May 17, 2024  
2013-2014 Course Catalog 
    
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2013-2014 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Course Descriptions

 
  

  • POLS 249 - International Politics

    3 Credits
    Theories and practice of international politics; elements of power; means and methods of foreign policy in the age of conflict.  Cross listed with   . (LAS) (VE) (GI)
  

  • POLS 255 - Political Psychology

    3 Credits
    How citizens’ and public officials’ attitudes, values, beliefs, experiences, and cognitive capacities shape political behavior and influence the actions of political institutions. Topics include political socialization, political personality, attitude formation, change — including the effects of media and campaigning — and political decision-making. Cross listed with   .(LAS) (AE)
  
  

  • POLS 304 - History and Politics of Modern American Sexuality

    3 Credits
    Modern historical movements that have shaped sexuality in contemporary America. Topics include the advent of birth control, the free love movement, the feminist movement, the black power movement, the gay rights movement, the abortion controversy, the transgender movement, and the gay marriage movement. Primary focus on the history and politics of American sexuality since World War II yet considers the effects of sexual mores and practices since the late 19th century. Cross listed with  .
  

  • POLS 310 - Leadership, Activism and Social Justice

    3 Credits
    A critical examination of how the American political system deals with social problems such as poverty, illness, abuse, discrimination, and substandard education. Examines the concept of leadership and how ordinary individuals can advocate or promote change and justice.  (LAS) (VE) (WS)
  

  • POLS 315 - Civil Liberties

    3 Credits
    This course is an overview of the scope and limits of the central features of the Bill of Rights. Topics may include: speech, press, assembly, privacy, autonomy, religion, and the rights of the accused and convicted.  (AE) (VE)
  

  • POLS 325 - Environmental Law and Policy: The Decision-Making Process

    3 Credits
    Introduction to environmental policy and the decision-making processes that impact the environment. Through role-playing and case studies, students analyze decisions and learn about the challenging ethical, legal, and scientific choices that face decision makers as they balance issues that affect quality of life against potential environmental impacts. For students who are considering law school or teaching, as well as Environmental Science majors and other students interested in environmental law and policy.  (LAS)
  

  • POLS 330 - Constitutional Law

    3 Credits
    Constitutional principles and leading decisions of the United States Supreme Court in the fields of civil liberties, federalism, and economic affairs. Primarily for students who intend to enter law school.  (LAS) (VE) (AE)
  

  • POLS 333 - Political Philosophy

    3 Credits
    An examination of the writings of several prominent political philosophers on each philosopher’s interpretation of pivotal political concepts such as justice, freedom, and equality. Attention to the relationship between political philosophy and ideology and whether and how politics can be organized to benefit humanity and promote goodness and virtue.  Cross listed with   .(LAS) (PH) (VE)
  

  • POLS 345 - Comparative Government

    3 Credits
    Historical background and comparative study of constitutional principles, governmental institutions, and politics in selected democratic, industrialized, and developing countries, including Great Britain, France, and Germany.  (LAS) (GI)
  

  • POLS 346 - Environmental Ethics

    3 Credits
    Introduction to the philosophical issues stemming from current environmental problems, controversies, and policies, including examination of important cases. Considers the adequacy of traditional models of ethics for solving these problems and new paradigms in environmental philosophy.  (LAS) (PH) (VE)
    Prerequisite(s):   or permission of instructor.
  

  • POLS 357 - Israel and Palestine

    3 Credits
    The history and politics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Emphasis on the creation of Israel, Israel’s various wars with neighbor states, and the evolution of the Palestinian national independence movement including the Palestinian Liberation Organization and Hamas, and the prospects for peace.  Cross listed with   .(LAS) (GI) (VE)
  

  • POLS 370 - International Political Economy

    3 Credits
    The interplay between the political and economic aspects underlying the functioning of an economy, in this case, the world economy. Introduction to the theoretical underpinnings that have led to the transformation of the world economy into its present shape.  Cross listed with   (LAS) (AE) (GI)
  

  • POLS 375 - Contemporary Topics in Political Psychology

    3 Credits
    Contemporary topics in political psychology with emphasis on attempts to encourage or facilitate “the good life” via politics. Assignments promote reflection on how politics, with all its flaws, attempts to craft solutions to societal moral dilemmas. Frequently offered as Honors course open to all students with a 3.25 GPA or permission of the instructor.  Cross listed with   . (LAS) (VE) (AE) (WR)
  

