Religion & Interdisciplinary Studies
Course topics will rotate to incorporate the study of religion in a variety of other disciplines. Focus will be on the influence or application of religious teachings and traditions in the fields of healthcare, politics, education, etc.
Outcomes: Describe the ethical implications of the religious beliefs and traditions of at least one religion for the primary field of study.
Apocalyptic Rhetor in Politics
Course topics will rotate to incorporate the study of religion in a variety of other disciplines. Focus will be on the influence or application of religious teachings and traditions in the fields of healthcare, politics, education, etc.
Outcomes: Describe the ethical implications of the religious beliefs and traditions of at least one religion for the primary field of study.
Tier 2 Theological Knowledge
This is a writing intensive class. A grade of C- or better in UCWR 110 is required to enroll.
This course will explore the use of rhetoric of 'apocalypse' as it is seen in ancient religious texts and modern political movements. Language of 'good vs. evil' and portents of `the end¿ have long been utilized as a political tool, especially in times of distress, precarity, or deep polarization. While many scholars agree that this rhetoric largely functioned as a source of comfort in ancient religious texts, to promote the promise of God's eventual justice for oppressed or struggling communities, its modern political use has been critiqued as a source of potential danger and for being ethically reductive. Drawing on examples from 2nd Temple Jewish Literature, the Bible, and other non-canonical Christian texts, as well as examples from modern political movements, we will examine the cultural events that lead to the popularity of such language in political contexts and the real-world consequences of its persistent and pervasive use.
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