Courses
Course descriptions are provided below.
For a full syllabus of the course, click on the course title.
106
EXPLORING THE BIBLE
An introductory study of the nature and content of the Biblical
writings with emphasis upon the
basic ideas or messages. Meets Tier I credit for religion.
107
EXPLORING WORLD RELIGIONS
An introductory exploration of basic historical developments, beliefs
and practices in selected Eastern and Western world religious traditions
including Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Chinese religions, Judaism
and Islam. Students taking this course are expected to have some
background in Christianity because they will be encouraged to reflect
upon the material from a traditional Christian perspective. However,
all thoughtful religious world views are welcomed. Meets Tier I
credit for religion and International Perspectives requirement.
109 EXPLORING CHRISTIAN ETHICS
Introduces the discipline of Christian theological ethics. The course will examine the theological methods and resources in the Christian tradition which Christian ethicists have employed for developing a coherent vision of the Christian life and Christian character. Meets Tier I credit for religion.
110 EXPLORING CHRISTIAN HISTORY IN A GLOBAL CONTEXT
Explores topical issues in world history as self-identified Christian communities interacted and conflicted with non-Christian ones. Emphasis will be placed on Christianity's historical relationship with Judaism and Islam in a global context. Meets Tier I credit for religion and International Perspectives requirement.
208 EXPLORING CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY
An introduction to the central doctrines of the Christian faith that is both critically respectful of classical theological traditions and critically open to the new voices and emphases of recent theologies. Students will become familiar with systematic theological categories and develop interpretive skills through the careful reading, analysis, and discussion of theological texts.
210
THE GOSPELS
A study of the life and teachings of Jesus as portrayed in the New
Testament gospels. Each of the gospels is examined and compared.
213
LIFE AND LETTERS OF PAUL
Examination of Saul/Paul's role in the early New Testament church
and his influence in establishing the doctrine of the church. Acts
and the Pauline epistles are included.
214
PRINCIPLES OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Principles and objectives of religious education as related to curriculum,
leadership training, church agencies and parochial education. Offered
spring semester, even years.
This course deals with the questions of whether it is permissible to take human life and if so, what the conditions might be that warrant or limit such behavior. It examines the issues of euthanasia, abortion, capital punishment, suicide, and warfare from literary, philosophical, social scientific, and religious perspectives, mainly from the Judeo-Christian viewpoint. Meets Tier II credit for humanities.
230 HISTORY OF EARLY CHRISTIANITY
Prerequisite: REL 106
Focuses upon selected literature and significant historical events in the development of Christianity from the 2nd to the 5th century. One central question will guide our inquiry: How did "orthodox" Christianity overcome various challenges to become the dominant religious tradition in the West. Meets Tier II credit for historical reasoning.
231 HISTORY OF MEDIEVAL AND REFORMATION CHRISTIANITY
Prerequisite: REL 106
Focuses on the history of Christianity from the 6th to the middle of the 17th century. Emphasis will be primarily on the social context within which medieval and Reformation Christianity developed, and secondarily on Christian through during the period. Meets Tier II credit for historical reasoning.
232 HISTORY OF MODERN EUROPEAN CHRISTIANITY
Prerequisite: REL 106
Focuses on the history of Christianity in Europe from the mid-17th century to the present. Emphasis will be primarily on the social context within which modern European Christianity developed, and secondarily on Christian thought during the period. Meets Tier II credit for historical reasoning.
233 HISTORY OF RELIGIONS IN AMERICA
Prerequisite: REL 106
Focuses on the history of religions in America from the mid-16th century to the present. Emphasis will be primarily on the social context within which American religions developed, and secondarily on Christian thought during the period. Meets Tier II credit for historical reasoning.
240 JEWISH RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS
This course deals with a question that is central to all Jewish religious traditions: how do written and oral traditions combine to create the fabric of contemporary Jewish life? We will pursue this question by focusing upon one aspect of Rabbinic Biblical interpretation (midrash) and two selected ritual observances. In order to examine this question in proper depth, we will also discuss the diversity of approaches within the major movements of contemporary Judaism (Orthodox, Conservative, Reform). Within the context of this course, students will also have opportunity to pursue related topics of their own choosing . Meets Tier 2 Humanities requirement.
2SGC UNDERSTANDING ISLAM IN TODAY'S WORLD
An investigation of the basic beliefs and practices in Islam as they are understood and observed in various parts of the world. The course approaches Islam by focusing upon the ways that oral and written traditions combine with cultural factors to create the fabric of contemporary Islamic life. Topics include the foundations of Islam, the sources of legislation in Islam (Qur'an and Hadith), central ritual observances and social aspects of Islam in the contemporary world.
