DEPARTMENT OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES

There is no understating the significance of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament in Western Culture. The Bible is a text that has been repeatedly turned to for spiritual guidance, for explanations of mankind's origins and as the basis of both classical art and contemporary cinema. English idiom is peppered with phrases that originate in the Hebrew Bible and many a modern political clash can be understood as a conflict over what the Bible's messages and their implications. This course introduces students to the Hebrew Bible by reading sections of most of the Bible's books. But reading is itself a complicated enterprise. The Bible has been put to many different uses; even within the world of academic scholarship, the Bible is sometimes a source of history, sometimes a religious manual, sometimes a primitive legal code and sometimes a work of classical literature. This course will introduce students to the various challenges that present themselves within the study of the Hebrew Bible and the varied approaches scholars take when reading the Hebrew Bible. This course is a critical introduction to the Hebrew Bible. (Spring 2019, Professor Barry Wimpfheimer)

Some say America is currently undergoing a process of "Buddhification," meaning that Buddhism is cropping up everywhere, even in places one would least expect. Tech industry billionaires tout Buddhist mindfulness techniques at the annual Wisdom 2.0 conference, and Google offers mindfulness training courses taught by a Zen abbot. Mindfulness is also being presented as a panacea for those suffering from physical and mental pain, readily available in American hospital settings and psychological counseling services. Buddha images too can be found far from Buddhist temples-at the hip restaurant Buddha-Bar located in many cities around the world one can sip cocktails and dine before a massive Buddha statue while listening to lounge music. And in the Chicago area, one encounters Buddha head sculptures positioned on the ground in parks, by roads, and even in public school playgrounds as part of the Ten Thousand Ripples art project. How, and why, did aspects of Buddhism enter all of these different social locations? Why does Buddhism receive a pass more often than other religions by the "spiritual but not religious" crowd? Can Buddhism be secular? In what ways is Buddhism compatible with science, and can Buddhist practices be proven effective using scientific methods? Can paying better attention by means of Buddhist meditation practices liberate us from suffering caused by digital distraction? In what ways can Buddhist articulations of interdependence, no self, and compassion be resources for addressing racial and structural injustice, even as sexual abuse, racism, and trans/homophobia continue to traumatize members of some Buddhist communities? These are some of the many questions we will consider through readings by some of the most creative Buddhist leaders, critics, and consumers of our time. Counts towards Religion, Health and Medicine (RHM) religious studies major concentration. (Spring 2019, Professor Sarah Jacoby)

This course will study in depth two key books of the New Testament, the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. As indicated in the prefaces to both works (Luke 1: 1-4; Acts 1: 1 ), the evangelist proposes these two texts as two volumes of the same overall account, linking the gospel account of Jesus' mission with that of the early apostolic church. Studying the two texts together enables one to see the full sweep of Luke's theological program, calling for universal salvation across cultural boundaries. The format of the class is lecture combined with discussion. Required readings will include close reading of the biblical texts plus two modern commentaries on these New Testament books (Robert Tannehill on Luke and Beverly Gaventa on Acts); other suggested readings will be presented during the course. Major accountability will be in the form of a final written take-home exam. (Spring 2019, Professor Donald Senior)

The central question of this course is: What Makes a Difference? Analyzing a variety of works of media addressing environmental themes, including works drawn from advertising and marketing, we will consider different types of environmental messaging and attempts to mobilize public moral engagement. (Spring 2019, Professor Sarah Taylor).

This course addresses the intersection of religion and literature in Judaism and Christianity from several perspectives. We will begin with the biblical story of the Binding of Isaac (Genesis 22) and its role in the thinking of Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard. We will then read the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15) and consider its treatment in the novel Home by Marilynne Robinson. Finally, the third part of the course examines the work of Cynthia Ozick, who uses fiction to address the question of idolatry in modern culture. These examinations will also allow us to interrogate other key terms in the study of religion such as faith, orthodoxy, heresy, martyrdom, and holiness. (Spring 2019, Professor Claire Sufrin)

This course examines Native American religious freedom in U.S. history. We will examine treaty rights, federal Indian policies, court cases, and acts meant to protect American Indian religions. The course will attend to the definitions of "religion" and "religious freedom" and consider historical and contemporary case studies related to the regulation of Indigenous cultures and ceremonies. Counts towards Religion, Law and Politics (RLP) major concentration. (Professor Sarah Dees, Spring 2019)

The Christian liturgy, the most formative cultural practice of literate men and women in the Middle Ages, is also the least understood by many medievalists today. Liturgy is performative and cannot be learned from books alone, any more than one can understand Shakespeare without ever seeing a play. This course aims to provide a concise but intensive introduction to liturgy, including the structure and a brief history of Mass and Office; immersion in some of the central Latin texts of each; the liturgical year; liturgical commentaries; and the theology and practice of the sacraments. We will also provide as much exposure as we can to the manifold objects and works of art created for liturgical use: altar vessels, reliquaries, vestments, altarpieces, choral manuscripts, books of hours, architecture, drama. One session will meet at the Art Institute, another in Special Collections. There will be some practical experience with plainchant, and we may include field trips to compare contemporary high-church liturgy with medieval practice. (Spring 2019, Professor Richard Kieckhefer and Professor Barbara Newman)