RS 100A Introduction to Religion-K
An introduction to Religion, religious phenomena, beliefs, ideas, practices and experience through the study of material and examples from the various fields in Religious Studies.
Religious Studies (RS)
79 courses in the 1987–88 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 1987–88
Associate Professor and Chairperson
M.D. Bryant,* BA (Concordia College), STB (Harvard), MA, PhD (St. Michael's) R
Associate Professor and Undergraduate
Officer
Faculty listed in 1987–88
A.F. Thompson, BA (Toronto), BTh (Huron), MA (Western Ontario), STM, PhD (McGill)
Professor
W. Klaassen,” BA (McMaster), BD (McMaster Divinity School), PhD (Oxford) G
Associate Professors .
Faculty listed in 1987–88
W.J. Bildstein, BA (Western Ontario), STB (Gregorian), MA (Windsor), STD (Angelicum) J
MS. Bird’ BA, MA, PhD (lowa) R
ALL. Evans, BA (Toronto), BD (Emmanuel), STM (McGill), DMin (Andover-Newton) P
Faculty listed in 1987–88
F.C. Gérard,? MA (College St. Dom#- nique, France), BD, STM (McGill), PhD (Hartford Seminary Foundation ) P
R.D. Legge,® BA (Transylvania), STB (Harvard), PhD (McMaster) P
M. Malone, BA (University College, Dublin, ireland), BEd (Victoria University of Manchester School of Educa-
. / Course Descriptions 16:151
Recreation and Leisure Studies
Religious Studies
Faculty listed in 1987–88
tion), MA, PhD (University of Toronto) J J.W. Miller, BA (Goshen), MA (New York), BO (Princeton), ThD (Basel) G D.J. Sahas, BD (Athens), STM (Christian ° Theological Seminary), PhD (Hartford Seminary Foundation) . R.J. Sawatsky,” BA (Bethel, Kansas), MA (Minnesota), MA, PhD (Princeton), G
Assistant Professors
Faculty listed in 1987–88
M. Higgins, BA (St. Francis Xavier), MA, PhD (York), J
M. Kiley, 8A (Boston), STM, PhD (Harvard) J
Faculty listed in 1987–88
A.J. Reimer, BA (Manitoba), MA (Toronto), MA, PhD (St. Michaels) G
Lecturers
R. Kooistra, BTh (Kampen), DTh (Amsterdam) P
Faculty listed in 1987–88
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. Paufs), and R (Renison) are located in the respective Colleges.
Faculty Members of Religious Studies holding cross appointments to.
Fine Arts
*History
5Peace and Conflict Studies “Social Development Studies *Stuaies 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 EastF,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?
16:152 Course Descriptions Religious Studies
RS 100B Religions of the WestF,W 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. Areal
RS 100C Religious QuestsF 3C 0.5
Profiles, biographies and autobiographies
Of individuals in search of ultimate
meaning. Persons studied are spiritual seekers from all walks of life: traditional teligious figures, artists, novelists, scientists and others.
Area &
RS 100E Biblical 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 Studies 2F,W 3X 0.5
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 PerspectiveF,W 3C 0.5
An introduction to the study of the sources and issues of traditional and contemporary, liberal and conservative Protestantism.
Area 4
RS 106A Elementary Biblical HebrewF 3C 0.5
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 105B Elementary Biblical HewbrewW 3C 0.5
A continuation of the introduction to
Biblical Hebrew. . 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 ReligionW X 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 205 The Hebrew ProphetsF,W 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.
Area 3
RS 208 The Parables of JesusF 3X 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 Apostie 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 Apostles.
Area 3
RS 213 HinduismF,W 3C 0.5
A study of the development 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
RS 214 Buddhism§ 3C 0.5
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 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.
Areal
RS 217 JudaismW 3X 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.
Area 1
RS 220 Evangelical ChristianityS 3C 0.5
A descriptive, historical and theological review of the wing of North American Christianity known as evangelicalism, fundamentalism, or revivalism.
Area 2
RS 221 Sects, Cults and New Religious MovementsF,W X 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 Unification (Moonies), Scientology and Krishna consciousness. Cross-listed as SOC 263 Area 5
RS 230 History of ChristianityF X 0.5
The development of Ghristianity 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
from the apostolic era to the present. 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 wilt 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 ChristianS,F,W 2C,1D 0.5
Morality . 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 253 The Bible and PeaceF 3 0.5
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 256A 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 discus.
sion. 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 256 Current Ethical IssuesW .3C 0.5
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 andF 3C 0.5
Religion
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.
RAS 261 W 3C 05
Women and the Great Religions Through a review of the teachings of the great religious traditions about women, this course aims to arrive at a global view of the situation of women “in the world of
- religion." On the basis of the evidence
gathered, it will attempt an estimation of the role of religion as an intimate and
important influence on human develop-
ment. . Area §
RS 26 FW 3C 05 Justice, Peace and Development 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 20,18 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
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-listed as FINE 253
Film fee $5.00.
Area §
RS 270 Paychology of ReligionF,W 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 5
Course Descriptions 16:153 Religious Studies
RS 22 S 2C,1D 05 New Perspectives in Sacramental Theology 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 291 A-D Studies in the History of Religion -
RS 292 Women in the ChurchA/B J,F,W_ 1.0/0.5/0.5
A multi-disciplinary examination of the evolution of the relationship between women and the church in the Christian tradition.
