|
|
2014-2016 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Course Descriptions
|
|
|
|
| |
Theology |
| |
-
TH 4100 - Catholic and Protestant Theology
(3)
An examination of the major theological emphases of Catholics and Protestants. Attention is given to the origins of the Protestant Reformation and the development of the various Protestant traditions arising from it. Areas of agreement and disagreement, both then and now, are examined with focus on examples of contemporary Catholic-Protestant dialogue. Students are introduced to literature, guest lecturers, and worship experiences from both Catholic and Protestant traditions.
Prerequisite: TH 1000 , TH 1020 , TH 1050 or TH 2000 .
(THII)
|
| |
-
TH 4110 - Mystical Traditions in Christianity
(3)
This course explores that element of Christianity which is concerned with the human being coming to a personal and direct awareness of God’s presence. We will address a number of issues related to Christian mysticism, including practices leading to consciousness of God, descriptions of mystical experiences, and the implications of mysticism for the life of faith and action in the world. Mystical traditions from various historical periods and cultural contexts of Eastern and Western Christianity will be addressed. Students will consider and discuss both theoretical conceptions of Christian mysticism and primary texts of Christian mystical writings.
Prerequisite: TH 1000 , TH 1020 , TH 1050 or TH 2000 .
(THII)
|
| |
-
TH 4180 - Religion in America
(3)
This course surveys the history of religious life in America. It is designed to give students an introduction to a variety of themes, issues, events, and religious perspectives which have shaped the consciousness of the American people. This course introduces students to topics including Native American religious traditions, Puritanism, the “Great Awakenings,” Mormonism, Protestant/Catholic relations, Judaism, charismatic and holiness traditions, women in religion, slave religion, Christian fundamentalism, and the Nation of Islam. It also deals with themes such as the separation of church and state, the role of revivalism in the construction of religious identity, pluralism, and questions relating to competing narratives of “The American Religious Tradition.”
Prerequisite: TH 1000 , TH 1020 , TH 1050 or TH 2000 .
(THII)
|
| |
-
TH 4181 - Religion in Latin America and the Caribbean
(3)
The course will explore religious life in Latin America and the Caribbean from the colonial period to the present. Special attention will be given to the interaction between Christianity and the indigenous religious systems of the native people and the African diaspora. Topics may include the role of missionaries, religious syncretism, liberation theologies, church-state relations, religion’s role in the formation of ethnic and gender identity and the contemporary rise of evangelical and charismatic Christianities.
Prerequisite: TH 1000 , TH 1020 , TH 1050 or TH 2000 .
(THII, GPR)
|
| |
-
TH 4190 - New Religious Movements
(3)
This course explores new religious movements with a focus on their origins, their theological tenets, and their impact on modern culture. Movements examined include those more established movements such as the Mormons and Christian Scientists as well as more recent religious groups such as the Unification Church, WICCA, the Branch Davidians, Heaven’s Gate, Scientology, and the New Age Movement. Students are asked to consider questions such as: What issues are at stake in categorizing these movements? How are these movements perceived and discussed in the media and popular culture? What makes these movements appealing to some individuals? What factors allow some movements to be sustained while rendering other movements fleeting?
Prerequisite: TH 1000 , TH 1020 , TH 1050 or TH 2000 .
(THII)
|
| |
-
TH 4200 - Christian Marriage
(3)
This course critically explores the contemporary meaning of Christian marriage as covenant, symbol, and sacrament. As part of this exploration the development of marital theology from the past to the present is examined by investigating how marriage was theologically understood in the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament, as well as by probing the theology of Christian marriage which emerged during the Patristic, Medieval, and Reformation eras. Theological/moral issues (past and present) significantly connected with Christian marriage such as divorce, remarriage, artificial contraception, artificial insemination, marriage without children, etc. are also studied.
Prerequisite: TH 1000 , TH 1020 , TH 1050 or TH 2000 .
(THII)
|
| |
-
TH 4250 - Contemporary Christian Theology
(3)
A study of issues, movements, and theologians who have impacted contemporary theology. The writings of significant Catholic and Protestant theologians are examined in the context of movements such as classical liberalism, neo-orthodoxy, existentialism, fundamentalist-modernist controversies, process theology, liberation theology, feminism, and post-modernism.
