Course Descriptions
Fall 2009
RELIGION AND SOCIETY (RSOC)
RSOC 9 Ways of Understanding Religion
Introduces the categories by which religion is formally studied. Explores distinct perspectives or ways of thinking about religion (e.g., psychological, phenomenological, anthropological, theological, and sociological); also considers a variety of religious data (e.g., symbols, myths, rituals, theologies, and modern communities).
RSOC 10 Asian Religious Traditions
This course will introduce students to the history, major teachings, and practices of the major Asian Religious traditions of South, Central, East, and Southeast Asia, namely Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Confucianism, Daoism, and Shintoism. It will do so from an historical perspective, and will also explore the development of key theological and religious/philosophical doctrines as well as the associated practices.
RSOC 46 African Religions
Examination of African history and its many cultures through the lens of key religious ideas, practices and cosmologies. The power of history, geography and political domination over the shaping of religion is matched by the power of religion as a medium of cultural expressiveness and political resistance. Prerequisite: Introductory level course (SCTR 1-19, TESP 1-19, or RSOC 1-19).
RSOC 81 Islam
Introduction to the Islamic tradition focusing on the dialectic between normative theology and popular devotion. Readings include the Quran, Sufi literature, and devotional poetry. Discussion of Quranic concerns in the Sunni and Shia traditions, ecstatic mysticism, Islamic law, and contemporary issues relating to the status of women, Westernization, and modernity. Prerequisite: Introductory level course (SCTR 1-19, TESP 1-19, or RSOC 1-19).
RSOC 91 Native Spiritual Traditions
Introduction to Native American spiritual traditions in the Americas. Examines myth, the diversity of ceremonial practices, and the historical and political contexts in which native peoples have manifested and adapted their religious ways, with an emphasis on their recent reaffirmation of indigenous traditions. Prerequisite: Introductory level course (SCTR 1-19, TESP 1-19, or RSOC 1-19).
RSOC 106R RSS: Zen in Theory and Practice
This course will explore the Chan/Zen traditions of East Asian Buddhism from the historical, theoretical, and practical perspectives. We will explore the history and teachings of the Zen traditions, and then will learn how to undertake Zen meditative practice. The focus will be on bringing the teachings and tradition to life by experiencing them and learning about the way that practice itself drives changes in theory. Religious Studies Seminar. Prerequisite: Intermediate level course (SCTR 20-99, TESP 20-99, or RSOC 20-99) or another course approved as fulfilling the intermediate level Core requirement in Religious Studies, and completion of 88 quarter units.
RSOC 115 Tibetan Buddhism: A Cultural History
Provides an overview of Tibetan religious history and the fundamental beliefs and practices of Tibetan religious traditions. Focuses on devotional traditions centering around saints, sophisticated system of meditation and ritual, and the experience of women in Tibetan Buddhist traditions. Also explores visual media such as iconography and cinema. Prerequisite: Intermediate level course (SCTR 20-99, TESP 20-99, or RSOC 20-99) or another course approved as fulfilling the intermediate level Core requirement in Religious Studies, and completion of 88 quarter units.
RSOC 119 Media and Religion
Examination of the religious, theological and ethical issues and perspectives raised by various media: print, visual, audio, multimedia, and virtual. Special attention will be given to the nature of their relationship and the religious and spiritual issues currently present in their interface. Prerequisite: Intermediate level course (SCTR 20-99, TESP 20-99, or RSOC 20-99) or another course approved as fulfilling the intermediate level Core requirement in Religious Studies and completion of 88 quarter units.
RSOC 123 Religions@Silicon Valley
Is something unique happening in Silicon Valley’s religious landscape? This seminar addresses that question through different perspectives on the Valley’s culture, scholarly approaches to the Buddhist, Catholic, and Muslim experiences in America, and interactions with local congregations. Prerequisite: Intermediate level course (SCTR 20-99, TESP 20-99, or RSOC 20-99) or another course approved as fulfilling the intermediate level Core requirement in Religious Studies, and completion of 88 quarter units.
RSOC 151 Issues of Science & Religion
The aim of this course is to explore and understand how religion and science arrive at views of the world, and to explore the basis for conversation between religion and science. Prerequisite: Intermediate level course (SCTR 20-99, TESP 20-99, or RSOC 20-99) or another course approved as fulfilling the intermediate level Core requirement in Religious Studies, and completion of 88 quarter units.
