35 courses with the subject RLST, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
RLST 104Religious Imagination3
Letter Grade Explores questions regarding the general nature of religious activity and expression. The religious imagination stresses the sacramental nature of the world; imagination interacts with diverse religious narratives and worldviews. Religious imagination sees reflections of the sacred in all of creation: the objects, events, and persons of everyday life hint at the nature of God and, in some way, make God present to us.
Letter Grade Examines humanity’s evolving relationship with the supernatural. Studies primitive, archaic, and historic periods in the development of religion as background to modern religious systems and traditions. Explores several of the world’s religions, including their belief statements; sacred writings; moral codes; relationship to other religions.
Letter Grade Probes the possibilities of “meeting Jesus again for the first time” by examining his life as compassionate prophet and wisdom teacher from an historical–critical perspective. The course will raise new questions not only about the meaning of Christ but also about our own lives in light of contemporary issues and concerns.
Letter Grade An overview of both the contemporary Catholic milieu and the factors that have contributed to the current state of the Church. Covers the major components of Catholicism: Revelation, Theology of God, Christology, Ecclesiology, Sacramentology, and Morality. Topics are investigated from the position of traditional belief and of modern scholarship. r 281
Letter Grade Focuses on the biblical narratives in which women play a pivotal role. Using skills of modern biblical scholarship, retrieves stories of individual women and examines their roles in the texts. Considers the ancient cultures that form the backdrop to biblical texts.
Letter Grade Examines the moral decision-making process in light of biblical and Christian principles. Areas of study include the human act; conscience; moral development; and various ethical systems. Uses selected contemporary issues for discussion.
Letter Grade In-depth examination of current moral issues, such as homosexuality, nuclear war, hunger, poverty, sexism, and racism. Attention is given to media presentation of these issues with a goal to critical evaluation of underlying principles.
Letter Grade Examines questions related to human life and “s death, including artificial insemination, genetic manipulation, surrogacy, abortion, euthanasia, and removal of life support systems.
Letter Grade The times in which we live demand that we examine critically the kind of God in whom we believe or refuse to believe. This course is designed to invite students to question various images of God to test whether they are BIG enough to embrace our global reality with both faith and reason. At stake in this exploration is more than one’s personal experience of the divine; called into question also is the kind of human/earth community we an want to help shape in response to our evolving understanding of Life's deepest meaning and ultimate purpose.
Letter Grade Designed to ponder the stories, pursue the questions and perceive the gifts that lie at th heart of the human journey to forgive and reconcile. The course engages several disciplines: theology and psychology, literature and cultural anthropology. The goal is to move from sharing stories and learning theories to making choices and acquiring skills that embrace forgiveness as a graced way of life in a wounded world.
Letter Grade Philosophy and theology are dedicated to a search for human meaning, relevance and truth. However, these two disciplines need for stories and symbols; for solitude and approach these questions in different ways community; for contemplation and action in and from different perspectives. It will be the the context of the faith maturation process. intention of this class to use these disciplines together in an effort to allow each to assist the RLST 237: Religious Nationalism others so as to help us achieve some insight (SW) Credits: 3 Letter Grade into the nature of the human condition. This Investigates historical and current versions of class will attempt to look into a serious Religious Nationalism as a “cultural discussion of theology by means of the framework that blurs distinctions between rigorous tools of philosophy. The class will religious identity and national identity, delve into a discussion of both revealed and viewing the two as closely related and seeking rational approaches to religion, divinity, and to enhance and preserve their union.” This can transcendence. The works of Immanuel Kant, result in beliefs of a particular religion Soren Kierkegaard and Paul Tillich will play a advocated to accord those beliefs as primacy large role in this class. in politics, education, and law. This is distinguished in the course from when a
RLST 228Spiritual but not Religious person’s political values are shaped by the3
