2016-2017 Undergraduate Catalog

This is an archived copy of the 2016-2017 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.callutheran.edu.

Religion

The religion curriculum at California Lutheran University challenges students to engage in the academic study of religion and to explore the religious questions raised in multiple faith traditions, such as the existence and nature of God, how personal and community ethics are shaped, how religion informs our living in a complex and global society, and the role of scriptures in the lives of the faithful. Courses include themes or topics across multiple religious traditions, as well as in-depth studies of specific religious traditions, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Sikhism.

The religion degree program at Cal Lutheran provides a solid grounding in the academic study of religion, using the tools of critical thinking, analysis of primary sources, and engagement with diverse religious traditions locally and globally. This program supports the liberal arts emphasis of the University and prepares students to understand and negotiate the myriad complexities of religion they will face after graduation, whether they work in business, law, local government, social services, education, medicine, administration, sales, or the environment. In addition to teaching students the skills of critical thinking and sustained community engagement needed for many careers today, the Religion Major also prepares students for graduate study in religion. Pre-seminary advising is also available to majors and non-majors alike.

Opportunities exist for students to do internships, experiential learning, mentored research, and independent studies, allowing them to explore areas of potential career interest. Students majoring in religion or theology graduate from CLU well-prepared for seminary study. In addition, Lutheran students are eligible for the Associate in Ministry program for lay persons who are certified by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Bachelor of Arts in Religion

36 credits minimum.

RLTH 100Religion, Identity and Vocation4
or RLTH 300 Religion, Identity and Vocation
RLTH 493Research and Methods2
RLTH 494Research and Writing2
One Course in "Sacred Literature and Languages"
RLTH 315Classical Hebrew Language and Literature I4
RLTH 316Classical Hebrew Language and Literature II4
RLTH 317Introduction to Biblical Greek I4
RLTH 318Introduction to Biblical Greek II4
RLTH 320Bible in the Ancient World4
RLTH 321The Bible in the Conemporary World4
RLTH 323St. Paul, Identity and Community Organization4
RLTH 328Exploring the Qur'an4
One Course in "Theology, Ethics and the Arts"
RLTH 344God in Christian Thought4
RLTH 347Liberation and Theology4
RLTH 349Queer Theology4
RLTH 350Contemporary Christian Ethics4
RLTH 351Global Ethics4
RLTH 353Violence, Religion and Politics4
RLTH 354Theology and Business Ethics4
RLTH 355Cooperation in Modern India4
RLTH 356Sexual Ethics4
RLTH 381Religion, Food and the Environment4
RLTH 382Religion and Public Life4
RLTH 384Religion and Ecological Ethics4
RLTH 386Violence, Religion and Politics4
RLTH 391Children, Youth and Family Ministry4
RLTH 392Christian Liturgy & Woship Christian Liturgy and Worship4
RLTH 393Spirituality and the Arts4
ART 412Christian Art in the Middle Ages4
One Course in "Religious Traditions"
RLTH 331Topics in Medival and Early Modern Christianity4
RLTH 332Luther and the 16th Century Reformations4
RLTH 334The American Religious Experience4
RLTH 360Jesus in Film and History4
RLTH 365Women and Religion4
RLTH 374Jews and Judaism4
RLTH 375Muslims in the Modern World4
RLTH 379Sikhism4
RLTH 395Lutheran Spritituality4
RLTH 396Christian Spirituality4
RLTH 397Islamic Spirituality4
RLTH 398Sacred Space and Ritual4
Foud Upper Division Religion and Theology Courses which follow an articulated focus
Total Hours156

Minor in Religion:

20 credits minimum;

RLTH 100Religion, Identity and Vocation4
or RLTH 300 Religion, Identity and Vocation
Choose four more courses from at least two different 300-level religion areas16
Sacred Liternature and Languages, Theology, Ethics and The Arts or Religious Traditions
Total Hours20

Courses

Lower Division

RLTH 100. Religion, Identity and Vocation. (4).