301 TOPICS IN RELIGION
An in-depth study of a particular topic that is not covered in the regularly scheduled religion courses, for example Christian worship, Christian spirituality, wealth and poverty in the Christian tradition, Christian sexual ethics, the nature of evil, or Church/state relations, Christian eschatology, etc.May be repeated for credit as topics change.
301 TOPICS IN RELIGION: SPIRITUALITY
This course focuses on various approaches to spirituality and the practice of spiritual disciplines within the Christian tradition. Alternating between theory and practice, students will learn about essential issues in Christian spirituality as they develop their own spiritual experiences. There are no prerequisites for the course; however some previous knowledge of the Bible or Christian theology will be helpful.
301 TOPICS IN RELIGION: RELIGION AND MEDICAL ETHICS
This course examines the debates surrounding health and health care in the modern era. Particular attention will be paid to the way in which these debates have been shaped by, and understood within, the Christian tradition. Using concepts, principles, stories, and symbols drawn from Christianity (as well as secular philosophy) we will consider some of the following issues: privacy, confidentiality, the nature of sickness and health, reproductive technology, euthanasia, voluntary termination of life-sustaining treatment, organ transplantation, artificial reproductive technologies, the allocation of health care resources, and genetic engineering/therapy. Meets Tier II credit for humanities requirement.
301 TOPICS IN RELIGION: ECCLESIOLOGY- THE CHURCH PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
What is the Church and what should it do? This course probes the identity, mission, development and phenomenon of the Christian Church from Pentecost to the present particularly as it has related to western culture. Characteristics of the contemporary western Church and recent movements in U.S. ecclesiology (the missional church, the emerging church, the ecumenical movement, evangelical neo-orthodoxy) are critically examined. Students will seek to understand and engage with different ecclesiologies and the ways these have led Christians to incarnate their faith.
301 TOPICS IN RELIGION: CHRISTIANITY IN A GLOBAL CONTEXT
Explores historical paradigms of worldwide Christian mission and examines characteristics of the contemporary Christian church in various global contexts. The relationship between gospel and culture is a central theme. Theological issues in contemporary missiology (the absolute claim of Christianity, interreligious cooperation, globalization, fundamentalisms) and in practical theology (ecclesiology, changing dominance patterns of Christianity, environmental, social, and economic justice) are considered.
301 TOPICS IN RELIGION: HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN WORSHIP
Starting with the New Testament church and ending with the rapidly growing churches of the new global South, this course examines 2,000 years of Christian history and beliefs that shaped the practice and experience of worship. From plainsong to power praise, and monasticism to seeker sensitive services, this course will attempt to make sense of these changes through the lens of history. The course will include mandatory field trips to religious services from different Christian traditions.
301
TOPICS IN RELIGION: CHURCH AND STATE IN AMERICAN HISTORY
This advanced course explores the tangled relationships between
the church and state - or, more broadly, religion and public life
- in American history. The course is organized chronologically,
beginning with the colonial period and continuing through the present
day. Yet, within this broad chronological framework, the course
highlights recurrent themes, such as religious establishment and
free exercise; religion and public education; religion and American
law; and religion as a volatile issue in American political life.
Class time will be divided between interactive lectures and seminar-type
discussions, with greater emphasis placed on the latter. Writing
assignments are largely reflective in nature, giving students an
opportunity to engage the material for the course from their own
frame of reference, and to develop their own patterns of thought
regarding church-state relationships in American history. The course
is ideal for students interested in the religion, history, education,
and public policy of America. Upon successful completion of the
course, each student will be awarded three credit hours in the Department
of Religion.
3SGL
TOPICS IN RELIGION: RELIGION AND CIVIL RIGHTS IN AMERICA
This course examines the involvement and non-involvement of churches and people of faith in the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. Contextualized in the history of America 's racialized society, both African American and white religious responsibilities for,and responses to social injustice are examined through the reading of autobiographies and primary documents.
The course gives students the opportunity to engage in original historical research and collecting oral histories.
304
ADVANCED OLD TESTAMENT
Prerequisite: REL 106
A
comprehensive study of the Old Testament which focuses on the theological
and ethical visions of the writings of the Hebrew Scriptures. In
addition to the law and the proclamation of the prophets, there
is an examination of how the narratives of the Old Testament can
be employed in formulating Jewish and Christian theology and ethics.
