Autumn 2002 Course Descriptions
DVSC 622 30100
Introduction to the Study of Religion and the Human Sciences
Doniger/Rosengarten
PQ: Open only to first-year A.M.R.S. and A.M. Students.
BIBL 603 30600
How to Read a Biblical Story (Judaic Civilization I)
Frymer-Kensky
Ident JWSG 20000/31000
BIBL 603 33900
Intro to Biblical Hebrew
Staff
BIBL 603 35100
Introduction to Koine Greek-I
Staff
PQ: Open to Undergraduate Students with Consent of
Instructor
Ident NTEC 35100
BIBL 603 41801
Justin Martyr
Martinez
A careful reading of the Greek text of first and second
apologiae of Justin (and selections from other treatises as time permits),
with attention to his language and literary style. We will also concentrate
on Justin as an early defender of and advocate for the Christian faith,
the importance of his logos doctrine, his demonology, and his sacramental
ideas and theology of worship.
Ident NTEC 41800/GREK 34500
PQ: 2 years of Greek
BIBL 603 44900
Lecture: Paul's Letter to the Romans
Klauck
M/W
9:00-10:20
S208
The letter to the Romans is certainly one of the most
influential texts of the New Testament. Melanchthon, for example,
called it a "compendium theologiae christianae," a handbook of Christian
theology, but he underestimated the importance of the historical context
for understanding of Romans. Why did Paul write to a community he
had not founded himself? What did he want to tell his addressees?
And which genre, which type of letter, did he choose and adapt, or
even create? We will try to reconstruct the situation of the letter
from chapter 1 and chapters 15-16. Then we will read and explain some
of the key passages, especially in chapters 1-8.
PQ: BC 32500 Introduction to the New Testament / Knowledge of Greek
not required.
Ident NTEC 44900
BIBL 603 45700
Studies in Midrash: Leviticus Rabba
Fishbane
Focus on exegesis, homily and theology. Comparison
with other rabbinic sources.
PQ: Hebrew
Ident: HIJD 45700/JWSG 45700
BIBL 603 51000
Papyrology
Martinez
This course will concentrate on the methods and perspectives
of the discipline of papyrology, including the "hands on" experience
of working with actual texts in Chicago's collections of documents
in Regenstein and Oriental Institute. No previous knowledge of the
field is assumed; we will begin from the ground up. Among the topics
we will cover are: the major branches of papyrology (including documentary,
literary, magical, and Christian texts), including analysis of the
form and structure of different kinds of papyrus documents; the linguistic
phenomenon of Koine Greek; and the contribution of papyrology to other
areas of the study of antiquity such as literature, social history,
linguistics, and religion.
Ident CLAS 45200/GREK 35200/NTEC 51000
BIBL 603 51300
Seminar: Gospels from Nag Hammadi
Klauck
Several of the Coptic texts which were found near Nag
Hammadi in Egypt in 1945 are called "gospels," either in the subscripts
or by modern scholarship. The best known example is the "Gospel of
Thomas," but then there is also the "Gospel of Philip," the "Gospel
of Truth," the "Gospel of the Egyptians," and, in another Coptic codex,
the "Gospel of Mary." What does this designation as "gospel" imply?
How do these "gospels" compare to the gospels we know from the New
Testament? These and other questions will be dealt with. For more
detailed analysis we will concentrate on the Gospel of Thomas, where
we have some Greek parallels, and on the Gospel of Mary. Some knowledge
of Coptic helps, but it is not a prerequisite, whereas Greek is.
PQ: Two 400-level Bible Courses/Knowledge of Greek
Ident NTEC 51300
BIBL 603 51600
Leviticus
Frymer-Kensky
PQ: Competence in Biblical Hebrew
Ident JWSG 31600/NEHC 30431
BIBL 603 52000
Seminar on Hellenistic Religions: The 'Mithras Liturgy' and Related Texts
Betz
The seminar will read and interpret the so-called "Mithras
Liturgy" and related texts for comparison. These texts will be studied
in Greek and interpreted in their cultural, literary and religious
context. Emphasis will be on literary composition and comparative
history of religion.
