DVSC 622 30200

Introduction to Historical Studies in Religion

Klauck/Robinson

M/W

3:00-4:20

S106

This is the third in a three-course sequence introducing M.A. students to the three academic committees of the Divinity School. The course will use an extended case study—the figure of Abraham in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—to explore issues and methods in the historical study of religion. The three main concerns of the course are (1) an examination of the Biblical text itself in light of modern critical scholarship (2) a history of the text’s reception by the “Abrahamic” religions, and (3) reflection upon historical and exegetic approaches to both text and tradition.
Open to MA/AMRS students only.
Discussion groups will meet Fri 3:00-4:50 S106/S208

DVSC 622 45100

Reading Course: Special Topic

Staff

ARR

ARR

ARR

Petition with bibliography signed by instructor; enter section from faculty list.

DVSC 622 49900

Exam Prep.

Staff

ARR

ARR

ARR

Open only to Ph.D. students in quarter of qualifying exams; enter section from faculty list.

DVSC 622 50300

Research: Divinity

Staff

ARR

ARR

ARR

Petition signed by instructor; enter section from faculty list.

DVSC 622 59900

Thesis Work: Divinity

Staff

ARR

ARR

ARR

Petition signed by instructor; enter section from faculty list.

BIBL 603 30800

Introduction to the Hebrew Bible

Menn, Esther

M/W

10:00-11:20

S106

BIBL 603 36300

Plutarch, Isis and Osiris

Martinez

T/Th

10:30-11:50

Cl. 26

In Isis and Osiris Plutarch (c. AD 46-120) gives us one of the most important Greek texts on the history of religions during the early imperial period. For that reason it is often excerpted; it is, however, rarely read from cover to cover in the original (or even in translation). This course focuses on the reading and analysis of the Greek text of the treatise. We will also consider topics such as Isis and her cult in Greece and Rome, Plutarch’s philosophic and theological perspectives, allegorical interpretation, and the interpretatio Graeca of Egyptian religion.
Ident. CLAS 36300, NTEC 26300/36300

BIBL 603 40100

Song of Songs III

Fishbane

M

9:00-11:50

S200

PQ: Hebrew
Ident: HIJD 40300/JWSG 33002

BIBL 603 50400

Early Christian Rhetoric

Mitchell

W

1:30-4:20

S403

An examination of the rhetorics (persuasive strategies) of early Christian literature, and how they were rooted in the ancient paideia (educational system) and forms of public life in the Greco-Roman world. We shall focus on significant points of intersection with the Greco-Roman rhetorical tradition in terms of genres and forms, style, invention, arrangement, and delivery, by triangulated close readings each week in Greek of selected early Christian writings, Greco-Roman rhetorical compositions, and samples of rhetorical theory. The early Christian texts will range from Paul to the fourth century, and may include: Galatians, 1 Corinthians, Athenagoras, legatio pro Christianis, Irenaeus, adversus haereses, Gregory of Nazianzus, funeral oration for his brother, Caesarius, and John Chrysostom, de laudibus sancti Pauli and de sacerdotio.
PQ: Greek
Ident. NTEC 50400

BIBL 603 51000

Papyrology and Early Christian Backgrounds

Martinez

F

2:00-4:50

S200

Ident. NTEC 51000/CLAS 45200/GREK 45400

BIBL 603 52300

Ruth and Jonah

Frymer-Kensky

T

1:30-4:20

S200

An advanced exegesis seminar, this course requires a good working knowledge of Biblical Hebrew. We will read the books of Ruth and Jonah with an eye to understanding their literary characteristics, particular concerns and special religious and civic ideas. The course will require one short seminar paper (5 - 10 pages long)
PQ: Reading knowledge of Biblical Hebrew, one exegesis course or permission of instructor.
Open to Divinity School students. Non-Divinity students need the permission of instructor.

THEO 604 31200

History of Theological Ethics II

Schweiker

T/Th

1:30-2:50

S106

Ident. RETH 31200

THEO 605 40501

What is Onto-Theology? Heidegger and the Case of Descartes

Marion

Th

3:00-5:50

S106

Both for theology and history of philosophy, the concept of "onto-theology", coined by Kant and above all by Heidegger, seems at the same time controveresial and inescapable. In order to give a rational and steady account of it, we shall try to understand and test it using the precise example of Descartes' metaphysics. How far should Cartesian thought be framed by this constitution? Do some Cartesian doctrines resist or overlap this frame? How could we draw the limits? In return, what does this example teach about the overall pertinence of the onto-theological constitution of metaphysics as such?
Ident. DVPR 40501/PHIL 43410

