Autumn 2003 Course Descriptions
DVSC 622 30100
Introduction to the Study of Religion and the Human Sciences
Doniger / Rosengarten
PQ: Open only to 1st year AMRS and AM Students.
BIBL 603 30600
Jewish Civilization I
Brinker
Ident. JWSC 2000, JWSG 31000
BIBL 603 33900
Intro to Biblical Hebrew
Staff
BIBL 603 35100
Introduction to Koine Greek I
Blanton
PQ: Open to Undergraduate Students with
Consent of Instructor
Ident NTEC 35100
BIBL 603 37600
The Babylonian Talmud and Critical Scholarship: Tractate Berakhot, Ch. 4
Hirshman
PQ: Knowledge of Hebrew required.
Ident. JWSG 37600
BIBL 603 39500
Gods on Earth, the Author of the Bible
Frymer-Kensky
This course will be a discussion of the
many facets of the biblical theology of humanity. We will consider
such issues as the image of God, humanity of nature, the glory of
humanity, holiness and other issues toward building a biblical theology
of humankind. Implications for contemporary religious anthropology
will also be considered.
Ident. THEO 39500, HIJD 39500, JWSG 39500, RLST 21501
BIBL 603 42200
The Farewell Discourses of the Gospel of John
Klauck
Among the characteristic components of
John's gospel that have no parallel in the synoptic gospels, the farewell
discourses in John 14-17 take a prominent place. The genre is well
known from Biblical and Jewish literature, but there are some Greco-Roman
examples too (esp. Plato's Phaedo). In John, the farewell discourses
are part of the extended passion narrative that starts already with
"The plot to kill Jesus" in John 11:45-53 (or even with
the cleansing of the temple in John 2:13-22). We will first discuss
genre and structure and then move on to a detailed reading of the
texts, beginning with the narrative embedded in chapters 11-13. Special
attention will be paid to the way the author of the gospel makes use
of the farewell discourses to encode information on and messages to
the community of his own day.
PQ: Introduction to New Testament. Greek not required.
Ident. NTEC
BIBL 603 43000
Tradition and Tradition Building in Ancient Judaism
Fishbane
Ident JWSG 43000
BIBL 603 44400
Lucian of Samosata
Martinez
Lucian of Samosata (b. approx. AD 120),
like many authors of the New Testament, wrote in Greek but was born
and grew up in an Aramaic speaking community. His idiosyncratic literary
output comprises around 80 prose pieces which reflect an engaging
synthesis of comedy, satire, popular philosophy, and theological musing.
Many of his works present a savvy commentary on his cultural and religious
environment, and especially enjoyable is his mirthful abandon in identifying
religious quackery and the victims of it. As one of the most important
and prolific pagan authors of the early centuries AD, Lucian's works
form an important background to the early Christian movement, both
in his direct references to Christians (in the Peregrinus and
Alexander) and in his sensitive description of the vast religious
mélange in which early Christianity grew.
The class will focus on daily close reading and analysis of Lucian's
Greek and discussion of his ideas. Our reading will include the treatises
Lover of Lies, Alexander the False Prophet, and the Death of
Perigrinus. As time permits we will also read around in other
works such as the Dialogues, the Eunuch, the Council
of the Gods, and the "Munchausenesque" True History.
Ident. GREK 24000 / NTEC 34000
PQ: Two years of Greek
BIBL 603 52900
The Image of Humanity in the Bible
Frymer-Kensky
This is a biblical theology and exegesis
course in which the passages assigned contribute to our understanding
of the bible's view of humanity. We will study each passage in depth
and also read them intertextually to build up a theological understanding
of humanity.
