Process RST 361 The Psychology of Religion RST 362 Fundamentalism RST 448 Bio-Moral Problems RST 453 Theology of Death ZPR 351 Contemporary Catholic Social Ethics |
| 4. | Electives (12 courses) | (36 credits) | |
| TOTAL (40 courses) | (120 credits) | ||
Recommended Schedule:
| Fall | Spring | |||||
| Freshman Year | ||||||
| ENG 101 | 3 credits | ENG 102 | 3 credits | |||
| RST 101 | 3 credits | RST 200 | 3 credits | |||
| AS | 3 credits | AS | 3 credits | |||
| AS | 3 credits | AS | 3 credits | |||
| AS | 3 credits | AS | 3 credits | |||
| Total | 15 credits | Total | 15 credits | |||
| Sophomore Year | ||||||
| PHI 101 | 3 credits | AS | 3 credits | |||
| RST 210 | 3 credits | AS | 3 credits | |||
| AS | 3 credits | RST elective | 3 credits | |||
| AS | 3 credits | Elective | 3 credits | |||
| Elective | 3 credits | Elective | 3 credits | |||
| Total | 15 credits | Total | 15 credits | |||
| Junior Year | ||||||
| RST elective | 3 credits | RST elective | 3 credits | |||
| RST elective | 3 credits | AS | 3 credits | |||
| AS | 3 credits | AS | 3 credits | |||
| AS | 3 credits | Elective | 3 credits | |||
| Elective | 3 credits | Elective | 3 credits | |||
| Total | 15 credits | Total | 15 credits | |||
| Senior Year | ||||||
| RST 489 | 3 credits | RST elective | 3 credits | |||
| RST elective | 3 credits | RST elective | 3 credits | |||
| Elective | 3 credits | Elective | 3 credits | |||
| Elective | 3 credits | Elective | 3 credits | |||
| Elective | 3 credits | Elective | 3 credits | |||
| Total | 15 credits | Total | 15 credits | |||
| Total | 120 credits |
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 credits) | |
| Survey of world religions (RST 218 or 220) | (3 credits) | |
| Christian tradition(s): one course2 (e.g., RST 260, 340) | (3 credits) | |
| Religious Studies and Theology electives: three upper-level (200 or above) courses2 |
(9 credits) | |
| Total (6 courses) | (18 credits) | |
| Track 2: Biblical Studies | ||
| RST 200 Introduction to the Old Testament | (3 credits) | |
| RST 210 Introduction to the New Testament | (3 credits) | |
| Biblical studies electives: four upper-level (200 or above) courses2 |
(12 credits) | |
| Total (6 courses) | (18 credits) | |
| Track 3: Christian History, Thought, and Ethics | ||
| Christian history: one course2 (e.g., RST 215, 216, 217, 223, 224, or 260) |
(3 credits) | |
| RST 340 Moral Issues Today | (3 credits) | |
| Religious Studies electives: four upper-level (200 or above) courses2 |
(12 credits) | |
| Total (6 courses) | (18 credits) | |
| Track 4: Religions of the World | ||
| RST 218 Introduction to Western Religions | (3 credits) | |
| RST 220 Introduction to Eastern Religions | (3 credits) | |
| Religious Studies electives: four upper-level (200 or above) courses2 |
(12 credits) | |
| Total (6 courses) | (18 credits) | |
Interdisciplinary Minor in Catholic Studies
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: 2007 - 2009
INTRODUCTORY LEVEL
RST 101 Introduction to Religious Studies and Theology 3 credits
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 credits
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) Summer & Fall 2007 and 2008
RST 210 Introduction to New Testament 3 credits
Introduction to the literature and background of the New Testament. (AS VI) 2007-2008
RST 215 History of Christian Community I 3 credits
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) Fall 2007
RST 216 History of Christian Community II 3 credits
Historical study of life, thought and worship of the Christians from first century beginnings to the eve of the sixteenth century reformation (AS VI) Spring 2007
RST 217 History of the Christian Community III 3 credits
Historical study of the life, thought and worship of Christians, both Protestant and Catholic, from the Reformation to the present. (ICD) (AS VI)
RST 218 Introduction to Western Religious Tradition 3 credits
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 219 History of Eastern Orthodox Christianity 3 credits
Historical study of Eastern Christian Churches. (AS VI) (ICD)
RST 220 Introduction to Eastern Religions 3 credits
History, meaning and practice of living religions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam. (AS VI) (ICD) Spring 2008
RST 221 Native American Religions 3 credits
The nature of indigenous religions in Native American societies and the effect of cultural change through contact with other cultures. (AS VI) (ICD) Fall 2007 and 2008
RST 222 African Religions 3 credits
Thematic study of religion in tribal societies. Primary emphasis on African, American Indian and Pacific Island traditions. (AS VI) (ICD) Spring 2008 and 20092 To be selected in consultation with a faculty advisor in the department. 2 To be selected in consultation with a faculty advisor in the department.
