RS 100A Introduction to Religion-K
An introduction to Religion, religious phenomena, beliefs, idéas, practices and experience through the study of material and examples from the various fields in Religious Studies.
Religious Studies (RS)
77 courses in the 1985–86 Undergraduate Calendar, read from the scanned original. The text comes from OCR, so check the scanned page before relying on a detail.
Notes
Department of Religious Studies
Faculty listed in 1985–86
Associate Professor and Chairperson J.W. Miller, BA (Goshen), MA (New York), BD (Princeton), ThD (Basel) G
Associate Professor and Undergraduate
Officer
Faculty listed in 1985–86
M.D. Bryant,* BA (Concordia College), STB (Harvard), MA, PhD (St Michaels) R
Professor
W. Klaassen,’ BA (McMaster), BD (McMaster Divinity School), PhD (Oxtord) G
Associate Professors
Faculty listed in 1985–86
W.J. Bildstein, BA (Western Ontario), STB (Gregorian), MA (Windsor), STD (Angelicum) J
M.S. Bird’ BA, MA, PhD (lowa) R
A.L. Evans,> BA (Toronto), BD (Emmanuel), STM (McGill), DMin (Andover-Newton) P
Faculty listed in 1985–86
F.C. Gérard,? MA (College St. Domi nique, France), BD, STM (McGill), PhD (Hartford Seminary Foundation ) P
R.D. Legge,> BA (Transylvania), STB (Harvard), PhD (McMaster) P
D. Sahas, BD (Athens), STM (Christian Theological Seminary), PhD (Hartford Seminary Foundation)
Faculty listed in 1985–86
R.J. Sawatsky,? BA (Bethel, Kansas), ° MA (Minnesota), MA, PhD (Princeton), G
A.F. Thompson, BA (Toronto), BTh (Huron}, MA (Westem Ontario), STM, PhD (McGill)
Assistant Professors
Faculty listed in 1985–86
M. Higgins, BA (St. Francis Xavier), MA, PAD (York)
M. Kiley, BA (Boston), STM, PhD (Harvard) J
A.J. Reimer, BA (Manitoba), MA (Toronto), MA, PhD (St. Michaels) G
Lecturers
R. Kooistra, BTh (Kampen), DTh (Amsterdam) P
Faculty listed in 1985–86
S.A. MacDonald, BA, STB (Western Ontario), MA (San Francisco) J
T. Yoder Neufeld,? BA (Manitoba), MDiv (Harvard) G
Faculty designated with suffix G (Conrad Grebel), J (ST. Jerome's), P (St. Pauls), and R (Renison) are located in the respective Colleges.
Religious Studies
Faculty Members holding cross appointments to Religious Studies from: Fine Arts .
?History
5Peace and Contlict Studies
Social Development Studies
5Studies in Personality and Religion
Course Descriptions
Courses not offered in the current academic year are listed at the end of this section.
Introductory Note
Numbers below the course description indicate the area of Religious Studies to which the course belongs. Explanation is provided in the Arts program section.
RS 100A Religions of the EastW 3C 0.5
An introduction to the religious traditions of the East: history, religious beliefs and practices of Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism and Shinto.
Area 1
RS 100B Religions of the West Encounter with Judaism, Christianity andF,W 3C 0.5
islam: the characteristics and interaction of the 3 major religious traditions that have shaped the image of the Western “World.
Area 1
RS 100C Religious QuestsF 3C 0.5
Profiles, biographies and autobiographies of individuals in search of ultimate meaning. Persons studied are spiritual seekers frorn all walks of life: traditional religious figures, artists, novelists, scientists and others.
Area 5
RS 100E Biblical Studies 1S,F 3C 0.5
A survey of the literature, history and
religion of ancient Israel as seen in its
cultural setting in the ancient Near East. Area 3
RS 100F Biblical Studies 2F,W 3C 0.5
A survey of the literature, history and religious thought of the Christian
‘ cornmunity during the New Testament
period as seen in its cultural setting in the Greco-Roman world. Area 3
RS 100H Catholic TheologyS,F,W 3C 0.5
A study of the principal teachings of the Christian Faith affecting Catholics today. Topics will include Bible and Tradition; worship and sacraments; authority; changing views concerning laity, women, ministry, and ecumenism.