PQ: Ability to read the Bible in Hebrew
BIBL 603 52200
Pseudo-Petrine Writings in Early Christianity
Klauck
Besides the Pauline school, a kind of
Petrine school seems to have existed in early Christianity, and this
school, which expressed itself in a broader range of Pseudo-Petrine
writings (1 Peter, 2 Peter, Acts of Peter, Gospel of Peter, Apocalypse
of Peter, and so on), sometimes even shows open hostility towards
Paul. This is especially the case in the Pseudoclementines, a kind
of Christian novel, attributed to Clement, the first bishop of Rome,
which is preserved in two forms: the Homilies (in Greek) and the Recognitions
(in Latin). The history of tradition of these two texts is a very
complicated one. We will discuss this and other items, while reading
mainly the Greek Homilies and comparing them to other Petrine material.
PQ: Greek and two Bible courses.
Ident. NTEC
THEO 604 31100
History of Theological Ethics I
Schweiker
This is the first part of a two part history.
It is conducted through the study of basic, classic texts. The course
moves from the philosophical ethics of the Greek and Roman worlds
through strands of Hebrew scripture, the origins of the Christian
movement, the end of the Roman age to the emergence of Islam, and,
finally, Christian and Jewish scholastic and mystical thought in the
Western middle ages. While the golden thread of the history is the
origin and differentiation of Christian moral thinking, this is set
within and compared with the complexities of traditions (Hellenistic
philosophical, Jewish, Islamic) that intersect and often collide through
this formative century in Western thought. In this way, the exploration
of one tradition opens onto rich comparative thinking. The course
proceeds by lectures and discussion. Most readings are in translation.
There will be a final examination. This is a basic course and thus
no previous work in theology, philosophy, or ethics is required.
Ident. RETH 31100
THEO 604 39500
Gods on Earth, the Author of the Bible
Frymer-Kensky
This course will be a discussion of the
many facets of the biblical theology of humanity. We will consider
such issues as the image of God, humanity of nature, the glory of
humanity, holiness and other issues toward building a biblical theology
of humankind. Implications for contemporary religious anthropology
will also be considered.
Ident. BIBL 39500, HIJD 39500, JWSG 39500, RLST 21501
THEO 604 48200
Religious Eros
Tanner
The course concerns Christian interpretations of human desire, dissatisfaction, and the search for human happiness: the desire for God as the ground and goal of all human thought and action. Variations on this theme from Plato, Plotinus, Gregory of Nyssa, Aquinas, Pascal, and Rahner. Counter-themes from Marcus Aurelius, Nygren, Nietzsche, Deleuze, and Levinas.
THEO 604 50400
Schleiermacher's "The Christian Faith"
Tanner
A close study of the "Glaubenslehre,"
supplemented by other relevant readings from Schleiermacher's corpus.
PQ: Prior familiarity with Schleiermacher would help but is not absolutely
required.
THEO 604 50800
God and Morality
Schweiker
Currently the world's religions are having
profound impact on social, cultural, and political realities around
the world. From questions in genetics to global conflict, sexuality
to the reality of death, the religious have global moral significance.
This seminar addresses a basic question within this current reality,
namely, what is and ought to be the connection between religious beliefs
and the domain of moral value and right. The seminar addresses a range
of contemporary answers to this question mindful of the history of
the question, reaching the West at least back to Socrates, and different
religious and philosophical traditions. The seminar will focus intensely
on four crucial works, with attention to others as well. The basic
texts include Iris Murdoch's Metaphysics as a Guide to Morals
where the argument, drawing on Platonic and some Buddhist ideas, is
that the "good" must replace traditional beliefs about God:
Emmmanuel Levinas's Otherwise Than Being and some of his more
distinct Jewish writings wherein God is a "trace" within
the encounter with the other; James Gustafson's Ethics from a Theocentric
Perspective that advocates theocentrism in the face of a modern
anthropocentric ethical outlooks; and, Seyyed Hossein Nasr, an Islamic
thinker, in his Gifford lectures, Knowledge and the Sacred.
Classical background texts, ranging from Plato's Euthyphro
to Kant and Calvin, will accompany our engagement with the main texts.
This is an advance seminar in theological ethics. Presentation and
research paper required. Previous Ph.D. level work in theology and/or
ethics is also required.