RSOC 179 Research Methods in Religious Studies
This course is a research seminar for religious studies majors and minors, to be taken in their junior or senior years. They will choose area (SCTR, TESP, RSOC). It will be team taught by members of the Religious Studies faculty, and will be designed to introduce students to the research methodologies employed by the faculty. Students will be expected to reflect upon these methods, and design, by the end of the quarter, a research project that they will undertake the following quarter. Prerequisite: Intermediate level course (SCTR 20-99, TESP 20-99, or RSOC 20-99) or another course approved as fulfilling the intermediate level Core requirement in Religious Studies, and completion of 88 quarter units.
RSOC 188 Religion and Violence
Examines the historical and contemporary relationships between religious ideologies and personal and institutional practices of coercion, force, and destruction. Prerequisite: Intermediate level course (SCTR 20-99, TESP 20-99, or RSOC 20-99) or another course approved as fulfilling the intermediate level Core requirement in Religious Studies and completion of 88 quarter units.
SCRIPTURE AND TRADITION (SCTR)
SCTR 11 Origins of Western Religion
An introduction to the study of religion through an inquiry into the origins of Western religion. Surveys the principle issues raised during the foundational periods of the Jewish and Christian religions and considers the continued debates sparked by these traditions.
SCTR 19 Religions of the Book
This course offers an introduction to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam with a study of their central texts, traditions and practices. We begin the course with a paradox: religion, that which in its literal sense "binds" or "fastens together," is also that which often violently divides our world. As we examine the sacred texts of Jews, Christians, and Muslims (Hebrew Bible, New Testament, and Qur'an) and various methods of interpreting them, our focus will remain on what is shared and what characteristically distinguishes between the monotheistic faiths.
SCTR 39 Biblical Women and Power
Hero, villain, prophet, deviant - these are some of the power roles embodied by women in the bible. This course will explore the exercise of power by biblical women in actual and figurative situations, in culturally positive and negative ways. Attention will be given to the continuing impact of such traditions for gender socialization in our world today. Prerequisite: Introductory level course (SCTR 1-19, TESP 1-19, or RSOC 1-19).
SCTR 48 Jesus the Jew
In the New Testament, Jesus of Nazareth is called "rabbi"; he argues in Pharisaic terms with Jewish Pharisees; quotes the Jewish Bible repeatedly; is recognized by some as a Jewish messiah; and is eventually executed as a Judean rebel. Explores the Jewishness of the earliest Jesus movement and its traditions, and considers how a small, first century Jewish sect ultimately becomes a world power largely ignorant of - and often hostile - to Jews and Judaism. Prerequisite: Introductory level course (SCTR 1-19, TESP 1-19, or RSOC 1-19).
SCTR 100R RSS: Biblical Poetry/Ancient Myth
This course focuses on the sacred poetry of ancient Israel. The psalms form a rich compendium of prayers and hymns from the Bible. Extensive work will be done on the literary forms of the psalms. The course will explore ancient Israel's view of faith and worship, with special emphasis on questions of suffering and social justice. Religious Studies Seminar. Prerequisite: Intermediate level course (SCTR 20-99, TESP 20-99, or RSOC 20-99) or another course approved as fulfilling the intermediate level Core requirement in Religious Studies, and completion of 88 quarter units.
SCTR 106 Person of Christ in New Testament
Deals with Jesus' understanding of himself and his mission as well as the New Testament interpretation given to them. Different Christologies of the New Testament studied in order to show the unity and diversity in their interpretation of Christ. Prerequisite: Intermediate level course (SCTR 20-99, TESP 20-99, or RSOC 20-99) or another course approved as fulfilling the intermediate level Core requirement in Religious Studies and completion of 88 quarter units.
SCTR 152 The Apostle Paul: Mystery, Myth, Matrix
Even from the perspective of the earliest Christians, the Apostle Paul and his letters, written to various communities, were mysterious and obscure. As he traveled throughout the Mediterranean, he composed portraits of Jesus out of the diverse myths of the cultures he visited. How can we read these letters today in a way that makes sense of Paul's enigmatic Jesus? In this course, we will travel with Paul to the places he visited, examine the letters he composed along the way, and try to make sense of the complex matrix of thought that was imbedded in his mixed and mysterious messages. Prerequisite: Intermediate level course (SCTR 20-99, TESP 20-99, RSOC 20-99) or another course approved as fulfilling the intermediate level Core requirement in Religious Studies, and completion of 88 quarter units.
SCTR 162 Violence & Nonviolence in Scripture
An examination of the biblical mandates for and against the use of violence in God's name. This course will probe the historical and ethical foundations of pursuing or renouncing violence as evidenced in Jewish and Christian scriptures. Of particular concern will be the weighing of these various moral imperatives in light of the social questions we face today. Prerequisite: Intermediate level course (SCTR 20-99, TESP 20-99, or RSOC 20-99) or another course approved as fulfilling the intermediate level Core requirement in Religious Studies, and completion of 88 quarter units.
