RockhuRst univeRsity 2012–2014 catalog

Students have the option of taking an additional “swing course” to meet the core requirement.The department prefers that the hours contained in the liberal core be fulfilled indifferent semesters: the required core courses should not be taken simultaneously.Minor Field of ConcentrationThe minor in theology and religious studies consists of a minimum of 15 semester hours:9 hours of upper-division coursework in addition to completing both TH 1000 (or TH1050) and TH 3000 (or TH 3050). A grade of C or better is required in each upperdivisioncourse of the minor. It is highly recommended that students seeking a minorin theology and religious studies consult with the department chair or other appropriatemembers of the department regarding course selections.TH 1000. Christianity I: Foundations (3)Fall and Spring semesterThis course provides the introduction to the TheologicalMode of Inquiry in the process of exploringessential Christian concepts: Faith, Symbol,Revelation, Resurrection, Creation, Incarnation,Trinity, Sacrament, Salvation, Grace, Church, andthe significance of the Bible. The course placesspecial emphasis on early Christian thinking andpractice. (THI)TH 1050. Honors Christianity I: Foundations (3)Spring semesterThe content and the purpose are the same as inTH 1000 though the perspective is broadened anddeepened. Prerequisite: honors status or instructorapproval. (THI)TH 3000. Christianity II: Development (3)Fall and Spring semesterChristianity II: Development assumes what ismeant by the Theological Mode of Inquiry. Primarilythis course ponders foundational Christiantheological thought and practice as these have beenrefined through the centuries into what are nowmainstream Western Christian theologies. Prerequisite:TH 1000 or TH 1050. (THII)TH 3050. Honors Christianity II:Development (3)Fall semesterThe content and the purpose are the same as inTH 3000 though the perspective is broadened anddeepened. Prerequisite: TH 1000 or TH 1050,honors status or instructor approval. (THII)TH 3100. Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) (3)The principal concern of this course is to study thereligious ideas contained in the Torah, the Prophetsand the Writings. To this end it also investigatesthe variety of literary forms (myth, history,prophecy, apocalyptic, etc.) in which those ideasare expressed. A serious effort is made to show thecontinuity between the Hebrew Scriptures and theNew Testament which, together, form a large partof the Judeo-Christian tradition. Prerequisite:TH 1000. (THII)TH 3130. Introduction to New TestamentGreek (3)This course introduces the student to the Greeklanguage of the New Testament, known as KoineGreek. The objective is to promote understandingand appreciation for the Greek language as wellas the writing of the New Testament. Studentswill demonstrate their acquired linguistic skills bytranslating simple NT passages. The course alsocovers issues regarding textual and literary criticism,challenges in translating, and the formationof the New Testament canon. Consequently, thetheological meaning of select New Testament textswill be studied. Prerequisite: TH 1000. (THII)TH 3150. God of Faith (3)An examination of the Christian understanding ofGod. The course focus is on both classical theismand modern interpretations of such issues asknowledge of God, language about God, models ofprovidence, the problem of evil and suffering, andGod’s continuous creation. Attention is also givento the contemporary dialogue between belief inGod and science, philosophy, and culture. Prerequisite:TH 1000. (THII)TH 3300. Roman Catholicism (3)The principal purpose of this course is to providean academic summary, suitable for adult minds, ofspecifically Roman Catholic doctrine and history.Secondarily, points of agreement as well as disagreementwith other major Christian denominationsare noted. Prerequisite: TH 1000. (THII)TH 3400. Special Topics in Jewish Studies (3)Topics can include such subjects as contemporaryJewish theology, theological reflections on theHolocaust, the Talmud, etc. Specific course topicsare announced by the department. Prerequisite:TH 1000. (THII)TH 3450. The Jewish Faith (3)This course is an introduction to the academicstudy of Judaism, with a special emphasis on thebeliefs and practices of contemporary Judaism.Prerequisite: TH 1000. (THII)TH 3550. Medieval Christianity (3)This course explores the theology, religious practices,and spirituality of Western Christianity fromthe fall of Rome to the eve of the Protestant Ref-Undergraduate College of Arts Programs & SciencesCollege of Arts and Sciences167