Religious Studies (RELS)

Professor Claudia Setzer

Chair of the Department

Introduction: Manhattan has two goals in its academic study of religion. One goal focuses on the exploration of religious traditions, including the systematic examination of scriptures, theologies, the history of religions, and the phenomenology of religion. The second goal focuses on understanding religion as an element of human experience in relationship to contemporary issues—life and death, marriage and sexuality, peace and social justice, science and society, urban problems. Religious Studies is taught by faculty who assist students in developing an understanding of and appreciation for the traditions and teachings of the great religions and religious movements of the world. The introductory course is a study of the nature and experience of religion. Upon completion of this course, students may select from a wide variety of elective courses, including specialized seminars, to further their study of religion. A Roman Catholic concentration is offered and a Roman Catholic cluster in cooperation with other departments may be elected. In addition, students may write a six-credit honors thesis for departmental honors recognition.

General Requirements: Students of each school of the College must complete nine credits in Religious Studies, including RELS 110 in the first year and two three-credit elective courses in the following years. Students elect one course from Elective Group A (The Religious Traditions) and one from Elective Group B (Religion and Contemporary Thought).

Manhattan College students may elect CMSV courses above the 200 level only. RELS 110 must be taken at Manhattan College.

Requirements for a Major in Religious Studies. Students majoring in Religious Studies must complete at least RELS 110 and twenty-seven credits in courses numbered 300 and above, including two majors’ seminars (RELS 470). These courses are selected in consultation with the Department Chair. The elective courses will ordinarily include at least one course from each of the following areas of study: biblical studies, Christian theology, ethics, and world religious traditions. For serious reasons, one of the majors’ seminars may be waived by the Chair and another acceptable course will be substituted. A minimum grade of C is required for credit toward the major.

Please Note: Students intending to major must register with the Department Chair.

Requirements for a Minor in Religious Studies. Beginning with the class of 2006, students minoring in Religious Studies must complete at least RELS 110 and twelve credits in departmental courses numbered 300 and above, including one majors’ seminar. For serious reasons the chair may allow substitutions.

Please Note: Students intending to minor must register with the Department Chair.

Concentration in Catholic Studies: A student who majors or minors in Religious Studies may choose to concentrate on the Catholic tradition. This concentration focuses on Catholic beliefs, religious practices, moral teachings, and attitudes to other religious traditions, both in terms of the historical development of Catholicism and as subjects of contemporary discussion and debate. An academic and critical program, the Concentration in Catholic Studies aims at providing the interested student with an understanding of the diversity and richness of the Catholic tradition.

Those majoring in Religious Studies who wish to pursue the Concentration in Catholic Studies must complete RELS 110, a biblical course, two majors’ seminars, and eighteen credits from the following: RELS 311, 313, 317, 325, 326, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 404, 405, 414, 416, 430, 432, 433, 435, 436 and 440.

Those minoring in Religious Studies who wish to pursue the Concentration in Catholic Studies must complete RELS 110, a biblical course or RELS 311, a majors’ seminar and six credits from the courses listed above.

Religious Studies Honors Thesis: Both majors and those completing a minor with a 3.5 or greater cumulative index are eligible to develop an independent research project (RELS 480) under the supervision of a major reader and a second reader in the fall semester. In the spring, the student will present a completed and revised honors thesis (RELS 481) to the readers. Upon the successful completion of this process, the Religious Studies Department will award the student with honors recognition.

Freshman Year

110. The Nature and Experience of Religion. Religion as a human phenomenon and its transcendent elements. Contemporary approaches to the problem of religious beliefs and faith. A study of the problems of religious language, myth, symbolism and ritual. The relations between religion and culture with special reference to contemporary questions. Offered every semester. (Cr.3)

Elective Group A: The Religious Traditions

300. Special Topics. An intensive study of a particular religious tradition or topic from within the fields of biblical studies, Christian theology or a world religious tradition. The subject will vary from semester to semester.

