This course surveys the doctrinal, ritual, community, mystical, and ethical dimensions of Christianity. We will focus upon the various ways of being Christian that have been most influential historically as well as the ways of being Christian most influential today. Class meetings will be composed of lectures and discussions of required reading assignments. A term paper topic will be assigned to each student.
A study of the emergence, development, and impact of Islam, including exposure to contemporary aspects of Islamic belief and practice. Analysis of the cultural traditions and historical environment out of which Islam emerges. Close attention is given to Muhammad’s life and the spread of the Muslim community. A careful reading of the Qur’an highlights subsequent traditions that lead to Sunni, Shi’I, and Sufi movements. Cultural and political impact of Islam in the contemporary world is examined.
PHRE 312 Japanese Religions as taught by Ding-hwa Hsieh
A survey of Japanese religious traditions, including Shinto, Buddhism, Bushido, and “New Religions.” We will examine the development of each religion in a larger historical context. Coverage will focus on the main characteristics of each religion, interaction among the various traditions, and their influence on Japanese people’s daily lives and ways of thinking. Through lecture, discussion, and audio-visual presentation, this course aims to provide a general understanding of what religion has meant for Japanese people and what role religion has played in Japanese culture and society. Readings will be drawn from primary sources and secondary works.
PHRE 337 History of Philosophy II: Early Modern as taught by Chad Mohler
Our study centers on the writings of Descartes, Locke, Berkeley, Leibniz, Newton, Hume, and Kant, who set the stage in the 1600’s and 1700’s for much of contemporary Western philosophy. We investigate their views concerning what we can know about the world and ourselves, and how we might come to that knowledge. In the course of that investigation, we also critically evaluate what those authors have to say about God, matter, minds, and the nature of space and time.
PHRE 342 Symbolic Logic as taught by Stephen Pollard
This course is primarily intended for students with some background in logic, computer science, or the foundations of mathematics. Topics covered include: sentential logic, predicate logic, the logic of relations, the algebra of sets, and modal logic. Grades are based on five equally weighted tests (most of which emphasize the construction of formal proofs).
PHRE 345 Mystical Vision as taught by Lloyd Pflueger
One common thread in the religions of the world is the persistent claim that some individuals have had direct experience of union with the Ultimate, the mystical vision, Enlightenment. What did they experience? How can their reports be evaluated, studied and explained? This course dives into such questions with the help of careful reading and discussion of the writing of selected past and present mystics from a variety of cultures. What is enlightenment? Students join the conversation and present their own research.
PHRE 354 Medieval Philosophy as taught by Particia Burton
Western and Middle-Eastern Philosophy from the fifth through the fifteenth centuries are critically examined. Emphasis is on the various views regarding the nature of God, man, and the universe; the limits of human knowledge;and the resolution of problems of morality and values.
This course surveys the doctrinal, ritual, community, mystical, and ethical dimensions of Christianity. We will focus upon the various ways of being Christian that have been most influential historically as well as the ways of being Christian most influential today. Class meetings will be composed of lectures and discussions of required reading assignments. A term paper topic will be assigned to each student.
A study of the emergence, development, and impact of Islam, including exposure to contemporary aspects of Islamic belief and practice. Analysis of the cultural traditions and historical environment out of which Islam emerges. Close attention is given to Muhammad’s life and the spread of the Muslim community. A careful reading of the Qur’an highlights subsequent traditions that lead to Sunni, Shi’I, and Sufi movements. Cultural and political impact of Islam in the contemporary world is examined.
PHRE 312 Japanese Religions as taught by Ding-hwa Hsieh
A survey of Japanese religious traditions, including Shinto, Buddhism, Bushido, and “New Religions.” We will examine the development of each religion in a larger historical context. Coverage will focus on the main characteristics of each religion, interaction among the various traditions, and their influence on Japanese people’s daily lives and ways of thinking. Through lecture, discussion, and audio-visual presentation, this course aims to provide a general understanding of what religion has meant for Japanese people and what role religion has played in Japanese culture and society. Readings will be drawn from primary sources and secondary works.
