2019-2020 BSC Catalog

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
225
enduring cultural significance is the way artists and authors have engaged biblical texts
and themes as conversation partners in the creation of their own texts. This course
explores the dynamics of biblical interpretation in diverse forms of media with the
intention of fostering more sophisticated reading strategies of film, visual, and literary
culture, and the biblical text itself. An Interpretation or Analysis designated course.
RE 231 IA Popular and Folk Religion (1)
An examination of popular and folk religions, including beliefs and practices that exist
among the people, apart from and alongside the theological and liturgical forms of
mainline religion. An Interpretation or Analysis designated course.
RE 235 GP Abrahamic Religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (1)
A study of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, the three major religious traditions that trace
their historical and theological roots to one figure: Abraham. The objective of the course
is to explore the interconnection of these traditions, a historical and theological
entwinement that is vital for understanding the modern world situation. A Global
Perspectives designated course.
RE 242 CI The Good Life (1)
A consideration of what it is to live a good life from the perspective of various religious
traditions. By focusing on current global issues, this course helps students to reflect on
who they want to be, how they should act, and what effect they want to have on the
world. A Community Interests designated course.
RE 255 IA Race, Ethnicity, and the Bible (1)
An introduction to African American perspectives on biblical interpretation. In addition
to examining differing concepts of race and ethnicity in the contexts in which biblical
texts were produced and in the modern world, this course also focuses on how African
American people have interpreted the Bible (in biblical scholarship, sermons, literature,
art, music, and film) in light of their social and religious experiences. An Interpretation or
Analysis designated course.
RE 270 CI Wealth, Poverty, and Religion (1)
An examination of the ways in which various religious traditions have discussed, viewed,
glorified, and vilified both wealth and poverty over time, and how they are agents for
both economic stagnation and revolutionary change. Topics may include ascetic
movements, the U.S. Prosperity Gospel movement, Muslim self-help preachers, and
debates over Gandhi’s work in colonial India. A Community Interests designated course.
RE 275 GP Buddhism (1)
A study of the Buddhist traditions from the life of the Buddha to modern times. The
course explores the doctrines and practices of Buddhist traditions in historical and
geographic context. Emphasis is placed on how the study of Buddhism in historical
context contributes to our understanding of cross-cultural categories in the study of
religion as well as the concept of religion itself. A Global Perspectives designated course.
Birmingham-Southern College Catalog 2019-2020