RS - Religious Studies
RS 123: The Christian Tradition (3)
This course is an introduction to the theological study of the faith of the Christian community. It examines contemporary Christian understandings of God, Christ, humanity, existence, the Bible, and salvation. This course is a prerequisite for most other religious studies courses. (General Education: Lantern Series: Theological and Ethical Education)
RS 153: Nano Nagle: Her Life and Her Legacy (3)
This course centers on the life of Nano Nagle, the foundress of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We will explore her life and her contribution to the development of educational opportunities during the time of British Penal Laws in Ireland. A study will be undertaken to discover the continuing influence she has had on the spread of her work in many corners of the world including our own Presentation College.
RS 2003: New Testament Overview (3)
This course introduces students to the content of the New Testament with special emphasis on the general structure of the Gospels, the various literary forms found within the Gospels, the New Testament letters, and the Book of Revelation.
RS 234: Catholicism (3)
In contrast to the general overview of Christian doctrine and practice in RS 123: Christian Tradition, this course surveys the more specific history, doctrine, and worship practices of the Roman Catholic Church, including Catholicism’s emphasis on sacraments and tradition.
Prerequisites: RS 123 or divisional approval.
RS 243: The Sacraments (3)
This course is a study of the sacraments, both as moments of human religious experience and through an examination of the historical development of sacraments in the Christian tradition.
Prerequisite: RS 123 or divisional approval.
RS 253: Prayer and Spirituality (3)
This course is an introduction to the meaning of prayer and religious experience or spiritual life from a Christian perspective, including the fundamentals of prayer and spirituality.
Prerequisite: RS 123 or RS1xx, or divisional approval.
RS 263: Old Testament Overview (3)
This course is an overview of the Old Testament. Students will study its various literary genres, the historical context of the various writings, and various methods of interpretation. (General Education: Intellect and Inquiry Series: Arts, Language, and Literature)
Prerequisite: RS 123 or division approval.
RS 293: Christian Ethics (3)
This course introduces students to the study of ethics as the determination of right and wrong based on the objective needs of human nature. The course further studies specifically Christian, especially Catholic, views on basic personal and social ethical issues. Students will also complete a service-learning project in which they reflect on their service in light of Christian social ethics. This course is also required for the Religious Studies minor and Religious Studies associate degree. (General Education: Lantern Series: Theological and Ethical Education)
Prerequisite: RS 123 or divisional approval.
RS 303: World Religions (3)
This course is a survey of the origin, nature, beliefs and practices of the major world religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. (General Education: Intellect and Inquiry Series: Inquiry and Intellectual Judgment)
Prerequisite: EN 133 or divisional approval.
RS 305: Special Topics in Religious Studies (1-4)
This course is a focused examination of a specific topic or related set of topics in religious studies. This course is offered occasionally, as needed.
Prerequisite: RS 123, or division approval. (Specific topics may require further prerequisites.).
RS 310: God Goes to the Movies: Pop Culture and Theology (3)
This course investigates perspectives on God and religion found in a variety of media (music, movies, television, advertising, video games, celebrities, sports, etc.). It will look at the intersection of pop culture and theology, offering opportunity to analyze and assess critically the various media we consume and how this contributes—both knowingly and unknowingly—to the formation of theological ideas. (General Education: Intellect & Inquiry Series: Arts/Language/Literature) (Writing Intensive)
Prerequisite: RS 123.
RS 311: Where Is God? Wrestling with the Problem of Suffering & Evil (3)
This course will wrestle with the question of the problem of evil from a variety of perspectives, including the diverse witnesses contained in the Bible, ancient and modern philosophical responses, media such as literature and film, as well as concrete historical experiences, most notably the Holocaust. A primary focus of the course will be the question of theodicy—how one reconciles the presence of evil in a world created by a good, just, and loving God. (General Education: Intellect and Inquiry Series: Inquiry and Intellectual Judgment) (Writing Intensive)
Prerequisites: RS 123, Ge 150, and one lower-level Social Responsibility and Civic Engagement course.
RS 312: Theology of Rap, Reggae, and Rock and Roll (3)
This course analyzes the theology, implicit or explicit, behind various types of modern music, including rock and roll, reggae, and rap. "Theology" is broadly defined to include the human search for ultimate meaning, ethical values, and understandings of God. Songs will be studied within their broader political, cultural, and religious context. The theology of modern music will be compared with the theological ideas and practices of the Bible and traditional (creedal) Christianity. (Intellectual & Inquiry Series: Arts and Literature).
RS 333: Life and Letters of St. Paul (3)
Using material from the Acts of the Apostles and Paul's writings, students become acquainted with the Apostle to the Gentiles and his letters. Issues for study include the life of Paul, the structure of a Pauline letter, and themes in Paul's major letters.
Prerequisite: RS 123 or divisional approval.
RS 353: Jesus the Christ (3)
This course examines who the man Jesus was and what it means to call him the Christ, the Son of God, and God. The course includes consideration of some of the different ways Christians have understood Jesus as the Christ from Biblical times to the present.
Prerequisite: RS 123 or divisional approval.
RS 383: Justice and Peace (3)
This course addresses justice and peace issues on the international, national, and local levels, including its Biblical and ecclesiastical foundations, and its practice.
Prerequisite: RS 123 or divisional approval.
RS 393: Islam and the Muslim World (3)
This course examines the basic beliefs and practices of Islam. Other special topics of study include the Qur’an, radical Islam, women in Islam, and Islam in the U.S.
Prerequisite: RS 123, or division approval.