Religion, Ethics & Philosophy
Judaism
Religion, Ethics & Philosophy
Judaism
This course focuses on the development of Judaism from the biblical period to the present, exploring the historical evolution of Jewish holidays, life-cycle rituals and Jewish law. Students will read materials from the Hebrew Bible, rabbinic writings such as...
Christianities
Religion, Ethics & Philosophy
Christianities
What does it mean to be a Christian? Why are there so many different Christian groups (including Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Protestant and dozens more)? Is every group that calls itself Christian really Christian? This course will explore various...
Hinduism and Buddhism
Religion, Ethics & Philosophy
Hinduism and Buddhism
Hinduism and Buddhism are having a profound impact on 21st-century culture, through practices such as yoga and meditation; in the study of modern psychology; and in films, television and other contemporary media. This course will introduce students to the...
Social Ethics: Values in America
Religion, Ethics & Philosophy
Social Ethics: Values in America
Look at the front page of a daily newspaper, watch the news on television or check the crawl on your computer screen, and you will see people disagreeing about how to resolve some of our society’s more basic conflicts. In this course, students examine...
Ethics of the Marketplace
Religion, Ethics & Philosophy
Ethics of the Marketplace
Does a corporation have responsibility beyond itself? Should the bottom line trump ethical considerations? Who or what protects the public interest? This course considers these questions in the world of business and management. Students debate moral aspects...
The Bible As Literature
Religion, Ethics & Philosophy
The Bible As Literature
Students often discover that knowledge of the Bible is essential background for the study of literature, music, art, history and many other subjects. This course, designed for those who have little or no familiarity with the Bible, gives students a knowledge...
Criticizing Religion
Religion, Ethics & Philosophy
Criticizing Religion
Critics of religion have traditionally been silenced, but is there a destructive side to religion? Religion and religions have undoubtedly shaped the lives of individuals and communities around the globe for millennia for the better, but would the world be a...
Soul Searching: Self Identity & Meaning
Religion, Ethics & Philosophy
Soul Searching: Self Identity & Meaning
As human beings, we struggle with the existential questions of life: What should I do? How should I live? Who shall I become? Why do some people find meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in life, but others do not? Our sense of identity and belonging shifts and...
Hebrew Bible / Old Testament
Religion, Ethics & Philosophy
Hebrew Bible / Old Testament
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. . . .” So begins one of the most influential books in human history. From ancient times until the present, Jews, Christians and Muslims have grappled with the cosmic questions, universal...
The New Testament
Religion, Ethics & Philosophy
The New Testament
The New Testament, which has been called “the most widely read, quoted, debated, maligned, and believed book in Western civilization,” will be the focus of this course. We will read and explore the New Testament, study the life of Jesus, the...