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ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Birmingham-Southern College Catalog 2015-2016
RE 221 World Religions (1)
An introductory survey of such major world religious traditions as
Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism, Judaism, Christianity, and
Islam. Course topics may vary each time the course is taught. In addition to
a historical overview of diverse thought traditions and practices, a primary
focus will be the response to modernity and the challenge and change in
contemporary religious thought. Additional topics may include the place
of women in these different traditions, understanding of diversity and
pluralism, and responses to religious violence.
RE 222 Religions of Asia (1)
A survey of the major religious traditions of Asia including Hinduism,
Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Confucianism, Daoism, and Shinto.
This course explores the major concepts, doctrines, and practices of
each tradition in historical perspective. Emphasis will be placed on the
examination of cross-cultural religious categories within each, such as
salvation, ritual, gender, or ecology.
RE 230 Christian Scriptures in Literature, Art, and Film (1)
An investigation of the
interpreted
Bible, or the Bible as it has been
visualized, filmed, painted, sculpted, and retold by early and modern
readers. One reason for the Bible’s enduring cultural significance is the way
artists and authors have engaged biblical texts and themes as conversation
partners in the creation of their own texts. This course explores the
dynamics of biblical interpretation in diverse forms of media with the
intention of fostering more sophisticated reading strategies of film, visual,
and literary culture, and the biblical text itself.
RE 231 Popular and Folk Religion (1)
An examination of popular and folk religions, including beliefs and
practices that exist among the people, apart from and alongside the
theological and liturgical forms of mainline religion.
RE 235 Abrahamic Religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (1)
A study of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, the three major religious
traditions that trace their historical and theological roots to one figure:
Abraham. The objective of the course is to explore the interconnection of
these traditions, a historical and theological entwinement that is vital for
understanding the modern world situation.