Area 4
RS 100K Protestant TheologyS,F 3C 0.5
An introduction to the study of the sources and issues of traditional and contemporary, liberal and conservative Protestantism.
Area 4
RS105 Y 3X 10 Elementary Biblical Hebrew An introductory course designed to tender a reading knowledge of Biblical Hebrew, the sounds and forms of the language followed by the reading of selected texts from the Hebrew Bible. Cross-listed as R&C 140-3C. Taught at WLU.
RS 106A New Testament GreekF 3C 0.5
An introduction to Greek grammar with appropriate grammatical exercises and development of vocabulary.
Area 3
RS 106B New Testament GreekW 3C 0.5
A continuation of the study of Greek
grammar with an exegetical study of
some texts from the Gospel of Mark. Area 3
RS 200 The Study of ReligionS,F 3C 0.5
An exploration of the nature of religion through: 1) the history of the study of religion, 2) exposure to varying methods and ways of approaching religious” phenomena, and 3) consideration of accounts of religious experience.
RS 20 FW 3C 05 The Hebrew Prophets A study of the prophetic movement from Amos to Malachi in the historical, social, and religious context of Israel and the ancient Near East.
Area 3
16.143
RS 208 The Parables of JesusF X 0.5
Detailed examination of the stories Jesus told, their form, method, message and significance for religious thought, past and present.
Area 3
RS 209 The Apostle Paul: Life and LettersF,W 3 0.5
An examination of the career and thought of Paul as seen in his letters and in the Acts of the Aposties.
Area 3
RS 213 HinduismW 3X 0.5
A study of the developments of religious thought in india from the Vedic Period to the present. The course will combine an historical survey with a study of representative texts from the religious, philosophical, social and political thought of the Hindus.
Area 1
RS2i4 F 3 05 Buddhism An introduction to the unifying beliefs and philosophical presuppositions of the Buddhist world-view, and an overview of the diverse forms of Buddhism in South and South-East Asia, Tibet, China and Japan.
Area 1
RS 216 IslamF,W 3C 0.5
An introduction ,to the Islamic faith and practice, with a review of the development, achievements and impact of the Muslim community from Muhammad the Prophet to the present day.
Area }
RS2t7 SF 3C 05 Judaism An introduction to the religious tradition of the Jews, in terms of beliefs, practices, ideals and institutions from the beginning to the present time.
Area 1
RS 220 Evangelical ChristianityF X 0.5
A descriptive, historical and theological review of the wing of North American Christianity known as evangelicalism, fundamentalism, or revivalism.
Area 2
Paget ce
RS 221 Sects, Cults and New Religious MovementsF,W 30-05
An analysis of minority religions considered deviant by the dominant society such as the Amish, Mormons, and Jehovah's Witnesses with special consideration of the recent new religious movements including Unification (Moonies), Scientology and Krishna consciousness.
Cross-listed as SOC 225.
Area §
RS 230 History of ChristianityF,W 3C 0.5
The development of Christianity in its Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Protestant traditions from the time of Christ to the present.
Cross-listed as HIST 235.
Area 2
RS 231 History of Christian ThoughtF,W 3C 0.5
An analysis of the major theological developments in the Christian traditions trom the apostolic era to the present. Area 4
RS 232A Jesus Christ in Contemporary PerspectiveF 3C 0.5
An examination of current approaches to the person of Jesus through the writings of contemporary theologians attempting to answer the question, "Who is Jesus?” Area 4
RS 232B Jesus Christ in Historical PerspectiveW 3C 0.5
An examination of the historical development of the doctrine about Christ. Special attention will be devoted to the varying historical expressions of this doctrine and to their impact on current Christian belief and practice.
Area 3
RS 236 Human Sexuality and Christian MoralityS,F,W 2C1D 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
Area 4
RS 238 The Ecumenical Movement°3C 0.5
A study of those unitive efforts which marked the history of the Christian Church, emphasizing developments from the Reformation to the present.
Area 4
RS 253 The Bible and PeaceF 3C 0.5
An examination of the unity and diversity of biblical views of peace: with attention to their relevance for the various dimen-
» sions of the contemporary quest for
peace. Area 4 \ '
RS 254 War and Peace in Christian TheologyW 3C 0.5
The Contemporary Discussion. A survey of Christian teaching on war and peace, focusing on the twentieth century discussion.
