RS 265P Social Work
Socwk 120R
Religious Studies (RS)
98 courses in the 1977–78 Undergraduate Calendar, read from the scanned original. The text comes from OCR, so check the scanned page before relying on a detail.
Notes
Faculty listed in 1977–78
Assistant Professor and Chairperson B. J. Hubbard, BA (Seattle), MA (Marquette), PhD (lowa) J.
Professor W. Klaassen, BA (McMaster), BD (McMaster Divinity School), PhD (Oxford) G
Associate Professors A.M. McLachlin, MA (Toronto), BD, ThD (Emmanuel) P H.S. Kim, BA (Kyungpook), BD (Hankook), ThM (Pittsburgh), ThD (Knox) P J. W. Miller, BA (Goshen), MA (N.Y.U.), BD (Princeton), ThD (Basel) G ~ D. Sahas, BD (Athens), STM (Christian Theological Seminary), PhD (Hartford Seminary Foundation) A.F. Thompson, BA (Toronto), BTh (Huron), MA (Western), STM, PhD (McGill)
Assistant Professors
Faculty listed in 1977–78
M. D. Anderson, BA (Missouri), BD (Kenyon), MA, PhD (Missouri) P
W. J. Bildstein, BA (Western), STB (Gregorian), MA (Windsor), STD (Angelicum) J
R. M. Bird, BA, MA, PhD (lowa) R
M.D. Bryant, BA (Concordia), STB (Harvard), MA, PhD (St. Michael's) R
R. D. Legge, BA (Transylvania), STB (Harvard), PhD (McMaster)
R. Sawatsky, BA (Bethel College), MA (Minnesota), MA (Princeton) G
J.D. Whitehead, BA (Toronto), PhD (Chicago) J
Lecturers '.
Faculty listed in 1977–78
P. K. Hawkes, MA (McMaster), MDiv (Queen's), MA (Toronto) P (part-time)
J. Rempel, MA (Waterloo), MDiv (Assoc. Mennonite Seminaries) G
Note
Professors designated with suffix G (Conrad Grebel), J (St. Jerome's), P (St. Paul's), and R (Renison) are located in the respective Colleges.
Course Descriptions 413 Religious Studies
Undergraduate Course Descriptions
Note Please consult the Course Offerings List to determine which courses are offered in the church colleges.
RS 103 Introduction to Biblical Studies 1F,W 3C 0.5
A survey of the literature, history and religion of ancient Israel as seen in its cultural background in the Ancient Near East.
RS 104 Introduction to Biblical Studies 2F,W 3C 0.5
Asurvey of the literature, history and religious thought of the Christian: community during the New Testament period as seen in its Cultural setting in the Greco-Roman world.
RS 105 Elementary Biblical HebrewY 3c 1.0
Astudy of elementary Biblical Hebrew grammar. Written exercises in both Hebrew and English. Reading of selected portions of the Hebrew scriptures.
RS 106 New Testament GreekY 3C 1.0
This course will consist of two parts.
a) An introduction to Greek grammar with appropriate grammatical exercises and development of vocabulary. b) An exegetical study of the Greek text of the Synoptic Gospels, with Mark as the basis.
RS 110 Religions of Mankind 1F,W 3c 0.5
An introduction to the religious traditions of the East: history, religious beliefs and practices of Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism and Shinto.
RS 111 Religions of Mankind 2W 3C 0.5
Encounter with Judaism, Christianity and Isiam: the history and interaction of the three major religious traditions which have shaped the image of the Western World.
RS 130 Introduction to TheologyF 3C 0.5
A study of the nature of the Christian faith with consideration of questions such as these: How do you speak of God in a secular age? What significance have the Bible and Church doctrines for history and faith? Who is Jesus ? The Cross and Ressurection; the question of Salvation.
RS 131 Introduction to TheologyW 3C 0.5
Further study of the Christian faith to include the questions and issues: What is man? What is freedom? Is there a Christian lifestyle? the new morality; Man and Nature; the Church: Mission and Worship; the Future.
RS 160 Religion and Culture 1F 3c 0.5
An introductory exploration of the interrelationships of religion and culture through the medium of the arts. A consideration of the religious dimensions of man’s artistic, personal and social quest in cultures East and West.
