2023-2024 BSC Catalog Updated_UG ONLY_FINAL[82]

246 ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
continue to affect modern discourse around the world. Moreover, this course situates the
connections between sexuality and religion in the context of modern globalization, a
dynamic that brings these diverse religious traditions and their understandings of sexual
ethics into frequent contact. A Global Perspectives designated course.
RE 325 EL Social Justice and Biblical Traditions (1)
An exploration of the Bible and assumptions (ancient and modern) about social justice,
human rights, wealth and poverty, and concepts of otherness. This service-learning
course includes student engagement with a Birmingham community partner working on
social justice issues. An Experiential Studies and Poverty Studies designated course. A
service-learning integrated course.
RE 331 Religious Ethics of War and Peace (1)
An investigation of how religious traditions approach issues of force and peacemaking.
The course provides an overview of classical authors as well as activists and writers
engaging issues of war and peace. Case studies will be used to ground discussions in reallife
situations.
RE 341 Blurred Religious Boundaries (1)
An exploration of the “blurred boundaries” between religious traditions encountered in
literature, sites of multi-religious practice, healing practices, and pilgrimage. Particular
emphasis will be placed on the ways in which religious traditions have accommodated or
absorbed local and regional practices at specific moments of time and the impact of that
dynamic on the tradition.
RE 343 Gurus, Gods, Shamans, and Saints (1)
An examination of the concept of sainthood as conceived of broadly and cross-culturally,
including the study of religious figures such as Catholic saints, Hindu gurus,
extraordinary teachers, incarnated gods on earth, and shamans. Religious traditions
explored may include Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, among others. The
course will also explore the relationship between gender and sainthood.
RE 345 Power and Religion (1)
An examination of the relationship between “power” and “religion,” and how religious
agents and institutions interact with political order through examples drawn from
classical South Asia, post-Reformation Europe, and revolutionary Iran. Topics include
the role played by religion in the “post-secular,” global political order; the dramatic
resurgence of religion in politics; and the future of religious authority.
RE 350 The Ethical Vision of the Christian Scriptures (1)
An exploration of and critical reflection upon various approaches to using the Christian
Scriptures as a source for ethical reflection. The course addresses two primary questions.
First, what are the ethical perspectives of the Christian Scriptures regarding specific
themes, such as community and justice, violence and liberation, wealth and poverty,
sexuality, and the care of the Earth? Second, how might we structure the conversation
between the ancient text and the modern world? Prerequisite: at least one unit in RE.
Birmingham-Southern College Catalog 2023-2024