RS 100A Intreduction to Retigion-K
An introduction to Religion, ‘teligious Phenomena, beliefs, ideas, practices and experience through the study of material and examples from the various fields in Religious Studies.
Religious Studies (RS)
64 courses in the 1986–87 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 1986–87
Associate Professor and Chaitperson J.W. Miller, BA (Goshen), MA (New York), BD (Princeton), ThD (Basel) G
Associate Professor and Undergraduate Officer
MD. Bryant,‘ BA (Concordia College).
Faculty listed in 1986–87
STB (Harvard), MA, PhD (St Michael's) P
Protessor —
Faculty listed in 1986–87
W. Klaassen,” BA (McMaster), BO (McMaster Divinity School), PhD (Oxford) G .
Associate Professors
Faculty listed in 1986–87
W.J. Bildstein, BA (Wester Ontario), STB (Gregorian), MA (Windsor), sT1D (Angelicum) J
M.S. Bird’ BA, MA, PAD (iowa) R
ALL. Evans,* BA (Toronto), BD (Emmanuel), STM (McGill), OMin
_ (Andover-Newton) P.
Faculty listed in 1986–87
F.C. Gérard,? MA (College St. Dont nique, France), BD, STM (McGill), PhD (Hartford Seminary Foundation ) P
R.D. Legge,® BA (Transyivania), STB (Harvard), PhO (McMaster) P
D. Sahas,® 8D (Athens), STM (Christian Theological Seminary), PhD (Hartford Seminary Foundation)
Faculty listed in 1986–87
R.J. Sawatsky,? BA (Bethel, Kansas), MA (Mimmesota), MA, PhD (Princeton).
AR Thompson, BA (Toronio), BTh (Huron), MA (Western Ontario), STM.
PhO (McGill)
Assistant Professors
Faculty listed in 1986–87
M. Higgins, BA (St. Francis Xavier), MA, PhD (York), J
M. Kiley, BA (Boston), STM, PhO (Harvard) J.
Faculty listed in 1986–87
A.J. Reimer, BA (Manitoba), MA- (Toronto), MA, PhD (St. Michael's) G
Lecturers
" R. Kocistra, BTh (Kampen), OTh
(Amsterdam) P
Faculty listed in 1986–87
A. MacDonald, BA, STB (Western Ontario), MA (San Francisco) J
T. Yoder Neuteld,? BA (Manitoba), MDiv (Harvard) G~
Faculty designatad with suffix G (Conrad Grebel), J (St. Jerome's), P (St. Paufs), and R (Renison) are located in - the respective Colleges.
ion ee eee
“Faculty Members of Religious Studies
holding cross appointments to.
Fine Arts
*History
9Peace and Conflict Studies \ Social Development Studies '
5¢tudies in Personality and Religion
Middle East Studies
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 EastS,F,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.
Area 1.
RS 100B Religions of the WeatS,F 3C 0.5
Encounter with Judaism, Christianity and
Islam: the characteristics and interaction
of the 3 major religious traditions origi-
nating in the Middle East that have
shaped the image of the Western World. Area 1
RS 1000 F 3X 05 Religious Guests Profiles, biographies and autobiographies of individuals in search of ultimate | meaning. Persons studied are spiritual seekers from all walks of life: traditional religious figures, artists, novelists, scientists and others.
Aread —
RS1000 W X 05 Retigious Movements A consideration of religious movements, old and new, inside as well as outside the traditional churches. Also, an expiotation of religiousty inspired cultural movements in the social, political and artistic realms of society.
Area §
RS 100B Bidlical Studies 1F,W 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 Swdies ZtF,W 3C 0S
A survey 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.
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 Christian Theology: A Protestant PerspectiveS,F xX 0.5
An introduction to the study of the sources and issues of traditional and - contemporary, liberal and conservative Protestantism.
Area 4
RS 105A Elementary Biblical HebrewF X 0.5
An introductory course designed to
tender a reading knowledge of Biblical
Habrew, the sounds and forms of the
language followed by the reading of
selected texts from the Hebrew Bible. Cross-listed ae R&C 140-30.
CSS nSiSe SS Mau
Taught at WLU.
