Church & Society Courses

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Basic Courses

CHSOC 400 / Christian Ethics (3) - (view)
A systematic treatment of the central themes and issues of Christian ethics, with particular attention to the life of the Christian community and its place in the social order. Preferably to be taken by M.Div. students in the second year of study, and after CHSOC 401 and THEPH 301. Prerequisite: THEPH 301 and CHSOC 401. Same as: COMFE 400.
CHSOC 401 / Religion and the Social Process (3) - (view)
An introduction to sociological thinking that combines conceptual and experiential content. Students become more sensitive to and informed about current social problems. Focuses on situations of oppression and uses "the view from below" as a key to the entire social process and, specifically, the role of the church in that process. To be taken by students in the M.Div. program in the first year of study. Offered second semester annually.

Advanced Courses

CHSOC 402 / Church and Community (3) - (view)
An exploration of the relationship between the congregation and the social environment through off-campus site visits and other direct experiential learning projects. Explores the nature of community in its multicultural variations through discussions of the mission and ministry of the congregation. The work of the pastor and empowered laity is at the center of the discussion. Recommended for M.Div. students in the second or third year of study.
CHSOC 403 / Sociology of Religion (3) - (view)
This course is designed to acquaint students with the sociological approach and methodology used in the study of religion and to give students a general sense of the immense variety of religious practice both locally and globally. The ultimate goal of the course is to encourage students to recognize and respect the diversity of ways in which people make religious sense of their worlds.
CHSOC 404 / Religion and Social Conflicts (3) - (view)
Assuming that the major social tensions and conflicts marking our lives deeply shape our religious choices, interpretations and behavior--and vice-versa: our religious heritage is a key resource in our dealing with the tensions and conflicts of our social environment--this course seeks to enhance our capacity for grasping, analyzing, and dealing with the interplay of religion and social conflicts in today's society from the perspective of the social sciences of religion, while bearing in mind key theological and pastoral concerns involved therein.
CHSOC 416 / Ministries in Non-Parish Settings (3) - (view)
An investigation of the possibilities and constraints of ministries in specialized settings (chaplaincies in the armed services, in hospitals, and nursing homes, in prisons, and on campuses; ministries in church boards and agencies, in overseas missions, and in administration of church-related institutions) and the role of the ordained person in "secular" settings, such as poverty programs, community agencies, journalism, and teaching.
CHSOC 417 / Women and Religion (3) - (view)
A review of anthropological, sociological, and psychological theory relating to women and, specifically, to women and religion. Combines theoretical readings with cross-cultural case studies designed to put social-scientific theory in conversation with the concrete life situations of specific women. Topics include women's spirituality and religious leadership; the social, political, and economic forces that shape their lives; as well as the relationship between religious imagery about women and the positions they, in fact, occupy in their larger societies. Interdisciplinary Course. Signature of instructor required for registration.
CHSOC 419 / The Search for the Good Community (3) - (view)
The vision of the good community in England and America in the 19th and 20th centuries as that vision has emerged in utopias, cooperative movements, theocracies, and intentional communities. A review of various perspectives that bear upon the establishment of goals for human communities today.
CHSOC 428 / Topics in Church and Society (3) - (view)
An intensive study of selected problems and themes in contemporary sociology of religion having special significance for the church and its ministry. Course may be repeated. Same as: GRC 101.
CHSOC 437 / Ethics for Religious Professionals (3) - (view)
Emphasizes ethical dilemmas that arise for religious professionals. Explores issues related to confidentiality, sexual misconduct, personal boundaries, and accountability by religious professionals.
CHSOC 444 / Ethically Responding to Violence Against Women (3) - (view)
This course investigates the social and moral dimensions of intimate violence against women in the United States. The sources include biblical and theological literature, narrative accounts, and feminist social science analysis. This course examines the interwoven personal and political dimensions of intimate violence against women, and identifies practical, constructive responses for church leaders who work in local contexts. Same as: RLSOC 783.
CHSOC 445 / Community Economic Realities and Ministry (3) - (view)
An examination of a range of economic crises that ministers often face in local communities and an exploration of useful church responses to those problems. This course examines the ethical role of the minister in interpreting economic realities to congregations, advocating specific policy solutions, and addressing some of the survival needs of members of the church and community. Signature of instructor required for registration.
CHSOC 447 / Religion and the American Empire (3) - (view)
After 9/11/01, the U.S. official reaction has been one of reviving the problematic political-religious traditions of American Exceptionalism and Manifest Destiny--assuming the U.S. as having a godly-given imperial mission to/above all nations on earth. This course examines the historical background and religious-theological implications of such orientation.
CHSOC 450 / Religion and the Earth: (3) - (view)
Readings in spiritual, philosophical, feminist, scientific, and sociopolitical responses around the globe to the ecological crisis.