Biblical Studies

303. Job and Its Modern Interpreters. A study of the text of Job together with a consideration of responses to this classical text from modern and contemporary representatives of various traditions and disciplines: Christian, Jewish, humanist, and literary. (Cr.3)

304. Biblical Storytelling. A study of the short narratives of the Bible, both Canonical and Deuterocanonical. This course will study the books of Ruth, Esther, Jonah, Tobit, and Judith as well as selected chapters of Genesis, Samuel and Judges from literary critical perspectives. (Cr.3)

305. Understanding The Bible. How the Bible was formed; how to read the Bible. Use of historical and critical methods to examine texts, authorship, literary forms, transmission through manuscripts and translations. Cr.3)

306. Meeting God in Story and History: Old Testament. Ancient Israel’s understanding of itself in story and of its God as a God of history. Archaeological, historical, and literary approaches. (Cr.3)

307. The Gospel of John. A study of one of the most sophisticated voices in the early Church and the forces that shaped that Church. Cr.3)

308. Central Themes of the New Testament. The development of the Christian Scriptures. The history of the earliest Christian communities: the unique messages of the Evangelists and some of the methods used to understand their writings. (Cr.3)

309. Paul. An exploration of the earliest Christian writings and of the personality and theology of Christianity’s most influential preacher. (Cr.3)

Christian Theology

311. Jesus. An examination of the picture of the historical Jesus produced by recent critical scholarship of the New Testament; its implications for a contemporary Christology. (Cr.3)

313. Christian Thought. An exploration of the major beliefs of the Christian faith tradition emphasizing the interconnections among the symbols of creation, fall, salvation, and consummation. Emphasis will be placed on contemporary theological interpretations of these symbols. Cr.3)

317. The Christian Eucharist. Jesus’ use of the meal to symbolize the Kingdom of God; the fidelity of the early Church to the example of Jesus; the Eucharist and the Protestant Reformation; and modern ecumenical convergence. (Cr.3)

325. Contemporary Catholicism. An exploration of the spirit, development, and new insights of the Catholic Church in the post-Vatican II era. Doctrinal, moral, ecumenical, and social questions will be examined. Cr.3)

326. Contemporary Catholic Theologians. An analysis of the theological presuppositions of contemporary authors; the methodology of research (hermeneutics) as a basis for modern thinking about Catholicism; the role of human and psychological premises underlying understanding of the mystery of Christ. (Cr.3)

331. Eastern Christianity. A study of the separated and united Churches of the Near East, their history, expansion, preservation of Christian heritage, doctrinal and disciplinary affinity with the Western or Roman Church. Includes some field trips. Cr.3)

343. Early Christian Thought. The formation of doctrines, especially those concerning God, Christ, the world, history, and their mutual relationships. Philosophical and political influences which shaped Christianity to the 8th Century. Readings in both primary sources and contemporary scholarly works in the field. (Cr.3)

344. The Christian Mystics. A study of the mystical experience in both its theory and practice as found in the lives and writings of the great Christian mystics, past and present. Ample exposure to primary sources and field trips to mystical and contemplative centers constitute the core of this course. Cr.3)

345. Medieval Christian Thought. History of Christian thought concerning the nature of humanity and the universe from Augustine through the Scholastics to the eve of the Reformation. Medieval political, theological, liturgical, and artistic expressions of Christendom will be examined. Cr.3)

346. Reformation and Counter Reformation. An investigation of the concept of reform in Christian thought and the Reformation of the sixteenth century, including its major figures: Luther, Calvin, and Zwingli. The Catholic Reformation of the Council of Trent and its role in the history of Christian reform theology. (Cr.3)

347. Modern Christian Thought I. A survey of the development of Christian thought during roughly the first half of the twentieth century. Concentration on major representative thinkers. (Cr.3)

348. Modern Christian Thought II. A survey of the development and growth of Christian thought from the 1960s to the present. Special emphasis on the emerging pluralism of perspectives. (Cr.3)

World Religious Traditions

334. Sacred Stories. An examination of the mythological dimension in selected primary religious traditions. Emphasis is given to those sacred stories that reveal the religious and cultural assumptions of the tradition. (Cr.3)

336. Native American Religions. The study of the principal rites, stories, and religious symbols of the Native Americans of North America through the study of selected tribes or nations. Various research approaches and popular media portrayal of the “Indians” will also be discussed. (Cr.3)

337. The American Religious Experience. An examination of the American religious spirit. Among the topics to be examined are Native American, Puritan, Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, and African-American traditions, as well as the new or alternative religions that have developed in America. (Cr.3)