  • POLS 382 - Economics of Social Justice

    3 Credits
    This course examines the theoretical underpinnings of social justice and critically examines the conceptualization of economic justice. Topics include the disconnection as well as convergence of economic and social justice, income inequality, access to health, education, gender issues, and the implications of technology in the United States.  (AE)
  

  • POLS 390 - Children and the Law

    3 Credits
    This course develops an understanding of the legal issues that impact children in society.  The course focus is on an examination of children’s legal issues in the U.S. and globally. Topics will include: the relationships between the child, parent, and state. Emphasis will be placed on the rights of minors and on humanitarian approaches to child welfare, educational law, family law, juvenile justice, and other legal issues in working with children and adolescents. Cross listed with   .
  

  • POLS 424 - Public Policy Analysis

    3 Credits
    An introduction to the basic principles and concepts of policy analysis. Policy evaluation is considered as a way of solving problems and designing proposals. A variety of public policy case studies will be considered. (AE)
  

  • POLS 485 - Internship

    3-15 Credits
    Participation in the Connecticut General Assembly Legislative Intern Program. Interns selected on a competitive basis. Other opportunities for field experience available in federal and state agencies and local governments.
  

  • POLS 490 - American Health Care Policy

    3 Credits
    This capstone course for Public Health will review the history of health care in America, concentrating on current health care public policies (Medicaid, Medicare). Emphasis will be placed on the parties involved in shaping health care policies (insurance, providers, consumers, the food and drug industries, and federal and state governments). Consideration will be given to the ethical and political problems posed by health care issues such as affordability, substandard preventative care, class and gender inequities, and bureaucracy. Cross listed with  
  

  • POLS 495 - Directed Reading, Independent Study, or Special Project

    1-12 Credits
    Student selects topic of interest for a project mentored by a faculty member.
    Prerequisite(s): Approval by faculty advisor.
  

  • PPOA 485 - Service and Activism Internship

    6 Credits
    Supervised work in public or community service with emphasis on practical application of social science theories pertinent to social and political change and problem-solving. Permission of instructor required.
  

  • PPOA 499 - Coordinating Seminar

    3 Credits
    A seminar for Public Policy and Affairs majors taken during their last semester senior year. It will explore significant issues, topics, and perspectives in the social sciences that are not included in the regular curriculum to offer a summation of the major course topics in review and preparation for the required comprehensive examination.
  

  • PSYC 100 - Introductory Psychology

    3 Credits
    An introduction to the study of behavior and mental processes.  Topics such as learning, human development, and psychopathology will be examined in light of scientific method. This course or   is a prerequisite for all other Psychology courses.  (LAS)
  

  • PSYC 190 - Introduction to Psychological Research

    3 Credits
    This honors course takes an experiential and research-based approach to the study of core psychological areas such as the biological bases of behavior, sensation and perception, emotion, psychopathology and social psychology. Using primary sources such as seminal research articles and texts by major psychological theorists, students learn to analyze the strengths and challenges of psychological research. Students will conduct, analyze, present and evaluate small research studies as their culminating project. This course or   is a prerequisite for all other Psychology courses. (LAS)
  

  • PSYC 201 - Critical Writing and Research in the Social Sciences

    3 Credits
    The fundamentals of researching and writing a Social Sciences research paper using the American Psychological Association (APA) style. Students learn to locate and interpret scholarly research material such as journal articles, texts, and credible Web sites and to produce a fully developed paper that presents their research findings and conclusions.  (LAS) (WR)
    Prerequisite(s):   or  
    Other: Psychology majors only.
  

