123 requirements. CORE-II & CORE-III. RS/IS 368 Christianity in Film. (3) This course is a cross-disciplined investigation of the interaction between Christianity (both as a formal social institution and its cultural manifestations) and the global film industry. The course will focus on the widespread themes through which cinematographers have portrayed the world’s largest religion, along the way uncovering the flexibility of Christianity as a force interacting with and being impacted by culture. The course will grapple with the great diversity of Christian representations in film, including topics such as the following: the figure of Jesus; Catholic and Protestant theologies; Christian concepts of good, evil, and morality; and popular cultural forms of Christian discourse. CORE-II & CORE-III. RS/PL 380. Special Topics. (1-3) Selected topics to be determined by the department. RS/PL 480. Special Topics. (1-3) Selected topics to be determined by the department. RS/PL 485. Practicum. (3) Experience in one of the specialized areas of Religious Studies, with departmental guidance and supervision. RS/PL 490. Directed Studies. (3) Approved and directed in-depth study of a specific area of Religious Studies, according to student need and interest. Prerequisite: Permission of department.
RS/PL 499. Senior Seminar. (3) Students from both Religious Studies and Philosophy work through a global theme, analyzing, and evaluating issues and problems within that theme from the perspectives and methodologies of both disciplines. This is a Communication Intensive course and meets Capstone course requirement in the major. Prerequisite: Permission of department.
Religious Studies & Philosophy (RS/PL) The historic tradition of the liberal arts is to enrich learners with a heightened sense of responsibility and autonomy. The integrative Religious Studies & Philosophy major trains students to be critical and independent in their thinking as well as centered on larger human purposes for which we work and interact with others. In an age overwhelmingly centered on technological progress, efficient and convenient outcomes, and material satisfaction of desires, focusing on the individual’s spiritual and intellectual life provides a foundation and meaningful context for your life in our global community. While the predominant orientation of this program is towards enriching your sense of purpose and commitment to values of social justice, care for others, and dignity for all, we also realize your need to enter the workplace with skills and practices which facilitate successful career choices. In today’s job market, employers find a host of qualified candidates with training suited to complete tasks and activities.
However, employers increasingly seek candidates with the following skills: critical thinking, analytic writing, cultural understanding and sensitivity, communicative empathy and intellectual initiative. Our program focuses upon these marketable skills. Finally, our integrated major is just that – a mutually-enriching and critical dialogue between two disciplines that are central to the liberal arts at a Catholic institution. In keeping with the tradition of such institutions, faith and reason are taken as valued standpoints from which to approach academic work and community life. Thus, the ordering signifies neither hierarchy nor dependency of one discipline upon the other. Rather, students will grapple with problems, themes and questions from shared and distinctive standpoints. Outcomes: In addition to the general degree requirements stated earlier in this catalog, majors will be expected to meet the following program outcomes: 1. Develop a global understanding of relationships among reasoned inquiry, religious faiths and human values. (PL 111, RS 111, RS 117, PL 221, RS/ WS 225, RS 231, RS 251, RS 252, PL 255) 2. Analyze and evaluate significant philosophies, religious ideas or discourses in order to systematically and critically articulate one’s own spiritual, intellectual and/or ethical commitments. (PL 111, RS 111, PL/ WS 226, PL 238, PL 255, RS/IS 311, PL 355)
3. Explore the distinctiveness of rational inquiry as a unique form of human understanding, motivation and justification. (PL 111, RS 111, PL 113, PL 221, PL 255, PL 311, PL 355) 4. Investigate historical, socio-cultural and political dimensions of diverse religious traditions and practices (RS 111, RS 117, PL 221, RS 233, RS/IS/ WS 319, RS/IS 343) 5. Refine your understanding, interpretations and critical perspectives through writing, speaking and collaborative work. (all PL/RS courses) Assessment: The outcomes are assessed through oral presentations, examinations, experiential learning and extensive writing. In the final year of study, students will synthesize and utilize their learned skills of cultural understanding, critical thinking and intellectual initiative through critical, independent research, writing and presentation within the Senior Seminar as well as either within the thesis or experiential option. Major: Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Religious Studies & Philosophy must complete all the Core Curriculum degree requirements as stated in the University catalog. Majors and minors must receive a grade of “C” or higher in all courses taken in the major or minor. All majors take a selection of core courses as well as self-selected courses within one’s chosen area of concentration of either Philosophy or Religious Studies. All