Prerequisite: TH 1000 , TH 1020 , TH 1050 or TH 2000 .
(THII)
|
| |
-
TH 4280 - Religion, Ethnicity and Race
(3)
Complex constructions of “racial” and “ethnic” identity have often played a profound role in developing the religious worldviews of institutions and individuals. This course surveys examples of this interaction throughout history and seeks to give students a better understanding of the ways in which theological expression both shapes and has been shaped by race and ethnicity. The course examines how the interaction between religion and ethnicities/races has produced both ideological bridges and barriers between individuals and groups. The course focuses primarily, though not exclusively, on the U.S. American scene, and may explore the topic in relation to American Catholicism, the Euro-Christian encounter with Native Americans, Mormonism, African-American Christianity, the Nation of Islam, Judaism, and religions on the White-supremacist wing of the “Radical Right,” among other subjects.
Prerequisite: TH 1000 , TH 1020 , TH 1050 or TH 2000 .
(THII)
|
| |
-
TH 4300 - Contemporary Theological Controversies
(3)
A study of selected theological disputes of recent decades, with special emphasis on those confronting American Christianity. Special attention is given to those debates which concern fundamental Christian beliefs. Students are encouraged to research disputes of special interest to them.
Prerequisite: TH 1000 , TH 1020 , TH 1050 or TH 2000 .
(THII)
|
| |
-
TH 4320 - Endtime Prophets: Apocalyptic and Millennial Movements in America
(3)
A study of the nature, history, and role of apocalyptic and millennial movements in America. Millennial movements, drawing from the last book of the Bible, interpret history through the grid of an expected thousand-year reign of Christ on earth. This course introduces students to the roots of apocalypticism in Jewish and early Christian thought, the triumph of history over apocalypticism in the Church of the Middle Ages (with significant exceptions such as Joachim of Fiore), and examples of apocalypticism in America from the Millerites of the 19th century to the Branch Davidians of today. Special attention is given to understanding the social and psychological functions performed by millennial movements and apocalyptic speech, the hermeneutics used to interpret the Bible in these movements, and the central ideas in their endtime prophecies.
Prerequisite: TH 1000 , TH 1020 , TH 1050 or TH 2000 .
(THII)
|
| |
-
TH 4330 - Christianity and Women
(3)
A study of the history of women in Christianity with special attention to Christian views of the nature of women and of the “appropriate” roles of women in churches and in society. The course also explores the response of recent feminist theology to these traditional views of women and their roles as well as recent feminist interpretations of basic Christian doctrines.
Prerequisite: TH 1000 , TH 1020 , TH 1050 or TH 2000 .
(THII)
|
| |
-
TH 4340 - Eastern Christianity: Orthodoxy and Catholicism
(3)
This course explores the form of Christianity which is neither Roman (Western) Catholic nor Protestant, commonly known as Eastern Orthodoxy along with Eastern Catholicism, i.e., Christianity rooted in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Africa, and Asia. Situated in historical and cultural context, “Eastern” theology, spirituality, and church organization is studied for its distinctive expression of the Christian faith. This enables one to appreciate Eastern Christianity’s various contributions to theology and world history. The Orthodox experience in America and in the ecumenical arena is likewise examined. Particular attention is given to the Eastern Catholic Churches in communion with Rome and their relationship to the Orthodox Churches (not in communion with Rome).
Prerequisite: TH 1000 , TH 1020 , TH 1050 or TH 2000 .
(THII)
|
| |
-
TH 4350 - Theology, Morality and Health Care
(3)
This course explores the interrelationships between theology, morality, and contemporary health care. In addition to methodically examining moral issues in health care, this course emphasizes the foundational roles which theology plays in engendering moral vision, the development of character, behavior, and formal arguments related to contemporary debates within and about health care.
Prerequisite: TH 1000 , TH 1020 , TH 1050 or TH 2000 ; junior standing in four-year nursing program, candidacy in accelerated nursing program, or instructor approval.