CHSOC 451 / Christianity and Ecology (3) - (view)
Examines what sociological and theological factors shape various Christian responses to ecological concerns. Surveys some of the historical, philosophical, socio-political and theological influences that have shaped the current planetary context and looks at an array of contemporary global religious ecological voices and emerging eco-theologies.
CHSOC 473 / Emerging Theologies in World Christianity (3) - (view)
An introduction to a representative sample of the many new theologies currently blossoming throughout Christian churches all over the world. Using intriguing, exemplary articles (most of them collected in edited "readers"), participants explore the way in which certain themes of the Christian tradition are elaborated in some of these theologies. Signature of instructor required for registration. Same as: RLSOC 788.
CHSOC 476 / Hispanic Religion and Culture: Church, State, and Immigration (3) - (view)
Introduction to history, culture, economics, and politics of the Hispanic presence in the United States. In addition to lectures, this course uses feature films, novels, and short stories by and about U.S. Hispanics and Latinas/os to stimulate reflection, discussion, and research on its subject matter. The religious dimension of the U.S. Latina/o experience is highlighted. Same as: RLSOC 722.
CHSOC 479 / Developing Environmental Education and Resources (3) - (view)
See CERT 313 for course description. Same as: CERT 313.
CHSOC 480 / Developing Social Justice Programs and Partnering with Ethnic Leaders and Communities (3) - (view)
See CERT 314 for course description. Same as: CERT 314.
CHSOC 481 / Political Elections and Church Ministry (3) - (view)
This course will examine the role of Christian churches and faith in electoral politics. What role do they play? What role should they play? Resources for our discussion will range from ideas about church-state relations in western Christian ethics to the 2004 U.S. presidential election process. Topics include: values expressed in the media, preaching about politics, Christian politicians.
CHSOC 482 / Leadership Skills For Community Organization (3) - (view)
This course will assist participants to develop their power and leadership skills. Students will learn how to develop any congregation or voluntary organization through engaging in the fundamentals of community organizing.
RLSOC 703 / Freud and Religion (3) - (view)
A consideration of Freud's writings on religion as found in The Collected Works of Sigmund Freud; Freud's correspondence with Jung and Phister, and others; and a consideration of important secondary literature and interpretative readings of Freud, including writings by Erikson, Bakan, Rieff, Van Herik, Homans, Ricoeur, Mitchell, Gay, and Rubenstein; a constructivist reading of Freud in psychology and religion. Offering to be determined. Signature of instructor required for registration.
RLSOC 704 / Autobiography and the Religious Life (3) - (view)
A consideration of autobiographical writings, including journals, diaries, essays, and autobiographical novels, with particular attention to stories, accounts, depictions of religious life as pilgrimage, chosen path, visitation, ordeal, and ordinary life. Sources include a wide range of readings, including a consideration of figures of interest to students. Signature of instructor required for registration. Offering to be determined.
RLSOC 721 / Contemporary Ethical Issues (3) - (view)
An exploration of contemporary issues, such as sexuality, economics, and globalization; their importance; and the contributions of Christian ethics to understanding and dealing with them.
RLSOC 725 / History of Western Christian Ethics (3) - (view)
A study of selected themes and formative figures in Christian ethics, with attention to their contributions to contemporary reflection.
RLSOC 727 / Latin American Liberation Theology and Ethics (3) - (view)
An examination of the foundational texts and themes of one of the most influential contemporary theological movements. Signature of instructor required for registration.
RLSOC 728 / Gay and Lesbian Liberation Theologies in World Christianity (3) - (view)
This doctoral seminar strives to collectively explore through research, presentations, discussions, films, etc., some of the ways in which emerging lesbian and gay struggles for liberation intersect with the diverse religious traditions present in world Christianity. Interdisciplinary Course. Signature of instructor required for registration.
RLSOC 729 / Feminist Sociology of Religion (3) - (view)
An exploration of ways in which a feminist perspective is emerging today in the social-scientific study of religions and the ways in which it might challenge and enrich assumptions about religion. Examines theoretical essays and field-research materials expressing that standpoint within the socio-biology of religions, as well as contibutions emerging from such areas as feminist theologies. The seminar's approach and method attempt to embody traits central to the feminist perspective itself. Signature of instructor required for registration.
RLSOC 730 / Religion and Social Change (3) - (view)
Selected problems and themes in the sociology of religion regarding issues of religion and social change. For example: religious involvement in social movements, disruptive religion, global Pentecostalism and social change, gender issues, colonialism. Signature of instructor required for registration.
