Theology & Religious Studies Department

200-Level

Courses

(Pp. 3-4)

300-Level

Courses

(Pp. 5-8)

Grad-Level

Courses

(P. 11)

200 Level

Courses

(Pp. 3-6)

300-Level

Courses

(Pp. 7-10)

Course Offerings Fall 2019

Key:

CAPA: Creative and Performing Arts

LINK: Linked course

ISJ: Issues in Social Justice

SLC: Service Learning Component

BSI: Borromeo Seminary course

CS: Catholic Studies

EGC: Engaging Global Community

“If exercised with basic respect for the life, freedom and dignity of persons, political life can indeed

become an outstanding form of charity.”

~Pope Francis ~

Cool & New Courses– 200 Level

3

Hebrew Bible

(Rev.) Anthony J. Marshall, SSS, MDiv, MA

TR 8:30—9:45 AM

Historical and cultural environment of the Jewish Bible (the collection of scriptures in the Torah, Nebi’im, and Kethubim, or “Tanakh,” which Christians call the “Old Testament”), its nature and composition, and its religious and theological developments

TRS

200 BSI CS

New Testament

Allen Georgia, PhD

MWF 11:00—11:50 AM

A survey course introducing the scholarly study of the New Testament. It will be grounded in the bibli-cal scholarship and teachings of the Catholic Church. Specifically, it will explore the historical and cultural milieu that shaped the New Testament, its nature and composition, its religious and theological developments, and its significance for Catholics to-day.

TRS

205 CS

African-American Religion

(Rev.) Bertrice Wood, PhD

TR 12:30—1:45 PM

The African-American religious experience, including historical roots of African religion essential to slave Christianity, development of the institutional church, and spiritual expressions influencing African-American worship styles. Important political and social foundations of the church from which political and social organizations grew, as well as African-American theology.

TRS

223

Religious Enthusiasm

Kristen J. Tobey, PhD

TR 9:30—10:45 PM

This course is a sociological inquiry into religious fervor in twentieth- and 21st America. Religious “enthusiasm,” a term that has long been used to refer to public, loud, otherwise unruly religious convictions or behaviors, in many ways is at odds with how religion is typically practiced in the contemporary United States. We will examine several modern religious revitalization movements, paying particular attention to the discrepancy between the appeal they exert over adherents, versus the fear and mistrust they often excite in society at large. This class will explore topics such as UFO religious and New Age spiritualties

Cool & New Courses– 200 Level

Catechism of the Catholic Church

(Rev.) Mark Latcovich, PhD

TR 8:30—9:45 AM

Overview of Roman Catholic theology, based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church, as well as a look at various themes and issues since the Second Vatican Council that find their roots and explanation in the Catechism. Emphasis on scripture, grace, sacraments, sin, redemption, the role of Jesus, the Church Magisterium, ethical norms, and morality. Offered at the Center for Pastoral Leadership.

TRS

238 BSI CS

4

TRS

227

Jesus in Theology & History

Edward Hahnenberg, PhD

TR 8:00—9:15 AM

The ways Christians have understood the person and work of Jesus. Use of scripture and tradition to illumine how those who confess him as Savior have defined him and to provide means for traditional and creative thinking about the central figure of Christian faith

TRS

232 CS

LINK

Moral Decision Making

(Rev.) James Bretzke, SJ, STD, or Jacob Waldenmaier, PhD

MWF 11:00—11:50 AM (Honors) MWF 1:00—1:50 PM

Examination of contemporary moral issues with a focus on methods for analyzing and evaluating moral problems; sources from the Christian tradition that form moral identity and ethical decisions. The course is designed to promote critical discussion of these issues. We will examine a variety of arguments and approaches to moral issues in an effort to help us think and reason more clearly about them.

Cool & New Courses– 200 Level

5

African-American Christian Social Ethics

(Rev.) Bertrice Wood, PhD

TR 2:00—3:15 PM

Nature, origins, and functions of African-American ethical response as related to social, political, and religious belief systems. Emphasis on historical and social translation of values dictated by African-American religion and theology.