PHRE 337 History of Philosophy II: Early Modern as taught by Chad Mohler
Our study centers on the writings of Descartes, Locke, Berkeley, Leibniz, Newton, Hume, and Kant, who set the stage in the 1600’s and 1700’s for much of contemporary Western philosophy. We investigate their views concerning what we can know about the world and ourselves, and how we might come to that knowledge. In the course of that investigation, we also critically evaluate what those authors have to say about God, matter, minds, and the nature of space and time.
PHRE 475 WE/Senior Seminar in Phil & Religion as taught by Natalie Alexander
Preparation and defense of the senior thesis. Prerequisites: Open only to PHRE majors with senior status. Students may enroll in Senior Seminar only if they have completed their four required 300-level PHRE courses. Students who have yet to complete no more than one of these required courses may obtain consent to enroll from the Department Chair with the provision that the student must complete all such coursework during the seminar semester. Writing Enhanced.
PHRE 342 Symbolic Logic as taught by Stephen Pollard
This course is primarily intended for students with some background in logic, computer science, or the foundations of mathematics. Topics covered include: sentential logic, predicate logic, the logic of relations, the algebra of sets, and modal logic. Grades are based on five equally weighted tests (most of which emphasize the construction of formal proofs).
PHRE 345 Mystical Vision as taught by Lloyd Pflueger
One common thread in the religions of the world is the persistent claim that some individuals have had direct experience of union with the Ultimate, the mystical vision, Enlightenment. What did they experience? How can their reports be evaluated, studied and explained? This course dives into such questions with the help of careful reading and discussion of the writing of selected past and present mystics from a variety of cultures. What is enlightenment? Students join the conversation and present their own research.
PHRE 353 Nietzsche and Kierkegaard as taught by David Murphy
Kierkegaard devoted himself to a training in Christianity; Nietzsche said that "God is dead." In spite of great differences between these two immensely influential nineteenth century philosophers, there are some affinities. For example, both despised academic philosophers. Wildly varying interpretations of each thinker exist. In this seminar, we take up puzzles of interpretation on such topics as religion, nature, and origins of morals, drawing comparisons where these seem apt.
PHRE 354 Medieval Philosophy as taught by Particia Burton
Western and Middle-Eastern Philosophy from the fifth through the fifteenth centuries are critically examined. Emphasis is on the various views regarding the nature of God, man, and the universe; the limits of human knowledge;and the resolution of problems of morality and values.
PHRE 442 Understanding the New Testament as taught by Mark Appold
Involves a systematic study of the texts of the New Testament and pertinent non-canonical traditions in the light of their original settings and purpose.The histories of interpretation including the results of current exegetical studies are examined in articulating the theology of the texts and in determining the nature of the communities of faith associated with them. An introduction into the world of the New Testament is provided as well as an exploration of textual content in the development of the New Testament witness.
PHRE 476 Seminar in PHRE: William Blake''s Religious Thought as taught by Jennifer Jesse
This course takes a religion and literature approach to selected works of the English Romantic poet, painter, and engraver William Blake (1757-1827). We will attend to both the visual and verbal dimensions of his works, focusing specifically on their theological aspects. This is a seminar course designed for upper-level majors and minors in PHRE or English Literature. There will be very little lecture; the majority of our time together will be spent on individual presentations and seminar discussions based on the assigned readings. Requirements include active class participation, quizzes over assigned readings, a research project presented orally and in writing and, possibly, an exam.
ES 214 Elementary Ballet as taught by Patricia Burton
This traditional ballet technique course is designed for all fitness levels and requires no background in dance. Special attention will be paid to alignment, appropriate adult flexibility, core strength, balanced leg strength, and foot articulation while moving to music from Purcell to Prokofiev. In addition to learning ballet terminology and basic Cecchetti technique, students will be given the opportunity to study, analyze, or create choreography.
