Center for Religion and Society Home
Faculty Profiles
Courses Offered
Course Descriptions
Events
Majors-Minors
FAQ
Resources
BackHome  
Religion and Philosophy Course Descriptions

PHILOSOPHY COURSES

101 Philosophical Inquiry
An examination of philosophers' answers to the questions: What can I know? What ought I do? What might I hope for? and What is it to be a human being? (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

105 Socrates, Jesus, and the Buddha
A survey of the main figures in the philosophical and religious traditions of the Western world, as well as major figures in Eastern philosophy and religion. All members of the department of Religion and Philosophy will contribute lectures. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

122 Logic
This course seeks to develop skills in formulating and evaluating arguments. Topics covered include the nature and types of arguments, patterns of fallacious reasoning, inductive logic, and systems of deductive logic. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

205 Moral Philosophy
An investigation of the sources of, and our responses to, human dignity. Readings include slave and internment narratives, research from the social sciences, philosophical analyses, as well as debates on specific moral issues. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Prerequisite: Previous philosophy course or permission. (1)

211 Philosophical Issues in the Sciences
An inquiry into the assumptions behind scientific methods, the aims of scientific achievements, and the history of scientific discovery. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Prerequisite: Previous philosophy course or permission.

213 Religions and Philosophies of India
An interdisciplinary examination of the philosophical and religious traditions of South Asia. Topics include the central ideas and practices of these traditions, their historical development, their styles of reasoning, and the relationship between religion and philosophy. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

215 Symbolic Logic
An introduction to truth functional logic including truth tables, and natural deduction in propositional and predicate logic. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

218 Religions and Philosophies of China
An interdisciplinary examination of the philosophical and religious traditions of East Asia. Topics include the central ideas and practices of these traditions, their historical development, their styles of reasoning, and the relationship between religion and philosophy. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

222 Business Ethics
An examination of normative questions arising from business practice and decision-making, focusing on the analysis of theories of ethical action and character, and their application to contemporary business issues. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

223 Ethics and Medicine
An examination of ethical issues in medicine and the moral principles that might be employed to resolve ethical dilemmas. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Prerequisite: Sociology 101. (Cross-listed as Sociology 223.)

251 Early Western Philosophy
An analysis of the history of Western thought from the rise of classical philosophy with the pre-Socratic philosophers and the pivotal figures of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, through the evolution of classical thought in Hellenistic philosophies and medieval thinkers such as St. Augustine and St.Thomas Aquinas. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

252 Modern Western Philosophy
A study of the attempts of thinkers such as Bacon, Hobbes, Descartes, Leibniz, Spinoza, Locke, Hume, and Kant to come to terms with the scientific, political, and religious changes in the modern world. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

260 Selected Topics in Philosophy
The study of a particular issue, theme, or philosopher of current interest. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

265 American Philosophy
The development of American philosophy from the colonial period to contemporary thinkers. Particular emphasis will be placed on the pragmatist tradition, including 19th-century thinkers such as Peirce, James, and Dewey, and contemporary figures such as Quine, Davidson, and Rorty. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

310 Kant's Critical Philosophy
A consideration of the philosophical questions Kant addressed, his answers to them, and their impact on existentialism, pragmatism and language philosophy. Focusing on his major works it considers the viability of Kant's philosophy today. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Prerequisite: Previous philosophy course or permission.

321 Philosophy of Religion
Is it reasonable to believe in God? Can we know anything about God? Different ways of responding to these questions, along with the different views of rationality and religion they imply, are explored using classical and contemporary sources. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Prerequisite: Previous philosophy course or permission.

330 Nietzsche and Heidegger on Nihilism
A consideration of Nietzsche's charge that Christian and Plantonic thought is Nihilistic. It examines Heidegger's commentary on Nietzsche's attack, and makes inquiries concerning the connection between nihilism and nazism. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Prerequisite: Previous philosophy course or permission.

332 Metaphysics
An examination of questions concerning the ultimate nature of reality, including such topics as time, identity, mind and body, language, truth, and the implications of idealist and realist approaches to these questions. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Prerequisite: Previous philosophy course or permission.

405, 406, 407 Independent Study and Research
Selected topics in philosophy carried out under the direction of a member of the departmental staff. Enrollment with the approval of the department. ( 1 / 2 , 1, 1 / 2 )

410, 411, 412 Senior Thesis
At the end of the junior year every major will register with a member of the department to study and write a major paper in the final year. Guidelines, requirements and dates are explained in “The Senior Thesis.” ( 1 / 2 , 1, 1 / 2 )

495, 496, 497 Honors Project
A program of independent study culminating in a paper. Prerequisite:To qualify for consideration to receive honors in the major, a student in his/her senior year or in the Summer prior to the senior year, must work under the guidance of his/her committee.A written proposal and application must be approved by the committee and department.A minimum GPA of 3.4 in the major is required. 495 Honors Project is prerequisite for 497 Honors Project. ( 1 / 2 , 1, 1 / 2 )

RELIGION COURSES

102 Christian Faith and Life
An examination of the basis tenets of Christian belief, its moral teachings, and way of life. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

103 The Jewish Tradition
An overview of the history of Judaism, its teachings, and its traditions. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

104 The World of Islam
An introduction to the Qur'an, the Muslim faith, and the fabric of Islamic societies, starting with the life of Muhammad.(1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

