Courses

RST-S100 Service Learning for Religious Studies
This course allows students to fulfill their experiential learning requirement by participating in a project in the community that is integrated into a Religious Studies course. No prerequisite. Offered occasionally. 1 credit. This course fulfills the Enacting the Core/Experiential Learning requirement in the Undergraduate College’s General Education program. 

RST-0102 Introduction to Religion
A basic overview of various religious phenomena. A presentation of major religious ideas and practices with emphasis on those of the Judeo-Christian tradition. The course is intended for those students who had minimal exposure to the study and practice of religion. 3 credits. This course partially fulfills the Religious Studies requirement in the Undergraduate College’s General Education program.

RST-0105 Understanding the Bible
A study of selected Old and New Testament writings. The aim of the course is to inform the student of the context in which Biblical literature emerged as well as the theological and social ideas contained in the various books of the Bible. The purpose of the course is to promote an understanding and appreciation of the holy writings of the Jewish and Christian traditions. 3 credits. This course partially fulfills the Religious Studies requirement in the Undergraduate College’s General Education program.

RST-0110 Introduction to the Old Testament
An introduction to the literary formation of the Old Testament within the cultural and historical milieu of the ancient Near East. Emphasis upon the theological significance of history, covenant, and salvation. Explication of the relationship between literary forms and divine revelation. 3 credits. This course partially fulfills the Religious Studies requirement in the Undergraduate College’s General Education program.

RST-H110 Honors Introduction to the Old Testament
A seminar style introduction to the literary formation of the Old Testament within the cultural and historical milieu of the ancient Near East. Emphasis upon the theological significance of history, covenant, and salvation. Explication of the relationship between literary forms and divine revelation. An interactive approach will be used in which the students will be researching and reporting on various topics related to Hebrew Holy Scriptures. 3 credits. This course partially fulfills the Religious Studies requirement in the Undergraduate College’s General Education program.

RST-0115 Introduction to the New Testament
A critical survey of Christian revelation in the light of the present state of biblical scholarship; the literary formation, nature, and meaning of the New Testament as related to the life of Jesus Christ; and the Gospels and St. Paul viewed as witness to the growth of consciousness of the Christian church. 3 credits.

RST-0120 Dynamics of World Religions I
A survey, analysis, and evaluation of the main features of the most important contemporary world religions. Exploration of key concepts of Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Shintoism. (N.B.: students may take either RST-0120 or RST-0121, but not both.) Offered fall semester. 3 credits. This course fulfills a Global Awareness/Culture requirement in the Undergraduate College’s General Education program.

RST-0121 Dynamics of World Religions II
A survey, analysis, and evaluation of the main features of the major contemporary world religions. Exploration of key concepts of Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, and Sikhism. (N.B.: students may take either RST-0120 or RST-0121, but not both.) Offered spring semester in alternate years. 3 credits. This course fulfills a Global Awareness/Culture requirement in the Undergraduate College’s General Education program.

RST-0124 World Religions
A survey of the major world religions, primarily Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The course will cover the origins, development, major religious beliefs and practices, and the contemporary status of each of these religions. Students will also reflect about the encounters between these religions, especially the prospect for inter-religious dialogue. 3 credits. This course fulfills either the Global Awareness/Culture requirement in the Undergraduate College’s General Education program or it can be used to partially fulfill the Religious Studies requirement. Note – it cannot be used to fulfill both requirements.

RST-0136 Religious Violence and Peacemaking
Exploration of the relationship of religion and various forms of violence, especially war, terrorism, and genocide, and an exploration of the resources and methods that religious individuals and communities may use for building peace and reconciliation. Students will examine how religion is used to incite or justify violence as well as confidence building measures, conflict resolution, inter-religious dialogue, and other peacemaking activities. 3 credits.

RST-0140 Dialogue Among Religions
An examination of the relationship between different churches and religions and the exploration of processes that are conducive to ecumenical interactions and dialogue between churches and religious communities. 3 credits. This course fulfills the Multiculturalism and Gender requirement in the Undergraduate College’s General Education program.

RST-0200 An Introduction to Catholic Thought
This course is a study of the main themes of Catholicism. “The Kingdom of God,” the key message of Jesus the Christ, is the concept that integrates understanding of the following topics: Foundations for Faith, God, Jesus the Christ, Salvation, The Church, The Moral Life, and Christian Spirituality. No prerequisite. 3 credits. This course partially fulfills the Religious Studies requirement in the Undergraduate College’s General Education program.

RST-0210 Meaning of Christ
This course is a study of Christian/Catholic belief in Jesus Christ. A historically accurate portrait of Jesus of Nazareth is constructed through study of Gospel passages, the portrayal of these passages in film, and by reading and discussing the interpretations of Jesus’ words and actions. The study of belief concerning Jesus Christ is pursued through the developing tradition of the Church. Contemporary questions about the identity of Jesus Christ are explored. No prerequisite. 3 credits. This course partially fulfills the Religious Studies requirement in the Undergraduate College’s General Education program.