THEO 604 40600

Black Theology: 2nd Generation

Hopkins

W

1:30-3:50

S208

THEO 604 42300

Readings in Luther’s Theology

Schreiner

M/W

1:30-2:50

S204

Ident. HCHR 42300

THEO 604 43400

Theological Anthropology

Hopkins

W

9:00-11:50

S200

THEO 604 43601

Modern Jewish Theology: Neo-Mystical Approaches

Fishbane

Th

1:00-3:20

S200

This course will be an in-depth study of the mystical theology and thought of Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, looking at materials from the various genres of his creativity (speculations and meditation, rules of spiritual conduct and self-development, diary entries, poetry). His type of cosmic theology will be compared with the Catholic theologian Teilhard de Chardin, and other features of his thought will be compared with the philosophers Bergson and Schopenhauer.
PQ: No language requirement, but knowledge of Hebrew beneficial. Special sessions for those with advanced Hebrew competence.
Ident. JWSG 43601

THEO 604 43901

Problems in Early Modern Thought

Schreiner

M/W

10:30-11:50

S204

Ident. HCHR 43901

THEO 604 45802

Understanding of God II

Tracy

Th

3:00-5:50

S204

Ident. DVPR 45801

THEO 604 48201

Theology of Culture

Schweiker/Tanner

W

1:30-4:20

S400

THEO 604 51400

Augustine On the Trinity

Marion

T

3:00-5:50

S106

Ident. PHIL 53410

DVPR 605 40501

What is Onto-Theology? Heidegger and the Case of Descartes

Marion

Th

3:00-5:50

S106

Both for theology and history of philosophy, the concept of "onto-theology", coined by Kant and above all by Heidegger, seems at the same time controveresial and inescapable. In order to give a rational and steady account of it, we shall try to understand and test it using the precise example of Descartes' metaphysics. How far should Cartesian thought be framed by this constitution? Do some Cartesian doctrines resist or overlap this frame? How could we draw the limits? In return, what does this example teach about the overall pertinence of the onto-theological constitution of metaphysics as such?
Ident. THEO 40501/PHIL 43410

DVPR 605 45801

Understanding of God II

Tracy

Th

3:00-5:50

S204

Ident. THEO 45802

DVPR 605 50200

Buddhist Epistemology: The Philosophy of Dharma Kirti

Arnold

F

9:00-11:50

S204

PQ: Two years of Sanskrit
Ident. SALC 48311

CHRM 606 35500

Arts of Ministry: Worship

Tanner/Boden

F

10:00-12:50

S200

CHRM 606 40800

The Practice of Ministry III

Piñon

F

1:00-3:50

S400

CHRM 606 41200

Worship and Ethics: The Challenge of Cultural Pluralism

Shin, Joyce

T/Th

10:30-11:50

S400

Given current dynamics of globalization, U.S. churches must deal increasingly with cultural pluralism. This seminar will address the question: how can we understand the integrity of worship within a culturally pluralistic society? We will examine this question with the help of theological ethical theories that highlight the emotional, aesthetic, and social dimensions of worship. In doing so, we will pay particular attention to integrative methods.

HIJD 625 40300

Song of Songs III

Fishbane

M

9:00-11:50

S200

PQ: Hebrew
Ident. JWSG 33002, BIBL 40100

HIJD 625 50600

Soul, Intellect, and Immortality in Medieval Jewish Thought

Robinson

T

1:00-3:50

S403

Ident. JWSG 40600, SCTH 50600

HCHR 626 40600

Religion in Early National and Antebellum America

Brekus

T

1:30-4:20

S400

Ident. HIST 63900

HCHR 626 42300

Readings in Luther’s Theology

Schreiner

M/W

1:30-2:50

S204

Ident. THEO 42300

HCHR 626 43501

Spiritual Exercises: History and Practice

Fulton

T/Th

9:00-10:20

ARR

This course considers spiritual exercises from both Christian and non-Christian traditions as tools for the cultivation of physical, mental and emotional states associated in many traditions with the experience of ecstasy, enlightenment or "flow." Readings will be taken from both East and West; practices to be considered will include, among others, the recitation of the rosary and meditation on the life of Christ, yogic asanas and martial kata. The purpose of the course will be to situate such exercises both historically and practically, with particular emphasis on understanding the processes by which such exercises may contribute to the experience of prayer.
Ident. HIST 43501. PQ: upper-level undergraduates with consent of instructor.

HCHR 626 43901

Problems in Early Modern Thought

Schreiner

M/W

10:30-11:50

S204

Ident. THEO 43901

HCHR 626 51200

Brauer Seminar: Religion and Violence in American Culture

Gilpin/Marty

M

1:00-3:50

MEM Sem.

PQ: The Brauer Seminar. Applications for admission will be received during the Winter Quarter.

