The following course descriptions are from the Clarke University 2012-2013 Academic Catalog.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS: RELIGIOUS STUDIES
RELS 100 FOUNDATIONS OF THE SPIRITUAL LIFE 3 hours
This course explores the spiritual foundations of human experience in its personal, religious and socio-cultural dimensions. By making the spiritual story conscious, this study places students in touch with perennial questions shaping religious experience and contemporary Christian spirituality. The course challenges students to recognize the connection between beliefs and values and life decisions that strengthen spiritual growth and further the common good. In this course students are introduced to the Clarke General Education Spirituality Outcome and Spirituality Rubric. Prerequisite: one semester of college. This course is designated as the core foundational religious studies general education course.
RELS 200 SPIRITUAL GROWTH 3 hours
Through a study of historical and contemporary theological sources related to spiritual growth, students make conscious the richness and diversity of faith experiences in relation to Divine mystery and their own vocation. By interacting with and understanding the mystical tradition within the Christian church, students are invited to open up their own unfolding spirituality in both personal and social dimensions; thereby, they deepen their awareness of the rhythms, patterns and struggles integral to spiritual growth for Christian life today. Prerequisite: RELS 100. This course is designated as a foundational religious studies general education course.
RELS 202 WORLD RELIGIONS 3 hours
This course explores the origins, beliefs, ritual expressions, scriptures and the social, historical and cultural contexts of the major religious traditions in both East and West. This exploration, directed toward an appreciative understanding of faith traditions, includes reading, reflection, discussion, and activities designed to help students experience, as though from the inside, the meaning of a given tradition for those who practice it. In the process students have the opportunity to reflect on and to deepen their understanding of their own beliefs, spiritual practices and develop skills for living in a religiously pluralistic world. This course is designated as a humanities general education course. This is an approved diversity studies course.
RELS 204 FAITH COMMUNITIES 3 hours
Christian faith communities are carriers of spiritual wisdom and practices that can enrich life personally as well as inspire and sustain commitment to justice and peace by their mission. Students are invited to think about how the story of Jesus animates and challenges Christian faith communities to carry out the ministry and mission of Jesus in the church and the world. In dialog with the Christian theological tradition students examine dynamics of faith community life and reflect on their own unique inner call to service and faithfulness in Christian community. Service-learning is a required component of this course and co-curricular diversity credit is optional with the service learning experience by instructor approval. Prerequisite: RELS 100. This course is designated as a foundational religious studies general education course.
RELS 205 INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW TESTAMENT 3 hours
An exploration of the Christian story and message as expressed in the writings of the New Testament. The course investigates the historical veracity of biblical traditions about Jesus and examines the major themes of the New Testament texts from the perspective of historical-critical analysis and Christian theology of revelation. Students’ spiritual growth is invited through dialogue with key themes of New Testament theology. Prerequisite: RELS 100. This course is designated as a foundational religious studies general education course.
RELS 206 INTRODUCTION TO THE OLD TESTAMENT 3 hours
An exploration of the Old Testament writings in light of Christian theology of revelation and modern biblical scholarship. The course introduces the resources of biblical interpretation to survey the history, theology, and literature of the Old Testament. It addresses gender/feminist perspectives and how the Old Testament shapes contemporary Catholic-Christian, Christian-Jewish or Christian-Muslim dialogue. Prerequisite: RELS 100. This course is designated as a foundational religious studies general education course.
RELS 208 SACRAMENTAL EXPERIENCE 3 hours
An exploration of the sacraments of the Catholic faith in the context of Christianity’s central message of human transformation in the Spirit. The course considers the nature of Christian hope and the place of God in human experience while surveying the history and role of the sacraments in the larger life and mission of the church. Course topics provide a point of reference for students’ investigation of their own spiritual development. Prerequisite: RELS 100. This course is designated as a foundational religious studies general education course.
RELS 211 FAITH AND DOUBT 3 hours
This course studies contemporary challenges to belief in Christianity in dialogue with the responses of Christian theologians. Topics covered include the science-religion debate, atheism and secularism, the nature of Christian revelation, and an examination of the foundations of faith in experience, history, community, and prayer. The overall aim is to increase understanding on issues of faith and doubt and to help students engage in respectful dialogue on contentious issues of religious and non-religious conviction. Prerequisite: RELS 100; Recommended PHIL 110 (or equivalent). This course is designated as a humanities general education course.
RELS 215 SPIRITUALITY OF CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE 3 hours
Exploration of a contemporary spirituality of Christian marriage. Contemporary issues related to daily living and marital spirituality will be raised for study. Students have an opportunity to consider how history, scripture, ritual and symbol uncover vital resources for Christian married life. Prerequisite: RELS 100. This course is designated as a foundational religious studies general education course.
RELS 216 CONTEMPORARY CATHOLIC FAITH 3 hours
Through reflection on contemporary experience and understandings of what it means to be human, this course seeks to uncover the truth of human experience as permeated with the presence of God. The primary goal of this course is to introduce students to the central doctrines of Christian theology in a way which enables them to explore the meaningfulness and significance of these insights for their own lives and for our times. Readings include current spiritual and theological writings on Catholic Christian faith, as well as selected texts from scripture. Prerequisite: RELS 100. This course is designated as a foundational religious studies general education course.