  • PSYC 209 - Career Development and Prior Learning

    3 Credits
    This course provides a foundation for students to begin assessing their life-learning experiences, relate those experiences to college-level learning, and articulate that learning for course equivalent credit. An introduction to adult learning theories fosters students’ understanding of their own learning preferences and styles, and enables them to connect past learning experiences to future educational and career goals. Students will develop: (a) a Prior Learning Assessment and (b) a personal learning philosophy paper that is grounded in readings, personal reflection, and additional research, and is written in APA style.  (LAS) (WR)
    Prerequisite(s):   or  
  
  
  
  

  • PSYC 236 - Cross-Cultural Psychology

    3 Credits
    An overview of the theoretical approaches, research methods and subject matter of cross-cultural psychology. The assumptions of mainstream Western psychological researchers critiqued from the standpoint of studies conducted in non-European and American contexts as students distinguish those traits that are universal across all cultures from those that are culture-specific.  (LAS)
    Prerequisite(s):   or  
  

  • PSYC 238 - Human Development Through the Lifespan

    3 Credits
    Development of the human being throughout the lifespan from conception to old age. Considering the life cycle as a whole, reviews the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial dimensions of each stage of human life. Special emphasis on the significance of human diversity and its implications for research, theory, and practice.   (LAS)
    Prerequisite(s):   or  
  
  

  • PSYC 242 - Psychology of Adulthood and Aging

    3 Credits
    An in-depth study of the developmental issues unique to this phase of the human lifecycle. Adult experiences of love, sexuality, marriage, career management, friendship, family, child care, spirituality, and religion, the aging process, and the psychology of death and dying are the main focus.  (LAS)
    Prerequisite(s):   or  
  
  

  • PSYC 247 - Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders

    3 Credits
    The student will gain an overview and understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorders and related co-morbid disorders. Students will learn and apply research-supported strategies for enhancing client skills and intervening with problem behaviors. They will also be introduced to current trends and research in the field. (LAS)
    Prerequisite(s):   or  
  

  • PSYC 248 - Contemporary Issues in Psychology II

    3 Credits
    Offered on a rotating basis dependent on instructor availability. Extensive inquiry into current areas of advanced research or debate in Psychology. Topics include Women at Midlife (WS), Psychology Goes to Hollywood, Psychology of Art, Psychology of Fear, and Sleep and Dreams.  (LAS)
    Prerequisite(s):   or  
    Other: Some topics may meet other general education requirements.
  

  • PSYC 249 - Forensic Psychology

    3 Credits
    The practice of forensic psychology with emphasis on the exploration of biological, psychological, social, and environmental causes of criminal behavior. The roles of forensic psychologists, criminal profilers, capital punishment, sexual predators, the death penalty, and domestic violence are explored.  (LAS) (VE)
    Prerequisite(s):   or  
  

  • PSYC 250 - Psychology of Women

    3 Credits
    An introduction to the major theories and concepts of the psychology of gender through examination of classic and contemporary research on gender roles, stereotyping, and discrimination. Examines sex differences in development with a special emphasis on women’s intellectual development.   (LAS) (WS)
    Prerequisite(s):   or  
  

  • PSYC 253 - Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences

    3 Credits
    Survey of basic descriptive and inferential statistics. Emphasis on those concepts necessary for dealing with and understanding quantitative aspects of behavioral sciences and education. Basic definitions, nature of distributions, samplings, standardized scores, correlation, regression, and hypothesis testing included. Emphasis on the use of the actual procedures for the analysis of data.  (LAS) (QR)
    Prerequisite(s):   or  
  
  

  • PSYC 255 - Political Psychology

    3 Credits
    How citizens’ and public officials’ attitudes, values, beliefs, experiences, and cognitive capacities shape political behavior and influence the actions of political institutions. Topics include political socialization, political personality, attitude formation and change — including the effects of media and campaigning — and political decision-making. Cross listed with   (LAS) (AE)
    Prerequisite(s):   or   or  permission of instructor.
  

  • PSYC 258 - Victimology

    3 Credits
    This course introduces students to the experience of viewing crime from the perspective of the victim. Critical reflections on the readings, discussions, and speakers will foster an understanding of moral and ethical considerations in the field; as well as of the impact crime has on society. (LAS)  
     
    Prerequisite(s):   or  
  
  
  

  • PSYC 300 - Brain and Behavior

    3 Credits
    An exploration of the neurophysiological foundations of human behavior and consciousness. Topics include the organization and structure of the nervous system, principles of brain functioning, and the sensory and motor systems. Assessment issues and the applications of research findings to diagnosis and treatment of psychopathology are considered.  (LAS)
    Prerequisite(s):   or   and junior or senior status.
  