105 Socrates, Jesus, and the Buddha
A survey of the main figures in the religious and philosophical traditions of the Western world, as well as major figures in Eastern religion and philosophy. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

111 Hebrew Scriptures
An historical and critical study of the Pentateuch, Prophets, and Writings in the Hebrew Scriptures. Particular attention will be given to various ways of interpreting these texts.(1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

112 New Testament
This course studies the early Christian communities: their literature, their history, their social context, and especially the life choices made by members of those communities. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

130 Living Religions of the World
The major living religions of the world; their sources, nature, and attempt to deal with certain human problems. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

210 The Development of Christianity
The development of Christianity from the first century A.D. through the 15th century A.D. (Religion 210 and History 231 may not both be taken for credit.) (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

211 Religions of the Hellenistic World
An examination of the diversity of religions in the Greco- Roman world following the conquests of Alexander the Great.The course will examine individual, familial, and civic religious expression as well as the rise of the mystery religions and the new communities of Judaism, Christianity, and Gnosticism. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

212 The Reformation
The Protestant Reformation of the 16th century and the Roman Catholic reaction. (Religion 212 and History 231 may not both be taken for credit.) (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

213 Religions and Philosophies of India
An interdisciplinary examination of the philosophical and religious traditions of South Asia.Topics include the central ideas and practices of these traditions, their historical development, their styles of reasoning, and the relationship between religion and philosophy. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

214 Religion in America
An investigation and examination of the distinctive beliefs and practices of mainstream religious groups and their influence upon the development of America. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

215 The Life and Teachings of Jesus
Examination of the life and teachings of Jesus in the light of recent Biblical scholarship. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

216 The Life and Teachings of Paul
The life and teachings of the Apostle Paul in the light of his writings and other sources with particular reference to his influence on the early church. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

217 Topics in Israelite and Early Jewish Religion
An examination of a major subfield within the Hebrew scriptures and early Judaism. Designed to provide students with the opportunity to study a single aspect of Israelite or Jewish religion.(1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

218 Religions and Philosophies of China
An interdisciplinary examination of the philosophical and religious traditions of East Asia. Topics include the central ideas and practices of these traditions, their historical development, their styles of reasoning, and the relationship between religion and philosophy. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

220 Christian Ethics
An examination of Christian moral values and their relation to the issues of contemporary personal and social life. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

225 The Religious Life of Young Adults
An introduction to the faith development of young adults and their psychological and social characteristics.This course will identify and foster communication skills for effectively communicating with adolescents. The role of adult leadership in youth groups will be examined. Finally, the course will consider resources for developing and implementing youth ministry programs in congregations. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

230 Introduction to the Theology of Martin Luther
A critical reading of the major theological texts of Martin Luther, considering historical context and the texts' significance for church and society. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

240 Religious Interpretation of Films
This course aims at probing the meaning of contemporary films from several perspectives-social, political, artistic-but especially from a theological point of view. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

246 The Holocaust
An historical account and a religious analysis of the Holocaust, including an examination of theological reactions to this event. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

250 New Religions in America
A study of non-traditional religious communities in America, such as the Mormons, New Age, Scientology, and Branch Davidians. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

270 Explorations in Religion and Society
A study of the interaction between religion and society in a selected country or region. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

280 History of Christian Thought
An intellectual encounter with classic Christian thinkers, a study of the development of Christian doctrine, and a reflection on the state of the Christian intellectual tradition today. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

312 Topics in Biblical Studies and Early Christianity
An examination of issues of current significance to the study of the Hebrew scriptures, the New Testament or early Christianity.Topics for any given semester will be chosen by the professor in consultation with students interested in taking the course. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Prerequisite: Religion 111, 112, 215, 216 or 217.

317 Systematic Theology
A study of the interrelationships between the main Christian articles of faith in the thought of major 19th and 20thcentury theologians. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Prerequisite: Previous course in religion or philosophy or permission.

320 The Theology of Jonathan Edwards
An exploration of the religious thought of Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758), one of the most influential theologians in North America. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Prerequisite: Previous course in religion or philosophy or permission.

330 Christian Theology and the World Religions
An examination of religious pluralism, with special attention to three problems: the truth status of competing religious claims, salvation of religious others, and whether God has been revealed in other religions. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Prerequisite: Previous course in religion or philosophy or permission.

405, 406, 407 Independent Study and Research
Selected topics in religion carried out under the supervision of the department staff. ( 1 / 2 , 1, 1 / 2 )

410, 411, 412 Senior Thesis
At the end of the junior year every major will register with a member of the department to study and write a major paper in the final year. Guidelines, requirements and dates are explained in “The Senior Thesis.” ( 1 / 2 , 1, 1 / 2 ) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Prerequisite: Senior standing.

416, 417 Internship
A supervised placement in a local church, clinical setting, or social service agency, in which the student would be required to make a practical application of theological and ethical insights. (1, 1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.

495, 496, 497 Honors Project
A program of independent study culminating in a paper. Prerequisites:To qualify for consideration to receive honors in the major, a student in his/her senior year or in the Summer prior to the senior year must work under the guidance of his/her committee.A written proposal and application must be approved by the committee and department.A minimum GPA of 3.4 in the major is required. 495 Honors Project is prerequisite for 497 Honors Project. ( 1 / 2 , 1, 1 / 2 )