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)
98 courses in the 1989–90 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 1989–90
Associate Professor and Chairperson
M.D. Bryant,3 BA (Concordia College), STB (Harvard), MA, PhD (St. Michael's) R
Associate Professor and
Undergraduate Officer
Faculty listed in 1989–90
A.F. Thompson, BA (Toronto), BTh (Huron), MA (Western Ontario), STM, PhD (McGill)
Professors
Faculty listed in 1989–90
F.C. Gérard,? MA (College St. Dominique, France), BD, STM (McGill), PhD (Hartford Seminary Foundation) P
J.W. Miller, BA (Goshen), MA (New York), BD (Princeton), ThD (Basel) G
Associate Professors
Faculty listed in 1989–90
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), 8D (Emmanuel), STM (McGill), DMin (Andover-Newton) P
Faculty listed in 1989–90
M.W. Higgins, BA (St. Francis Xavier), MA, PhD (York), J
Religious Studies
Faculty listed in 1989–90
R.D. Legge, BA (Transylvania), STB (Harvard), PhD (McMaster) P
M.T. Malone, BA (University College, Dublin), MA, PhD (Toronto) J
D.J. Sahas, BA (Athens), STM (Christian Theological Seminary), PhD (Harttord Seminary Foundation)
R.J. Sawatsky,? BA (Bethel, Kansas), MA (Minnesota), MA, PhD (Princeton), G
Assistant Professors
Faculty listed in 1989–90
M. Kiley, BA (Boston), STM, PhD (Harvard) J -
A.J. Reimer, BA (Manitoba), MA (Toronto), MA, PhD (St. Michael's) G
Lecturers
R. Kooistra, BTh (Kampen), DTh (Amsterdam) P
Faculty listed in 1989–90
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 Grebe), J (St. Jerome's), P (St. Paul's), and R (Renison) are located in the respective Colleges.
Faculty Members of Religious Studies holding cross appointments to.
Fine Arts
2History
3Social Development 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 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 1
16:158 Course Descriptions Religious Studies
RS 100B Religions of the West Encounter with Judaism, ChristianityW 3C 0.5
and Islam: the characteristics and interaction of the 3 major religious traditions originating in the Middle East 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 from all walks of life: traditional religious figures, artists, novelists, scientists and others.
Area 5
RS 100E Biblical Studies 1F,W,S 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 2J,F,.W 3C 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 TheologyF,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 Introduction to TheologyF,W 3C 0.5
The basics of Christian theology explored systematically and historically: theological language, revelation and truth, God and creation, sin and the fall, Christ and salvation, tradition and church, consummation and the end of history.
RS 105 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 HebrewW 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 ReligionF 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 201 New Testament GreekF 3C 0.5
A continuation and completion of the study of the Greek Grammar of the New Testament, with appropriate exercises and a number of readings of the Greek New Testament and the Didache.
RS 205 The Hebrew ProphetsW 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 3C 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 LettersW 3C 0.5
An examination of the career and thought of Pau! as seen in his letters and in the Acts of the Apostles.
Area 3
RS 213 HinduismW 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 BuddhismF 30 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 215 Religion in ChinaF 3C 0.5
An historical overview of the primary expressions of Chinese spirituality, from the Ancient Period to the 20th century. Speciat attention will be given to the interaction between the indigenous traditions (folk religion, Contucianism, Taoism) and Buddhism.
Area 1
RS 220 Evangelical ChristianityF 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 MovementsW 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 Unification (Moonies), Scientology and Krishna consciousness.
Cross-listed as SOC 263
Area 5
RS 229 The Cult of MaryF 3C 0.5
This course will explore the origins, development and forms of the cult of Mary in the Christian tradition with particular focus on contemporary insights and concerns.
