Winter 2003 Course Descriptions
DVSC 622 30200
Introduction to Historical Studies of Religion
Mendes-Flohr/Schreiner
M/W 3:00-4:20 S106
PQ: Open only to first-year A.M.R.S. and A.M. Students.
DVSC 622 45100
Reading Course: Special Topics in Divinity
Staff ARR
Petition with bibliography signed by instructor; enter section from faculty list.
DVSC 622 49900
Exam Preparation: Divinity
Staff ARR
Open only to Ph.D. students in quarter of qualifying exams; enter section from faculty list.
DVSC 622 50200
Research: Divinity
Staff ARR
Petition signed by instructor; enter section from faculty list.
DVSC 622 59900
Thesis Work: Divinity
Staff ARR
Petition signed by instructor; enter section from faculty list.
BIBL 603 32500
Introduction to the New Testament: Texts and Contexts
Mitchell
T/Th 10:30-11:50 S208
An immersion in the texts of the New Testament with the following goals: through careful reading to come to know well some representative pieces of this literature; to gain useful knowledge of the historical, geographical, social, religious, cultural and political contexts of these texts and the events they relate; to learn the major literary genres represented in the canon ('gospels,' 'acts,' 'letters,' and 'apocalypse') and strategies for reading them; to comprehend the various theological visions to which these texts give expression; to situate oneself and one's prevailing questions about this material in the history of interpretation.
Discussion group meets on Fridays 12:00-1:30 in Swift 208.
Ident: NTEC 32500
BIBL 603 34000
Intro to Biblical Hebrew II
Lieber
M/W/F 8:00-8:50 S204
PQ: Bible 33900 or consent of instructor.
BIBL 603 35300
Introduction to Koine Greek II
Blanton
M/W/F 8:00-8:50 S200
PQ: Bible 35100 or equivalent
Ident NTEC 35300
BIBL 603 39800
German: Lecture/Discussion Group
Klauck
W 5:00-6:30 S208
In this course, German exegetical and theological literature will be read and discussed. Only German may be used in this class, which is intended to help students to become more fluent in German and to gain a better knowledge of research done in German speaking countries.
Ident. NTEC 39800
BIBL 603 42800
Lecture: The Book of Acts
Klauck
M/W 9:00-10:20 S208
The course will consider the Acts of the Apostles, which should be called more correctly, the "Acts of Peter and Paul," since these two figures are heroes in the story. The most fascinating aspect of Acts is the way in which Luke described the encounter and the confrontation of the Christian message with the non-Christian culture of the Mediterranean world and with non-Christian forms of religion. We will concentrate on those texts in Acts which illustrate this interaction, sometimes in a dramatic way (see e.g. Acts 19).
PQ: 325 Intro. to New Testament. Greek not required.
Ident. NTEC 42800
BIBL 603 45200
Studies in Midrash: Pirke de-Rabbi Eliezer
Fishbane
M 3:00-5:20 S403
Emphasis on relation between exegesis and narrative; uses of tradition. Comparison with other rabbinic midrash and use of medieval commentaries will be included.
Ident: HIJD 45200, JWSG 45200
PQ: Hebrew
BIBL 603 52400
The Historical Jesus in Recent Research
Mitchell
F 2:00-4:50 S403
The last two decades have seen a proliferation of research - particularly by American scholars - into "the Historical Jesus." In this course we shall read a range of representative works while reflecting upon methodology through careful historical and exegetical work of our own on selected primary sources from the New Testament. Goals: a critical evaluation of this recent "wave" of research, both in terms of methods and results, and a serious grappling with what appears to be at stake in these debates, especially for Christology, theology, and contemporary forms of Christian life.
Ident: NTEC 52400
PQ: Greek, previous work in Gospel study
THEO 604 34300
Models of Jewish Spiritual Perfection and Piety: 16th Century Safed
Fishbane
Th 3:00-5:20 S200
Focus on various literature from 16th century Safed. Introductions to spiritual techniques and values.