RS 161 Religion and Culture 2W 3C 0.5
An exploration of religion as the ‘‘substance of culture” and culture as “the form of religion’. The manifestation of this relationship in terms of the quest for meaning, the evolution of human sexuality, the creation of the ‘‘good
society” and the creations of the fine arts.
RS 203 Wisdom Literature in the Old Testament
Listed without a description.
RS 204 Song and Poetry in Ancient IsraelW 3c 0.5
Aselection of songs and psalms which were used in the worship of ancient Israel will be studied against the background of religious practices and poetry in the ancient Near East..
RS 205 The Hebrew ProphetsF 3c 0.5
A study of the prophetic movement from Amos to Malachi, in the historical, social, and religious context of Israel and the ancient Near East.
RS 206 Modern Study of JesusF 2C,1D 0.5
An examination of recent approaches to the study of Jesus of Nazareth to determine his significance for the beginnings of the Christian Church and for modern man.
Course Descriptions Religious Studies
RS 207 The Gospel of JohnF 2C,1D 0.5
An interpretation of the Fourth Gospel in the light of the situation of the Church at the end of the first century, with an emphasis on the Johannine portrait of Jesus. The letters of John will also be studied.
Prereq: RS 104, RS 202 or consent of the instructor
RS 209 The Apostle Paul: Life and LettersW 2C,1D 0.5
Anexamination of the career and thought of Paulas seen in his letters and in the Acts of the Apostles.
RS 211 Religion in JapanW 3c 0.5
A historical survey of Religion in Japan from ancient time to the present. The course will examine the development and inter-relationships of folk religion, Shinto, Buddhism, Confucianism, religious Taoism, Christianity, and the emergence of new religion.
RS 212 Ancient Near Eastern Religions
Listed without a description.
RS 213 HinduismF 3C 0.5
A study of the development of religious thought in India from the Vedic Period to the present. The course will combine a historical survey with a study of representative texts from the religious, philosophical, social, and political thought of the Hindus.
RS 214 Buddhism in India and South-East AsiaF 2C,1T 0.5
A historical survey of the essential doctrines and practices of Buddhism in India and South-East Asia, along with a study of representative texts that illustrate interpretations of the Buddha's teachings that proved to be significant for the cultures of these areas.
RS 215A Religion in China 1F 2C,1T 0.5
A study of the development of religious beliefs and practices in China from the Ancient Period through the Early Han Dynasty, and of the contributions of the philosophers of the Classical Period to Chinese Spirituality.
RS 215B Religion in China 2
Listed without a description.
RS 216A Slam: “Religion Perfected”F 3C 0.5
The study of the religious experience of the Muslim community with an emphasis on pre-Islamic Arabia, Muhammad the Prophet, the Qur'an as the Word of God, the Articles of Faith and the Piilars of Islam.
RS 216B The Development of the Muslim Community |W 3C 0.5
The evolution of the “Brotherhood of Believers” from the time of Muhammad to the present: a study of the Islamic expansion and civilization, the Khalifate, the development of Letters and Sciences and the condition of the tslamic States in the modern world.
RS 217 JudaismF 3C 0.5
An introduction to the religious tradition of the Jews, in terms of beliefs, practices, ideals and institutions from the beginning to the present time.
RS 218 ChristianityW 3C 0.5
An introduction to the Christian tradition in retrospect; the facts and the experiences pertinent to the evolution of beliefs, institutions, practices and cultural expressions, as these elements delineate the essential identity of Christianity as one of the religious traditions of the world.
RS 220 Evangelical ChristianityF,S 2C,1D 0.5
A descriptive, historical and theological review of that wing of North American Christianity known as evangelicalism,. fundamentalism, or revivalism.
RS 221 Religions of Waterloo CountyW,J 2C,1D 5
A consideration of North American religion through the study of a variety of local religious groups, such as Mormons and Missionaries, Scientologists and Presbyterians, Amish and newly emergent religions.
R 227-228 (Hist 235-236) FLW 3C 1.0 History of Christianity 1 and 2
The object of this course is to study the historical development of Christianity from its beginnings to the present, as well as the institutions and doctrines expressed in the major forms of Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy and Protestantism.