  

  • PSYC 311 - Art Therapy: An Introduction

    3 Credits
    Survey of the history of art therapy and introduction to available literature. Exploration of use of art therapy with children, adolescents, and aging patients. Experience in using art as communication, diagnosis, expression, and self-exploration.  (LAS) (HE)
    Prerequisite(s):   or   or permission of instructor.
  

  • PSYC 315 - Cognitive Psychology

    3 Credits
    Introduction to the field of cognitive psychology. Topics include memory, language, problem solving, reading comprehension and the relationship between cognitive processes and biological functioning. Emphasis on an understanding of the applications of the research results in cognitive psychology to other contexts.  (LAS)
    Prerequisite(s):   or  
  

  • PSYC 327 - The People, Culture, Policies and Programs of the Netherlands

    3 Credits
    This joint HAN University/University of Saint Joseph embedded summer course for students in the professional programs includes an on-campus component during the spring semester, followed by a two-week summer study trip to the Netherlands. The course offers students the opportunity to gain first-hand experience of Dutch culture, understand the impact of globalization on Dutch culture and policies, meet their Dutch student counterparts, and visit a variety of Dutch schools, social service agencies and health care facilities related to their major area of study. (LAS)
    Prerequisite(s):   or   and minimum cumulative GPA 2.75 and have completed at least three semesters of collegiate study.
    Other: Application process required. Additional fee required.
  

  • PSYC 330 - Criminal Justice and Mental Health

    3 Credits
    This course has been designed to examine and provide critical evaluation of the major biological, psychiatric, and psychological explanations of crime and criminal behavior. The focus will be placed on understanding criminal behavior through both scientific and psychological study. Concepts and theories involving biochemical imbalances, biogenetics, social learning, environment, cognitive and moral development, and mental disorders will be considered. Additional attention will be directed toward the psychological explanation of certain behaviors such as aggression and violence, impulsivity crimes, and more heinous crimes such as homicide and sexual offenses. (LAS) (VE)
    Prerequisite(s):   or   and   or   and  
  

  • PSYC 345 - History and Systems of Psychology

    3 Credits
    An inquiry into the persistent problems of psychology as they have arisen throughout the Western intellectual tradition. Examines such problems as mind-body dualism, the relationship between subjectivity and objectivity, knowledge of other minds, free will vs. determinism, and the relationship between the physical, animal, and human orders. Cultural-historical survey applied to a critical interpretation of contemporary systems of psychology.  (LAS)
    Prerequisite(s):   or  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  • PSYC 368 - Psychopathology

    3 Credits
    Examination of mental disorders as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; criteria of normality/abnormality; defining and diagnosing mental disorders. (LAS)
    Prerequisite(s): 9 credits in Psychology and junior or senior status.
  
  
  
  
  

  • PSYC 430 - Field Study - Children and Adolescents

    3-6 Credits
    Integration and application of principles and understandings of development in supervised fieldwork with children or adolescents in an applied setting.
    Prerequisite(s): 9 semester hours in Psychology including   or   and one development course, and a minimum 2.50 GPA, and permission of instructor.
  

  • PSYC 431 - Field Study - Adulthood and Aging

    3-6 Credits
    Integration and application of the principles and understandings of the psychology of adulthood and aging in supervised fieldwork in an applied setting.
    Prerequisite(s): 9 semester hours in Psychology including   or   and one developmental course, and a minimum 2.50 GPA, and permission of instructor. Open only to Psychology majors/minors.
  
  

  • PSYC 499 - Coordinating Seminar

    3 Credits
    The capstone intellectual experience of the Psychology major. Students examine, analyze, and evaluate controversial issues in psychology using critical thinking skills and knowledge acquired throughout the program.
    Prerequisite(s): Open only to Psychology Majors with senior status.
  

  • PUBH 101 - Introduction to Public Health

    3 Credits
    This course provides an introduction to public health concepts and practice. The course will cover: What is public health, analytical methods, social and behavioral factors in health, environmental issues, medical care in public health and the future of public health.
  