RST 223 Religion in North America I 3 credits
Historical study of the development of religions in North America from the Spanish, French, and English settlements in the 17th century to the Civil War era. (AS VI) Fall 2007 and 2008
RST 224 Religion in North America II 3 credits
Historical study of religious developments in North America from the Civil War era to the present. (AS VI) Spring and Fall 2008; Spring 2009
RST 225 Religion and Society 3 credits
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 credits
Scripture and tradition. The Trinity, incarnation, grace, sacramental life, worship. The Church as community and structure. (AS VI) Fall 2007 & 2008
RST 231 Introduction to Catholic Studies — Origins of Catholicism 3 credits
Major movements and personalities in Catholic theology, history, culture and spirituality. The Catholic worldview and its relation to modern society. (AS VI) Fall 2008
RST 235 Religion and Politics 3 credits
Interaction of religion and politics in the United States. Christian understanding of religion and politics in other cultures. (AS VI) Spring 2008
RST 236 Theology and Film 3 credits
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) Fall 2007 & 2008
RST 240 The Development of Jewish Religious Thought and Practice 3 credits
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) (ICD) 2007, 2008, 2009
RST 250 Biblical Greek 3 credits
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 credits
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 252 Intro Biblical Hebrew 3 credits
Intro course for students with no prior Hebrew language experience. Study of the Torah text. Taught as a private study. Prerequisite: Permission of chair.
RST 300 The Problem of Suffering 3 credits
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) Summer & Fall 2007 and 2008
RST 301 The First Three Gospels 3 credits
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 303 Ethics and the New Testament 3 credits
New Testament approaches to ethical questions: the implications for human sexuality, marriage and divorce, racism, sexism, war and peace. (AS VI)
RST 305 The Life and Teachings of Jesus 3 credits
Contemporary approach to the life and teachings of Jesus with focus on the Kingdom, prayer and especially parable teaching. (AS VI)
RST 310 Matthew: The Church’s Gospel 3 credits
A contemporary, literary, historical and social interpretation of the Gospel of Matthew. (AS VI)
RST 311 Paul and His Churches 3 credits
Survey of St. Paul’s theology and mission, the variety and controversies of the early church. (AS VI)
RST 312 The Gospel, Letters and Revelation of St. John 3 credits
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 credits
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) Also accepted for Art History major and minor credit. Spring 2008 and 2009
RST 315 Ancient Israelite Prophecy 3 credits
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 credits
Life of St. Ignatius of Loyola. History of Jesuits. (AS VI) Fall 2007
RST 321 New Testament Society 3 credits
Recent sociological and cultural-anthropological interpretation of the New Testament and its ancient environment. (AS VI) Fall 2007
RST 326 Freedom, Sin and Grace 3 credits
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 327 The Church in the Modern World 3 credits
Study of the Church, its mission and structure. (AS VI) Spring 2009
RST 328 Sacramental Theology 3 credits
The presence of God in the midst of the human community, as symbolized by the sacraments. Their history, interpretation and anthropology. (AS VI) Spring 2008-2009
RST 330 Zen & the Meditative Life 3 credits
A study of the Zen tradition in China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam and the West from a Buddhist perspective: meditation, historical context, social milieu, primary texts and modern commodification. (AS VI) (ICD) Spring 2008 and 2009
RST 331 Religions in China 3 credits
