    |
Division of Social Studies
Thomas McCollough (chair), Richard Axtell, Ruben Dupertuis, Beth Glazier-McDonald, David Hall, Milton Scarborough; students: Annie Murphy, Peyton Sands
Through a wide variety of course offerings and assistance with internships, the Religion Program seeks to fulfill several goals. The first is to acquaint students with the interpretations of religious belief and practice offered by the world’s major religious traditions, especially the Judaic and Christian traditions. A second goal is to develop students’ ability to reflect critically and independently on these traditions, to gather and interpret research materials, and to articulate their ideas well. A third goal is to encourage students to contribute to society after graduation through participation and leadership in professional, religious, and civic organizations. A final aim is to prepare religion majors for graduate and professional programs in religious studies or theology if their career goals require additional study.
Graduates who majored in religion at Centre have proved themselves to be well prepared for graduate and professional study in religion. They have acquitted themselves well in the nation’s best divinity schools and graduate departments of religion. Most of the majors, however, go in other directions. They have found the major to be strong general preparation for careers in banking, counseling, law, medicine, theater management, writing, and various organizations in the private and public sectors.
Majors acquire general knowledge in the discipline through survey courses in biblical history and ideas, history of Christian thought, and world religions. They then enjoy unrestricted choice of six upper-level electives. Finally they take the senior seminar. This experience involves them in discussion with the entire religion faculty, and often with visiting scholars, of important current works in the discipline; in the preparation of critical responses to these readings; and ultimately in the production and presentation of a major research paper.
Requirements for the Major
REL 110, 120, 130, 499, 500 and five additional Religion courses numbered 300 or higher.
Requirements for the Minor
REL 110, 130 and five additional
religion courses, including at least three courses numbered 300 or above,
excluding REL 499.
Religion Courses
REL 110 Biblical History
and Ideas
A study of the historical setting and development of the Israelite
and early Christian communities, their literatures, and their thought,
as reflected in the Hebrew Bible and New Testament.
REL 112, 312 Biblical Archaeology
Biblical archaeology examines the archaeological records of the ancient
Near East and the ancient Mediterranean as one means of shedding light
on the Bible. This course introduces archaeological field methods and
surveys a number of archaeological sites and discoveries (e.g., Ugarit,
Temple Mount in Jerusalem, Qumran) that have some bearing on the reading
and interpretation of the Bible. Prerequisite: REL 110.
REL 113, 313 The Bible in Context
A course spread over two terms that combines an off-campus experience
with a follow-up course. The course introduces students to the ancient
context (historical/archaeological and literary) out of which the Bible
arose and utilizes that context as a means of critiquing the text. Students
are also introduced to the contemporary context of the Middle East wherein
the Bible plays a critical role in defining not only religious convictions
but also social, moral, and political convictions and realities. These
experiences are then used to discuss the ongoing interpretation and use
of this ancient text.
REL 120 History of Christian Thought
An introductory study of Christian thought in relation to its intellectual
and societal context from its beginnings in the Apostolic Period to the
present day, with an emphasis on certain individuals and movements in
the ancient church, the Middle Ages, the reformations of the 16th century,
and the Enlightenment, and with an assessment of their contributions to
the present positions of Christian thought.
REL 130 World Religions
A study of the beliefs and cultural significance of the major world
religions, with special emphasis on the Islamic, Buddhist, Hindu, and
other Far-Eastern and Near-Eastern faiths.
REL 131/331Judaism
An examination of Judaism in the modern era from mid-18th century to the
present. Particular attention is given to the problem of definition, to
the varieties of Jewish belief and behavior, and to Judaism's celebration
of life.
REL 132, 332 Islam
An exploration of the beliefs, practices, institutions, and history
of Islam from the inside – as its adherents see them. Particular
attention is given to the current revival of Islam.
REL 140 Philosophy of Religion
A critical examination of traditional and recent theories concerning
such issues in the philosophy of religion as the existence of God, the
nature of ultimate reality, the nature and destiny of human beings, and
the validity of claims to religious knowledge. (Also listed as PHI 170.)
REL 160 Biblical Hebrew (four credit hours)
An introductory course in reading, vocabulary, and grammar skills.