Area 4
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 ThoughtW 3C 0.5
An analysis of the major theological
developments in the Christian traditions
from the apostolic era to the present. Area 4
RS 236 Human Sexuality and Christian MoralityF,W 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
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 257 The Thought and Practice of Christian PeacemakingF 3C 0.5
An introduction to historical and current Christian thought and practice of peacemaking; focus on persons, movements, organizations, and on issues like pacifism, non-resistance, nonviolent resistance, and on the spirituality of peacemaking.
RS 260 Issues 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 5.
RS 266 Fitm and the Quest for Meaning 1F 2C,iD 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 2C,1D 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 tee $5.00.
Area 5
RS 269 The Religious Art of IndiaF 3C 0.5
An approach to understanding the myths, symbols and spirituality of Indian religion through a study of representative art, architecture and folk literature of Hinduism, Jainism, and indian Buddhism.
Cross-listed as FINE 218A
Area §
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 Religion-W 3C 0.5
A study of the psychology of personality in its relationship between personality © and religious thought, experience and behaviour.
Area 5
RS 272 Sacred PlacesW 3C 0.5
From Mecca to Benares, Stonehenge to Chartres — a consideration of sacred cities, shrines, rivers, mountains, worship centres and other places which have inspired the spiritual imagination of individuals and communities within various religious traditions.
Course Descriptions 016:159
Religious Studies
RS 281 Theology of Worship and SacramentF 3C 0.5
The course will examine Christian corporate worship in its existential reality and historical development. New trends will be analyzed in the light of both tradition and present needs.
Area 4
RS 291 A-D
Studies in the History of Religion Consult Department for offerings 1989-90.
RS 292 Women in the ChurchA/B J,F,W 0.5/0.5
A multi-disciplinary examination of the evolution of the relationship between women and the church in the Christian tradition.
Area 5
RS 293A Religious Experience of the Young/B FAW 3C/3C 0.5/0.5
A multi-faceted examination of the religious development of the pre-adult, including such considerations as the moral, psychological, philosophical, sociological, sacramental and spiritual aspects.
Area §
RS 298 Directed Reading in Special Subjects
RS 302 The Gospel of John An interpretation of the Fourth GospelF,W 0.5
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 100F or consent of instructor
Area 3
RS 305B Intermediate New Testament Greek Readings in the New Testament in the Septuagint, Papyri and the ApostolicW 3C 0.5
Fathers. Advanced grammar and syntax arising from the readings. Prereq: RS 106 or consent of instructor. Area 3
RS 307A A-D
Selected Topics in Biblical Studies Special topics will be offered in the Winter, 1989-30. Consult Department..
16:16@ Course Descriptions
Religious Studies
RS 309 New Testament ThemesF 3C 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 100F or consent of instructor
Area 3
RS 311 Hindu Scriptures Selected Vedic Hymns and Upanishads as well as the Bhagavad Gita and. W 3C 0.5
Ramayana will be read in translation and analysed with the help of a variety -of modern commentaries.
Prereq: RS 100A or 213
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
RS 331A The Church in the Modern WorldF 3C 0.5
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 Modern WorldW 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: RS 231 or consent of instructor Area 4
RS 350 Christian Spirituality and MysticismW 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: RS 230 or 231 or consent of instructor
Area 2
RS 355 Interreligious Encounter andW 3C 0.5
Dialogue : A study of the encounter and dialogue of men and women of different faiths, emphasizing movements, figures and ideas central to the contemporary scene. Both bilateral, for example, Christian-Buddhist, and multilateral developments will be explored. Prereq: RS 200 or 221, or courses in Eastern religions, or consent of the instructor Area 5
RS 369A Study-Travel Seminar in Religion Consult Department for offerings-F
1989-90
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: RS 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 illness to suicide will be explored and related to the concepts of guilt, hope and meaning in the Christian faith. Prereq: RS 271 or consent of instructor Area §
RS 373 Folk Religion: Custom, Belief and RitualW 3C 0.5
This course examines ethnographically aspects of religious practice and expression, emphasizing understandings of symbol and belief. Taking the perspective of folklore theory, it looks particularly at socio-cultural contexts, performances, practitioners and expressive creations.