(THII)
|
| |
-
TH 4444 - Feminine Face of God
(3)
This course explores the use of feminine images for God throughout the centuries within mainstream Christianity—Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant. Students will study the historical and contemporary theological issues regarding gender language and conceptualizations about God.
Prerequisite: TH 1000 , TH 1020 , TH 1050 or TH 2000 .
(THII)
|
| |
-
TH 4450 - World Religions
(3)
An introduction to the beliefs and practices of four major world religions—Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, and Islam—through a study of their scriptures and history. The class concentrates on each religion’s views of the Transcendent and of the nature and destiny of the human person. Students read selections from the scriptures and writings of major thinkers in each tradition. A study of the major events in the history of each religion serves as background for a consideration of its contemporary beliefs and practices.
Prerequisite: TH 1000 , TH 1020 , TH 1050 or TH 2000 .
(THII, GPR)
|
| |
-
TH 4777 - Religious Utopian Communes in America
(3)
A study of the nature, history, beliefs, and practices of religious utopian communes in America from the nineteenth century to the present.
Prerequisite: TH 1000 , TH 1020 , TH 1050 or TH 2000 .
(THII)
|
| |
-
TH 4888 - Paul’s Letter to the Romans
(3)
Paul’s Letter to the Romans is central to understanding Paul and the early communities of believers in Jesus Christ in their first-century historical context, as well as to interpreting Paul’s theology. This course will focus on a close historical-critical reading of the text, including investigation of Roman, Greek, Jewish, and Christian historical and cultural factors, why Paul wrote this letter and intended to travel to Rome, the historical, rhetorical, and theological messages that arise in Paul’s arguments, and the interpretive traditions, and implications of the various choices maintained by them. Students will also be introduced to the newer perspectives on Paul that are challenging long-held views and advancing respectful inter-faith dialogue and interaction.
Prerequisite: TH 1000 , TH 1020 , TH 1050 or TH 2000 .
(THII)
|
Women’s Studies |
| |
-
WS 1000 - Women in Culture
(3)
Fall semester
This course focuses on the experiences of women and the significance of gender in society, providing an interdisciplinary perspective. Specific areas of investigation may include the social construction of gender, women and work, the state, patriarchy, and the role of women in society and in the family. Particular attention is paid to such factors as race, ethnicity, and class to understand more fully women’s roles across cultures and over time.
(SRI)
|
| |
-
WS 2000 - Approaches to the Study of Gender
(3)
This course focuses on social science approaches (psychology, sociology, anthropology) to the study of gender. The question of “what does it mean to be male and female in our culture?” will be critically examined. Gender differences and similarities are examined through various research studies and theoretical perspectives.
(SRI)
|
| |
-
WS 3020 - Women and Science
(NS 3020 )
(2)
This course will examine the role of women in science by studying their contributions to the scientific body of knowledge and their influences as professionals in scientific fields. Readings will focus on the lives of many influential women scientists, the influence of women on the origins of modern science and the participation of women in research on both sides of the lab bench, as investigators and as study subjects.
|
| |
-
WS 4970 - Internship
(1-3)
This course is designed to allow the student to pursue applied studies through community work in a field of choice.
Prerequisite: WS 1000 , WS 2000 .
|
Other |
| |
-
CP 3910 - Co-op Work Projects I
(1-3)
Work experience that is off-campus, paid, and provides students exposure to employment in various organizations. Ideally, employment will be in an area closely related to the student’s career path as possible. Students must have completed 60 hours of college work prior to the first work period, and have a minimum 2.0 GPA. Transfer students must complete one semester of classes at Rockhurst before their first work period. Each course can be taken only once for a maximum of three hours per course.
|
| |
-
CP 3920 - Co-op Work Projects II
(1-3)
Work experience that is off-campus, paid, and provides students exposure to employment in various organizations. Ideally, employment will be in an area closely related to the student’s career path as possible. Students must have completed 60 hours of college work prior to the first work period, and have a minimum 2.0 GPA. Transfer students must complete one semester of classes at Rockhurst before their first work period. Each course can be taken only once for a maximum of three hours per course.
|
| |
-
HON 3500 - Leaders in History, Culture, and Literature
(3)
This course introduces students to models of leadership, using literature, history, film, and art to understand how leaders act. In the Ignatian Jesuit tradition, the course encourages the development of personal leadership traits such as self-awareness, imagination, critical thinking, and ethical responsibility.