RELS 218 ETHICS FOR CHRISTIAN LIVING 3 hours
Examination of the relationship between Christian faith and ethics. In personal, professional, and social spheres of life, Christians face a continual stream of moral questions and problems that make living complex. In discovering and responding to one’s Christian vocation a person begins to recognize that moral choices and actions not only shape the individual and his or her relationship with God, but also affect a wide range of other persons in society. Through methodological inquiry students examine how character, choices, and community provide a structural framework for engaging Christian ethics in relation to issues facing Christian believers living in the 21st century. Prerequisite: RELS 100. This course is designated as a foundational religious studies general education course.
RELS 219 FAITH AND HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT 3 hours
Explore the development of faith across the human lifespan with its transitions and crises. Ministry to and education of the whole person involves understanding how Christian faith informs practices of care, faith, and meaning-making from birth to death. This course is particularly valuable to students preparing for helping professions where a deep understanding of the human person in its spiritual dimensions is needed for holistic care and service – e.g., education, nursing, pre-professional health sciences, psychology, religious studies, and social work. Prerequisite: RELS 100. This course is designated as a foundational religious studies general education course.
RELS 222 THE MULTICULTURAL FACES OF JESUS 3 hours
This course introduces students to understandings of Jesus emerging from non-western cultures and from groups on the margins of society. Asians, Africans, Latin Americans, African-Americans and women around the world are appropriating the Christian faith from their particular situations and creating, for the first time, a genuine "global Christianity." The process of the course is designed to facilitate students’ appropriation of their own faith in dialog with these diverse insights about Jesus and the gospel message. Readings include narratives and the writings of both Christian theologians and thinkers from other religious traditions. This course is designated as a foundational religious studies course. This is an approved diversity studies course.
RELS 280 TOPICS IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES CV
Study of a topic of current interest in the area of scripture, theology or spirituality. Prerequisite: RELS 100.
RELS 380 TOPICS IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES CV
Study of a topic of current interest in the area of scripture, theology or spirituality. Prerequisite: Six hours in religious studies, including RELS 100.
RELS 387 GUIDED RESEARCH 3 hours
An independent and in-depth investigation of a particular topic of interest. Prerequisites: Major status and nine hours in religious studies including RELS 100.
RELS 395 PRACTICUM IN CATECHETICAL, LITURGICAL, PASTORAL OR YOUTH MINISTRIES CV
An opportunity for students to integrate their knowledge and skill in a supervised ministry situation or faith-based agency. As part of the course students create a learning syllabus that outlines particular outcomes that span human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral growth areas that will be addressed in the learning practicum. Throughout the experience, students engage in a formal process of theological reflection in consultation with their on-site ministry supervisor and a department faculty member. Prerequisites: Major status and 15 hours in religious studies.
RELS 402 THE TRINITARIAN MYSTERY 3 hours
A study of the Christian understanding of God as pure self-gift / agape. Beginning with the New Testament, the course examines the revelation of God in Jesus and traces the development of the early church’s christological and trinitarian insights through the councils of the first five centuries. Later historical developments and contemporary theology are then investigated to assist students to grasp how Christian understanding has developed over time and in different cultures. Examination of the Christian view of God is set in relation to the Christian view of the human person and salvation. Readings include selections from classic primary theological texts, church documents, and key spiritual writings. Prerequisite: Nine hours in religious studies. One 300 level course is recommended for majors.
RELS 404 HISTORY OF CATHOLIC-CHRISTIAN THOUGHT 3 hours
Provides a context for a reflective exploration of Christian theology, life and mission in dialog with major events and developments in the past two millennia. Students investigate how history and culture have contributed to the shaping of Christian beliefs and practices, how faith grows and develops in changing circumstances and how the present reality of the church and its mission is essentially connected to understanding the past. Attention is given to the following topics: the formative influence of the Greco-Roman empire during the first five centuries of Christianity; the role of Augustine in the articulation of Christian understanding of sin and salvation; the place of the church in relation to society during the middle ages; the influence of Thomas Aquinas on the Catholic way of doing theology; the Reformation and the Council of Trent; and the Second Vatican Council as a response to the historical and cultural situations of the 20th century. Readings include selections from classic primary theological texts, church documents and key spiritual writings on Christian life and prayer. Prerequisite: Nine hours in religious studies. One 300 level course is recommended for majors.
RELS 487 GUIDED RESEARCH CV
An independent and in-depth investigation of a particular topic of interest. Prerequisites: Major status and nine hours in religious studies including RELS 100.
RELS 499 SENIOR CAPSTONE CV
This course provides a focal point for and closure to a liberal arts education within the context of the major discipline. As a departmental offering, this course focuses on discipline-specific topics and expands to include breadth of knowledge and synthesis. Interdisciplinary integration of knowledge and research is emphasized. General education and major outcomes are integral to course assessment. Prerequisite: Ordinarily, a student must have junior standing with a minimum of 42 credit hours in general education and 24 credit hours in religious studies completed including RELS 387 or RELS 487.