This course introduces the study of religion. It purues questions concerning the history, meaning, and interpretation of religious texts and action, and the broader contexts in which religion evolves. In additional to selective focus on the Christiam tradition, this course considers core values of Lutheran higher education such as pluralism, interfaith cooperation, and sustainability. Additional religious traditions may be included.

RLTH 291. Intergrative Seminar in Vocation and Leadership. (3).

Through reading, group discussion, community engagement, and personal reflection, this course equips students to situate their own vocations and leadership styles in the context of communities to which they belong. Prerequisite: Permission of the Instructor.

RLTH 292. Interfaith Storytelling and Organizing. (2).

Upper Division

RLTH 300. Religion, Identity and Vocation. (4).

This course introduces the study of religion.It pursues questions concerning the history, meaning and intrepretation of religious texts and action, and the broader contexts in which religion evolves. In addition to selective focus on the Christian tradition, this course considers core values of Lutheran higher education such as pluralism, interfaith cooperation and sustainability. Additional religious traditions may be included. This course satisfied the Speaking Intensive Core requirement and the RTHL 100 core requirement. It is recommended for transfer students of junior and senior status who have not taken RTHL 100.

RLTH 315. Classical Hebrew Language and Literature I. (4).

This course is the first of a two-semster sequence of study leading to a reading knowledge of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and onther ancient Hebrew texts. Basic Hebrew grammar and vocabulary are studies in conjunction with questons of the literary, religious, and linguistic culture of ancient Israel and early Judaism.

RLTH 316. Classical Hebrew Language and Literature II. (4).

This course is the second of a two-semester sequence of study leading to a reading knowledge of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and other ancient Hebrew texts. Basic Hebrew grammar and vocabulary are studies in conjenction with questins of the literary, religious, and linguistic culture of ancient Israel and early Judaism. (Cross listed with Hebrew 316; this cuorse fulfills the Core 21 Language Requirement).

RLTH 317. Introduction to Biblical Greek I. (4).

A beginning study of biblical Greek that builds a foundation in the essentials of grammar, vocabulary, and translation. Includes readings in Mark and Philippians, as well as (in the second semester) discussion of theological implications.

RLTH 318. Introduction to Biblical Greek II. (4).

A beginning study of biblical Greek that builds a foundation in the essentials of grammar, vocabulary, and translation. Includes readings in Mark and Philippians, as well as (in the second semester) discussion of theological implications.

RLTH 320. Bible in the Ancient World. (4).

This course surveys biblical writings and examines them in their ancient social, political, and cultural contexts. Students learn comparative methods of literary and historical intrepretation with special attention to how reconstructions of the ancient world affect our understanding of these writings. The selection of biblical writings will depend on the instructor.

RLTH 321. The Bible in the Conemporary World. (4).

The Bible is an enduring expression of the Jewish and Christian faiths. It is put to myriad uses and read in a fascinating variety of ways in many different contexts. This course explores the Bible in comtemporary history, interpretation, social and political life, theology, and the arts, paying special attention to both its materiality/inconicity and the way its themes are engaged by communities around the world.

RLTH 323. St. Paul, Identity and Community Organization. (4).

The Apostle Paul wrote letters that have influenced how people live in community for almost 2000 years. This course examines how Paul argues, encourages, negotiates, and emboides ways of bringing diverse people together in one community. Students then conisder Paul's strategies in light of comtemporary identities that often divide us today (race, gender, religion, social status, education, and privilege) in order to analyze Paul's proposed solutions and to explore how communities today might navigate identity politics and community unity. This course imcorporates site visits and/or service learning assignments.

RLTH 328. Exploring the Qur'an. (4).

This course will expose students to the historical context of the Qur'an and the ways in which Muslims and non-Muslims interpret and interace with the Qur'an. Student will read selections of the Qur'an and interpretations in addition to learning the role of the Qur'an in the lives of Muslims.