Ident: HIJD 34300 / JWSC 28500 / 38500
THEO 604 35900
African Thought and Worldview
Hopkins
M 1:00-3:50 S400
Examines different scholars' engagement with the varieties of thought and worldview among African thinkers. Of particular interest will be notions of self, community, and culture.
THEO 604 42900
Hexaemeron: Cosmology and Exegesis in Christian History
McGinn
T/Th10:30-11:50 S403
The purpose of this course is to investigate the role of Genesis 1-2 in the history of Christianity down to c. 1500 through select theological, poetic, and artistic evidence.
The Genesis account of creation and fall was foundational to the way in which Christians understood God, cosmos, and humanity. The cosmology that Christians created on the basis of the Bible also provides one of the clearest examples of the way in which Christian faith interacted with Classical philosophy. While theological exegesis of the first chapters of Genesis provides the central strand of evidence concerning this evolution, Christian poetry and art adds much to our understanding of how patristic and medieval Christians understood the cosmos and humanity's role in it.
Requirements:
1. Completion of all the required readings to be able to participate in class discussion.
2. One class report from the list of "Reports" (c. 15-20 minutes).
3. Two brief papers (5-7 pages) on topic to be set by the instructor.
Ident: HCHR 42900
THEO 604 43101
The Catholic Reformation
Schreiner
M/W 10:00-11:20 S106
This course will cover the development of Catholic thought between the Council of Constance and the Council of Trent
Ident: HCHR 43100
THEO 604 43500
Contemporary Theological Models
Hopkins
W 1:30-4:20 S204
A comparative examination of the following models: Revisionist Liberal, Post Liberal, Black Theology, Feminist Theology, and Womanist thought, with a particular look at issues relating to theological anthropology.
THEO 604 43700
Theology and Philosophy
Gamwell
T/Th 1:30-2:50 S204
What is the role of philosophy in the task of Christian theology? Attention will be given to some alternative answers, classical and more recent (e.g., Anselm, Aquinas, Tillich, Frei, Ogden). Students will be asked to develop a critical reading of a theologian.
Ident. DVPR 43700
THEO 604 46601
Early Modern Mysticism
McGinn
T/Th 3:00-4:20 MEMLib
This course is designed as a two-quarter seminar on Western mysticism between 1550 and 1750, the Early Modern period. The course does not, however, consider the major Spanish mystics of the period 1550-1600, who were treated in last year's seminar.
The winter quarter segment will consist of a general introduction to the mysticism of the period through the reading of key texts in English translation. The spring quarter will concentrate on the preparation of a seminar paper through detailed analysis of select mystical texts in the original language (either Latin or the vernacular).
[N.B. It is possible, with the permission of the instructor, to take the winter quarter section alone. Please see Professor McGinn if you wish to use this option. Requirements for this quarter as a stand-alone course will also include a final examination.]
Requirements for all taking winter quarter:
a) Preparation of all required readings listed below for class discussion (the required texts are all to be found in the "Classics of Western Spirituality Series," unless otherwise noted); and
b) Presentation of one of the mystical texts listed under "Reports" (c. 15-20 minute oral report).
Ident: HCHR 46601
THEO 604 47900
Trinity
Tanner/Tracy
Th 1:00-3:50 S208
THEO 604 48600
Wallace Stevens
Tracy/Strand
T 1:30-4:20 Foster 305
Ident. SCTH 37400 plus DVPR 48600 and RLIT 48600.
THEO 604 49300
Christianity and Social Power
Tanner
W 1:30-4:20 S200
This course uses historical cases to analyze the intersection between Christian beliefs and issues of social equality. Students read a mix of historical studies and theological writings. Cases include: Christian justifications for hierarchical rule in the early church; medieval and contemporary arguments over the status of women in church and society; controversies over 'New World' colonization; leveling movements in the English Civil War; 19th century reactions to democratic reforms on the continent; and arguments for and against slavery. Readings from Augustine, Aquinas, Bartolomé de Las Casas, Kierkegaard, and Troeltsch.