Area 4
R 256 W 3C 05 Current Ethical Issues An examination of specific current individual and social problems such as human sexuality, social justice, urban decay, and human rights, in the light of Christian moral consciousness.
Area 4
RS 260 Issues in Science, Technology and ReligionF 3 0.5
A study of the questions raised by the interaction of religious faith with modern scientific and technological approaches to understanding the physical, social and psychological dimensions of our world.
Area 5.
RS 263 Justice, Peace and DevelopmentS,F 3C 0.5
An examination of movements, communities, and theologies which express a Christian hope for justice, peace and development in the encounter with injustice, oppression and poverty.
Area 4
RS 266 Film and the Quest for Meaning 1F 2C,1S 0.5
An exploration of spiritual themes and issues in the cinema. An assessment of film’s special characteristics as an art form capable of addressing the human quest for a significant existence. Emphasis upon the films of Ingmar Bergman.
Cross-listed as FINE 252.
Film fee $5.00.
Area 5
or
Course Descriptions
Religious Studies.
RS 267 Film and the Quest for Meaning 2W 2018S 0.5
A consideration of selected themes — death, evil, guilt, fate, alienation, courage, love, redemption - in the films of several of today’s leading directors. Emphasis upon a variety of directors from divergent cultural backgrounds.
Cross-listed as FINE 253.
Film fee $5.00.
Area 5
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.
Area 5
RS 270 Psychology of ReligionF 3C 0.5
A study of theories of the psychological nature of religious experience, the sources of religious belief and the religious significance of psychological phenomena. Topics include faith, doubt, evangelism, conversion, faith healing, mysticism, drugs and religious experience, tongues-speaking.
Area 5
RS 271 Personality and ReligionW 3C 0.5
A study of the psychology of personality in its relationship between personality and religious thought, experience and behaviour.
Area §
RS 282 New Perspectives in Sacramental Theology-SJ 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
Area 4
RS 200A Studies in Church and Society-K
RS 2900 J 3C 1.0 Women and the Church A multi-disciplinary examination of the evolution of the relationship between women and the church in the Christian tradition.
rea §
Religious Studies
RS 302 The Gospel of JohnW 3C 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. . Area 3
RS 305 Intermediate New Testament Greek Readings in the New Testament in the Septuagint, Papryi and the ApostolicA/B FW 3C 0.5/0.5
Fathers. Advanced grammar and syntax arising from the readings..
Prereq: R § 106 or consent of instructor.
Area 3 .
RS H7A0
Selected Topics in Biblical Studies Special topics will be offered Summer, Fall and Winter, 1985-86. Consult Department.
RS 308 New Testament ThemesW 3C 0.5
A comparative study of the distinctive ways in which New Testament writers view key issues in the early Church; @.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: I? S 100F or consent of instructor Area 3
RS 310 The Sacred Book of IslamW 3C 0.5
A study of the Koran (Qur'an) as literature and as the Holy Book of Islam with reading anc interpretation of selected chapters (surahs), in translation.
Area 1
RS 315 The Narrative Expression of Canadian Native ReligionsF 3C Of
An introduction to basic components of the word view of traditional native peoples in order to understand and evaluate their narratives as religious expression.
Cross-listed as R&C 317-367.
Taught at WLU
RS 316 Canadian Native Religious TraditionsW 3C 0.5
An examination of the ritual and oral traditions of a specific pre-modern group of native peoples to discern their attempts to integrate themselves and their environment.
Cross-listed as R&C 318-368.
Taught at WLU.
RS 322 Radical ReformationF 3C 0.5
A study of Anabaptism and its place in the history of the Christian Church and of the Reformation period.
Prereq: Second year standing
Area 2
RS 331B The Church in the Modern WorldF 3C 0.5
A critical study of the church’s roles in contemporary secular society. Area 2
RS 336 Contemporary TheologyW 3C 0.5
A study of major themes and movements in contemporary theology, with reference to selected thinkers, such as Barth, Tillich, Buber, de Chardin and Rahner.
