Courses
TRS 141 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN ETHICS 3.0 Credit(s)
The ethical reflections of some of the most influential Christian thinkers from the Church Fathers to the present (e.g., Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, and Martin Luther) applied to various important topics of ethical debate in Christian history (e.g., the notion of just war).
Offered: Fall Semester All Years
TRS 142 CATHOLIC SOCIAL JUSTICE TRADITION 3.0 Credit(s)
The social-ethical teachings of the Catholic tradition, especially since Pope Leo XIII's letter On the Condition of Labor in 1891. Explores Catholic social teaching that emerges from Church documents, traces its application to many issues of social and political conflict, and considers how this teaching is challenged by the perspectives of women, minorities, and people in developing countries.
Offered: Fall & Spring Semesters All Years
TRS 143 ETHICS IN WORLD RELIGIONS 3.0 Credit(s)
Examination of core ethical teachings and methods in several world religions. These resources guide ethical analysis of conflicted issues in contemporary society, such as economic inequality, racism, violence, sexual ethics, and bioethics.
Offered: Spring Semester Even Academic Years
TRS 160 EASTERN RELIGIONS 3.0 Credit(s)
Explores history, beliefs, and practices of Hinduism, Buddhism, and other religions of India, China, and Japan and the emergence of the contemporary New Age movement.
Offered: Fall Semester All Years
TRS 161 ISLAM 3.0 Credit(s)
A theological and phenomenological exploration of beliefs, practices, and symbology of Islam, incorporating extensive readings from the Qur'an, the Hadith and Shari'a, and Sufism. This course analyzes contemporary topics such as religion and gender and religion and politics.
Offered: Spring Semester Even Academic Years
TRS 162 JUDAISM 3.0 Credit(s)
Key components of the complex religion of Judaism including Biblical foundations, historical development, theological considerations, rituals and symbols, calendar and holidays, Jewish mysticism, prayer, denominations, and lifecycle events. Explores the role of God in the life of Jews past and present and compares the meaning of Judaism then and now.
Offered: Fall Semester All Years
TRS 164 ANCIENT CULTS AND RELIGIONS 3.0 Credit(s)
Explores the beliefs, practices, and teachings of ancient world religions including those of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, the mystery cults of the ancient Greco-Roman civilizations, and the religious traditions of pre-Christian northern Europe (Scandinavia) and ancient Iran. Studies sacred writings of theses religions with emphasis on topics such as deities and divine powers, rituals of birth and death, gender studies, and the relationships between ancient faith traditions and the emergence of monotheism.
Offered: As Needed Contact Department
TRS 166 UNDERSTANDING RELIGION 3.0 Credit(s)
A critical and constructive study of the nature of religion, its functions in human life, and its various forms and manifestations. The perspectives of influential theorists of religion centuries will be studied.
Offered: Fall & Spring Semesters All Years
TRS 170 RELIGION IN AMERICA 3.0 Credit(s)
Examines the historical factors responsible for distinctive trends in American religion and identifies common threads that run through the religious history of America from the Puritans to today.
Offered: Fall Semester All Years
TRS 171 CELTIC RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS 3.0 Credit(s)
The mythic history of Ireland and "beginning" of the Irish and the traditions by which the Irish have come to identify themselves and give meaning to their world. Study of the religious function of social institutions; gods, goddesses, and ruling powers; holy places; feasting and sacrifice; spirits and ancestors; and the other world. Also considered is the role of women in these traditions and the continuation of "myth" in modern Ireland.
Offered: As Needed Contact Department
TRS 172 RELIGION IN CONTEMPORARY IRELAND 3.0 Credit(s)
Examines complex factors involved in shaping religion in contemporary Ireland. The changing face of Irish religious sensibility is situated within such factors as Irish history, the major role of Catholicism in the culture, and the multicultural dimensions of twenty-first-century Ireland.
Offered: As Needed Contact Department
TRS 173 RELIGION AND SEXUALITY 3.0 Credit(s)
Examines the relationship between religion and sexuality in various world religions. Topics include asceticism versus eroticism, defining normality and deviance, sex as a means to challenge or maintain the social order, and religious responses to the changing sexual morality in contemporary Western society.
Offered: Fall Semester Odd Academic Years
TRS 174 WOMEN IN WORLD RELIGIONS 3.0 Credit(s)
This course will study the role of women in world religions, including Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam. The goal of the course is to understand how interpretation of religious tradition changes over time and the impact this has on individuals and society. To that end, we will explore ancient religious texts as well as case studies of contemporary religious communities. Change in religion is often controversial, so we will examine and both sides of several contemporary debates over women's roles. We will also learn various theories that can help us understand and critically assess gender in religion.
Offered: Fall Semester All Years
TRS 175 CULTS, SECTS, & NEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS 3.0 Credit(s)
Explores beliefs and practices of new religions in America, including Mormonism, Unification Church, Christian Science, Scientology, Theosophy, New Age, Neopaganism, and UFO cults. Presents both sociological and theological approaches to understanding new religions.
Offered: Fall Semester All Years
TRS 176 MORTALITY AND ETERNITY 3.0 Credit(s)
This course engages students with texts that raise questions of ultimate concern. How do we make sense of an innate human desire to know that is constrained by our finite natures?
Offered: Fall Semester Even Academic Years