Area §
RS 298 Directed Reading in Special Subjects
RSXSAB FW 3C 05/05 Intermediate New Testament Greek Readings in the New Testament in the Septuagint, Papyri and the Apostolic Fathers. Advanced grammar and syntax arising from the readings.
Prereq: RS 106 or consent of ' instructor.
Area 3
-RSWI W SC O05
New Testament Themes
-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: R S 100F or consent of. instructor
Area 3
RS3i F XS O5 Hindu Scriptures Selected Vedic Hymns and Upanishads as well as the Bhagavad Gita and Ramayana will be read in translation and critically analysed with the help of a variety of modern commentaries.
Prereq: R S 100A or 213
Area 1
16:154 Course Descriptions —
RS 313 Indian Spirituality in the Modern Era-W 3S 0.5
This seminar course will provide for ‘indepth’ studies of sorne of the creators of @ modern Hindu consciousness. Vivekananda, Gandhi, Tagore, Aurobindo and contemporary gurus. ~
Prereq: RS 100A or consent of the
instructor
Area 1
RS 314 Zen BuddhismW X 0.5
A seminar based on eastern and western interpretations of the Zen tradition. First half, basic Buddhist concepts and principles; second, a study of classical Zen literature.
Prereq: RS 100A or RS 214 or consent of instructor
Area 1
RS 322 Radical ReformationW 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
Cross-listed as HIST 348
RSSIA F 3X 05
The Church In the Modem 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
RS 331B The Church in the Modem WorldW 3C 0.5
A critical study of the church's roles in contemporary secular society.
Area 2
RS36 W 3C 05 Contemporary Theology 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: FS 231 or consent of instructor Area 4
RS3%O F X 05 Luther and Calvin: The Reformation in Theological Outtine This course will examine the religious experience and the theologies of Martin Luther and John Calvin in their respective historical contexts.
Prereq: One of RS 100H, 230, 231 or consent of instructor
Area 4
RS3M4F XxX 05 Theology of Radical Protestantism
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 § 230 or 231 or consent of instructor Area 4
RS 350 Christian Spirituality and MysticismS,W 3C 0.5
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 Western Catholic tradition.
Prereq: R S 230 or 231 or consent of instructor
Area 2
RS 360 Religion and the ArtsF,W 3C 0.5
A consideration of the spiritual dimension
in art, both sacred and secular. An explo-
ration of the quest for meanirig irk 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 5
Area 5
RS 369B Study Travel Seminar in Reformation StudiesS 10
R 370 F 3C 05 Dreams in Religious Experience 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
RS 371 Religion and Suicidal BehaviourW X 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..
Prereq: R § 271 or consent of instructor
Area §
RS 362 Theology of MarriageS,W 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
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.
RS 490A Honours SeminarS,F,W 0.5
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 056
A continuation of the above.
Every student in the Honours R S Program is required to take R S 490A and 490B.
RS 590-597 FW R O05 Directed Research in Special Subjects for Graduate Students
RS 598 Directed Reading In Special Subjects for Graduate Students-599 R 0.5
RS 100D Religious Movements
Not offered in 1987–88.
RS 203 Wisdom Literature in the Old
Not offered in 1987–88.
RS 206 Modern Study of Jesus”
Not offered in 1987–88.
RS 225 The History and Culture of the Orthodox Church
Not offered in 1987–88.
RS 232A Jesus Christ in Contemporary Perspective
Not offered in 1987–88.
RS 264 Religion in the Canadian Experi- ence
Not offered in 1987–88.
RS 265 Unity and Diversity in Canadian Religion
Not offered in 1987–88.
RS 269 Myth and Symbols of the Relig-
Not offered in 1987–88.
RS 274 Religious Approaches to Personal Crises
Not offered in 1987–88.
RS 275 Religion and Psychotherapy
Not offered in 1987–88.
RS 281 Theology of Worship and Sacra- ment
Not offered in 1987–88.
RS 290A The Religious Experience of the Young
Not offered in 1987–88.
RS 290B The Just Society
Not offered in 1987–88.
RS 290C Gospel and Liberation
Not offered in 1987–88.
RS 302 The Gospel of John
Not offered in 1987–88.
RS 306 Intermediate Biblical Hebrew
Not offered in 1987–88.
RS 307A -D Selected Topics in Biblical Studies
Not offered in 1987–88.
RS 310 The Sacred Book of Islam
Not offered in 1987–88.
RS 315 The Narrative Expression of Canadian Native Religions
Not offered in 1987–88.
RS 316 Canadian Native Religious Traditions
Not offered in 1987–88.
RS 318 Islam and Christianity
Not offered in 1987–88.
RS 323 Medieval Church History
Not offered in 1987–88.
RS 324 Medieval Church History
Not offered in 1987–88.
RS 334 Islamic Theology, Philosophy and Mysticism
Not offered in 1987–88.
RS 335 Modern Theology
Not offered in 1987–88.
RS 338 Theology in North America
Not offered in 1987–88.
RS 400 Feminism and Christian Theology
Not offered in 1987–88.
RS 450A Study Term Abroad Faculty of Science
Not offered in 1987–88.