Ident. RETH 50800
DVPR 605 46200
Whitehead: Metaphysics and Ethics
Gamwell
An introduction to Whitehead's metaphysical
system, with special attention to its implications for philosophy
of religion and philosophical ethics.
Ident. RETH 46200
Ident. FNDL 22201
CHRM 606 30200
Public Church
Brekus
Restricted to entering M.Div. students
CHRM 606 30500
Introduction to the Study of Ministry
Boden / Lindner
PQ: First year M.Div students only
Do not register for this course.
CHRM 606 35500
Arts of Ministry: Worship and Liturgy
Holper
PQ: M.Div. students only
CHRM 606 40600
The Practice of Ministry I
Staff
CHRM 606 42500
Senior Ministry Project Seminar I
Gilpin
HIJD 625 35000
Jewish Philosophy in the Middle Ages
Robinson
This course will introduce the major Jewish
philosophers and schools of thought from the tenth through the fifteenth
century. Emphasis will be on dominant themes, such as cosmology, prophecy,
providence, the nature of man, and immortality of the soul, but literary
form and cultural context will also be considered. Philosophers will
be studied in relation to their sources and parallel developments
in Islamic and Christian philosophy. Sessions will consist of both
lectures and textual studies. There will be an extra hour for students
who possess reading knowledge of Hebrew.
Ident. JWSG 34100, Ident. NEHC 30441
HIJD 625 39500
Gods on Earth, the Author of the Bible
Frymer-Kensky
This course will be a discussion of the
many facets of the biblical theology of humanity. We will consider
such issues as the image of God, humanity of nature, the glory of
humanity, holiness and other issues toward building a biblical theology
of humankind. Implications for contemporary religious anthropology
will also be considered.
Ident. BIBL 39500, THEO 39500, JWSG 39500, RLST 21501
HIJD 625 40600
Research and Methods in the History of Judaism
Mendes-Flohr
HIJD 625 42600
Spinoza and Mendelssohn
Mendes-Flohr
Ident. JWSG 32600
HIJD 625 43000
Tradition and Tradition Building in Ancient Judaism
Fishbane
Ident. JWSG 43000
HCHR 626 41200
Religion in America, 1865-1920
Brekus
This course is a survey of American religious
history from the Civil War to 1920. Topics include the southern religion
of the "lost cause," industrialism, the social gospel, urban
religion, and World War I. Requirements: two short papers (2-3 pages
each) on the weekly readings, and a final 15 page review essay. All
students are also required to lead class discussion once during the
quarter.
Ident. HIST 63700
HREL 628 35000
The Mahabharata in English Translation
Doniger
Ident. SALC 20400/48200, FNDL 24400, RLST 26800
HREL 628 50700
Contemporary Theory and the Study of Religion
Lincoln
PQ: Students should have taken "Classical Theories in Religion" or have a background in critical theory.
RLIT 635 30000
Introduction to Religion and Literature
Yu
PQ: Divinity School students have priority
to register; students of other units per consent of instructor.
Ident. CMLT 31700, ENGL 30100
RLIT 635 52100
Renaissance Romance
Murrin
Selections from a trio of texts will be
studied: Ovid's Metamorphoses (as the recognized classical
model), Boiardo's Orlando innamorato (which set the norms for
Renaissance romance), and Spenser's Faerie Queene. A paper
will be required and perhaps an oral examination.
Ident. ENGL 16302/36302
RETH 638 31100
History of Theological Ethics I
Schweiker
This is the first part of a two part
history. It is conducted through the study of basic, classic texts.
The course moves from the philosophical ethics of the Greek and Roman
worlds through strands of Hebrew scripture, the origins of the Christian
movement, the end of the Roman age to the emergence of Islam, and,
finally, Christian and Jewish scholastic and mystical thought in the
Western middle ages. While the golden thread of the history is the
origin and differentiation of Christian moral thinking, this is set
within and compared with the complexities of traditions (Hellenistic
philosophical, Jewish, Islamic) that intersect and often collide through
this formative century in Western thought. In this way, the exploration
of one tradition opens onto rich comparative thinking. The course
proceeds by lectures and discussion. Most readings are in translation.