DVPR 605 30300
Indian Philosophy II: The Classical Traditions
Arnold
M/W 10:00-11:20 S400
Continuing and building upon Indian Philosophy I: Origins and Orientations, we will focus here upon the development of the major classical systems of Indian thought. The course will emphasize Indian logic, epistemology, and philosophy of language.
Indian Philosophy I is not a prerequisite for this course.
Ident. HREL 30300 / SALC 20902, 30902 / RLST 24202
DVPR 605 39400
Philosophical Thought and Expression in Twentieth-Century Europe
Davidson
T/Th 10:30-11:50 BSLC 008
An examination of some principal philosophical themes and figures in twentieth-century European (especially French) thought. Attention is given to the relation of philosophy, theology, the human sciences, literature, and music.
PQ: One previous course in philosophy.
Ident. PHIL 21401, 31401 / RLST 24600 / CMLT 23100, 33100
DVPR 605 43700
Theology and Philosophy
Gamwell
T/Th 1:30-2:50 S204
What is the role of philosophy in the task of Christian theology? Attention will be given to some alternative answers, classical and more recent (e.g., Anselm, Aquinas, Tillich, Frei, Ogden). Students will be asked to develop a critical reading of a theologian.
Ident. THEO 43700
DVPR 605 48100
Leo Strauss on Philosophy and Law
Kraemer/Mendes-Flohr
M/W 10:30-11:50 S403
Ident: HIJD 48100 / JWSG 48100
CHRM 606 30600
Colloquium
Boden/Lindner
W 3:00-4:20 S400
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.
PQ: Required of and limited to first year M.Div. students.
Do not register for this course.
CHRM 606 33500
Arts of Ministry: Worship
Holper
F 9:00-11:50 S400
CHRM 606 42500
Seminar: Senior Ministry Project
Greenfield
W 3:00-5:50 S403
HIJD 625 30900
Reading in Tractate Pesahim, Ch. 10
Oded Schechter
First meeting: January 10, 12:30
Ident: JWSC 20800/30800
Jewish Studies is the Originating department on this course.
HIJD 625 34300
Models of Jewish Spiritual Perfection and Piety: 16th Century Safed
Fishbane
Th 3:00-5:20 S200
Focus on various literature from 16th century Safed. Introductions to spiritual techniques and values.
Ident: THEO 34300 / JWSC 28500 / 38500
HIJD 625 45200
Studies in Midrash: Pirke de-Rabbi Eliezer
Fishbane
M 3:00-5:20 S403
Emphasis on relation between exegesis and narrative; uses of tradition. Comparison with other rabbinic midrash and use of medieval commentaries will be included.
Ident: BIBL 45200, JWSG 45200
PQ: Hebrew
HIJD 625 48100
Leo Strauss on Philosophy and Law
Kraemer/Mendes-Flohr
M/W 10:30-11:50 S403
Ident: DVPR 48100 / JWSG 48100
HIJD 625 49500
Medieval Biblical Exegesis
Kraemer
M/W 9:00-10:20 S403
Ident. JWSG 49500
PQ: Hebrew Required
HCHR 626 39000
The Bazaar of American Religion: Historical Explorations
Gilpin/Marty
M/W 10:00-11:20 S200
In the American religious circumstance of religious freedom and voluntary affiliation, religious groups have prospered neither by withdrawing into cultural cocoons nor by assimilating into an undifferentiated 'melting pot.' Instead, processes of cultural borrowing, appropriation, exchange, and negotiation have made every religious group a hybrid of distinctively combined features. The seminar will explore this syncretistic impulse in American religion, in order to test current historical narratives and interpretive proposals.
