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Case Western Reserve
University
Department of Religion
Summer Courses--
2004
Updated: June 26, 2004
RLGN 216: Hinduism An introduction to Hinduism in its diverse and colorful images, practices, and architectural forms, as well as in its myths, epic tales, and philosophical texts. Students will learn about ancient Vedic sacrifice, rituals of the life cycle, sacred pilgrimage, and religious festivals; they will look closely at Hindu philosophical and mystical strivings to understand the nature of reality and illusion, ultimate being, ego and soul, and final liberation; and they will study the major Hindu gods and goddesses, their natures, forms, stories, and relations to humankind through devotion, worship, and ritual possession. The course includes videos, literary works, and visits to a Hindu temple and the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Daniel Meckel (June 14 - - July 22; T.R. 9:00am to 12:00 noon)
RLGN 344: Mind, Culture and Religious Experience An exploration of the psychological and cultural sources of religious experience. Students will encounter such phenomena as conversion, spirit possession, ecstatic states, extreme asceticism, psychopathology, and private conceptions of God. They will read and discuss classic works on religious experience from the realms of psychology, anthropology, history of religions, and literature. (cross-listed with PSCL 345)
Daniel Meckel (June 14 - - July 22; T.R. 6:00pm to 9:00pm)
Current Courses-- Fall
2004
Updated: June 26, 2004
Students interested
in a Religion major, minor, or sequence should contact
Professor Peter Haas, Phone: 368-2741, E-Mail: pjh7@case.edu
RLGN 102: Introduction to Religion What role has religion played in the shaping of our diverse American culture? What does it mean to be religious? How is faith related to the shaping of personal and communal existence? This course will explore questions of religion within today's broadband world. Through reading literary works of autobiography, fiction, poetry and web exploration, through analysis of visual culture such as ads, TV broadcasts, movies, music videos, and through personal reflection, discussion, lectures, and writing, we shall work with interpretations of the sacred within Western religious traditions, particularly within American history and culture. The goals of this course are to provide an appreciation of the breadth and range of religious experience; an awareness of the assumptions that individuals and groups bring to the study of religious experience; an understanding of the diversity within and among religious communities. To explore these goals, we shall concentrate upon three major areas of academic inquiry: spiritual autobiography, religion and politics, and religion and popular culture introduction to the Hebrew Bible's literature and thought. The approach will be historical-critical while examining the traditional Jewish and Christian methods as well. We will concentrate on general issues as well as on selected specific topics. Each of them will be exemplified with various textual readings from the different sections and literary genres of the Hebrew Bible and related sources. The ultimate goal is to enrich and deepen the student's knowledge, sharpen her/his insights, and open new horizons to the Biblical works and world. (Cross-listed as CLSC 205.)
Alice Bach (TR 10:00- 11:15)
RLGN 204: Introduction to Asian Religions This course will provide an introduction to the major religious traditions of Asia, including Buddhism, Hinduism, and Taoism. Our study of primary sources will focus on several themes and questions: What roles do human beings play in the universe? What kinds of goals should humans aspire towards? Are these traditions best characterized as ³religions²? There will be weekly quizzes and short papers as well as longer papers.(Deepak Sarma)
Deepak Sarma (TR 1:15- 2:30)
RLGN 207: Religion and God Talk This course will examine and analyze the intersections of feminism/womanism and the religious traditions of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. To identify as a feminist is to occupy several locations simultaneously: one of gender, age, race, class, ethnicity, sexuality. Within these locations, we shall focus upon (1) the inclusion of women's experience within social and political aspects of religion; (2) the willingness of feminist interpreters to revise and refigure traditions so that women are included as equal partners with men in the worship of God and the participation within rituals and religious life. Spiritual autobiographies of practitioners of various Western religions as well as our own personal experiences in and out of traditional faith communities will form a central part of our work together. Alice Bachhistorical and thematic introduction to Indian Civilization in its major religious forms. We will study Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Islam, as these have given shape to distinctive ways of life in India. We will read historical studies, religious and philosophic texts, examine forms of devotion and ritual, recount the stories of major religious figures (human and divine), and encounter distinctive forms of religious expression through the arts. Finally, we will consider contemporary interrelations among these traditions. The course entails three excursions to religious sites off campus.