PQ: Greek
Ident. NTEC 52000
THEO 604 30700
History of Christian Thought V
Tanner
An intellectual history of modern Christian thought
from the beginning of the nineteenth to the early twentieth century:
from Schleiermacher to Troeltsch.
Ident HCHR 30900
THEO 604 43300
Medieval Colloquium
McGinn
Ident HCHR 43300
THEO 604 43400
Theological Anthropology
Carr
PQ: At least two courses in Theology.
THEO 604 46900
Reinhold Niebuhr: Theology and Ethics
Gamwell
This course examines Reinhold Niebuhr's systematic
theology, especially his arguments for the Christian understanding
of human existence and for the relation of the moral enterprise to
the reality of God.
Ident. RETH 46100
THEO 604 49001
Translating God(s): Models & Methods in Comparative Theology
Hintersteiner
Comparative Theology is the study of how theological change has taken place historically in the context of inter-religious relations, and of the implications of serious interchange between and among religious traditions for the future of Christian theology. The objectives of the course: 1) To become acquainted with the fundamentals of the emerging sub-discipline of Comparative Theology 2) by employing a set of four Historical and three Systematic models as hermeneutical tools by which to 3) reconstruct and interpret historical and systematic theological case studies as background against which to 4) appreciate the importance of the larger world religious scene as the context in which Christian theologians must learn to do their work for the next century.
THEO 604 49201
Grace and Money: Theology within a Comparative Economy
Tanner
How do the production and distribution of religious goods compare with the production and distribution of goods in other fields of human life? The first part of the course establishes a scholarly framework for such a comparison. Readings here from Max Weber, Pierre Bourdieu, and Jean-Joseph Goux. Employing this methodological framing of the question of comparative economy from the first part of the course, the second part charts how the production and circulation of religious goods in Christianity compares with so-called archaic gift economies and commodity forms of exchange. Readings here from both theologians and contemporary anthropologists and economic theorists. The last part of the course discusses the character of global capitalism and concrete recommendations for change that might follow the lines of an alternative economy of grace.
DVPR 605 41200
Buddhist-Hindu Dialogue: Creativity in Indian Scholasticism
Arnold, Daniel
This course has two broad aims. The first is to come to some understanding of the Indian Buddhist school of thought commonly referred to as that of the 'Buddhist Epistemologists,' and of the orthodox Brahmanical ('Hindu') tradition of Purva Mimamsa. Specifically, we will attend to the divergent epistemological doctrines these schools worked out by way of addressing largely shared questions-and in this way, we will try to understand how these doctrines developed in relation to one another. The other aim is to appreciate the essentially scholastic character of Indian philosophy--a style of thinking and of discourse that is commonly exemplified by both of these schools of thought. In particular, we will try to appreciate how these traditions represent their philosophical creativity in conservative ways.
DVPR 605 30200
Indian Philosophy: I Origins and Orientations
Kapstein
A survey of the origins of Indian philosophical thought,
emphasizing the Vedas, Upanishads, and early Buddhist literature.
Topics to be examined include: concepts of causality and freedom,
the nature of the self and ultimate reality, and the relationship
between philosophical thought and ritual or ascetic religious practice.
Ident SALC 20901/30901/RLST 24201/ HREL 30200
DVPR 605 49600
Exile in Jewish Thought and Literature
Mendes-Flohr/Brinker
Ident HIJD 49600/JWSG 39600
DVPR 605 50900
Hermann Cohen's "Religion of Reason"
Mendes-Flohr
Ident HIJD 50900/JWSG 40900
DVPR 605 51100
Practices of the Self
Davidson
This seminar will consist primarily of a study of Michel
Foucault's 1981-82 course at the College de France, "L'Hermeneutique
du sujet," in which Foucault develops his notions of ethics and practices
of the self on the basis of an interpretation of ancient, especially
Hellenistic, philosophy. This text will be read against the background
of essays by Foucault, texts by Pierre Hadot, etc.
PQ: Reading knowledge of French.
Ident. PHIL 51101/CMLT 50100
CHRM 606 30200
The Public Church in America
Gamwell
Opening course in the sequence for first-year M.Div. students.