341. Judaism. An introductory survey of post-biblical Judaism. Rabbinic texts and the emergence of rabbinic Judaism, Jewish holidays and practices, contemporary Judaism. The religious aspects of the question of Israel. (Cr.3)

353. African Traditional Religion. A study of present-day, sub-Saharan African traditional religious beliefs, ceremonies, and practices, and their relation to other religious traditions. (Cr.3)

354. Buddhism: Its Development and Interpretation. A study of the principles of Buddhist thought together with a reading of various Theravada and Mahayana texts. The course will address problems of philosophical interpretation, historical development and cultural transformation. (Cr.3)

355. Islam. An introductory survey of the origins and religious teachings of Islam with special attention to the Islamic views of providence, revelation, worship, and moral obedience. Community, social justice, and revolutionary thought in the contemporary Islamic world will also be discussed. (Cr.3)

357. Religions of China and the Far East. A survey of the religious traditions of the cultures of the Far East. Examines Confucianism, Taoism, and Far Eastern forms of Buddhism as well as the cultural background, beliefs, practices, art, and literature of these religions. Cr.3)

358. Religions of India. A survey of the religions that began in India: Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. Traces the historical development of these religions from the time of the Vedas to Mahatma Gandhi. The survey will focus on the religious beliefs, practices, and literature of these groups. Cr.3)

359. Afro-Caribbean Religions. Explores the emergence of Afro-Caribbean religions such as Vodun, Candomble, Macumba, and Santeria from the intersection of West African and Catholic cosmologies. A critical assessment of the comologies, rituals, and theologies of these Afro-Caribbean religions, as well as their implications for enhancing the academic study of religion, form the focus of the course. Cr.3)

361. Yoga: Philosophy, Praxis and Art. This course will be a cross-cultural and interdisciplinary introduction to the nature of yoga—its philosophical underpinnings, its iconographical representations and its practices. Materials will be drawn from Hinduism, the Buddhisms of Tibet and Japan, and Carmelite Christianity. In addition, contemporary neuropsychological approaches will be explored. The course will be enhanced by field trips that explore the art and practices of these areas.

Elective Group B: Religion and Contemporary Thought

400. Special Topics. An intensive study of a particular aspect of religion and contemporary thought in the area of religion and other disciplines (e.g. the arts, natural or social sciences) or from within the field of religious ethics (e.g., a special topic in bioethics, religious biography). The subject will vary from semester to semester.

Religion and Other Disciplines

403. Ethics in the Workplace. An investigation of the ethical challenges, from the personal to the global, that arise in the context of the workplace. Texts will feature case studies and analysis of issues ranging from honesty and fidelity to consumption patterns, organizational structure, and corporate ethos. Students will be introduced to theories in both philosophical and theological ethics that will provide critical tools to help determine a coherent and defensible ethic for their working lives.

417. Religious Faith and the Arts. An exploration of the ways in which religious faith is expressed through the arts, including the visual, performing, and plastic arts. Much of the course will take place off-campus in the theaters, museums, concert halls, and churches of New York City. (Cr.3)

425. Psychology and Religion. An examination of ways in which psychology has both broadened and challenged the understanding of religion; study of such topics as self, psyche, symbolism, psychotherapy, and spiritual methods. (Cr.3)

442. Islam and Politics. An investigation into the relationship between religious and political thought of the peoples of Islam. Selected Quranic texts and Hadiths will be studied for their political content. The history of political Islam and the contemporary Islamic scene throughout the world will be featured elements of the course. (Cr.3)

460. Comparative Religions. This course will examine contemporary issues arising within religious studies that allow us to compare religions. Material will be drawn from both Western and Asian religious traditions; topics will focus on such issues as God, mysticism, evil, creation and/or salvation. Cr.3)

463. Religion and Science. A study of their historical and contemporary relations. Comparison of methods and the religious implications of cosmology, quantum theory, evolutionary biology, and the neurosciences. Contemporary issues such as Islamic science, environmentalism, and genetics. (Cr.3)

Ethics and Contemporary Issues

404. Religion and Social Justice. The role of religion in the economic, political, and cultural life of the underclass in New York as interpreted through biblical insight and Roman Catholic social teaching. Site visits to such places as homeless shelters, social action groups, Wall Street, inner-city churches, the United Nations. Cr.3)

