Religion 233: History of Christian Thought
This course is a survey of the history of Christian thought from the second century to the twentieth. It introduces students to the major intellectual issues throughout the history of the Christian tradition. Christianity has been a major force in shaping western civilization and world cultures, and continues to shape our understanding of the world today. At the same time, historical and intellectual developments shaped how Christians defined and articulated their beliefs. Therefore, while focus will be on intellectual developments, attention will also be given to social and political contexts of these ideas. The course will interrogate changing definitions of Christian belief, including formulations of orthodoxy and heterodoxy, expressions of spirituality, liturgy, and practice. Students will be challenged to understand the diversity in the Christian tradition through history, both between different churches (Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and varieties of Protestantism), as well as diversity and development within those traditions. Major issues will include Christian understandings of God, the problem of evil, human nature and the world, and the problem of salvation and redemption. More broadly, students will consider the character of religious language and the role of beliefs in religious traditions.
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Religion 235: Religions of Russia and Eurasia
This course explores the role of religion in Russian history and culture from Russia’s conversion to Christianity in 988 to the present day. Beginning with an introduction to the history, beliefs, and practices of Eastern Orthodox Christianity, this course will explore the development of Orthodoxy in medieval Russia, including an examination of saints’ lives, iconography, and architecture. It will also examine the history of Orthodoxy in modern Russia, including spirituality and religious themes in literature and thought. Particular attention will also be given to Judaism and other religions in the Russian Empire and their interaction with Russian Orthodoxy. Finally, the course will consider the fate of religion in Soviet and post-Soviet Russia and Eurasia.
Religion 254: Introduction to Russian and Eurasian Studies
This course examines the major developments that have shaped Russian and Eurasian culture, society, and politics over the last millennium, from Russia’s conversion to Christianity in 988 to the present. This is an interdisciplinary course incorporating perspectives from religion, history, anthropology, architecture, economics, folklore, literature, music, politics, and sociology. A survey of Russian history will provide the backdrop for the course. Against this backdrop, three main themes will be considered, corresponding to three main chronological periods in Russian history. First, we will explore religion and identity in Medieval Russia, 988 to 1700. Second, we will study Russian culture during Imperial Russia (1700-1917), particularly the golden age of Russian literature in the nineteenth century. Finally, the course will examine Russian politics and society during the Soviet and post-Soviet periods (1917 to the present). Students will read both primary and secondary texts, and readings will be supplemented with art, architecture, film, and music. Students will also have opportunities to attend lectures, films, and colloquia, organized by the Havighurst Center for Russian and Post-Soviet Studies, as part of the course. This course is cross listed with RUS/HST/POL 254.
