Religious Studies   

It is sometimes difficult for modern people to read texts from ancient patriarchal societies and see how women were treated at that time. In this interactive, online discussion course, we will delve into some challenging stories found in the Bible. Women studied will include Hagar, Lot’s wife and daughters, Sarah, Dinah, and Esther. Each week we will also look at one or two paintings of these fascinating women.

What did it mean to be a "follower of the Christ" in the Roman Empire in the first century? This course undertakes a close reading of the letters of Paul the Apostle (as our primary evidence), drawing upon critical methods of analysis in modern New Testament and historical interpretation. Paul is often described as the true "founder" of the religion of Christianity, and we will explore the way in which his writings came to influence the later Church. We also survey the cultural context of his communities and the ways in which this culture may have contributed to Paul's thinking, specifically in relation to "salvation," women, and the role of the early Christians as citizens of the Empire.

 

This course will offer a general academic survey of five major world religions (Hinduism; Buddhism; Judaism; Christianity; and, Islam) to get at the diversity and complexity as well as the similarities between religious systems. Topics will address central concepts unique to each religion, such as rites of passage, notions of good and evil, and corporate as well as individual spirituality. Students will be encouraged to participate in class discussions that seek to create a climate of value-neutral discourse on religious topics.