RS i 053 W
AO WoO TOV se G: 3 Elementary Biblical Hewbrew A continuation of the introduction to Biblical Hebrew. Cross-lisied as R&C 140-30. Taught at WLU
RS 106A New Testament GreekF 3C 0.5
An introduction to Greek grammar with appropriate grammaticaf exercises and development of vocabulary.
Area 3
RS 106B New Testament GreekW 3C:05
A continuation of the study of Greek
grammar with an avanetical sturty of
some texts from the Gospel of Mark. Area 3
RS§200 F 3X 05
The Study of Religion
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.
RS20 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
RS26 F X 05
Modern Study of Jesus 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.
Area 3
RS 209 The Apostie Paul: Life and LettersF 3C 05.
An examination of the career and thought of Paul as seen in his letters and in the Acts of the Apostles.
Area 3.
RS 214 Buddhism |F,W 3C O05
An introduction to the unifying beliefs and philosophical presuppositions of the Buodhist world-view, and an overview of the diverse forms of Buddhism in South and South-East Asia, Tibet, China and Japan.
Area }
RS 216 IslamS,F X 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 ft
RS 220 Evangelical ChristianityF 3 0.5
A descriptive, historical and theological review of the wing of North American Christianity known as evangelicalism, fundamentalism, or revivalism.
Area 2
Course Descriptions "46.149 Religious Studies.
RS 221 Sects, Cults and New Religious MovementsF,W 3C 0.5
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 Unitication (Moonies), Scientology and Krishna consciousness. Cross-listed as SOC 225. Area §
RS22 S 3C 05 The History and Culture of the Orthodox Church
The purpose of the course is to intro-
duce the student to the religious tradition of Easter Christianity. Topics will inchide the arigins of the Christian Church, the Byzantine Empire, Orthodoxy behind the Iron Curtain, the liturgy, the icon, the celebration of fife and the place of Orthodoxy in the world today. Area 2
RS 230 History of ChristianityF,W 3C 0.5
The development of Christianity in fis 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 3X O05
An analysis of the major theological developments in the Christian traditions from 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 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
AS 238 W X 05 The Ecumenical Movement 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 05.
An examination of the unity and diversity of biblical views of peace with attention to their relevance for the various dimensions 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
RS 255 Christian EthicsF 3C 0.5
An examination of the development of
Christian ethics, the Christian Doctrine of
Man, Christian ethics and society, and
faith and reason in ethical decision. Area 4.
RS 26 W 3.05 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 Iseues in Science, Technology and ReligionW 3C 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 §.
RS 6 F 21S 05 Film and the Quest for Meaning 1 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.
Crosslisted as FINE 252.
Film fee $5. 0.
Area 5.
RS 267 Film and the Quest for Meaning 2W 20,18 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-isted as FINE 253.
Film fee $5.00.
Area §
RS 268A Religious Perspectives in Contemporary LiteratureS 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 individu- _ally and culturally.
Area 5
RS 266B 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 §
RS 269 Myth and Symbols of the ReligionsS 3C 0.5
of India
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. Area 7
R 270 F 3C 05 Psychology of Religion 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 ReligionF,W 3C 0.5
A study of the psychology of personality in its relatianship hetween personality and religious thought, experience and behaviour.
Area &
RS 282 New Perspectives in Sacramental TheologyF,W 20,10 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 2000 J 3 10 Women and the Church A muiti-disciplinary examination of the evolution of the relationship between women and the church in the Christian tradition.
Area 5
RS 298 Directed Reading in Special
Subjects
RS 302 The Gospel of Jehn An interpretation of the Fourth Gospel inF,W 3C 0.5
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, Papyri and the ApostolicA/B FW 3C 05/5
Fathers. Advanced grammar and syntax arising from the readings.
Prereq: R 8 106 or consent of instructor.
Area 3
RS 309 New Testament ThemesF 30 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: 8 S 100F or consent of instructor
Area 3
RS 311 Hindu Scriptures | Selected Vedic Hymns and Upanishads as well as the Bhagavad Gita andW X 0.5
Ramayana will be read in translation and critically anatysed with the help of a variety of modern commentaries. Prereq: RS 100a or 213 Area 1
AS 322 F 3C 05 Radical Reformation 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
RSBIA F 3X O05
The Church in the Modern World
A study of the recent transformation of
the Roman Catholic Church through the _ events, movements. personalities, and
historical realities of the past fifty years.