  • PUBH 107 - Introduction to Health Infomatics

    3 Credits
    By focusing on public health data retrieval, this course introduces students to various online public data resources to help them successfully find solutions to health-related information needs. Students are also expected to experience the uses of health-related software for data analysis, and to develop basic knowledge about computer structure and information systems. Cross listed with  

    Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites but   preferred
  

  • PUBH 201 - Introduction to Global and Multicultural Health

    3 Credits
    This course explores the global and multicultural health factors that explain the unequal distribution of health and disease in the world. The course will begin with an introduction to the language of global health: the burden of disease, epidemiology, cost-effectiveness, and health systems and focus on the effect of globalization on social and scientific consequences in public health. Class topics will include the relationship between global stressors such as extreme weather, war, economics, urbanization and living conditions and their effects on the population’s health, the spread of infectious and chronic diseases, and nutrition and environmental health. One of the indicators of global and population health is reproductive health. Women’s health will be examined and compared by country.  (GI)
    Prerequisite(s):  
  
  

  • PUBH 203 - Environmental Health

    3 Credits
    This course introduces the physical, chemical and biological factors in our environment that influence human health, and human activities that influence the health of the environment.  Students will learn assessment and control of environmental factors causing or contributing to disease with an emphasis on preventing disease and creating health-supportive environments. Students will also learn the implications of occupational health and disaster preparedness.
  

  • PUBH 301 - Social and Behavioral Health

    3 Credits
    The course examines behavioral, psychological, sociological, and anthropological theory determinants of health behavior across communities. An important contribution of this course is the importance of recognizing the contributions of social and behavioral science research and practice to enhance public health. Presentation, critical analysis and the description of different health behavior theories being used in health promotion education, research and intervention applications will be emphasized.
  

  • PUBH 496 - Public Health Experiential Learning I

    3 Credits
    This is the first of a two-semester experience consisting of a bi-weekly seminar coupled to an internship in a public health agency or setting. The seminar is designed to provide a foundation for applying research methods and analysis to the experience. The internship provides an opportunity for each student to work in a public health setting in a position that carries responsibility and is of particular interest to the agency, while incorporating research methods into their work. Each placement is different, but all of them depend upon completion of the majority of concentration coursework, the ability to work with minimal supervision, and permission of the student’s faculty mentor.
    Prerequisite(s):   ,   ,   ,  
  

  • PUBH 497 - Pubic Health Experiential Learning II

    3 Credits
    This is the second of a two-semester experience consisting of a bi-weekly seminar coupled to an internship in a public health agency or setting. The seminar is designed to provide a foundation for applying research methods and analysis to the experience. The internship provides an opportunity for each student to work in a public health setting in a position that carries responsibility and is of particular interest to the agency, while incorporating research methods into their work. Each placement is different, but all of them depend upon completion of the majority of concentration coursework, the ability to work with minimal supervision, and permission of the student’s faculty mentor.
    Prerequisite(s):  
  

  • PUBH 498 - American Health Care Policy

    3 Credits
    This capstone course for Public Health will review the history of health care in America, concentrating on current health care public policies (Medicaid, Medicare). Emphasis will be placed on the parties involved in shaping health care policies (insurance, providers, consumers, the food and drug industries, and federal and state governments). Consideration will be given to the ethical and political problems posed by health care issues such as affordability, substandard preventative care, class and gender inequities, and bureaucracy.  Cross-listed with POLS 490 - American Health Care Policy .
  

  • PUBH 499 - Managing in a Non-Profit Organization

    3 Credits
    This class examines the diverse and dynamic field of non-profit management with an emphasis on how entry level workers might navigate in this unique organizational form. Students will review the historical context for non-profits including the rise of non-profit organizations, how non-profits differ from other sectors, and collaboration across sectors. The course will also examine the concepts and frameworks for non-profit governance and leadership with an emphasis on mission-driven cultures, strategic planning and delivering on the mission, stakeholder cultivation and management, resource identification and management (including human resource management, fundraising and grants management), and nurturing people and relationships including boards of directors, staff, and volunteers. In addition to examining the theories and concepts of non-profit management, students will also practice non-profit management in individual and group projects and assignments that reference their internship experiences.