Alice Bach (TR 2:45- 4:00)
RLGN 216: Introduction to Hinduism This course will provide an introduction to Hindu thought and culture. Special attention will be paid throughout to: 1) the construction of ³Hinduism²; 2) the primary sources of the various traditions and sub-traditions; 3) the social and institutional dimensions of Hinduism; 4) the metaphysical underpinnings of the religious practices studied; 5) the contemporary issues faced by adherents of these traditions. There will be weekly quizzes and short papers as well as longer papers.
Deepak Sarma (TR 8:30- 9:45)
RLGN 312: The Trickster in Religion Few literary figures have as wide a distribution, and as long a history, as the Trickster of global mythologies. He is at once Sacred and Profane, creator and destroyer; an incorrigible duper who is always duped. Free of social and moral constraints, he is ruled instead by passions and appetites, yet it is through his unprincipled behavior that values come into being. How are we to interpret this amazing creature? Using folkloristic theories and ethnographic methods, we will come to understand the Trickster in global context, from remote antiquity to the present day.
Judith Neulander (MWF 11:30-12:20)
RLGN 341: Religion and Postmodernism This course considers the impact of postmodern thought on the study of religion. Among our concerns will be the following: • how recent critical theory informs our understanding of traditional religion and religious texts • the nature of religion in the postmodern world • the usefulness (or not) of such postmodern terms as narrative, textuality, the author, ideology, gender, and rhetoric for understanding religious thought and practice Course objectives include the following: • Development of working knowledge of terms used in postmodern critical theory, and their application to religion and religious texts. • An exploration of postmodernism, both as critical theory when applied to the interpretation of texts, and as social condition. The course will focus on the interplay between these two uses of the term postmodernism and their impact on current perceptions about religion's role in the contemporary world. • Clarification of student perspectives on various worldviews asserted through religious discourse, and the articulation of one's own position concerning religion and postmodernism.
William Deal (Monday 4:00 - 6:30)
RLGN 271: Bioethics: Dilemmas in Research and Clinical Practice We have the genetic technology to change nature and human nature, but is this the right thing to do? We have the medical technology to extend almost any human life, but is this always good for people? Should we clone human beings? Should we allow doctor-assisted suicide to hasten the deaths of the terminally ill? This course invites students from all academic disciplines to begin thinking now about current and likely future issues in Bioethics. These general areas are covered: theory and method in bioethics, death and dying, organ transplantation, genetics, research, neonatology, aging and dementia, fertility and reproduction, distributive justice in health care access, and concepts of health and disease. In addition to classroom learning with Center for Biomedical Ethics faculty well known nationally for their contributions in all of these general areas, students will benefit from visits to clinical settings under the guidance of the Center's experienced clinical ethicists. (Also offered as BETH 271, PHIL 271.)
Insoo Hyun (TR 1:15-2:30)
RLGN 310: Folklore and Myth in Japanese Film Representations of folklore, myth, and the uncanny in Japanese film. The course will explore the relationship between gothic horror and folk culture in contemporary Japan and the use of religious symbols, both Japanese and Western American, by the Japanese film industry. Attention will also be paid to the prevalence of myth in Japanese animation. Students will combine weekly film viewing assignments with readings that address the mass media, popular folk culture, myth, and ideology in contemporary Japan.
Jeffrey Isaacs (T.R. 1:15-2:30)
RLGN 345/445: Religion and Horror This course explores relations between religion, horror, and the monstrous in ancient scripture and contemporary horror. Course readings, discussions, and research projects approach the subject from two distinct but related directions: first, through an examination of elements of horror and the monstrous in biblical and related ancient texts; second, through an examination of religious dimensions in modern horror, especially as they are found in representations of monstrosity in literature and film. Evaluation is based on class preparation and participation, regular short papers, a major research paper, and a final essay exam. (Tim Beal)
Tim Beal (Tuesday 4:30-7:00)
RLGN 392: Independent Study Up to three semester hours of independent study may be taken in a single semester. Must have prior approval of faculty member directing the project. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Staff (times as arranged)
RLGN 395: Honors Research Intensive study of a topic or problem leading to the writing of an honors thesis. Maximum six credits. Prerequisite: Consent of department chair. Staff (times as arranged)
601: Special Research Independent study (1-3 credit hours) for graduate students, as arranged with individual instructors. Prerequisite: Graduate standing; consent of instructor. Staff (times as arranged)
RLGN 651: Thesis, M.A. Faculty guidance for IGS (Integrated Graduate Studies) or graduate students writing a Master's thesis. (1-9 credit hours.) Prerequisite: Graduate standing; consent of instructor. Staff (times as arranged)