Area 2 ; (
RSQW1B W 3C' 05 ‘ The Church in the Modern World A critical study of the church's roles in contemporary secular society. Area 2
AS 335 W 3X 05
Modern Theology
A study of modem thinkers (for example, Kant, Hegel, Schleiermacher and Kierkegaard), with special emphasis on their influence on nineteenth century
Prereq: RS 220 oF 291 or consent of instructor
AS30 F X 05 Christian Spirituality and Mysticiem A study of the spiritual experience and, mystical knowledge of great Christian mystics, from the desert Fathers and Hesychasts in the Eastern Orthodox tradition to the mystical schools of the Wester Catholic tradition.
Prereq: R S 230 or 231 or consent of instructor
Area 2
RS3O0 FW 3X O05 Religion and the Arts 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, archi-
tecture, sculpture, dance, and cinemaencountered through slides, films, recordings, and readings.
Prereq: RS 100C or 266 or 267, or consent of the instructor
Area §
R 370 F 3c 05 Dreams in Religious Experience The course examines the place of — dreams in religious éxperience from ancient to medern 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. teligious growth and development.
Prereq: R S 271 or consent of instructor.
Area 5
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
iliness to suicide will be explored and related to the concepts of guilt, hope and meaning in the Christian faith. Prereg: R S 271 or consent of — instructor Area 5
RS 362 Theology of MarriageJW 3C 0.5
A study of the development of the theology of marriage in the Christian tradition..
Prereq: RS 296/256 or 281/282 or consent of instructor
Area 4
RS 398 Directed Reading in Special Subjects-399
RS 400A Special Topics in Religious Studies —-H
Special topics will be offered in 1986-87. Consult department.
-RS400E W 05
Feminism and Christian Theology This seminar will explore the critique of Christian theology developed by Christian feminists to give a new direction to Christian theology.
Area 4
RS 450A Study Term Abroad (in israel, 1987)W 0.25
A tutor-directed term of study in Israel designed to acquaint students with various facets of the monotheistic faiths of that region and especially their hopes
for the future. °
Prereq: RS 100B, 3rd or 4th year standing, or permission of the instructor Area 1
Course Descriptions 16.151 Religious Studies
RS 490A Honours SeminarS,F,W 05 -
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
RS 490B Honours SeminarS,F,W 0.5
A continuation of the above.
Every student in the Honours R S Program is required to take A S 490A and 490B.
RS 590-597 FW R O05 Directed Research in Special Subjects for Graduate Students
RS 598-599 R OS Directed Research in Special Subjects for Graduate Students
COURSES NOT OFFERED 1986-87
R § 203 Wisdom Literature in the Old Testament
RS 208 The Parables of Jesus R $213 Hinduism
Listed without a description.
RS 261 Women and the Great Relig- ions
Listed without a description.
RS 263 Justice, Peace and Develop- ment
Listed without a description.
RS 264 Religion in the Canadian Experience
Listed without a description.
RS 265 Unity and Diversity in Canadian Religion
Listed without a description.
RS 274 Religious Approaches to Personal Crises
Listed without a description.
RS 275 Religion and Psychotherapy
Listed without a description.
RS 281 Theology of Worship and Sacrament
Listed without a description.
RS 290A The Religious Experence of the Young
Listed without a description.
RS 290B The Just Society |
Listed without a description.
RS 290C Gospel and Liberation
Listed without a description.
RS 291A -D Studies in the History of Religion 6
Listed without a description.
RS 306 Intermediate Biblical Hebrew RS W7A-D Selected Topics in Biblical Studies
Listed without a description.
RS 313 Indian Spirituality in the Modern Era
Listed without a description.
RS 315 The Narrative Expression of Canadian Native Religions
Listed without a description.
RS 316 Canadian Native Religious Traditions
Listed without a description.
RS 318 Islam and Christianity 16.152 Course Descriptions
Listed without a description.
RS 324 Medieval Church History
Listed without a description.
RS 336 Contemporary Theology
Listed without a description.
RS 338 Theology in North America
Listed without a description.
RS 339 Luther and Calvin: The Refor- mation in Theological Outline
Listed without a description.
RS 344 Theology of Radical Protes- tantism
Listed without a description.