    Course topics include: the history of non-profit organizations; governance and leadership including stakeholder issues; managing people, projects and budgets in a non-profit environment; change management; the role of volunteers and community partnerships in achieving the mission; and sustaining the mission through leadership and renewal. Cross-listed with

     
  

  • RELS 125 - Faith, Theology and the Modern World

    3 Credits
    This core course introduces students to basic theological methods and language. While these tools can be used to examine various religious traditions, this course will focus primarily (though not exclusively) on Catholic Christian religious tradition from which the Mercy core values are derived and in which the University of Saint Joseph was founded. (LAS) (RE)
  

  • RELS 201 - An Introduction to the Theological Study of the Church

    3 Credits
    The Church in the light of Vatican II and contemporary theological thought.
  

  • RELS 202 - Christian Sacraments

    3 Credits
    Discussion of the meaning of the Christian sacraments and how they function as community celebrations, binding together the members of the Church in a common purpose.  (LAS) (RE) (VE)
  

  • RELS 205 - The Ecological Challenge

    3 Credits
    The ecological challenge through the lenses of Scripture, Christian worship and spirituality, and the theological writings of women in the First and Third Worlds.  (LAS) (RE) (VE)
  

  • RELS 207 - Women in Christian Tradition

    3 Credits
    A study of women in Judeo-Christian tradition. Emphasis on contemporary women’s consciousness and spiritual development. Selected readings from biblical, theological, and global perspectives.  (LAS) (RE) (WS)
  

  • RELS 208 - Christian Peacemaking

    3 Credits
    Christian attitudes toward war and peace. The reality of conflict, violence, war, and weapons in the post-Cold War period. Ways of responding and becoming peacemakers. Non-violent conflict resolution.  (LAS) (RE) (VE)
  

  • RELS 209 - Christianity and Social Justice

    3 Credits
    National and global responsibility of Christians. Social and political dimensions of the Gospel, the Church’s social teaching, poverty, hunger, sexism, racism, ecology, conflict, and strategies for change.  (LAS) (RE) (VE)
  

  • RELS 210 - An Introduction to Christian Morality

    3 Credits
    An examination of the nature and purpose of living a good and happy life through broader Christian theological themes of the virtues, sin, grace, and human nature. It will also look at some of the challenges to living a good life in our modern society and culture. (LAS) (RE) (VE)
  

  • RELS 212 - Religious Autobiography

    3 Credits
    What is religion, and how do specific religious beliefs and experiences influence individuals in their daily lives? In this course we will explore four of the world’s greatest religious traditions (Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism) through the autobiographical writings of four influential practitioners. The four engaging religious traditions and individual lives will be explored through the medium of the written word, movies, class discussion, lectures, and student presentations.
     
  

  • RELS 215 - Contemporary Christian Spirituality

    3 Credits
    This course explores Christian spirituality in its diverse expressions, contemporary and historical. Students will discuss descriptions given to the term “spirituality” today and throughout the centuries, especially in light of the impact of the Second Vatican Council and contemporary trends. By means of life stories (biography and autobiography) and selected readings, we will explore themes such as the search for God, the impact of the proclamation of Jesus upon the life of the believer or gospel spirituality, spiritual growth and development, spiritual practices, the many faces of God, justice and global solidarity, and spirituality in the work place.  (LAS) (RE)
  

  • RELS 240 - Religions of the East

    3 Credits
    In studying the Religions of the East, the student can expect to discover new dimensions of human existence, exploring horizons of experience very different from her own, all of them predicated on the conviction that reality holds human meaning. Sacred texts, worldviews, ethical principles, origins and historical development, ritual practices and the good life, society and religion will provide the material for our investigation. (LAS) (RE)
  

  • RELS 241 - Religions of the West

    3 Credits
    The events of the past quarter century have demonstrated that it is difficult, if not impossible, to understand the modern world without taking into account the influence that religions have had upon their adherents. The religio-ethnic conflicts in the former Yugoslavia, the tensions between Jews and Palestinians in the Middle East, the Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland, the Shiite and Sunni Muslims in Iraq underscore the impact of religious beliefs in the modern world. This course is a comprehensive approach to the study of how the beliefs, practices and moral codes of Judaism, Christianity and Islam influence how nations and individuals behave in daily life, culture, ethics and politics. (LAS) (RE)
  

  • RELS 242 - Religion in America

    3 Credits
    From the beginning America has been a nation of religious diversity. Today the USA is probably the most religiously diverse nation on earth. This course provides an introduction to the history and variety of religious groups, activities, issues and ongoing challenges in multi-religious America today.  (LAS) (RE) (AE)
  