RS 231 The Evoiution of Christian Thought: A Catholic Survey
Listed without a description.
RS 232 Christ and Contemporary Man
Not offered in 1977–78.
RS 233 Contemporary Atheism & Christian Faith 1F 2C,1S 0.5
The sources of atheism in Western culture. The God of philosophical proof and the God of Christian faith. Christian responses to contributions to present day atheism made by Hegel, Feuerbach, Nietzsche, Marx and Lenin.
Course Descriptions 415 Religious Studies
RS 234 Contemporary Atheism & Christian Faith 2W 2C,1S 0.5
A continuation of the study of Western atheism in representative 20th century spokesmen: Freud, Russell, Ayer, Sartre, Camus, Christian atheists. New patterns in the restatement of theism.
Prereq: RS 233 or consent of instructor
RS 235 Issues in Catholic Moral Theology 1F 2C,1D 0.5
A study in moral theology of current social problems. Concrete possibilities for individual initiative toward needed social change will be stressed. ; Prereq: Second year standing or consent of instructor.
RS 236 Issues in Catholic Moral Theology 2W 2C,1D 0.5
An investigation of the moral implications of an evolving sexual consciousness in the Christian tradition. Prereq: Second year standing or consent of instructor.
RS 238 The Ecumenical Movement
Listed without a description.
RS 253 History and Thought of Christian Pacifism 1F 2C,1D 0.5
The Biblical materials. An examination of the documents of the early church, notably the Bible, with reference to their teaching on war and peace.
RS 254 History and Thought of Christian Pacifism 2W 2C,1D 0.5
The Contemporary Discussion. A survey of Christian teaching on war and peace, focusing on the twentieth century discussion.
RS 255 Christian Ethics 1F 3C 0.5
An introductory study of the relationship between Christian faith and moral decision as expressed in major * ethical writings both historical and contemporary. Special reference will be made to such historical authors as Augustine, Aquinas, Luther and Calvin, and among more recent authors, Barth, Bonhoeffer, the Niebuhrs, Lehmann, Curran and Gustafson.
RS 256 Christian Ethics 2W 3C 0.5
A continuation of the study of Christian ethical thinking. Such thematic considerations as the Christian view of human nature, the tension between freedom and law, principle vs. situation, love as an ethical norm and the individual and community, will be discussed with reference to the writers studied in RS 255.
RS 260 Issues in Science, Technology and ReligionF 3c 0.5
An exploration of issues, themes and personalities in the encounter of modern science and religion. Questions such as the impact of technology, modern physics and the theory of evolution upon the religious traditions will be considered.
RS 262 Religion and Politics 1
Listed without a description.
RS 263 Religion and Politics 2F 2C,1D 0.5
An examination of the relationship between religion and politics in the 20th century. Areas of concentration will vary from year to year, and will include the following topics: The Nazi phenomenon, the Christian-Marxist dialogue in Latin America and Europe, and movements for the ‘‘re-birth of politics”.
RS 264 Religion in Canada 1F 20,10 0.5
An examination of religion in Canada with particular attention to topics such as the introduction of Christianity into Canada, Amerindian religion, religious life in colonial times, denominational differences and ecumenism, the impact of religion on social and political activity.
RS 265 Religion in Canada 2W 2C,1D 0.5
A continuation of the study of religion into the 20th Century, with special consideration of issues and motifs arising out of the Canadian experience, e.g., Social Gospel, immigration and national building, ecumenism, the open society and transcendence, and the post-Christian era.
Prereq: RS 264
RS 266 Religion and the Film 1F 2C,1S 0.5
A theological approach to the study of film as a world-transforming phenomenon for man. An assessment of film’s special characteristics as an art form capable of addressing man’s quest for a significant existence. Consideration of a wide range of films and directors, with particular emphasis on Ingmar Bergman. Cross-listed as Fine 246(R)
Film fee $5.00
RS 267 Religion and the Film 2W 20,18 0.5
Anexploration of selected themes — death, evil, guilt, fate, alienation, love redemption—in the films of several of today’s teading directors: Bunuel, Pasolina, Kurosawa, Fellini, Pintonioni, Polanski.