CHRM 606 30500
M.Div. Colloquium
Boden
This two quarter, non-graded class is required of and
limited to first year M.Div. students. The topic of the Colloquium
is spiritual autobiography; we will consider our own as well as those
of St. Augustine, Anne Lamott, and other contemporary writers.
Do not register for this course.
PQ: Open only to all first year M.Div. Students
CHRM 606 33500
Arts of Ministry: Worship
Staff
CHRM 606 40200
Practicum: Field Education
Staff
HIJD 625 44400
Averroes' Decisive Treatise
Kraemer/Lerner
Ident JWSG 44400
HIJD 625 45700
Studies in Midrash: Leviticus Rabba
Fishbane
Focus on exegesis, homily and theology. Comparison
with other rabbinic sources.
PQ: Hebrew
Ident: BIBL 45700/JWSG 45700
HIJD 625 46800
Ancient Jewish Liturgical Poetry: The Works of Yannai
Fishbane
Study of prayers of Yannai. Introduction to Jewish
synagogue poetry-form, content, theology, uses of tradition. Comparison
with Christian liturgical poetry (Syriac and Greek).
PQ: Hebrew
Ident. JWSG 46900
HIJD 625 47100
Hebrew Poetry in Spain
Kraemer
PQ: Hebrew
Ident JWSG 47100
HIJD 625 49600
Exile in Jewish Thought and Literature
Mendes-Flohr/Brinker
Ident DVPR 49600/JWSG 39600
HIJD 625 50900
Hermann Cohen's "Religion of Reason"
Mendes-Flohr
Ident DVPR 50900/JWSG 40900
HCHR 626 30900
History of Christian Thought V
Tanner
An intellectual history of modern Christian thought
from the beginning of the nineteenth to early twentieth century: from
Schleiermacher to Troeltsch.
Ident THEO 30700
HCHR 626 34300
Francis of Assisi and Franciscanism
Maggi
This course examines the figure of the Poverello of
Assisi and the subsequent phenomenon of apolcalyptic Franciscanism
from a historical, literary, and religious point of view. After a
selection of Joachim of Fiore's treatises, we will explore Francis's
writings, with a speical focus on his mystical laud, and Claire's
brief texts. We will then investigate the apocalyptic movement of
the Franciscian Spirituals (Peter Olivi and Ubertino of Casale). The
second part of the seminar will explore the Lauds of Iacopone
of Todi and the Book of the mystic Angela of Foligno. In
the last session of our seminar, we will watch excerpts from the films
by Rossellini, Zeffirelli, and Cavani. We will conclude with a brief
analysis of Dario Fo's recent play on Francis. The course will be
taught in English.
Ident RLST 21400/ITAL 24300/34300
HCHR 626 40500
Religion in Colonial America
Brekus
This course is a survey of American religious history
from the founding of the colonies to the American Revolution. Topics
include Puritanism, revivalism, slavery, gender, and Native American
religion. Requirements: two short papers (2-3 pages each) on the weekly
readings, and a final fifteen page review essay. All students are
also required to lead class discussion once during the quarter.
Ident HIST 64100
HCHR 626 42600
Revising the American Religious Historical Canon
Brekus
This course examines recent challenges to the American
religious historical canon. Students are required to lead class discussion
once during the quarter and to write one 20-25 page paper. Final grades
will be based on written work and oral participation.
Ident HIST 63800
HCHR 626 43300
Medieval Colloquium
McGinn
Ident THEO 43300
HREL 628 30200
Indian Philosophy: I Origins and Orientations
Kapstein
A survey of the origins of Indian philosophical thought,
emphasizing the Vedas, Upanishads, and early Buddhist literature.
Topics to be examined include: concepts of causality and freedom,
the nature of the self and ultimate reality, and the relationship
between philosophical thought and ritual or ascetic religious practice.
Ident SALC 20901/30901/RLST 24201/DVPR 30200
HREL 628 32200
Religion, Sex, Politics and Release in Ancient India
Doniger
Readings in the Laws of Manu, the Kamasutra, the Arthashastra,
the Upanishads, in English translation. A study of the four goals
of human life [purusharthas] in classical Hinduism.
