Queen's University	Artsci Calendar	Religious Studies

|Fall Test 95|Spring Test 96|Final Exam 97|Spring Test 98|Final Exam 98|

Instructors

Course Description

RELS-161 explores certain critical themes and issues in contemporary society from the standpoint of religious studies. It introduces students to the interaction between religion and culture by exhibiting some of the religious responses to social issues and by showing how specific human problems inevitably raise religious questions. The readings from various fields have been chosen for their relevance, interest, and capacity to stimulate thought. They have not been chosen to further any particular religious viewpoint or sectarian stance. The mark is determined by four in-class tests (50%) and one final exam (50%) during the exam period, 17 April-1 May. The In-Class tests will be given on Thursday of the 7th and 12th week of each term.
|Part I|Part II|Part III|Part IV|Important Dates|

FALL TERM:

Part I - Feminism and Religion (7 weeks)

This section of the course looks at issues central to the study of feminism and religion from the perspective of Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Wicca, and the history of religions. We discuss the contributions of influential feminist thinkers, explore the effects of feminist methodologies on the study of religion, and revisit the role and status of women in the history of religions. Readings: Carol Christ and Judith Plaskow, eds., Womanspirit Rising and Rita M. Gross, Feminism and Religion.

In-Class test, Thur 29 October, 15%

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Part II - Ecology and Religion (5 weeks)

Issues central to ecology and religion are examined here from a cross-cultural perspective (e.g., Native Traditions, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Christianity, science, etc.). Some of the readings challenge Western enlightenment thought, raising some interesting questions about Christianity's role in the violence against and oppression of nature. Readings: Sherry Ortner,"Is Female to Male as Nature is to Culture" (on Reserve); Lynn White, "The Roots of Our Ecologic Crisis" (on Reserve); David Kinsley, Ecology and Religion.

In-Class Test, Thur 3 December, 10%

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WINTER TERM:

The readings for the Winter Term, taught by Mr. James, consist mostly of narratives--that is, books that in one way or another contain a story, either in the form of personal memoir, biography or autobiography, novel or short story. The exception is Mark Kingwell's Dreams of Millennium, an analysis of contemporary culture by a philosopher, though it too has its personal aspects.

Part III - Religion and Suffering (7 weeks)

This section explores how the experience of racial prejudice and radical evil prompts a re-evaluation of the traditional forms of religious faith. These seven weeks are devoted to three texts: Joy Kogawa's novel Obasan, about the relocation of Japanese Canadians during World War II; Elie Wiesel's classic memoir of the Holocaust, Night; and, Philip P. Hallie's account of "how goodness happened" in the village of Le Chambon, Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed. Read also Ch.10 of Wm. C. James, Locations of the Sacred (on Reserve).

In-class Test, Thur 4 March 15%

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Part IV - Religion and the Contemporary (5 weeks)

Some of the themes of the course are examined in this concluding unit with special reference to the contemporary religious scene. In particular, we focus on the current state and future prospects for religion in Canada as dealt with in Mark Kingwell, Dreams of Millennium, and Douglas Coupland's short stories in Life After God

. In-class Test, Thur 8 April, 10%

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