There will be a final examination. This is a basic course and thus
no previous work in theology, philosophy, or ethics is required.
Ident. THEO 31100
RETH 638 33500
Introduction to Ethical Theories
Gamwell
An introduction to major alternatives in Western philosophical ethics and especially to the ethical theories of Aristotle, Aquinas, and Kant.
RETH 638 46200
Whitehead: Metaphysics and Ethics
Gamwell
An introduction to Whitehead's metaphysical
system, with special attention to its implications for philosophy
of religion and philosophical ethics.
Ident. DVPR 46200
Ident. FNDL 22201
RETH 638 50800
God and Morality
Schweiker
Currently the world's religions are having
profound impact on social, cultural, and political realities around
the world. From questions in genetics to global conflict, sexuality
to the reality of death, the religious have global moral significance.
This seminar addresses a basic question within this current reality,
namely, what is and ought to be the connection between religious beliefs
and the domain of moral value and right. The seminar addresses a range
of contemporary answers to this question mindful of the history of
the question, reaching the West at least back to Socrates, and different
religious and philosophical traditions. The seminar will focus intensely
on four crucial works, with attention to others as well. The basic
texts include Iris Murdoch's Metaphysics as a Guide to Morals where
the argument, drawing on Platonic and some Buddhist ideas, is that
the "good" must replace traditional beliefs about God: Emmmanuel
Levinas's Otherwise Than Being and some of his more distinct
Jewish writings wherein God is a "trace" within the encounter
with the other; James Gustafson's Ethics from a Theocentric Perspective
that advocates theocentrism in the face of a modern anthropocentric
ethical outlooks; and, Seyyed Hossein Nasr, an Islamic thinker, in
his Gifford lectures, Knowledge and the Sacred. Classical background
texts, ranging from Plato's Euthyphro to Kant and Calvin, will
accompany our engagement with the main texts. This is an advance seminar
in theological ethics. Presentation and research paper required. Previous
Ph.D. level work in theology and/or ethics is also required.
Ident. THEO 50800
RETH 638 51301
Law-Philosophy Seminar: Sexuality and the Family
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, on alternate
Mondays from 4 to 6 pm. 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 general discussion. Students write either
two 4-6 page papers per quarter, or 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 mid-September, and prospective
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; war. The theme
for 2003-4 will be Sexuality and Family. Likely speakers to be invited
include: Emily Buss, Mary Anne Case, William Eskridge, Martha Fineman,
David Halperin, Andrew Koppelman, Martha Minow, David Novak, Susan
Moller Okin, Fran Olsen, Kenji Yoshino.
Ident. LAW PHIL PLSC HMRT GNDR
RETH 638 51600
Religion and the State
Nussbaum
This course will study philosophical issues
that arise in connection with the Church-State relationship: establishment,
free exercise, non-discrimination on grounds of religion, non-discrimination
on grounds of sex and gender, respect for pluralism, and others. We
will study some major conceptions of the Church-State relationship,
asking how these conceptions influence the nature of the family, the
role of women in society, and other important goods. John Rawls's
Political Liberalism is one work that we will study in depth,
along with criticisms from a variety of viewpoints, and along with
major historical antecedents in the Western tradition, including Locke's
Letter on Toleration, Moses Mendelssohn's Jerusalem,
Kant's Religion Within the Limits of Reason Alone, and Marx's
On the Jewish Question. We will devote a substantial portion
of the course to studying the major developments in this area in U.S.
Constitutional Law, but the approach of the course will be comparative,
and we will also study material from India, Israel, South Africa,
and Europe.
PQ: Permission of instructor. Candidates should submit a description
of their background and relevant preparation (in philosophy, religion,
and law) by the Friday before the first day of classes.
Ident. LAW 97502, PLSC HMRT GNDR PHIL 51401
AASR 607 34000
Theorizing Religion
Riesebrodt
Ident. SOC 40123
AASR 607 50100
Religion and Violence
Riesebrodt
Ident. SOCI 50009