  • RELS 250 - Prayer-Ways of the Psalms

    3 Credits
    The nature of the Book of Psalms; their literary types with emphasis on symbol, image, structure, and movement; and the liturgical origins of the Psalms. By exploring the nature of prayer and the Psalms as prayer, suggests ways the Psalms today can nourish personal and communal prayer.  (LAS) (RE) (HE)
  

  • RELS 251 - Introduction to Hebrew Scriptures

    3 Credits
    The literature of the Old Testament, based on the history of ancient Israel. Literary, religious, and cultural influences on ancient Hebrew writings. Roots of contemporary Judaism in Scripture explored. (LAS) (RE)
  

  • RELS 253 - Prophets and Prophecy in Ancient Israel

    3 Credits
    The nature of prophecy and the place of the prophets in the history of Israel. The prophets considered against the backdrop of the history of their times. Exploration of the relevance of the prophets for contemporary social and religious issues.
  

  • RELS 254 - New Testament Gospels

    3 Credits
    General introduction to Christian Scripture with a detailed study of the Gospels. Development of the synoptic tradition emphasized through use of source criticism, form criticism, and redaction criticism.  (LAS) (RE)
  

  • RELS 255 - Saint Paul and the Apostolic Church

    3 Credits
    Study of the early Christian Church through the Pauline literature and the Acts of the Apostles. Emphasis on the emergence of Christianity in the Judaic and Hellenistic worlds, and the major theological themes in Paul’s letters.
  

  • RELS 256 - Jewish Life and Thought

    3 Credits
    Judaism as a faith and its connection with Jewish history. The origins of the Jewish people and their earliest religious outlook, from biblical to post-Talmudic times. A study of the way in which Jews understand the Bible, with an emphasis on the differences from the Christian view.  (LAS) (RE)
  

  • RELS 257 - Islam

    3 Credits
    Designed for students who have little or no knowledge of Islam. Introduction to the origins of Islam and its fundamental principles. Topics include the Prophet Muhammad, the Qur’an, and the beliefs and pillars of Islam, the Shi’a, Sufism, or Islamic mysticism, and women and Islam.  (LAS) (RE)
  

  • RELS 258 - Religion and Race in the United States

    3 Credits
    The role that religion has played to create, sustain, and critique American racial ideology and racism. Considers the ways in which faith traditions can be resources for contesting racism in the Church and society.  (LAS) (RE) (VE)
    Prerequisite(s): An introductory (100-level) course in RELS and permission of instructor.
  

  • RELS 260 - An Introduction to the Theological Study of Jesus Christ

    3 Credits
    Critical investigation of the historical foundations and the theological content of the mystery of Jesus Christ in the light of modern developments.  (LAS) (RE) (AE)
  

  • RELS 261 - Christian Marriage

    3 Credits
    Exploration of the meaning of Christian marriage in a contemporary context. Attention to the development of marriage, marriage in the Christian tradition, dating, the stages of a marriage, sexual ethics, responding to crises in marriage.  (LAS) (RE)
  

  • RELS 262 - Buddhism in America

    3 Credits
    This course is designed to introduce students to the complex issues and ideas surrounding the American encounter with Asian Buddhism. Attention will be given to the developments within Asia and Europe which have influenced the spread of Buddhism to the United States. The major themes of the course include the history of the systematic study of Buddhism in the West which was an extension of European fascination with Asia as a source of regeneration, the arrival of Asian Buddhists to the U.S. beginning with indigent Chinese workers, the developments of convert and ethnic Buddhism, and inter-religious dialog between Buddhism and Christianity.  (LAS) (RE) (AE)
    Prerequisite(s):  
  

  • RELS 263 - Women and Gender in Early Christianity

    3 Credits
    Women’s place in early Christian communities from the New Testament period to the fifth century. Various New Testament and early Christian writings are read and carefully analyzed. Examines Mary, the mother of Jesus, as her representation changes over the course of time. The work of feminist interpreters of Christian writings are utilized to examine how the discourse about and around women was played out in the development of Christianity in its first centuries, and what importance this has for women’s spirituality.  (LAS) (RE) (WS)
 

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