Ident SALC 25701/SALC 35701/SOTH 35600/RLST 27300/FUND 23601
HREL 628 32900
Classic Theories of Religion
Lincoln
HREL 628 46600
Microhistory and the Study of Religion
Lincoln
Ident HCUL 41700
HREL 628 49900
Rapid Literary Chinese Reading: Thought, Politics, History
Yu
PQ: At least 2 years of Literary Chinese and consent
of Instructor. (Open to Undergraduates with sufficient language training).
Ident EALC 49900/CHIN 49000
RLIT 635 41300
Medieval Allegory
Murrin
This course will concentrate on a crucial hundred years,
that which begins with scholastics like Aquinas and Bonaventure and
ends with vernacular poets like Chaucer and the Pearl poet.
Texts studied will depend to an extent on what is available, but we
will cover both biblical and secular allegory and look especially
at contemporary interpretations of Dante's Inferno. Requirements
include a class presentation and seminar paper.
Ident ENGL 41300
RETH 638 46100
Reinhold Niebuhr: Theology and Ethics
Gamwell
This course examines Reinhold's Niebuhr's systematic
theology, especially his arguments for the Christian understanding
of human existence and for the relation of the moral enterprise to
the reality of God.
Ident. THEO 46900
RETH 638 50200
Political Realism
Elshtain
The exploration of the realist tradition in politics
and its ethical implications, from Thucydides to Niebuhr and Aron.
Ident. PLSC 50200
RETH 638 51301
Seminar: Law and Philosophy
Nussbaum/Sunstein
This is a seminar/workshop most of whose participants
are faculty from seven area institutions. It admits approximately
ten students by permission of the instructors. Its aim is to study,
each year, a topic that arises in both philosophy and the law and
to ask how bringing the two fields together may yield mutual illumination.
There are ten to twelve meetings throughout the year, always on Mondays
from 4:00 to 6:00p.m. Half of the sessions are led by local faculty,
half by visiting speakers. The leader assigns readings for the session
(which may be by that person, by other contemporaries, or by major
historical figures), and the session consists of a brief introduction
by the leader, followed by structured questioning by the two faculty
coordinators, followed by a general discussion. Students write two-page
papers for each meeting and a 20-25 page seminar paper at the end
of the year. The course satisfies the Law School Writing Requirement.
The Schedule of meetings will be announced by mid-September, and students
should submit their credentials to both instructors by September 20.
Past themes have included: practical reason; equality; privacy, autonomy;
global justice; pluralism and toleration. The theme for the next year
is War. Issues to be discussed include the justification of conflict,
civil liberties during wartime, the moral psychology of conflict,
and others. (Meets in alternate weeks).
Ident LAW/PHIL
RETH 51500
"Literature and Ethics in Ancient Greece and Rome"
Nussbaum
This course will investigate what Plato calls the "ancient quarrel between the poets and the philosophers," studying both the ethical contributions of tragedy and comedy and the literary aspects of philosophical writing, from Plato through Seneca. Central texts will be: Plato's Republic (selections) and Symposium; Aristotle's Poetics; one play by Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes; Lucretius' The Nature of Things (selections); Cicero's selected letters and one dialogue; Seneca's selected letters, one tragedy, and Apocolocyntosis. Questions to be investigated include: What is mimesis, and what is its connection both to learning and to pleasure? What are tragic fear and pity, and how might it be argued that they make a valuable ethical contribution? What are the ethical and political implications, if any, of the suffering that is depicted in Greek tragedies? What, if anything, does (Old) comedy help us understand? What are philosophical dialogues for, and what is their relationship to drama? Are philosophical epistles really dialogues in disguise? Why would a very severe philosopher write political satire? Is there such a think as Stoic tragedy?
AASR 607 50800
Seminar: Conversion and Commitmemt
Riesebrodt
Depending on one's personal understanding or religious
criteria "conversion" can refer to different processes. For example,
it can refer to a change in a person's inner state or a change of
membership in an association. Also, the possible motivations for such
changes are numerous and often non-religious in nature. This class,
however, will focus on conversion as religious commitment which involves
a change in group membership as well as in religious practices and
life conduct. We will discuss central concepts and theories of conversion
in the social sciences and confront them with cases-studies chosen
by the participants from a variety of historical and religious contexts.
Ident SOCI 50010