History, thought and practice of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism in China. Chinese folk religion. Christian missions to China. The fate of religion since Mao. (AS VI) (ICD)
RST 332 Islam: Tradition and Revival 3 credits
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. (AS VI) (ICD) Spring 2008
RST 340 Moral Issues Today 3 credits
An inquiry into religious and secular approaches to morality and the issues raised by specific moral problems. (AS VI) Fall 2007, Spring 2008
RST 343 Religion and the Challenge of Science 3 credits
Traces the emergence of science as independent from and a challenge to the religious world view. (AS VI) 2007-2009
RST 344 Theology of Family Process 3 credits
Biblical 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) Fall 2008
RST 350 Christian Concept of God 3 credits
Concept of God in light of Biblical faith. Historical development and modern approaches to the Christian doctrine of God. (AS VI) Spring 2008 and 2009
RST 354 Jesus Christ and Modern Man 3 credits
An historical-theological inquiry into the person of Jesus of Nazareth. (AS VI) Fall 2007
RST 359 Revelation and Faith 3 credits
Exploration into the meaning of revelation and its correlative faith in light of modern challenges to these foundational concepts. (AS VI) Spring 2008
RST 360 Magic, Science and Religion 3 credits
Scholarly approaches used to understand how diverse peoples of the world conceive, make use of, and tap into the realm of the extra human. Focus on “exotic” societies and peoples, exploration of the meanings of magic, science and religion in the more familiar contemporary Unites States and Europe. (AS VI) (ICD) Summer 2007 and 2008
RST 361 Psychology of Religion 3 credits
Interaction of Psychology and Religion: Freud, Jung, Erikson, Kohlberg, Kohut, Winnicott. Themes: character types, God image, religious psychobiography, narcissism, object relations, sin and love. (AS VI) Spring 2008 and 2009
RST 362 Fundamentalism 3 credits
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. (AS VI) (ICD) Spring 2009
ADVANCED LEVEL
RST 400 Religious Studies and Theology Seminar 3 credits
A seminar for RST majors and minors, focusing on the history of theory and method in the academic study of religion.Spring 2008
RST 402 Christianity in the New World 3 credits
A study of Third World Christianity by immersion in different areas of Third World Countries. Prerequisite: RST 217.
RST 405 Biblical Archaeology 3 credits
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 Feminine Role in Religion 3 credits
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) (ICD) Fall 2008
RST 421 Hinduism 3 credits
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) Spring 2009
RST 445 Christian Spirituality 3 credits
Historical, analytical and appreciative study of the fundamental principles and development of Christian ascetical theology. (AS VI) Fall 2007 and 2008
RST 448 Bio Moral Problems 3 credits
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) Fall 2008
RST 453 Theology of Death 3 credits
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) Fall 2007 and 2008
RST 489 Projects for Majors 3 credits
Concentrated investigation of a topic of particular interest to the student, under supervision of faculty advisor. Prerequisite: Departmental approval.
RST 496 Internship 3 credits
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 credits
Student development of private or group reading or research program with permission of chair and instructor.
INTERDISCIPLINARY
ZPR 351 Catholic Social Thought & Theological and Philosophical Perspectives 4 credits
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. (AS V and VI)
COURSES IN OTHER DEPARTMENTS INCLUDED IN THE MAJOR ARE:
CLS 308 Pagans and Christians 3 credits
Prerequisite: RST 101. (AS VI) 2007 and 2008
CLS 309 Greek and Roman Religion 3 credits
Prerequisite: RST 101. (AS VI) 2008 and 2009
HIS 306 History of Religion in America 3
Prerequisite: RST 101 (AS VI)
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.