RST-0215 Dynamics of the Church
This course begins with a survey of Christian history. Vatican Council II is the major focus of the Church in the 20th century. We explore the contemporary Church through a study of important persons and movements. Finally, we study special questions that challenge the Church today and that will continue to do so in the future. No prerequisite. 3 credits. This course partially fulfills the Religious Studies requirement in the Undergraduate College’s General Education program.

RST-0240 Sacraments in Christian Life
An anthropological, theological, and practical examination of contemporary Christian worship and an examination of the sacramental foundation of Christian life. Offered as needed. No prerequisite. 3 credits.

RST-0250 Christian Ethics
An investigation of the personal and social responsibility of the Christian. Topics confronted include situation ethics, racial problems, the social morality of war and peace, distributive justice, the common good, and the relevance of moral principles to Christian and social renewal. No prerequisite. 3 credits.

RST-0255 Christian Spiritualities
A reflective study of the ways in which people – both past and present – strive to seek God and deal with the ultimate questions that life poses. This course provides students with an introduction to basic aspects of Christian spirituality and an opportunity for in-depth study of such topics as Biblical spiritualities, prayer, spiritual journals, prison spiritualities, creation centered spirituality, feminist spiritualities, and the origins and development of the monastic tradition. Offered as needed. 3 credits.

RST-0268 Jesus: From Fra Angelico to Zeffirelli; from Messiah to Superstar
Religious themes have formed much of the content of artistic expression through the ages, especially in painting, music, and more recently, in film-making. This course will study historical highlights from the arts that symbolize the understanding of Jesus in both theology and devotion of the time. The Biblical foundations of each portrayal, the religious meaning and purpose of each, as well as the artistic forms employed will comprise the course of study. No prerequisite. 3 credits.

RST-0270 Women and Religion
An exploration of the role of women in religion considered from historical, cultural, biblical, and theological perspectives. Some of the issues to be considered include women’s roles in institutional religion, especially Christianity, in the family, legal rights, and the women’s movement in the United States and in the third world countries. No prerequisite. 3 credits.

RST-0275 Women in the Old Testament/Hebrew Scriptures
This course is an in-depth study of the lives of memorable women portrayed in the Hebrew Scriptures. The portraits of women in these books of the Bible include coming to an understanding of their challenges, strengths, weaknesses, faults, and meritorious acts. In addition to critical analysis of the texts, students will study the historical, sociological, cultural, and religious backgrounds of these women seeing them as representative figures of moral and ethical values of the Bible valuable for all ages. No prerequisite. 3 credits.

RST-0285 Women in the New Testament/Christian Scriptures
This course is an in-depth study of the lives of memorable women portrayed in the Christian Scriptures. The portraits of women in these books of the Bible include most importantly, their relationship to Jesus. In addition, students will come to an understanding of the challenges, strengths, weaknesses, faults, and meritorious acts of the women whose lives become intertwined with the historical Jesus. In addition to critical analysis of the texts, students will study the historical, sociological, cultural, and religious backgrounds of the times in order better to understand them as representative figures of moral and ethical values of the Bible valuable for all ages. No prerequisite. 3 credits.

RST-0300 Prophets: Old and New
An exploration of the prophetic movements of the ancient world, with special focus on the Old Testament (Hebrew) prophets. How can one differentiate between ‘true’ and ‘false’ prophets? What are the New Testament and the Qur’anic view of prophecy? Are there contemporary prophets and what might be their messages? No prerequisite. 3 credits.

RST-0310 Religion in the News
A critical examination of media reports about religion with the aim of understanding and evaluating contemporary religious events and movements. Students will follow the daily press in print and on Internet, magazines, radio, and TV programs on religious manifestations in the U.S. and abroad. No prerequisite. 3 credits.

RST-0315 Religion and Society
An examination of the impact of religion on society and society on religion, and an exploration of these relationships and an analysis of beliefs, religious practices, and organizations from a sociological perspective. The primary focus will be on religion in contemporary America. Prerequisite: one course each in Sociology and Religious Studies. This course is cross-listed with SOC-0315. 3 credits.

RST-0400 Research Seminar
A seminar on methodology in theological research, with practical instruction in creative theological writing, through the preparation of a major research paper in the area of the student’s choice. Prerequisite: Religious Studies majors status. 3 credits.

RST-0405 Independent Study
Arranged on an individual basis with the permission of the instructor. 1 to 3 credits.

RST-0450 Seminar in Special Topics
An intensive study of selected topics in Religious Studies conducted in a seminar format. No prerequisite. 3 credits.

RST-0480 Religious Studies Internship
Supervised work experience related to Religious Studies. Credits determined by the breadth and duration of the internship project. No prerequisite. 1 to 3 credits.