405. Urban America: Crisis and Opportunity. An interdisciplinary service learning course. Sociological, political science, economic analysis of urban poverty, combined with reflections on Catholic social teaching, provide the framework for student-volunteer work at various Bronx-based community organizations. (Cr.3)

410. Death as a Fact of Life. An examination of the religious, legal, medical, and psychological questions concerning death. Reflections on the moral aspects of such issues as care of the dying and bereaved, cessation of treatment, euthanasia, suicide. The hope for life after death. (Cr.3)

411. Women in Western Religion. An exploration of the field of women’s studies in religion as it intersects with new understandings of God, text, and tradition emerging within Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The course will look at the roles of women within these three traditions and consider the question of how people bring about religious change.

414. Christian Worship. An overview of Christian Initiation, Reconciliation, and Eucharist from an ecumenical viewpoint that takes into account the problems they pose, the theology they imply, and the new directions they indicate. (Cr.3)

416. Saints: Yesterday and Today. The course examines the function of holy men and women within their religious traditions and more especially their ethical perspectives on the contemporary world. Included will be a study of the cult of Saints, hagiography, and “Saints” of our own times. (Cr.3)

430. Contemporary Moral Issues. A theological and ethical investigation of selected moral problems of our time such as truth in government, violence, economic injustice, and racism. Consideration of additional moral issues. Cr.3)

432. Contemporary Christian Ethics. New approaches to biblical and church authority in contemporary Christian Ethics. New options in systematic ethics: models, method, moral absolutes, and exceptions. Sin and conscience in contemporary ethical thought. The theoretical material will be illustrated by concrete reference to specific moral issues. (Cr.3)

433. Religious Dimensions of Peace. A theological and ethical inquiry into the major Jewish and Christian responses to war: pacifism, just war, and crusade. Various religious anthropologies are considered as possible ethical bases for peace in today’s world. Contemporary relevance of Reinhold Niebuhr, Mohandas K. Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Cesar Chavez. (Cr.3)

434. Non-Violent Revolution. A study of the theory and practice of non-violence as found in select contemporary leaders: Mohandas K. Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Cesar Chavez, Vinoba Bhave, Danilo Dolce, and Helder Camara. Examination of the theological and ethical foundations of non-violent revolution. (Cr.3)

435. Christian Marriage. The concept and development of human love in the committed marital relationship are considered in the light of Christian theology, other religious traditions, and the social sciences. (Cr.3)

436. Theologies of Liberation. An examination of the theologies of liberation in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and among Afro-Americans and women in the United States; dialogue among these groups; response of first-world theologians; relation between religion and politics; place of activism in the life of a religious person. (Cr.3)

440. American Christian Social Ethics. A theological and historical analysis of the thought of Walter Rauschenbusch, John A. Ryan, Reinhold Niebuhr, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Paul Hanley Furfey. A study of their impact on American religious, political, and economic institutions. (Cr.3)

441. Sexuality and the Sacred. Explores some ways in which different religious traditions have perceived the relationship between sexuality and religion. Examines the religious roots of our own cultural attitudes toward sexuality and sex roles and looks at some contemporary attempts to rethink the relationships between sexuality and spirituality, and between women and men. (Cr.3)

450. God and Evil. Who is God? Why is there evil in the world? The course will explore these fundamental religious questions by examining the relationship between differing concepts of God and evil. Course material will include classical texts and contemporary Jewish, Christian, and Pagan writings.

470. Majors’ Seminar. This course is an intensive study of an author, period, problem, or concern in a given religious tradition, or the comparative study of some aspect of several traditions. Topics vary from semester to semester. This seminar is open to Religious Studies majors and minors as well as to other interested students. All students must obtain the Chair’s permission for admission to the course. (Cr.3)

480. Religious Studies Tutorial. Individual study under the supervision of a member of the department with the permission of the Chair. Open only to juniors and seniors majoring in Religious Studies who meet the requirements set by the Chair. (Cr.3)

481. Religious Studies Honors Thesis. The completion of the Honors Thesis begun the previous semester, under the supervision of a department member and with the approval of the chair.