Prerequisite: Writing proficiency.
|
| |
-
HON 4940 - Honors Thesis
(1-4)
The Honors Thesis is an in-depth, interdisciplinary project of special interest to the student. The student can choose to complete original research or creative work using methods recognized by practicing scholars. In all cases there must be a written product that includes elements appropriate to the relevant disciplines, such as a research question or hypothesis, methods section, discussion of findings, academic argument, etc. The Honors Program requires the project to be interdisciplinary and to posses the depth, quality, or scope indicative of honors work. In consultation with the Honors Director, the student will choose a thesis committee made up of a thesis advisor, a second faculty member reader, and the Honors Director. The thesis advisor will be a faculty member who is grounded in a relevant discipline and who will become the instructor of record.
Prerequisite: Junior standing.
|
| |
-
HP 1550 - Introduction to Health Care Professions
(1)
This course introduces students to a variety of health care professions. Students explore different careers in health care along with trends and current issues in health care. Furthermore, the course provides an introduction to medical terminology applicable to health care professions.
|
| |
-
HP 3500 - Perspectives in Global Health
(3)
This course identifies the major determinants of health on a global scale and examines the differences in health and health care from the perspectives of culture, geography, and socio-economic status. Topics may include the impact of poverty, nutrition, clean water, sanitation, disease, and access to health care. Upon completion of this course, students will understand the global threats to health and well-being outside of their own health care model.
(GPR)
|
| |
-
HP 3700 - Global Perspectives on Disability
(3)
This course is designed for students interested in issues related to disability. It will critically examine the position of persons with disabilities historically and in contemporary society across the globe. The class will analyze perspectives of various cultures on disability and the impact theses perspectives have on societal institutions and the lives of people with disabilities in various nations. Assignments and discussion will be directed at enhancing awareness and understanding of the global disability community. Students will explore historical and contemporary views and discuss strides made as well as challenges the disability community still faces. Students will devise strategies for promoting positive messages and vehicles for advocacy.
(GPR)
|
| |
-
LD 1000 - Leadership in the Jesuit Tradition
(1)
The Leadership in the Jesuit Tradition class is multifaceted in purpose. The class is designed to introduce students at Rockhurst University to understanding leadership characteristics and behaviors, leadership styles, team development and maintenance, situational leadership, and conflict management. Throughout the course, Rockhurst University leaders will build their confidence, strengthen their ability to work with others, and become active participants on and off campus.
|
| |
-
LD 1200 - Greek Leadership
(1)
The Greek Leadership course will review the history of Greek-lettered organizations since their founding in 1776 and will begin to formulate and develop policies, opinions, guidelines, and plans for enhancing and strengthening the Rockhurst University Greek Community. Organizational leadership and development philosophies will guide coursework.
|
| |
-
RA 2500 - Resident Leadership Seminar
(1–2)
Fall semester
A one- or two-credit seminar designed to provide Resident Assistants with in-depth discussion and training on topics concerning residential communities, including communication skills, confrontation, working with groups, critical issues, programming, and the importance of their role as a Resident Assistant. All Resident Assistant staff must take this course once and receive a C or higher to retain their Resident Assistant position.
Prerequisite: Instructor approval.
|
| |
-
SA 2000 - Cultural Transitions and Adjustment
(3)
Cultural Transitions and Adjustment is preparation for students participating in a variety of programs abroad, such as education, research, service learning, and internships or working abroad. Preparation is for more effective interaction in multicultural situations. Students will gain an understanding of cultural differences and similarities through the study of intercultural theories with application to each student’s own experience, including both understanding others as well as self-awareness. This coursework additionally has national and cross-cultural applications for U.S. culturally, ethnically, regionally, and economically diverse interaction.This course is for international students studying at Rockhurst as well as U.S. students from Rockhurst studying abroad.
|
| |
Page: 1
| 2
| 3
| 4
| 5
| 6
| 7
| 8
| 9
| 10
|
|
|
Print this Page