RLTH 331. Topics in Medival and Early Modern Christianity. (4).

A survey of the emergence, growth, and development of the Christian movement from the time of the apostles to the disintegration of the Roman Empire in the West and to the fall of Constantinople in the East. This course will focus on Christianity as actually experienced and practiced by its earlier adherents in the multinational context of empire, and will look at textual, artistic, and material sources of evidence to gain a sense of the Christian past.

RLTH 332. Luther and the 16th Century Reformations. (4).

A survey of the development of Christianity in the post-Roman West, focusing on the rise of papacy, the development of distinctive Western Christian practices and doctrines, and the important role of the church in shaping European society. Special attention will be given to ways the medieval church handled difference and dissent, and to the reform movements of the later Middle Ages and the Protestant and Catholic reformations they brought about.

RLTH 334. The American Religious Experience. (4).

The course traces the historical role(s) of religion in the United States of America from Native American religious traditions, through the dominance of Christianity in its multiple expressions, to the modern-day reality of pluralism. Themes include but are not limited to the relationship between religion and politics; the importance of the U.S. as a land of (religious) opportunity; religion and money; pluralism as a religious idea and/or challenge; and social frameworks such as class, sports, gender and sexuality. Offered every fall.

RLTH 344. God in Christian Thought. (4).

An examination of traditional and contemporary Christian understandings of God, including the person and attributes of God, God's creative work, the divine-human relationship, sin, and the traditional problem of evil.

RLTH 347. Liberation and Theology. (4).

An introduction to theologies of liberation in Latin America and in Ventura County, This course asks how social, economic, and political readings of the Bible can be used to dominate and liberate communities.

RLTH 349. Queer Theology. (4).

This seminar course seeks to ask and respond to the theological questions within the context of queer theory. Moving beyond LGBTQ liberation theology, it seeks to (dis)integrate traditional understandings of the divine and consider the theological implications of identity, particulary by dis-/e-/rupting binaries such as good and evil, female and male, straight and gay, divine and human. Offered every other fall.

RLTH 350. Contemporary Christian Ethics. (4).

An introduction to contemporary Christian ethics; its relationship to the Bible and Christian communities; and thinking on such important personal and social issues as sexual behavior, human reproduction, racial and ethnic relations, the taking of human life, poverty and economic issues, and the environment.

RLTH 351. Global Ethics. (4).

A variety of issues have arisen which need to be examined from global perspective: political repression, social change, terrorism and war, economic globalization, immigration, human rights, health, and the environment. This course examines these issues from the perspectives of global religions, ethics, social theory, and social movements.

RLTH 353. Violence, Religion and Politics. (4).

A study of various forms of violence, such as sexual and domestic violence, political repression, terrorism and war. The course examines religious justification of and resistance to violence, using cases from diverse locations and religions.

RLTH 354. Theology and Business Ethics. (4).

This course applies ethical theory to business decisions within the context of theological reflection. With a strategic focus, the course will investigate the relationship between theological ethics and the economic concerns of managers. The course is particularly designed to help students become effective ethical agents by developing the skills to apply ethical principle to strategic business decisions. (cross-listed with BUS 354).

RLTH 355. Cooperation in Modern India. (4).

From colonial encounters to the contemporary period, this course traces the roots of twentieth century interreligious conflict in and between India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Based on the principles of the merergining field of Interfaith Studies, we will take an interdisciplinary approach to understand the underlying causes of conflict, as well as enacted and potential solutions. The course demands intensive reading, regular writing, seminar-style participation, and original research.

RLTH 356. Sexual Ethics. (4).

A study of sexual ethics from religious and examination of understandings of gender, sexuality, and sexual identities to discussion of issues such as marriage and family; contraception, abortion and reproductive technologies; sexual violence, and HIV/AIDS.

RLTH 360. Jesus in Film and History. (4).

A study of the historical person of Jesus through readings in the gospels, historical Jesus research from the past two centuries, and the various cinematic portraits of Jesus from the silent picture era to the present.