Cross-listed as Fine 247(R)
Film fee $5.00
Course Descriptions Religious Studies
RS 268A Religious Perspectives in Contemporary LiteratureF 3C 0.5
A discussion of religious perspectives in contemporary literary works. Emphasis will be on religious pluralism as reflected in the culture with a primary focus on man’s
search for meaning, both individually and culturally.
RS 268B Religious Perspectives in Contemporary Canadian LiteratureW 3C 0.5
A discussion of religious perspectives, focused on salvation and survival motifs, in recent Canadian poets and novelists. Uniquely Canadian aspects of the larger tradition in the 20th century will be examined.
RS 269 Myths & Symbols of Indian Art & CivilizationW 3c 0.5
An approach to understanding symbols and perennial themes of Indian religion through a study of representative art, architecture and folk-literature of Hinduism, Indian Buddhism and Jainism.
RS 270 Psychology of ReligionW 3C 0.5
A study of theories of the psychological nature of religious experience, the sources of religious belief and religious significance of psychological phenomena. Topics include faith, doubt, evangelism, conversion, faith healing, mysticism, drugs and religious experience, tongue-speaking. .
RS 275 Religion and PsychotherapyW 2C,1D 0.5
A review and analysis of the dialogue between theistic religion in the West and the personality sciences since Freud: their respective views of God, man, sin, sickness and the therapeutic process. Clinicians and theorists in psychotherapy and religion from the surrounding community will contribute to the exploration.
RS 280 The Parables of JesusW 3C 0.5
Detailed examination of the stories Jesus told, their form, method, message, and significance for religious thought, past and present.
RS 281 Foundations of Sacramental TheologyF 2C,1D 0.5
A study of the nature of Sacrament as an encounter between man and God in Christ. The mysterious, communal, symbolic and personalizing aspects of sacramentality will be discussed. The course will Critically examine and evaluate the impact of social change, the secularization process and traditional forms on the sacramental life in the Roman Catholic experience.
Prereq: Second year standing or consent of instructor.
RS 282 New Perspectives in Sacramental TheologyW 2C,1D 0.5
A discussion of sacramental theology in the light of the ongoing renewal, inaugurated by the Second Vatican Council, through a study of the individual sacraments and their role as meaningful cultic signs in contemporary Roman Catholicism.
Prereq: Second year standing or consent of instructor.
RS 291 Studies in the History of ReligionsA-D F 3C 5
Studies using the ‘History of Religions’ methodology will focus on specific movements or streams of religious life.
RS 301 Palestinian Archeology
Listed without a description.
RS 303 Palestinian Archaeology: Field Experience
Not offered in 1977–78.
RS 304 Selected Topics in Israelite Religion
Not offered in 1977–78.
RS 305 Intermediate New Testament Greek1.0
Extensive reading of the New Testament, selected sections of the Didache and other related materials. Advanced grammar and syntax arising from the readings. °
Prereq: RS 106 or consent of instructor
RS 306 Intermediate Biblical HebrewY 3c 1.0
Reading and grammatical analysis of selected prose and poetic portions of the Hebrew Bible.
Prereq: RS 105 or the equivalent
Note This course is offered in 1977-78 at Wilfrid Laurier University and in alternate years at St. Jerome’s College.
RS 307 Selected Topics in Biblical TheologyA-D F 3C 5
Studies in Biblical theology based on contemporary approaches to the text of the Bible.
Prereq: RS1 03-104 or consent of the instructor
RS 308 The New Testament World
Listed without a description.
RS 309 New Testament ThemesW 2C,1D 0.5
A comparative study of the distinctive ways in which New Testament writers view key issues in the early Church; e.g., freedom and authority, social responsibility, the role of law, relations with the Jewish religion, the person of Jesus. An attempt will be made to relate their views to issues facing Christianity today.
Prereq: RS 202, RS 104 or consent of the instructor
RS 313 Modern Religious Movements in indiaW 3c 5 .
A study of the development of Hinduism from medieval times to the present, with emphasis on new movements of religion and thought in the 19th and 20th centuries. Prereq: RS 110, or 213 or consent of the instructor
RS 314 Zen Buddhism
Listed without a description.