HCHR 626 41300
Christian, Muslims, and Jews in Medieval Spain
Pick
T 9:00-11:50 S400
This course will investigate the fact of religious pluralism in medieval Iberia and will examine how (and when) religious differences mediated contact in economic, social, cultural, legal, and scientific spheres, as well as in overtly religious encounters.
Ident. HIST 44100
HCHR 626 42900
Hexaemeron: Cosmology and Exegesis in Christian History
McGinn
T/Th 10:30-11:50 S403
The purpose of this course is to investigate the role of Genesis 1-2 in the history of Christianity down to c. 1500 through select theological, poetic, and artistic evidence.
The Genesis account of creation and fall was foundational to the way in which Christians understood God, cosmos, and humanity. The cosmology that Christians created on the basis of the Bible also provides one of the clearest examples of the way in which Christian faith interacted with Classical philosophy. While theological exegesis of the first chapters of Genesis provides the central strand of evidence concerning this evolution, Christian poetry and art adds much to our understanding of how patristic and medieval Christians understood the cosmos and humanity's role in it.
Requirements:
1. Completion of all the required readings to be able to participate in class discussion.
2. One class report from the list of "Reports" (c. 15-20 minutes).
3. Two brief papers (5-7 pages) on topic to be set by the instructor.
Ident: THEO 42900
HCHR 626 43100
The Catholic Reformation
Schreiner
M 1:00-3:50 S204
This course will cover the development of Catholic thought between the Council of Constance and the Council of Trent
Ident: THEO 43100
HCHR 626 45000
Theology and American Pragmatism
Gilpin
M 1:00-3:50 S200
This seminar will focus on writings by the classic American Pragmatists - C.S. Pierce, William James, and John Dewey - both in relation to theological reflection in their own era and more recent theological appropriations.
HCHR 626 46601
Early Modern Mysticism
McGinn
T/Th 3:00-4:20 MEMLib
This course is designed as a two-quarter seminar on Western mysticism between 1550 and 1750, the Early Modern period. The course does not, however, consider the major Spanish mystics of the period 1550-1600, who were treated in last year's seminar.
The winter quarter segment will consist of a general introduction to the mysticism of the period through the reading of key texts in English translation. The spring quarter will concentrate on the preparation of a seminar paper through detailed analysis of select mystical texts in the original language (either Latin or the vernacular).
[N.B. It is possible, with the permission of the instructor, to take the winter quarter section alone. Please see Professor McGinn if you wish to use this option. Requirements for this quarter as a stand-alone course will also include a final examination.]
Requirements for all taking winter quarter:
a) Preparation of all required readings listed below for class discussion (the required texts are all to be found in the "Classics of Western Spirituality Series," unless otherwise noted); and
b) Presentation of one of the mystical texts listed under "Reports" (c. 15-20 minute oral report).
Ident: THEO 46601
HREL 628 30300
Indian Philosophy II: The Classical Traditions
Arnold
M/W 10:00-11:20 S400
Continuing and building upon Indian Philosophy I: Origins and Orientations, we will focus here upon the development of the major classical systems of Indian thought. The course will emphasize Indian logic, epistemology, and philosophy of language.
Ident: DVPR 30300 / SALC 20902, 30902 / RLST 24202
HREL 628 34700
Hindu Mythology
Doniger
M/W 2:00-3:20 S208
Ident: SOAS 38300 / SOTH 34700 / RLST 26100
PQ: Designed for undergraduates; graduate students also welcome.
HREL 628 36000
2nd Year Sanskrit: Readings in the Mahabharata
Doniger
T/Th 3:00-4:20 S207
Readings in Book 14 of the Mahabharata with an exam at the end of the quarter.
PQ: One year of Sanskrit.
Ident: SALC 48400
HREL 628 37900
Introduction to Chinese Religions
Yu
M/W 9:30-10:50 S204
Ident: CHIN 37000 / EALC 22800 / RLST 13000
The discussion group will meet on Fridays, 9:30-10:50, S204.
PQ: Open to undergraduates with consent of instructor.