RLTH 365. Women and Religion. (4).

A consideration of women and women's issues within the context of the study of world religious traditions.

RLTH 372. South Asian Thought. (4).

Drawing on the religious traditions of South Asia (modern India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, students will consider the varieties of the religious experience, historically and comparatively represented by the adherents of these religious communities.

RLTH 373. Global Jesus. (4).

Who is Jesus? This course begins with the four gospel accounts of Jesus' life and ministry to learn and how various first century jewish and Roman contexts shaped specific portrayals of Jesus. Then we examine contemporary global prespectives on Jeus. Students research and analyze how Jesus is portrayed in the art, literature, politics, cultures and social constructions of 5-7 non-western countries. Students consider the ways in which cultures shape contemporary theological portrayals of Jesus.

RLTH 374. Jews and Judaism. (4).

A study of the elements of traditional Judaism in biblical, rabbinic and modern times.

RLTH 375. Muslims in the Modern World. (4).

In this introductory course, students learn the history of Islam from the Prophet Mohammed and the roots of the religion in Arab culture, to the spread of Islam as a global religion across many cultures. Students will analyze the variety of social, political, and cultural ways in which Muslims live out their faith around the world and in the U.S. Global Emphases may change year to year but will include 3-5 different geographical areas such as: Egypt, Asia, Turkey, Africa, Spain, Indonesia, and Europe.

RLTH 379. Sikhism. (4).

The Sikh religion, or Sikhism, offers students an educative example of how a religious tradition emerges in the full light of history to become one of the youngest of the "world religions". In this course, students will share in the tradition's intellectual, spiritul, and cultural heritage while exploring the question of how to study religions. By the course's end, students will be able to recapitulate major moments in the tradition's history, and also offer informed comment on its future.

RLTH 381. Religion, Food and the Environment. (4).

Humans eat food. Human cultural and religious phenomena relate intimately to patterns of eating-which is why anthropologists, sociologists, historians, and scholars of religions have long been fascinated with the relationships between sacred stores and ritual practices involving food. This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to studying the intersections between religion, food, and environments. Students will address questions about religious law, mythic narratives, ritual practice, symbolic meaning, identity formation, and animal and ecological ethics, as we explore Jewish kosher observance, Christian Eucharistic practice, Islamic halal, and other kinds of religious eating. Special attention will be given throughout the course to issues of race, ethnicity, and gender across multiple social identities.

RLTH 382. Religion and Public Life. (4).

In modern democracies there is often a provision for religious freedom alongside an exception that the public be secular. Students will explore religious freedom and freedom of conscience in light of the First Amendment and Anglo-Protestant bias. Governed by seminar practices of writing, speaking, and listening, students will examine case studies and constitutional debates; describe and assess the practice of religion in public life; and explain the dynamics of religious pluralism and secularization.

RLTH 384. Religion and Ecological Ethics. (4).

Religion and ecological ethics is the challenging work of 1)gaining clarity about our positions, attitudes, and assumptioins with respect to "the environment" by drawing from the disciplines of both religious and philosophical ethics; 2) developing rigorous ways to think about complex issues such as climate change, environmental injustice, ethical treatment of animals, farming and food justice, and others; and 3) outlining practical approaches to local/global issues and short/long term actions. It also demands that we think carefully about how our conceptions of "nature," "environment," "wilderness," etc. shape our attitudes and practices.

RLTH 386. Violence, Religion and Politics. (4).

A study of various forms of violence, such as sexual and domestic violence, political repression, terrorism and war. The course examines religious justification of and resistance to violence, using cases from diverse locations and religions.

RLTH 390. Servant Leadership. (4).

The course will investigate how the deepest meaning of leadership is embodied in the commitment to the grouwth and well-being of people and the communities in which they belong, all the while meeting organizational purposes and ends.

RLTH 391. Children, Youth and Family Ministry. (4).