REL 165 New Testament Greek (four credit hours)
After a review of grammar, this course studies passages from the Greek
New Testament (the Gospels, Acts, Revelation), leading to possible further
course work in Greek epic, tragedy, or philosophy. Prerequisite: CLA 111
or permission of the instructor.
REL 170 Introduction to Theology
A study of the systematic formation of theological doctrine in the
monotheistic traditions. Focusing on such topics as the doctrine of God,
Christology, and the idea of Covenant, the course looks at the monotheistic
tranditions as overarching, and historically evolving worldviews.
REL 314 Literature of the Hebrew Bible
A study of the origins and development of the literature of the Hebrew
Bible, with special attention to historical situations and theological
implications. Prerequisite: REL 110.
REL 315 New Testament Literature
A study of the origins and development of the literature of the New
Testament. Prerequisite: REL 110.
REL 320 Early Christianity
A study of the development of the institutions, doctrines, and rituals
of the early church from the end of the first century to the coming of
the barbarians in the West and the reign of Theodosius I in the East.
REL 322 Medieval Civilization
A survey of the emergence and development of European civilization
from the decline of the Roman Empire to the 14th century. (Also listed
as HIS 303.)
REL 324 Reformation
The course focuses on European history from the mid-15th to the mid-16th
century. Locating the origins of the Reformation in the late Middle Ages,
the course focuses on the theological, philosophical, and historical forces
at work that culminated in the reform movements in Germany, Switzerland,
and England. While Martin Luther is the central figure studied, attention
is also given to Ulrich Zwingli and John Calvin as well as several figures
from the Radical Reformation. (Also listed as HIS 305.)
REL 327 The Church and Social Change in Latin America
An examination of the role of religion in Latin American society with
special emphasis on a particular country (or countries) on site (Nicaragua,
Cuba, Mexico). Students study religion from historical, sociological,
and anthropological perspectives, examining pre-Columbian Mesoamerican
religions, the mission of colonizers, syncretistic responses to conquest
and evangelization, the relationship between church and state, the challenge
of liberation theology, and the rise of Protestantism.
REL 338 Buddhist Thought
A critical examination of the major schools of thought in the development
of Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism. Some attention is given to meditation
and to the application of Zen to the arts. (Also listed as PHI 360.)
REL 340 Poverty and Homelessness
A study of poverty and homelessness in the United States in light
of major theological and philosophical approaches to economic justice.
Students compare alternative perspectives on root causes of American poverty
and evaluate competing public policy proposals. The course is designed
to create an enlightening encounter with "the other America"
through readings, movies, discussions with poor and homeless persons,
interviews with service providers and activists, site visits, and experiential
learning.
REL 341 Current Trends in Religious Thought
An exploration of new directions in contemporary theology, primarily
Christian. Major approaches of the recent past are considered, as well
as writings that represent the present theological situation. Prerequisite:
REL 110 or 120.
REL 342 Religion and Contemporary Literature
An examination of selected contemporary novels and short stories with
attention to the perspectives offered by the works on dimensions of the
human condition that are also the perennial concerns of religion. Different
approaches to the study of the relationship between religion and literature
are introduced.
REL 343 Theories of Religion
An exploration of the manner in which religion is theorized and studied
in a number of different disciplines including, sociology, psychology,
and philosophy. Focus is on theories that have arisen in the 20th century
and remain influential. Prerequisite: REL 110 or 120 or 130.
REL 344 Religion and Violence
An analysis of the major approaches to issues of violence, war, and
peace in religious ethical teaching. The course examines the roots of
Christian pacifism, Just War theory and Holy War as well as alternative
theories on the origins of conflict. Students work to develop positive,
practical strategies for conflict resolution informed by the rich resources
available in biblical teaching, theological ethics, and Gandhian philosophy.
REL 345 Christian Ethics and Public Issues
A consideration of the ethical dimensions of contemporary problems
of institutional life and social policy in theological perspective. Poverty
and economic justice; criminal justice; eco-justice; institutional racism
and sexism; and international conflict and peace are among the topics
considered.
REL 346 Theology of Creation
An exploration of the idea of creation through the analysis of creation
narrative and the formation of doctrine. The course concludes by addressing
contemporary appropriations including creation science and ecological
theology. Prerequisite: REL 110 or 120.