ISJ TRS

260

Introduction to Islam

Zeki Saritoprak, PhD

TR 2:00—3:15 PM; TR 3:30—4:45 PM

Surveys the history of Islam, impact of Islamic belief and culture on global social and political development, and fundamental tenets and practices of Islam. Includes a modern interpretation of the Islamic tradition

TRS

240

TRS

261

Cool & New Courses– 200 Level

6

Theology in Music

Jerome Andrews, MA

MWF 2:00—3:15 PM

Broad survey of church music as a carrier of theology and spirituality, from the early church to Vatican II. Examines the history of western church music to understand the relationships between music, worship, theology, and spiritual life, within the cultural and historical settings of the church. Involves experiential learning. A CAPA course in the Integrated Core Curriculum.

TRS

274 CAPA CS

Ecology, Religion, & Justice

Deborah Zawislan, PhD

MW 3:30—4:45 PM

The world is experiencing a major ecological crisis manifested in pollution of air, water, and soil; prolonged droughts and other extreme weather events; loss of biodiversity; depletion of fisheries; and mass extinction of species. This course explores how the Abrahamic religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—are addressing this ecological crisis. Topics include eco-theology, eco-feminism, globalization, violence against women and children, food security, water scarcity, loss of biodiversity, and climate change. This Service Learning course is linked with SC 290 Environmental Sociology.

SLC LINK TRS

263

“Only ideas keep ideas flowing. When we close our minds to what is new, simply because we decide not to bother with it, we close our minds to our responsibility to ourselves– and to others– to keep on growing.”

~Joan D. Chittister

Cool & New Courses– 300 Level

Other Courses: TRS 321— History of the Papacy— Luigi Ferri, PhD— TBA (Rome) 7

Jewish Messianism

Noah Bickart, PhD

R 5:00—7:45 PM

Surveys the broad outlines of Messianism throughout Jewish history and how it has changed shape and form, interacted with other belief structures, become secularized and re-enchanted again. Examines its place in modern politics (especially Zionism) and how these developments affect contemporary politics, history, and theology.

TRS

312

Archaeology & the Bible 7

Michele Freyhauf, MA

W 6:30—9:15 PM

Principles and methodologies of archaeology; examination of how archaeology broadens and informs our understanding of the world and events of the Bible.

TRS

301

History of Christmas

Nathaniel Morehouse, PhD

TR 9:30—10:45 AM; 11:00—12:15 PM

Origins of the feast; gospel infancy narratives; apocryphal traditions; Christology; Christmas in Medieval art and drama; cult of Saint Nicholas; origins and growth of Christmas music; Puritan attack on the feast; decline of the feast in 18th century; impact of the Industrial Revolution; the establishment of modern Christmas; modern commercialization; contemporary developments.

TRS

324

Cool & New Courses– 300 Level

8

Minority Religions

Kristen Tobey, PhD

TR 2:00—3:15; 3:30—4:45 PM

Examines the histories, traditions, and lived religious practices of select minority religious groups by exploring their interaction and exchange with wider American culture (e.g., through architecture, commerce, food, law, and media). Case studies consider such questions as the shifting contextual meaning of the labels minority/majority and marginal/central; ways American religious groups affect one another while maintaining their distinct identities. Involves experiential learning.

TRS

327

Sin, Grace, & Wholeness

Krista Stevens, PhD

TR 11:00—12:15 PM

Introduction to theological anthropology, the study of the human being in relation to God and in conflict with evil, in order to provide a doctrinal foundation for understanding Christian spirituality. Readings include Hebrew and Christian Scriptures, St. Paul, Augustine, and St. Ignatius, Dorothy Day, Pope Francis and others with emphasis on environmental and feminist theology to conclude the semester. PJHR.

CS TRS

331 ISJ

Understanding Church

Edward Hahnenberg, PhD

TR 9:30—10:45 AM

Origin, nature, and mission of the Church in light of its evolution from the preaching and mission of Jesus and his disciples, through its developing history, to its current self-understanding since Vatican II. CS

TRS

333

9

Cool & New Courses– 300 Level

Globalization, Theology, and Justice

Krista Stevens, PhD or (Rev.) James Bretzke, SJ, STD

TR 12:30—1:45 PM (Honors); MF 2:00—3:a5 PM

Analyzes contributions of contemporary Catholic theology and tradition on issues related to globalization, such as economics, ecology, consumerism, migration, human trafficking, and interreligious conflict. Approaches through the lens of Catholic social teaching, possible responses are evaluated based on the principle of the common good and the potential impact upon the most vulnerable members of society. Involves service learning. PJHR.