HREL 628 47800
The Spanish Civil War: Religious Issues
Lincoln
T/Th 9:30-10:50 S204
Ident: HCUL 25000
HREL 628 51100
Religion and Ancient Empire: The Case of the Achaemenians
Lincoln
T/Th 1:30-2:50 S406
Ident: ANCM 41500
HREL 628 52200
Problems in the History of Religions
Doniger
T/Th 7:00-8:30 Home
PQ: Consent of instructor.
RLIT 635 51300
Seminar: Paradise Lost
Yu
T 1:30-4:30 S200
Intensive analysis of the epic. Required reading also of selected criticism.
PQ: At least one previous course in Milton.
Ident: ENGL 53600 / SCTH 53600
RETH 638 35100
The Fear of Death
Nussbaum
ARR
All human beings fear death, and it seems plausible to think that a lot of our actions are motivated by that fear. But is it reasonable to fear death? And does this fear do good (motivating creative projects) or harm (motivating greedy accumulation, war, and too much deference to religious leaders)? Hellenistic philosophers, both Greek and Roman, were preoccupied with these questions and debated them with a depth and intensity that makes them still highly influential in modern philosophical debate about the same issues (the only issue on which one will be likely to find discussion of Lucretius in the pages of The Journal of Philosophy). The course will focus on several major Latin writings on the topic: Lucretius Book III, and extracts from Cicero and Seneca. We will study the philosophical arguments in their literary setting and ask about connections from Plato, Epicurus, Plutarch, and a few modern authors.
PQ: Ability to read the material in Latin at a sufficiently high level.
Ident: PHIL 218001, 31800 / LATN 35100 / LAW 79201
RETH 638 40500
Justice and Religion
Gamwell
T/Th 9:00-10:20 S200
A critical examination of recent alternative philosophical theories of justice, with special attention to the relation between justice and religion. Attention will be paid to Alan Gewirth, John Rawls, Michael Sandel, and others.
RETH 638 44800
The Just War Tradition
Elshtain
Tu 1:30-4:20 S106
An exploration of the tradition of just war thinking from St. Augustine through Michael Walzer, James Turner Johnson, and others. We will examine critically attempts to limit the occasions for war and the tactics and strategies deployed in war.
Ident: PLSC 50300
RETH 638 51302
Seminar: Law and Philosophy
Nussbaum / Sunstein
ARR
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 61502 / PHIL 51200
AASR 607 50200
Seminar: Religious Competition / Mission
Riesebrodt
M 3:00-5:50 MEMLibrary
This seminar will focus on three major questions: 1) How do people advertise their religion to others who do not know or believe in its presuppositions? 2) How do religions delegitimize other religions? 3) What does it tell us about religion? Sources from different cultures and historical times will be analyzed.
Ident: SOCI 50008
GRMN 25500/38500
Theology and Poetry as Coincidentia Oppositorum
Jaffe / Sharrock
ARR
Theology and poetry are often conceived as inevitably opposed to one another. The aim of this course is to explore ways in which they might be seen as coinciding. Students are asked to present their prized theologians, theoreticians, and poets. Among ours are Heidegger and Tillich; Freud and Kohut; Goethe; Stefan George; H.D. (Hilda Doolittle); Dylan Thomas, Bertolt Brecht, and Nazim Hikmet.
NEHC 22F 20368
Hebrew Bible Today - 1
Brinker
M/W 3:00-4:20 Pick 215
In the light of recent theories of the history of the Bible--its composition and editing--this course will offer a synoptic examination of the scholarly "credibility" of the biblical narrative as an historical document.
NEHC 22F 20458
Zionism and its Critics
Brinker
M/W 11:00-12:20 Pick 215
With emergence of Zionism at the end of the 19th century it immediately encountered fierce opposition within the Jewish community. In this course we will consider the principal debates between Zionism--in its various expressions--with its Orthodox, Liberal and Socialist Jewish critics. We will address the question whether these disputes still have contemporary relevance.