(SW) Letter Grade individual’s religious faith, manifested for Examines the growing number of “Nones”— example in influencing how people vote. those who profess no religious affiliation, along with the similar phenomenon: “spiritual RLST 240: Introduction to Social Justice but not religious.” Uses an interdisciplinary Credits: 3 Letter Grade approach involving both theological/religious Seminar type course that explores issues of and sociological analyses to examine how social justice in light of principles of biblical individuals and groups make meaning and ethics and Christian social teaching. Extensive sense of the world. Integrates essential aspects discussion of topics such as the feminization from a theological/religious view of religious of poverty; the impact of defense spending on experience, spirituality and beliefs among social programs; and the relationship between formal religions. Uses a sociological First and Second World consumerism and the examination of religion and the relationship of Third and Fourth World destitution. piritual but not religious” to the number of Required readings include pertinent Church “Nones.” As students gain knowledge of statements and current newspaper and religion and spirituality, they will be asked to magazine articles. consider questions such “why does spirituality seem ‘not religious’” - and be exposed to the view that religion and spirituality are RLST 241: Models/Mentors of Spiritual Life dependent on each other. Additionally, Credits: 3 Letter Grade students will also learn to critically evaluate Explores the role of story in shaping human how wider contexts, including the history of life, as human persons and as companions on ideas such as atheism and modern and post- the journey of life. We will study the stories of modern philosophies of religion, help shape significant women and men in dialogue with our own unfolding stories and the great story these modern trends. of faith, particularly Christian. In so doing, we hope to discover more of who we are
becoming, and who we are invited to become. (MI) Letter Grade We will consider the values and commitments This is a team-taught, interdisciplinary course that shaped the lives of outstanding spiritual that focuses on the relationship between faith seekers and ask about their meaning in our d reason. Philosophy and theology are the world and lives today. Students will choose two main disciplines in play in the course, and one particular mentor or model to study in- the readings for the course primarily derive depth as a major focus of their individual from these two disciplines. Whereas most reading, research and writing. faith-reason courses at universities and colleges across the world focus primarily on theoretical reason, this course focuses RLST 242: Women in Society and Religion primarily on practical reason, that is, on well- Credits: 3 Letter Grade Examines the changing roles of women in e being, meaning in life, and morality (i.e., on ethics in general). This is because the society and in various religious traditions. The instructors for this course believe that biblical foundations for an understanding of focusing on ethics provides students with a the basic dignity of women are explored. more accessible way of approaching the relationship between faith and reason. RLST 244: Global Theology/The Cry for
RLST 235Spirituality: A Life Journey Letter Grade3
Credits: 3 Letter Grade Explores core aspects of the Christian Through critical reflection, the student is theological tradition in light of emerging drawn into an examination of faith as an global concerns. By means of case studies, the anchor and guide in discovering life’s meaning voices of marginalized peoples of the world and value. The course examines central themes are highlighted for the ethical challenges in of spirituality, such as images of God; church; their urgent cries for justice, peacemaking, and the self-in-relationship; it underscores the reconciliation. Provides opportunities to 282
Letter Grade Introduces students to the broad spectrum of systems and practices of Christian social ethics, including helping them to see the connections of principles of Catholic social teaching to today's global situations.
Letter Grade An exploration aimed at a more comprehensive understanding of leadership, with particular emphasis on the principles of Catholic Social Teaching. A discussion of different theories of leadership in the context of community and social issues. Preparation of students to be informed, responsible leaders at Chestnut Hill College and beyond.
RLST 315Philosophy & Religion in the Eastern World
Minor in Religious Studies and Philosophy Students who minor in Religious Studies and Philosophy work under the guidance of their assigned minor advisor. Students must earn a grade of C- (1.70) or better in courses required to successfully complete the requirements for the Minor. An Independent Study may be available with appropriate permission. Courses are 3 credits unless indicated and may not be offered every semester. Requirements for the Minor in Religious Studies and Philosophy One 100, 200, 300-level course in Religious Studies Course or an IDHP Seminar with an indicated Religious Studies Component