TRS

337 ISJ CS

Islam and the Environment

Zeki Saritoprak, PhD

TR 11:00—12:15 PM

Overview of environmental issues and Islamic approaches to these challenges based on the major sources of Islam: the Qur’an and the Hadith. Islamic principles regarding the natural world and humanity’s place within it, and Islamic legal strictures to protect the environment. Special emphasis on contemporary Islamic activism to protect the natural world.

TRS

341

Silk Road Religions

Paul Nietupski, PhD

MWF 9:00—9:50 AM; 10:00—10:50 AM

Focuses on religion, art, and politics on the international trade routes of East, Central, and South Asia, from the second through the twentieth centuries. Representative examples are presented chronologically and carefully situated within their political and religious contexts. Interdisciplinary methodology includes consideration of histories, religions, arts, and politics of the times.

TRS

351 EGC

Religions of Tibet

Paul Nietupski, PhD

MWF 1:00—1:50 PM

A chronological survey of the religions of Tibet, from the seventh century imperial period to the present day. The course will explore the Tibetan vision of unity of religion and politics. It will explore the central role of monastic institutions in religion and politics, the theories and practices of Mahāyāna Buddhas and bodhisattvas, and tantric vehicles and visions.

Bioethics

Jacob Waldenmaier, PhD

MWF 11:00-11:50 PM

Examines the ethical principles and forms of moral reasoning that typically guide decisions in health care and frame public policy debates generated by contemporary biomedicine. Includes materials from both religious and secular traditions of thought, with particular attention to Catholic teaching on bioethical issues (including assisted reproductive technology, euthanasia, and stem cell research).

Cool & New Courses– 300 Level

Other Courses: TRS 371 Ignatian Spirituality— Joan Carney, MA , TR 8:00—9:15 AM (ISJ, CS/PJHR) TRS 373 The Transfigured Brain— Edward Kaczuk, PhD M 6:30—9:15 PM (BSI) (CS) 10

TRS

359

Social Justice and the Economy: Morality & Money

Megan Wilson-Reitz, MA

MWF 12:00—12:50 PM

Explores the relationships between religious ethics and economics by critically examining the religious, moral, and ethical assumptions underlying various economic systems. Employs the liberation hermeneutic of “human flourishing” as a lens to read and interpret relevant economic and theological texts. Involves service-learning. PJHR course.

TRS

363

CS TRS

366 ISJ

ISJ

Graduate Level Courses

Religions of Tibet

Paul Nietupski, PhD

MWF 1:00—1:50 PM

A chronological survey of the religions of Tibet, from the seventh century imperial period to the present day. The course will explore the Tibetan vision of unity of religion and politics. It will explore the central role of monastic institutions in religion and politics, the theories and practices of Mahāyāna Buddhas and bodhisattvas, and tantric vehicles and visions.

11

TRS

400

Jewish Messianism

Noah Bickart, PhD

R 5:00—7:45 PM

Surveys the broad outlines of Messianism throughout Jewish history and how it has changed shape and form, interacted with other belief structures, become secularized and re-enchanted again. Examines its place in modern politics (especially Zionism) and how these developments affect contemporary politics, history, and theology. TRS

512

TRS

559

Scripture & Revelation

Sheila McGinn, PhD

T 5:00—7:45 PM

Problems of and approaches to understanding the Jewish and Christian scriptures as “revelatory texts.” Special focus on the methods essential to exegesis, biblical interpretation, and contemporary uses of the scriptures.

Department of Theology & Religious Studies

John Carroll University 1 John Carroll Boulevard

University Heights, OH 44118 USA

Phone: 216-397-4700 Fax: 216-397-4518

E-mail: trs@jcu.edu Website: go.jcu.edu/trs

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TRSatJCU