THEOLOGY, ETHICS AND SPIRITUALITY (TESP)
TESP 4 The Christian Tradition
A theological examination of the Christian tradition covering such topics as religious experience and the meaning of God; Jesus in the Gospels; the development and history of the Christian churches; the relevance of Christianity in the 21st century global world.
TESP 8 Franciscans and Jesuits
Introduces the spirituality of two major Catholic religious orders and their role in the global spread and cultural encounter in Christianity. Introduces the reasons for and methods of studying Christian spirituality.
TESP 46 Faith, Justice & Poverty
Examines biblical theologies of social responsibility, major theologians on poverty, and current appropriations of these traditions. Includes SCCAP or Arrupe Center community placement. Prerequisite: Introductory level course (SCTR 1-19, TESP 1-19, or RSOC 1-19).
TESP 50 Catholic Theology: Foundations
An examination of the fundamental theological issues of Catholicism such as: the experience of God, revelation and faith, the historical foundations of the tradition, the mystery of Jesus, grace, sin and redemption, the Church sacraments, and religious pluralism, etc. Prerequisite: Introductory level course (SCTR 1-19, TESP 1-19, or RSOC 1-19).
TESP 88 Hope & Prophetic Politics
A biblically informed prophetic tradition has long shaped the history of American religious and political thought and has often clashed with an impulse towards empire and the desire to accumulate power. In this course, we focus on Abraham Joshua Heschel and Martin Luther King, Jr., two religious intellectuals whose lives and works draw on this tradition to raise and address questions basic to any discussion of the role of religion in public life. Through readings of Obama and student directed "hope projects," we will also focus on contemporary examples of what it means to both think and live in hope. Prerequisite: Introductory level course (SCTR 1-19, TESP 1-19, or RSOC 1-19).
TESP 109 Hispanic Spirituality: Guadalupe
One of the most popular Marian devotions for Hispanic people (of primarily Mexican descent) is that of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Study of the history and tradition of Guadalupe, exploring its religious and spiritual significance in both the past and the present. Prerequisite: Intermediate level course (SCTR 20-99, TESP 20-99, or RSOC 20-99) or another course approved as fulfilling the intermediate level Core requirement in Religious Studies and completion of 88 quarter units.
TESP 124 Theology of Marriage
An examination of human relationships, intimacy, sexuality, and marriage through the social sciences, philosophy, and theology, and exploration of human love in the unconditional commitment to spouse as the expression of divine love. Prerequisite: Intermediate level course (SCTR 20-99, TESP 20-99, or RSOC 20-99) or another course approved as fulfilling the intermediate level Core requirement in Religious Studies. Reserved for Senior level students.
TESP 131 Feminist Theologies
Through the analysis of a selected sample of feminist theological voices and themes, explores the phenomenon of feminist theologies in their emerging unity and diversity. Focuses on themes of inclusion, exclusion and representation, which have also been major catalysts in the emergence of diverse feminist theologies. Prerequisite: Intermediate level course (SCTR 20-99, TESP 20-99, or RSOC 20-99) or another course approved as fulfilling the intermediate level Core requirement in Religious Studies and completion of 88 quarter units.
TESP 138R RSS: Contemporary Theology of Paul Tillich
An examination of the philosophical and theological thought of one of the great 20th century theologians, with special emphasis on his theology of culture, and his effort to reinterpret the Christian message for contemporary people. Religious Studies Seminar. For majors, minors, honors students or with permission of instructor. Religious Studies Seminar. Prerequisite: Intermediate level course (SCTR 20-99, TESP 20-99, or RSOC 20-99) or another course approved as fulfilling the intermediate level Core requirement in Religious Studies and completion of 88 quarter units.
TESP 176 Finding Your Own Spirituality
A theological and personal exploration of the desire for meaning in one's life, looking at meaning, through famous religious quests: theological, mystical, and worldly. Students examine what is real and ideal, and the room left for God, no matter which tradition. Prerequisite: Intermediate level course (SCTR 20-99, TESP 20-99, or RSOC 20-99) or another course approved as fulfilling the intermediate level Core requirement in Religious Studies and completion of 88 quarter units.
TESP 187 Christ & Catholic Theology
A study of contemporary Catholic Christology approached as Christology "from below." Initial consideration of some fundamental theological concepts and then Jesus Christ as a historical figure and object of faith. Course pivots around Jesus' proclamation of the "Kingdom of God" and considers his history through the resurrection. Prerequisite: Intermediate level course (SCTR 20-99, TESP 20-99, or RSOC 20-99) or another course approved as fulfilling the intermediate level Core requirement in Religious Studies and completion of 88 quarter units.
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