HISL 627 35000

Comparative Mystical Literature

Sells

M

1:30-4:20

MEM Library

Ident NEHC 30684

HISL 627 50100

Seminar in the Writing of Ibn al-‘Arabi

Sells

W

1:30-4:20

S200

PQ: Reading knowledge of Arabic
Ident. NEHC 40602

HREL 628 33500

Herodotus

Lincoln

M/W

10:00-11:20

S208

HREL 628 35200

Tibetan Buddhism

Wedemeyer

T/Th

1:00-2:20

S204

This course is designed to serve as an introductory survey of the history, doctrines, and institutions, and practices of Buddhism in India from its origins through the end of the 20th century. Readings will be drawn both from primary sources (in translation) and secondary and tertiary scholarly research.
PQ: HREL 35100 or equivalent background in Buddhism.
Ident. SALC 39001

HREL 628 40100

Appropriations of Germanic Myth

Lincoln/von Schnurbein

T/Th

10:30-11:50

S208

HREL 628 41100

Readings in the History of Religions: The Chicago School

Wedemeyer

M

2:00-4:50

S403

This course will be devoted primarily to the close, critical reading of some representative works of the two most famous names associated with the History of Religions at the University of Chicago: Joachim Wach and Mircea Eliade. Attention will be paid to Wach's Habilitation thesis, entitled Religionswissenschaft, his Sociology of Religion, and Types of Religious Experience. We will also read and discuss Eliade's Myth of the Eternal Return, The Sacred and the Profane, and selections from Patterns in Comparative Religion. A selection of critical and interpretative essays will supplement these core texts, as we attempt to unpack and contextualize their arguments about religion and (especially) the academic study thereof. We will also look briefly at a few programmatic essays on the discipline by some later Chicagoans, including Joseph Kitagawa and Charles Long. Students will be encouraged to take advantage of the archival material related to these figures available in Regenstein Library, and at least one class will meet at the library to acquaint students with the collections.
PQ: DVSC 30100 or equivalent background in Religion and the Human Sciences.

RLIT 635 50500

The Satirist’s Art in Religion and Literature

Rosengarten

W/F

9:30-10:50

S403

The discrepancy between appearance and reality is both a cliché and perennial fact of human life. Satire has been a common recourse to those who wish to give expression to their recognition of the discrepancy, aiming to diminish presumption and idolatry, to call attention to the man behind the curtain. This seminar will focus not on the satiric impulse per se (interesting as that is), but on instances when that impulse has sought sustained expression in art. Understood as rage that both seeks out yet is uneasy with form, satire is as ancient as Greek tragedy and as contemporary as last week’s issue of The Onion. We will explore various formal efforts to name the idols of particular days and ways through study of Rabelais and Swift, and to such media as political cartoons, formal portraiture, cinema, and the internet. In the context of its formal plasticity, we will also examine the hypothesis that satire is, paradoxically, uniform in its language, whether verbal or visual: i.e. that all satire is apophatic, that its concern with idolatry at the level is expressed by negation.
Previous work in Religion and Literature or permission of the Instructor.

RETH 638 31200

History of Theological Ethics II

Schweiker

T/Th

1:30-2:50

S106

Ident THEO 31200

RETH 638 32401

Religion and Politics: Eric Voegelin

Mark Lilla

T

9:30-12:20

F505

Ident. SCTH 32470

RETH 638 45800

Politics, Ethics and Terror

Elshtain

T

10:30-1:20

S106

An examination of three responses to three responses to 20th century totalitarianism: Arendt, Bonhoeffer and Camus. What ethical wellsprings were drawn upon to confront Nazism and Stalinism? What sorts of arguments about the function of ideology, the loss of limits, the transgression of "orders of being," metaphors of plague or other ravages got deployed and to what ends? What is the connection between explanation, understanding and action in the "dark times" through which our thinkers lived or in which they died?
Ident PLSC 45800

RETH 638 52500

Advanced Seminar on Religion and Public Life

Elshtain

M

1:30-4:20

S200

Open to graduate students who have successfully completed at least one previous seminar with Prof. Elshtain and for whom this area of scholarly endeavor is one they intend to pursue. There are a number of areas we will explore through concrete cases, including the matter of how persons with religious convictions engage civic life. What are the "languages" (so to speak) of civic engagement? Is a person or group treating religious conviction functionally, as a means to an end, with politics driving theological claims? Or, by contrast, does the person or group begin with theological commitments and go on to think about possible civic implications of those commitments? And so on. We will organize this seminar in such a way that each student will be required to go through a shared set of materials—yet to be determined—and, in addition, go on to develop an independent project on religious and public life.
Ident PLSC 62500

AASR 607 41200

Asceticism

Riesebrodt

Th

9:30-12:20

S200

Asceticism plays a major role in Nietzsche's "Genealogy of Morality" as well as Weber's "Economic Ethics of the World Religions." Starting with such theoretical perspectives the class explores the role of ascetic religious practices across cultures and history. What are their specific historical and cultural meanings? What kinds of subjects do these practices intend to shape? What is their role in the construction of religious authority? How do they relate to sacrifice on the one hand and ethics on the other? What, if anything, does the suppression of similar human needs and desires across cultures and history tell us about the human condition? Case studies will be taken from Christianity, Buddhism, Daosim and other traditions depending on the interests of the participants.
Ident. SOCI 50011