Through course readings, practica, guest speakers, and self-reflection, students will be introduced to the theologies, approaches, and organizational models of ministry with children, youth, and families. Students will investigate the analyses of others through written assignments and exams and will construct their own articulations of the purpose and practice of ministry. By hosting guest speakers, practicing theological skills, and locating resources, students will relate their own identities and leadership styles to the identities and leadership styles of fellow classmates and scholar-practitioners.

RLTH 392. Christian Liturgy & Woship Christian Liturgy and Worship. (4).

An introduction to the Christian liturgical tradition, particularly that of Western Christianity. It will include some comparison with non-Christian religious customs, and will give importance to the development of worship in the Protestant traditions. The course's approach is historical, but it may also include some practical training if appropriate to student needs. Christian hymnody and liturgical music will also be introduced, with an emphasis on the distinctive Lutheran contributions in those areas.

RLTH 393. Spirituality and the Arts. (4).

This course explores the use of the arts in (Christian) spirituality, focusing on visual arts, literature and poetry, music, and other forms of special interest to students. We will consider how both works of art and the practice of artistic creation and performance become iconic or transparent to human spiritual experience.

RLTH 395. Lutheran Spritituality. (4).

This course examines key figures and developments n the lively history of Lutheran spirituality. The first half of the course centers in Luther's spirituality and glimpses of later European Lutheran spirituality of Dietich Bonhoeffer and expanding inth U.S., global and ecological Lutheran voices.

RLTH 396. Christian Spirituality. (4).

This course provides an introduction to diverse forms of Christian spirituality through attention to themes of solitude, community, Sabbath, prayer, discernment, social justice, spiritual practice, and ecology. In this course students will critically engage a range of primary and secondary texts.

RLTH 397. Islamic Spirituality. (4).

Spirituality is an integral of every religious tradition. In recent years, Sufism, or a deep historical tradition of Islamic spirituality, has often been considered separate from Islam itself. This course investigates the historical origins of Sufism and its transnational and local dynamics in the modern world.

RLTH 398. Sacred Space and Ritual. (4).

This course introduces students to theories of space and place applied in the study of religion. Using case studies from one or more non-western religious traditions, studens survey sacred spaces in historical and contemporary global contexts. Themes covered may include places of worship and pilgrimage, religious rituals, shared and contested sacred spaces, and the role and construction of gender in sacred spaces. The non-western religious traditions covered in this course will depend on the specialization of instructor.

RLTH 485. Travel Seminar. (4).

RLTH 490. Independent Study. (1-4).

RLTH 492. Internship. (2-4).

RLTH 493. Research and Methods. (2).

This course serves as part one of the capstone sequence for Religion and Theology and Christian Leadership Majors. In this course majors of junior and senior standing meet in a seminar style cohort to identify, develop and articulate their capstone research project proposal. Students will explore methodologies in the field of religion and practice the following skills: daily writing weekly planning sessions, exploring, articulating, testing and developing a research topic, and cultivating a communal approach to giving and receiving feedback on their research.

RLTH 494. Research and Writing. (2).

This course serves as part two of the capstone sequence for Religion and Theology and Christian Leadership Majors. In this course, majors of junior or senior standing meet in a seminar style cohort to research, write, and present their capstone research project. Students will practice the following skills; daily writing, weekly planning sessions, writing multiple drafts, and cultivating a communal approach to giving and receiving feedback with their research cohort and faculty instructor.

RLTH 496. Directed Research. (2-4).

Faculty

Professors

R. Guy Erwin
Rev. Dr.

Jarvis Streeter
Rev. Dr.

Associate professor

Julia Lambert Fogg
Rev. Dr.

Assistant professors

Rahuldeep Singh Gill
Dr.

Victor Thasiah
Rev. Dr.

Samuel Thomas
Dr.

Colleen Windham-Hughes
Rev. Dr.

Senior Lecturer

Kapp Johnson
Rev.

Professors emeriti

Pamela Brubaker

Joseph Everson
Rev. Dr.