RS 321 Radical Reformation 1(Hist347) F 3c 5
A study of spokesmen for radical reform of the Church including Andreas Carlstadt, Thomas Mintzer, Caspar Schwenckfeld, Sebastian Franck, Michael Servetus and others.
RS 322 (Hist348) Ww 2C,1S 5 Radical Reformation 2
Listed without a description.
RS 323 Medieval Church History from 312-1122Hist363) F 3C 5
Astudy of the evolution of the dogmatic approach. Topics will include dogmatic, moral and political questions which have affected the teaching of the Church.
RS 324 (Hist354) Ww 3c 5 Medieval Church History from 1122-1449
Listed without a description.
RS 325 The Orthodox ChurchF 2C,1D 0.5
A study of “Eastern” Christianity; its history, theology, culture, spiritual experience, and its situation in modern Greece, Russia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and in the West.
Prereq: RS 111, or 218 or consent of the instructor
RS 331 The Church in the Modern World
Listed without a description.
RS 332 Fantasy
Not offered in 1977–78.
RS 333 Creativity: A Religious Perspective
Not offered in 1977–78.
RS 336 Contemporary TheologyY 36 1.0
The sources of contemporary theology in 18th and 19th century thought, with particular reference to Kant, Schleiermacher and Kierkegaard. Selected 20th century theologians, including Buber, Barth, Tillich, Bonhoeffer and Teilhard de Chardin. Special attention to current themes such as secularization, the ‘death of God’, hope and the recovery of religion.
RS 351 Contemporary Western Mysticism
Listed without a description.
RS 352 Situation Ethics
Not offered in 1977–78.
RS 353 Ethics in Indian Thought
Not offered in 1977–78.
RS 360 Sacred and Profane in the Arts 1F 20,18 0.5
A consideration of “the holy” and of categories of sacred and profane in the arts. Thematic and methodological
issues will be explored in the areas of painting, music, architecture, dance and cinema.
Prereq: introductory RS course or consent of instructor
RS 361 Sacred and Profane in the Arts 2W 20,18 0.5
A continuation of issues in RS 360. Prereq: RS 360 or consent of instructor
RS 365 Religious Issues in MarxismW 3c 0.5
An examination of essentially religious issues in the writings of Kar! Marx and in selected ‘classical literature’ of Marxism: the nature of transcendance, the question of ultimate reality, the nature of man, the meaning of history, the problems of alienation ideology and ethics.
RS 373 Religion and Social Change in the Third World
Listed without a description.
RS 402 Studies in the Christian Scripturest
Listed without a description.
RS 415 Studies in Comparative Religiont
Listed without a description.
RS 425 Studies in Church Historyt Course Descriptions Religious Studies
Listed without a description.
RS 430 Studies in Historical Theologyt
Listed without a description.
RS 431 Studies in Contemporary Religious Thoughtt
Listed without a description.
RS 432 Studies in Selected Theological Problemst
Listed without a description.
RS 433 The Problem of Authority in Contemporary Catholicism
Listed without a description.
RS 460 Special Topics in Religion and Culture-463 Ww 3c 5
Focus on themes, development or the work of individual thinkers who have devoted study to the relationship of religion and culture.
RS 490 Senior Seminars in Special Topics-499 1.0 each
Seminars are offered each year for senior honours RS students and senior students from other departments who have taken sufficient relevant survey and/or depth courses in RS or related disciplines. The instructors of and topics for the seminars are announced prior to the preregistration period. In all cases the instructor’s permission is required.
Note . Every student i in the Honour RS Programme is required to take at least one of these seminars.
RS 598-599 R .5 each Directed reading in Special Subjects for graduate students.
+ Students wishing to enrol in a course marked with a dagger (t) should consult the department.
RS 160R Religion and Culture, 1 and 2
Listed without a description.
RS 260R Issues in Science, Technology and Religion
Listed without a description.
RS 266R Religion and the Film, 1 and 2
Listed without a description.
RS 298R Directed Readings in Special Subjects
Listed without a description.
RS 332R Fantasy ~'
Listed without a description.
RS 360R Sacred andProfane in the Arts, 1 and2
Listed without a description.