Prerequisite:
REL 106
An in-depth study of selected New Testament writings and their interpretation.
Special focus may be placed upon specific themes such as Christian
discipleship or the moral vision of the New Testament.
307
WORLD RELIGION TRADITIONS: EAST AND WEST
Prerequisite: REL 106 or permission of instructor
An advanced course dealing with the traditions of Islam, Hinduism
and Buddhism and their interrelationships with other religions.
Special focus will be placed on primary texts (the Quoin, the Bhagavad
Gita, and selected Buddhist scriptures) as we examine the world
views, ethical teachings and contemporary practices that have developed
in each tradition.
311
YOUTH MINISTRY
Emphasis is placed on the characteristics of youth, the understanding
of youths problems and their implications for the work of the church.
Programs, leadership, materials, trends and organization of youth
work within and related to the church are thoroughly examined. Offered
fall semester, odd years.
350 DEATH AND DYING
A multi-disciplinary exploration divided into three parts:
1. The awareness of the concept of death in culture and personal experience; 2. Theological and philosophical perspectives on death; 3. Practical considerations in dealing with death and dying, such as grief, care of the dying person, mourning and funeral practices, and medical and legal questions concerning definitions of death.
375
STUDY ABROAD: GEOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL SETTINGS OF THE BIBLE
Prerequisites: REL 106, junior status, or permission
An intensive 3-week course offered in conjunction with Jerusalem
University College. It features an integration of the academic study
of Biblical history and geography with on-site field experiences
in Israel and Jordan. Also included is the study of contemporary
social and political issues in the Middle East. Course fee.
3SGBA
: RELIGION AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN AMERICA
This advanced course invites students to consider the various
ways in which religion intersects with the American criminal justice
system. The course will explore themes such as the religious foundations
of American criminal justice, the development of American penitentiaries,
prison reform movements, the place of religious leaders in criminal
justice administration, religious assessments of capital punishment,
and the freedom of religion in American prisons. The course should
appeal to students interested not only in American religion, but
also law, ethics, and public policy. Class time will be divided
more or less evenly between lecture format and group discussion;
lectures are intended to provide students with the necessary background
to engage the primary and secondary source materials that are the
focus of group discussion. Requirements for the course include attendance
at lectures; participation in group discussions; and the completion
of a writing portfolio by the end of the semester. Upon successful
completion of the course, each student will receive three credit
hours in the Department of Religion.
400
CHRISTIAN LITERATURE
Prerequisite: REL 108
This course is designed to acquaint the student with the rich heritage
of Christian literature. Selected writings from the theological,
devotional and general literary work of Christian writers are read
and discussed. Seminar topics include the focused study of a particular
writer such as Martin Luther, John Calvin or Karl Barth.
401
SEMINAR IN CHRISTIAN ETHICS
Prerequisite: REL 108 or 109
This is an advanced course in religious ethics focusing o primary
source readings of Christian theological ethics in the 20th century
from authors such as Niebuhr, Ramsey, Yoder, the Roman Catholic
magisterium, and Hauerwas, examining their methodologies, religious
contexts, theological assumptions, and anthropological conclusions,
and how these affect their treatment of particular issues.
404 SEMINAR IN CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY
Prerequisite:
REL 208
This seminar focuses on the development of Christian theology
in Europe and America during the 20th century. Designed principally
for Religion majors, this course considers seven major "schools"
in contemporary Christian thought: Empirical and Naturalistic theology;
Process theology; Dialectical theology; Christian existentialism;
Christian Realism and Post-Liberalism; Neo-Thomism and Aggiornamento
Catholic theology; Political and Liberation theologies; and Evangelical
theology.
450 SEMINARY COURSE IN BIBLICAL STUDIES
An Ashland Theological Seminary topics course in Biblical studies which investigates seciotns or books of the Bible. May be repeated once for a different topic.
451 SEMINARY COURSE IN CHRISTIAN HISTORY, THEOLOGY, AND PHILOSOPHY
An Ashland Theological Seminary course in Christian history, theology, and/or philosophical studies. May be repeated once for a different topic.
452 SEMINARY COURSE IN PRACTICAL THEOLOGY
An Ashland Theological Seminary course in Christian ministry or practical theology. May be repeated once for a different topic.
497 RELIGION THESIS SEMINAR
Prerequisite: REL 106 and junior or senior status.
Designed to give religion majors a guided opportunity to research and write a paper on a topic of interest in their area of concentration.