RS 375 Religion and PsychotherapyF 3C 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 wilt contribute to the exploration.
Prereq: RS 270 or 271 or consent of instructor
Area 5
RS 382 Theology of MarriageW 3C .05
A study of the development of the theology of marriage in the Christian tradition.
Prereq: RS 236/256 or 281/282 or consent of instructor
Area 4
RS 383 Shapers of the Roman Catholic TraditionW 3C 0.5
An examination of some influential thinkers in the Christian tradition who have played a critical role in Roman Gatholic theology; including individuals like Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, John Henry Newman, Karl Rahner.
Prereq: RS 100H or RS 230 or RS 231 or consent of instructor
Area 4
RS 398 Directed Reading In Special Subjects-399 F,W,S
RS 490A Honours SeminarF,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 SeminarF,W 0.5
A continuation of the above.
Every student in the Honours RS Program is required to take RS 490A and 4908.
«RS 590-597 FW R 0.5 Directed Research in Special Subjects for Graduate Students
RS 598 Directed Reading In Special Subjects for Graduate Students-599 W,S R 0.5
RS 100D Religious Movements
Not offered in 1989–90.
RS 203 Wisdom Literature in the Old
Not offered in 1989–90.
RS 216 Islam
Not offered in 1989–90.
RS 217 Judaism
Not offered in 1989–90.
RS 225 The History and Culture of the Orthodox Church
Not offered in 1989–90.
RS 232A Jesus Christ in Contemporary Perspective
Not offered in 1989–90.
RS 232B Jesus Christ in Historical Perspective
Not offered in 1989–90.
RS 255 Christian Ethics
Not offered in 1989–90.
RS 261 Women and the Great Relig- ions
Not offered in 1989–90.
RS 263 Justice, Peace and Develop- ment
Not offered in 1989–90.
RS 268A Religious Perspectives in
Not offered in 1989–90.
RS 268B Religious Perspectives in Contemporary Canadian Literature
Not offered in 1989–90.
RS 274 Religious Approaches to Personal Crises
Not offered in 1989–90.
RS 282 New Perspectives in Sacra- mental Theology
Not offered in 1989–90.
RS 290B The Just Society
Not offered in 1989–90.
RS 290C Gospel and Liberation
Not offered in 1989–90.
RS 304 Modern Study of Jesus
Not offered in 1989–90.
RS 305B Intermediate New Testament Greek
Not offered in 1989–90.
RS 306A Intermediate Biblical Hebrew
Not offered in 1989–90.
RS 306B Intermediate Biblical Hebrew
Not offered in 1989–90.
RS 308 Old Testament Themes
Not offered in 1989–90.
RS 310 The Sacred Book of Islam
Not offered in 1989–90.
RS 313 Indian Spirituality in the Modern Era
Not offered in 1989–90.
RS 314 Zen Buddhism
Not offered in 1989–90.
RS 315 The Narrative Expression of Canadian Native Religions
Not offered in 1989–90.
RS 316 Canadian Native Retigious
Not offered in 1989–90.
RS 318 Islam and Christianity
Not offered in 1989–90.
RS 323 Medieval Church History
Not offered in 1989–90.
RS 324 Medieval Church History
Not offered in 1989–90.
RS 334 Islamic Theology, Philosophy and Mysticism
Not offered in 1989–90.
RS 335 Modern Theology
Not offered in 1989–90.
RS 339 Luther and Calvin
Not offered in 1989–90.
RS 344 Theology of Radical Protes- tantism
Not offered in 1989–90.
RS 353 The Bible and Peace
Not offered in 1989–90.
RS 354 War and Peace in Christian Theology
Not offered in 1989–90.
RS 356 Bioethics and Religious Values
Not offered in 1989–90.
RS 360 Religion and the Arts
Not offered in 1989–90.
RS 450A Study Term Abroad Faculty of Science
Not offered in 1989–90.