640 Religion

640:024. Religions of the World -- 3 hrs.
Living religions of humankind with emphasis on their relevance to interpretations of existence, the problem of meaning and values, and human destiny. (Offered Fall, Spring, and Summer)

640:030. What is Religion? -- 3 hrs.
Basic forms and views of religious phenomena, such as encounter, tradition, ritual, community, divine law, meditation, mysticism, response to life-crisis, and personal growth and fulfillment. (Variable)

640:040. Religion, Ethics, and Film -- 3 hrs.
Introduction to study of religion through critical examination of a variety of contemporary films. Draws on student visual literacy as approach to the study of religion. (Variable)

640:110. Angels Across Cultures — 3 hrs.
Study of the persistent belief in angels and angel-like, superhuman beings in different religions and cultures, and examination of dynamics of popular religion. (Offered odd Springs)

640:113(g). Philosophy of Religion -- 3 hrs.
Examination of philosophical discussions on the nature and function of religion and religious language; special attention to how philosophical frameworks and methods shape understanding of religion and talk about God and human fulfillment. Prerequisite: junior standing. (Same as 650:113g.) (Variable)

640:115(g). Religion and Its Critics -- 3 hrs.
Issues raised by encounter between traditional Christian faith and modern concepts and methods of philosophy, science, history, sociology, and cultural criticism. Examination of positions of both 19th- and 20th-century theologians. Prerequisite: junior standing. (Variable)

640:117(g). Religion in America -- 3 hrs.
Investigation of religious movements and beliefs from colonial times to present. 640:024 or 650:021 recommended to precede this course. Prerequisite: junior standing. (Same as 960:145g.) (Offered odd Springs)

640:126. Meditation and Mystical Experience -- 3 hrs.
Examination of various techniques of meditation and their results, drawing from Yoga, Zen, Buddhist, Christian, and secular sources including first-hand accounts of meditational practice and philosophic and psychological studies in the area of mysticism. (Offered even Springs)

640:130. Great Living Religions: Hinduism and Buddhism -- 3 hrs.
Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Islam. (Offered even Falls)

640:132. Great Living Religions: Confucianism, Taoism, and Zen -- 3 hrs.
Taoism, Confucianism, Buddhism, Shintoism. (Offered odd Falls)

640:134. Great Living Religions: Judaism and Islam -- 3 hrs.
Study of the doctrines and practices of Judaism and Islam in their cultural context with attention to historical development and current situation. (Offered odd Springs)

640:136. Great Living Religions: Christianity -- 3 hrs.
Introductory survey of development, beliefs, practices, and varieties of Christianity. (Offered even Springs)

640:141. Old Testament and Other Hebrew Scriptures -- 3 hrs.
Introduction to history and ideas of Old Testament and other Hebrew scriptures. (Offered even Falls)

640:142. New Testament and Early Christian Writings -- 3 hrs.
Introduction to history and ideas of New Testament and early Christian writings. (Offered odd Falls)

640:152(g). Existentialism -- 3 hrs.
The unique contribution of existentialism to philosophy is its sustained focus on everyday life: the contradictions of human existence, the human body, the existence of others, and human freedom. Presupposes no previous knowledge of philosophy. Prerequisite: junior standing. (Same as 650:152g.) (Offered even Falls)

640:154(g). Myth and Symbol -- 3 hrs.
Investigation of meaning and significance of religious myths and symbols, and theories used to study them. Prerequisite: junior standing. (Variable)

640:161. Religion, Magic and Witchcraft -- 3 hrs.
Anthropological understanding of behavior dealing with the supernatural; supernatural beliefs, practices, and movements throughout the world. Prerequisite: 990:011 or consent of instructor. (Same as 990:161.) (Offered Spring)

640:162(g). Women and Christianity -- 3 hrs.
Examination of history and function of gender in symbolization of Christian tradition; exploration of institutionalization of sex roles in Christianity; discussion of interaction between the Christian religion and cultural patterns that define the social role, status, and image of women. Interested students are encouraged to contact the instructor. Prerequisite: junior standing. (Variable)

640:165(g). Religion and Society -- 3 hrs.
Religious institutions and their social context; changes and development in religion; religious organization and behavior; and social function of religion. Prerequisite: junior standing. (Offered odd Springs)

640:167(g). Religion and Autobiography -- 3 hrs.
Exploration of idea of literary self-creation as a religious, historical, and cultural phenomenon. Attention to questions of race, ethnicity, gender, and class. Prerequisite: junior standing. (Variable)

640:168(g). Religion and Sexuality -- 3 hrs.
Examination of ways in which religions shape and reflect ideas about the body and sexuality. Prerequisite: junior standing. (Variable)

640:171. Religion and Ethics -- 3 hrs.
Examination of key issues having to do with religion and ethics, including the moral function of religion, religious pluralism, war and peace, freedom and responsibility, religion and politics, religion and gender, and social justice. (Offered Fall)

640:173. Bio-Medical Ethics -- 3 hrs.
Application of principles and analytic methods of ethical theory to contemporary issues in medical practice and research. Topics include fundamental concepts of health and disease, life and death; rights and obligations of medical practitioners and their patients; informed consent and confidentiality; abortion and euthanasia; reproductive and transplantation technologies; and health policy and the provision and rationing of health care. (Same as 650:173.) (Offered Spring)

640:174(g). Ethics in Business -- 3 hrs.
Application of ethical principles and analytic methods to contemporary issues in business. Topics include moral responsibility of corporations and their regulation; economic policy, business practices, and social justice; rights and obligations of employers and employees; meaningful work, motivation, and the worker; affirmative action and reverse discrimination; and environment and natural limits of capitalism. Prerequisite: junior standing. (Same as 650:174g.) (Offered Fall)

640:175(g). Environmental Ethics -- 3 hrs.
Introduction to and application of ethical theory to environmental issues, including responsibility for plants and animals, pollution, natural resources, and population growth. Prerequisite: junior standing. (Same as 650:175g.) (Offered odd Falls)

640:186(g). Studies in Religion -- 3 hrs.
Study of topics indicated in Schedule of Classes. Prerequisite: junior standing. (Offered Fall and Spring)

640:189(g). Individual Readings in Religion -- 1-3 hrs.
Individually-arranged readings and reports from: (1) biblical studies, (2) history of religions, or (3) contemporary religious thought. Can be repeated for maximum of 6 hours. Prerequisites: junior standing; consent of department head. (Offered Fall and Spring)

640:194(g). Perspectives on Death and Dying -- 3 hrs.
Multidisciplinary study of death, dying, and bereavement across cultures, religious and ethnic groups, and historical periods, with attention to ritual and memoir, ethical dilemmas at the end of life, and psychology of mourning. Prerequisite: junior standing. (Same as 650:194g.) (Variable)

640:197. Ethics Practicum -- 3 hrs.
Combines service-learning with study of theoretical and applied ethics. Students work 4-6 hours per week in a community agency and meet with instructor. Prerequisites: one completed or concurrent ethics course; consent of instructor. (Same as 650:197.) (Offered Fall and Spring)

640:250. Critical Perspectives on Gender -- 3 hrs.
Consideration of two traditions that have influenced feminist theories in the last two decades - poststructuralism and psychoanalysis. Readings in primary texts (e.g., Foucault, Derrida, Freud, and Lacan) and explorations of feminist elaborations and critiques of these texts revealing the tenacity, centrality, and power in human lives of a sense of gendered existence. (Same as 650:250.) (Offered even Springs)