RLSOC 743 / Object Relations in Psychoanalytic Theory (3) - (view)
A consideration of the basic papers of British psychoanalyst Donald Winnicott to gain an initial literacy in object relations theory; to understand and gain a facility for the metaphorical language of psychoanalytic thought and the metaphorical nature of symbolization theory and the language of the self: the dual and subtle constructions of "self," "other," "God," and "world." Additional papers using object relations theory as a basis for interpretive work are considered from the disciplines of religious studies, literary criticism, feminist thought, anthropology, and music. Signature of instructor required for registration.
RLSOC 745 / Selected Thinkers and Themes in Psychology and Religion (3) - (view)
An introduction to thinkers and themes in the modern West in psychology and religion, including Freud, Jung, Eliade, James, Tillich, Rubenstein, Gilligan, Lifton, and Daly. Themes include anxiety and courage, faith and identity, symbolic immorality; the psychology of the survivor; feminist consciousness and cultural mourning; theology after the Holocaust. Course may be repeated. Signature of instructor required for registration.
RLSOC 746 / United States Women's Ethics (3) - (view)
An examination of contemporary theological, philosophical, and ethical issues pertinent to women's liberation from the perspective of various racial and ethnic women's experiences. Interdisciplinary Course. Signature of instructor required for registration.
RLSOC 748 / Ethical and Religious Themes in Women's Literature (3) - (view)
An analysis of the religious and ethical understanding of Asian-American, Native-American, African-American, European-American, and Latina women as exemplified in contemporary novels written by women from these different communities. Primarily for graduate students. Signature of instructor required for registration.
RLSOC 756 / Religions of Resistance (3) - (view)
Religions of Resistance is designed to investigate the tactics and strategies religious bodies (and religious persons) use to support their values and worldviews. We will be looking at acts of resistance emanating from religious institutions, as well as resistance directed toward religious institutions. Beginning with an historical investigation of religious resistance to colonial powers, we will move to acts and/or theories of resistance related to central issues of our time, e.g. war, heterosexism, racism, capitalism, imperialism. Post-Colonial and Cultural theory will shape this course. Interdisciplinary Course. Same as: COMFE 756.
RLSOC 757 / Illness of Body, Mind, and Spirit (3) - (view)
An examination of basic concepts of psychiatry. Describes their philosophical underpinnings. More concretely, addresses such issues as health and illness in body, mind, and spirit. Signature of instructor required for registration.
RLSOC 760 / Methods in the Study of Urban Life, Culture, and Religion (3) - (view)
This course focuses on various kinds of urban ethnography: participant observation, collecting basic demographic data, doing oral histories, and compiling case studies of social service agencies and other institutions. Field research required for this course and runs in combination with work in the seminar. Signature of instructor required for registration.
RLSOC 773 / African Religions (3) - (view)
Major themes in traditional African religions: the nature of person, male and female, the social sources of dignity and power, the understanding of life and death, the nature of the divine and the relation of the gods to the natural and social orders; forms of religious authority. Consideration of the interaction of Christianity and traditional African religions both in the mission efforts of established religious denominations and in the independent African-Christian churches appearing throughout the continent. Signature of instructor required for registration.
RLSOC 774 / Healing in Cross-Cultural Perspective (3) - (view)
An examination of views of the self, God, society, and cosmos in interaction with notions of well-being, pathology, healing, and wholeness in the West, Asia, and Africa, and in thje African-based cultures of the Caribbean and Latin America. Primarily for graduate students. Interdisciplinary Course. Signature of instructor required for registration.
RLSOC 779 / Classical Theories in the Sociology of Religion (3) - (view)
An introduction to some of the main theories and theorists in the sociological study of religion, developed in the North Atlantic urban centers from the last half of the 19th century to the first decades of the 20th century. Karl Marx's (and his colleague and often co-author, Friedrich Engels'), Max Weber's, and Emile Durkheim's contributions to the sociology of religion are often the focus of this course. Signature of instructor required for registration. Offered fall semester in alternate years.
RLSOC 780 / Deconstructing Racism (3) - (view)
An examination of interdisciplinary approaches that describe how racial superiority and inferiority are socially constructed in the U.S. culture. Investigates some of the ways that social norms about race are translated into moral norms and upheld by institutional and individual behavior. Interdisciplinary Course. Signature of instructor required for registration.
RLSOC 785 / Critical Approaches in Epistemology (3) - (view)
This is a course on the subject of human knowledge as a problematic issue, examined from an interdisciplinary perspective. Thus, this course will concentrate on some crucial issues interrelating, on the one hand, the sociology, psychology, and biology of knowledge, the history of science and philosophical theories of knowledge, with, on the other hand, human action and religious thought. In particular, we will privilege analytical and critical perspectives on gender, race, culture, and class as cognitive contexts including for theology, ethics, and ministry. Signature of instructor required for registration.