Bulletin 2007-2008 - Austin College

RELIGIOUS STUDIESthese religious traditions, this course situatesthem among other Asian religions, such as Jainismand Sikhism in India, Shamanism in Korea,popular religions in China, and Shinto andNew Religions in Japan.110 The Life and Teachingsof the BuddhaTraces the life and times of the Buddha fromthe earliest extant Indian sources to scripturesacross diverse Asian cultures. Drawingupon scriptural texts and visual art, as well asthrough the early discourses of the Buddhaand secondary interpretive literature, the studentseeks understanding of what the Buddhathought and taught.115 HinduismA critical exploration of the philosophical andritual approaches of the Hindu tradition. Thiscourse will examine historically key classicaltexts like the Vedas and Upanishads, theBhagavadgita, the Ramayana, the Gitagovinda,bhakti poetry, and modern writings for transformationsof belief and praxis pertaining tothe role of the divine, images, gender, and thenature of reality.135 The Biblical HeritageThis course offers a critical analysis of thebiblical tradition with an emphasis on the wayin which the historical and social worlds ofancient writers and readers helped shape theBible we have today. The focus is on the formativestages of development of the Hebrew Bible,on the rhetorical (i.e., persuasive) qualitiesof its narrative, and on the analysis and criticalengagement of biblical values and discourses.Also of interest is the way in which the storiesrelated in the Bible create, shape, and maintaincommunity identities over time. The goal is tofoster in students an appreciation for criticalhumanistic inquiry into a sacred text, and thekinds of possible questions and issues that arisefrom (and only make sense within) that particularframework of engagement. (Each year)165 Introduction to Christian TheologyAn introductory exploration of historic Christiandoctrines and practices and their meaningsfor Christians today. Priority for freshmen andsophomores. (Each fall and spring)170 Faith and the ImaginationAn exploration of the role of imagination in theunderstanding and expression of faith within“Christian” literature and the visual arts. Readingsby such authors as C. S. Lewis, FlanneryO’Connor, and Morris West provide a forumfor investigating the full depths of human existence— physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.Priority for freshmen and sophomores.220 Illness, Medicine, andHealing in Asian ReligionsAn examination of the theories and practicesof illness and healing in Hindu, Buddhist,Chinese, and Asian folk traditions; the interactionsof Asian models with modern Westernbiomedical traditions; and the rapidly changingvocation of medicine. This course exploreshow people in Asia understand the sacred,the meaning of life, pain and suffering, humanand divine agency, the role of the individualand community, the authority of healers, andhow tradition and modernity affect theseviews. Students read primary and secondarysource materials in religion, medicine, medicalanthropology, and sociology; engage inpanel discussions and debates; and view films.Prerequisite: Asian religions, Asian Studies, orinstructor permission.235 Images of Jesus andEarly Christian IdentityAn analysis of the multi-faceted nature ofearly Christian images and portrayals of Jesus.Beginning in the Gospels and moving outwardexploring the images of Jesus in Paul, Hebrews,and Revelation, this course serves as an introductionto the New Testament as a whole.Some time will also be spent examining otherearly Christian texts such as the Gospel ofThomas, the Infancy Gospel of James, and Jesusin early Christian art. Attention will also beplaced on the modern discussion of the historicalfigure of Jesus, including Jesus in film.240 Gender and Early ChristianityAn exploration of the multi-faceted imagesof women in early Christianity, paying attentionto the way in which culture, society, andideology/theology inform the construction ofgender identity. This course will also serve tointroduce the student to the wonderfully dynamicworld of early Christian literature, movingbeyond the canon into second and thirdcentury Christian texts.250 Topics in Religious StudiesStudies of particular issues in religious thoughtand practice. These topics are more specificthan the broad introductory courses, but generallyrequire no prerequisites. They are taughtat different times, depending on student andfaculty interests. May be repeated when topic144 |COURSES OF INSTRUCTION