RS-2000 |
Encountering Sacred Writings |
||
This course introduces students to the issues involved in reading and understanding sacred tests, whether one | |||
reads texts as a believer or not. Given the nature of Gwynedd Mercy University, the biblical texts of the Old and | |||
New Testament form the core of the course. To provide comparisons and contrasts with the Judeo-Christian | |||
biblical tradition, some selective writings from other major religions will be examined in a limited manner. |
3.00 |
||
RS-201 |
Writings of John |
||
The literature of Johannine Christianity, which includes a gospel, three letters and an apocalyptic work, is the | |||
primary subject matter of this course. Comparisons and contracts with the Synoptic tradition are also examined. |
3.00 |
||
RS-203 |
The Synoptic Gospels |
The gospels of Mathew and Mark and the two-part work consisting of the gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles, provide the primary subject matter of the course. The Synoptic Problem of interdependence and the primary |
|
emphases of the Synoptic tradition are examined. |
3.00 |
||
RS-218 |
Meaning and Practice of Prayer |
||
The three monotheistic religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, offer rich and varied approaches to prayer. The | |||
basic beliefs of these three major religions are examined in light of their unique approaches to prayer practices. |
3.00 |
||
RS-220 |
The Prophets |
Because the prophetic literature of the Old Testament is so vast, this more specialized course treats biblical prophecy in detail. A survey of the books of the major and Minor Prophets forms the foundation of the course. Biblical prophecy and its relationship to messianic expectations are explored, as is the recurring issues of false vs. |
|
true prophets. |
3.00 |
||
RS-226 |
Social Spirituality |
This course provides students with a scriptural, theological and spiritual base from which to examine contemporary social issues. Particular emphasis is given to the place of compassion in one ' s everyday life, such as |
|
organ donation. Contemporary topics of euthanasia and genetic engineering are also examined. |
3.00 |
||
RS-231 |
Bioethics |
This course grounds its ethical foundation on the Judeo-Christian understanding of sanctity of life. Ethical principles and practices of decision-making, as influenced by the Roman Catholic moral tradition, are applied to |
|
specific medical-moral questions. |
3.00 |
||
RS-241 |
Theology of Suffering |
As an exploration of the theological issues that arise in the face of human suffering, this course addresses questions about God and the human condition. Particular attention is given to various kinds of suffering, to how |
|
people find meaning in the face of suffering and to sources of hope within the Judeo-Christian tradition. |
3.00 |
||
RS-252 |
Contemporary Catholicism |
After placing into a fuller context the Second Vatican Council of the Roman Catholic Church, this course examines the significant topics that have characterized more contemporary Roman Catholic discussions and aspirations |
|
since the Council ended in 1965. |
3.00 |
||
RS-256 |
Christian Feminism |
||
The course examines the emergent Christian feminist movement in the churches and it examines the implications | |||
of feminist theology for all persons in the churches today, both in a critical and an appreciative manner. |
3.00 |
||
RS-264 |
Theology of Marriage and the Family |
In Roman Catholic understanding, the family is the basic unit of secular society and is also essential to a proper self-understanding of the nature of the church. From biblical, ecclesial and pastoral perspectives, the course reflects upon the gift and challenges of committed love, parenting, widowhood, marriage breakdown and various roles of lay ministry. The church annulment process is examined, as are various pre-marriage preparation |
|
programs. |
3.00 |
||
RS-299 |
Selected Topics in Religion |
||
This course offers a detailed study of a specialized subject area that will vary based on student / faculty interest. | |||
The topic, course structure and instructor will be announced prior to pre- registration. There are no prerequisites. 3.00 | |||