REL 347 Liberation Theologies in Historical and Political Context
A study of liberation theologies with emphasis on the integrative
analysis upon which their theological method depends. The course examines
the socio-economic and historical situations out of which Latin American,
African American, womanist, feminist, and gay/lesbian theologies of liberation
have arisen; the social analysis they employ; and the reconstruction of
Christian theology that results.
REL 349 Sociology of Religion
A study of the major theoretical approaches to religion used in sociology.
Prerequisite: SOC 110 or ANT 110 or REL 110 or REL 120 or permission of
the instructor. (Also listed as SOC 340.)
REL 350 The Holocaust
This course examines the event of the Holocaust by exploring its history
and background, its impact on the Jewish community in Europe and worldwide,
the responses to the event, and its consequences. The course deals with
a variety of disciplinary frameworks, including history, theology, literary
studies, and political science.
REL 457 Civil Society and Sustainable Development
A study of alternative theories of social and economic development
in the current Latin American context (e.g., Nicaragua, Mexico, Cuba).
Briefings with officials, interviews with religious and social activists,
and visits to rural and urban civil society groups engaged in creative
community development alternatives provide concrete case studies for understanding
the interrelationship between social, political, economic, environmental,
religious, and ethical aspects of a country's development process. Offered
in Mexico.
REL 360 Advanced Topics in Hebrew (four credit hours)
Selected prose readings from both the Hebrew Bible and modern Israeli
writers. Continued emphasis on grammar skills and vocabulary acquisition.
May be repeated. Prerequisite: REL 160. Note: May be applied toward major
requirements only twice and minor requirements only once.
REL 420 Global Ethics
A study of international issues in social ethics such as human rights
and responsibilities, immigration and toleration, economic development
and human development, women's poverty and reproductive health, free trade
and fair trade, climate change and emissions trading, peacemaking and
conflict resolution, and the AIDS pandemic. The role of religion as both
a cause of conflict and a resource for conflict resolution is addressed.
Based at the Ecumenical Institute in Bossey, Switzerland, the course makes
use of the offices of the World Council of Churches, the United Nations,
the World Trade Organization, the World Health Organization, etc., in
Geneva. Prerequisite: REL 110 or 120 or 130.
REL 440 Issues in Science and Religion
An inquiry into the ways in which scientific views of biological evolution
and the big bang, for example, conflict or are consonant with theological
views of God, human beings, and nature. In addition, the course includes
a critical examination of scientific and theological methodologies.
REL 451 Business, Society, and Ethics
An examination of the nature of the modern corporation and the moral
problems that arise as it deals with the several constituencies that are
affected by its actions and influence. Considerable use is made of case
studies. Among the issues treated are the values that inform various corporate
cultures, competing views of social justice, environmental protection,
affirmative action, working conditions, privacy and employee rights, relocation
decisions, employee responsibilities, and consumer protection.
REL 452 Religion, Feminism and the Family
A seminar study of the effects of feminism on religion and the family
in historical and contemporary perspective. Topics include competing understandings
of the family and of feminism, current debates about family values and
the decline of civil society, the competing claims of family and the workplace,
and conflicts over parental and children’s rights. Prerequisite:
REL 110 or 120 or 130.
REL 453 World Hunger and Ecology
An analysis of the world hunger and ecological crises and of competing
diagnoses of root causes. The course 1) examines alternative economic
theories and related theories of development on issues of poverty and
ecology, 2) compares underlying theological and ideological presuppositions
that shape perception of causes and ethical judgements about effective
solutions and 3) develops theological resources for practical, responsible,
and compassionate actions in the midst of widespread hunger and ecological
degradation.
REL 470 Archaeology: The Rabbis and Early Christianity (four credit hours)
A study of the formative period of Christianity and classical Judaism.
The class employs archaeological and literary evidence to explore the
evolution of doctrine, worship, and authority. Along with the field work
done in conjunction with the excavations at Sepphoris, the class includes
visits to the archaeological remains at Beth She’arim, Caesarea,
Jerusalem, and Capernaum. (Conducted in Israel.)
REL 499 Senior Seminar Research (one credit hour)
A course intended to oversee and guide research for the major paper to
be presented in the senior seminar. Senior religion majors only.
REL 500 Senior Seminar