Prereq: R S 231 or consent of instructor
Area 4
RS 339 Luther and Calvin: The Reformation in Theological OutlineW 3C 0.5
This course will examine the religious experience and the theologies of Martin Luther and John Calvin in their respective historical contexts. : Prereq: One of R S 100H, 230, 231 or consent of the instructor Area 4
RS 344 Theology of Radical ProtestantismF 3C 0.5
A study of the development of beliefs of the churches in the Radical Reformation tradition (Mennonites, Baptists, Quakers) examined in their ecumenical contexts. + Prereq: R S 230 or 231 or consent of instructor
Area 4
RS 350 Christian Spirituatity and MysticiemF 3C 0.5
A study ‘of the spiritual experience and mystical knowledge of great Christian mystics, from the desert Fathers and Hesychasis in the Eastern Orthodox tradition to the mystical schools of the Western Catholic tradition.
Prereq: FR S 230 or 231 or consent of instructor
Area 2
16.145
RS 360 Religion and the ArtsF,W 3C 0.5
A consideration of the spiritual dimension in art, both sacred and secular. An exploration of the quest for meaning in the various arts-painting, music, architecture, sculpture, dance, and cinemaencountered through slides, films, recordings, and readings.
Prereq: R S 100C or 266 or 267, or consent of the instructor
Area §
RS 370 Dreams in Religious ExperienceF 3C 0.5
The course examines the place of dreams in religious experience from ancient to modern times. Present day advances in understanding dream symbols will be explored, as well as the possibility of incorporating the use of dreams in one’s personal religious growth and development. Prereq: R S 271 or consent of instructor Area 5
a
RS 371 Religion and Suicidal BehaviourW 3C 0.5
A study of self-destructive behaviour and its relation to relevant religious concepts. The range of experience from illness to suicide will be explored and related to the concepts of guilt, hope and meaning in the Christian faith. Prereq: R S 271 or consent of instructor Area §
RS 382 Theology of MarriageF 3C 0.5
A study of the development of the theology of marriage in the Christian tradition. , Prereq: R S 236/256 or 281/282 or consent of instructor Area 4
R § 398-390 Directed Reading in Special Subjects
RS 400A Special Topics in Religious Studies-H
Special topics will be offered in 1985-86. Consult Department.
RS49A SFW 05 Honours Seminar A course of study and research designed to provide the student with guidance and supervision towards completing an Honours research assignment.
Prereq: Fourth-year standing and consent of the Undergraduate Officer
RS40B SFW 05 Honours Seminar A continuation of the above.
Every student in the Honours R S Program is required to take R S 490A and 490B.
RS 590 Directed Research in Special Subjects for Graduate Students-597 FW R 0.5
RS 698 Directed Research in Special Subjects for Graduate Students-599 R 0.5
RS 100D Religious Movements
Not offered in 1985–86.
RS 203 Wisdom Literature in the Old Testament
Not offered in 1985–86.
RS 206 Modern Study of Jesus
Not offered in 1985–86.
RS 261 Women and. the Great Relig- ions
Not offered in 1985–86.
RS 264 Religion # the Canadian Experience
Not offered in 1985–86.
RS 265 Unity and Diversity in Canadian Religion
Not offered in 1985–86.
RS 268A Religious Perspectives in Contemporary Literature
Not offered in 1985–86.
RS 274 Religious Approaches to © Personal Crises
Not offered in 1985–86.
RS 281 Theology of Worship and Sacrament
Not offered in 1985–86.
RS 290A The Religious Experience of the Young
Not offered in 1985–86.
RS 290B The Just Society
Not offered in 1985–86.
RS 290C Gospel and Liberation
Not offered in 1985–86.
RS 291A -D Studies in the History of
Not offered in 1985–86.
RS 311 Hindu Scriptures
Not offered in 1985–86.
RS 314 Zen Buddhism
Not offered in 1985–86.
RS 318 Islam and Christianity
Not offered in 1985–86.
RS 323 Medieval Church History
Not offered in 1985–86.
RS 324 Medieval Church History
Not offered in 1985–86.
RS 325 The Orthodox Church. .
Not offered in 1985–86.
RS 331A The Church in the Modem World
Not offered in 1985–86.
RS 334 Islamic Theology, Philosophy and Mysticism
Not offered in 1985–86.
RS 335 Modern Theology
Not offered in 1985–86.
RS 338 Theology in North America
Not offered in 1985–86.
RS 369B -F Study-Travel Seminar in Religion
Not offered in 1985–86.