Religious & Classical Studies

Religious & Classical Studies

Phone: (209) 946-2161

Location: WPC Annex

Website:

George Randels, Chair

Martha Bowsky, Director of Liberal Studies

Degrees Offered

Bachelor of Arts

Majors Offered

Religious Studies

Liberal Studies Major

Minors Offered

Religious Studies

Classical Studies

Ancient Studies

The Department of Religious & Classical Studies offers students the opportunity to study belief systems, texts, and languages in both modern and ancient contexts. Some courses focus on the role of religion in human history, experience, thought, and action, while others focus on the cultures of Ancient Greece and Rome, and their lasting effects on the modern world. Religion has been and continues to be a major factor in the development of cultures and institutions, and is significant to individuals as they examine ultimate questions and how they should live. Citizen-leaders need an understanding of religion, and of the origins of Western civilization. A typical course in the Department includes students from various backgrounds and academic disciplines, thereby affording significant opportunity for inter-disciplinary discussion.

Career Opportunities

A major in Religious Studies provides groundwork for students to be citizen-leaders in various careers. These possible career paths include ministry or a church-related vocation, teaching, journalism, publishing, film, law, government, business, non-profit organizations, social work, nursing, and medicine. A minor in Religious Studies or Classical Studies can also provide groundwork for these careers while supplementing a student’s major field of study.

Bachelor of Arts
Major in Religious Studies

In order to earn the bachelor of arts degree with a major in religious studies, students must complete a minimum of 124 units with a Pacific cumulative and major/program grade point average of 2.0.

I. General Education Requirements

Minimum 42 units and 12 courses, including:

PACS 001Pacific Seminar 1: What is a Good Society? 4

PACS 002Pacific Seminar 2: Topical Seminar4

PACS 003Pacific Seminar 3: The Ethics of Family, Work, and Citizenship 3

Note: 1) Pacific Seminars cannot be taken for Pass/No Credit. 2) Transfer students with 28 or more transfer units complete 2 additional General Education elective courses from below in place of taking PACS 001 and 002.

One course from each subdivision below:

Social and Behavioral Sciences

IA.Individual and Interpersonal Behavior

IB.U.S. Studies

IC.Global Studies

Arts and Humanities

IIA.Language and Literature

IIB.Worldviews and Ethics

IIC.Visual and Performing Arts

Natural Sciences and Mathematics

IIIA.Natural Sciences

IIIB.Mathematics and Formal Logic

IIIC.Science, Technology, and Society

ora second Natural Science

II. Diversity Requirement
Complete one diversity course3-4

Note: 1) A complete list of the courses that satisfy the requirement above can be found in the front Diversity Requirement section of this catalog and the online course search. 2) Transfer students with 28 units or more transfer units prior to fall 2011 are encouraged but not required to complete a designated course prior to graduation. 3) Courses may be used also to meet general education and/or major/minor requirements.

III.College of the Pacific BA Requirement

One year of college instruction or equivalent training in a language other than English.

Note: 1) Transfer students with sophomore standing are exempt from this requirement.

IVII. Fundamental Skills

Demonstrate competence in:

Reading

Writing

Quantitative analysis

Note: 1) A detailed description of how you can satisfy the fundamental skills above can be found in the front General Education section of this catalog.

IV. Breadth Requirement

Complete 64 units outside the primary discipline of the first major, regardless of the department who offers the course(s) in that discipline (Including general education courses, transfer courses, CPCE/EXTN units, internships, etc.)

VI. Major Requirements

Minimum 40 units, including:

One of the following courses:4

RELI 023Hebrew Bible

RELI 025New Testament and Christian Origins

Three required courses:

RELI 034Introduction to Religion4

CLAS 051Classical Mythology4

RELI 196Religious Studies Seminar4

Electives:

5 additional departmental courses20

1 “collateral” course from an outside department4

Note: 1) See department for a current list of approved collateral courses.

Note: 2) Electives to be chosen in consultation with an adviser.

Minor in Religious Studies

In order to earn a minor in religious studies, students must complete a minimum of 20 units with a Pacific minor grade point average of 2.0.

Minor Requirements:

One of the following courses:4

RELI 023Hebrew Bible

RELI 025New Testament and Christian Origins

Two required courses:

RELI 034Introduction to Religion4

RELI 134World Religions4

Electives:

RELI2 additional courses8

Note: 1) 16 of these units must be completed at Pacific.

Minor in Classical Studies

In order to earn a minor in classical studies, students must complete a minimum of 20 units with a Pacific minor grade point average of 2.0.

Minor Requirements:

One of the following language courses:4

GREK 011aFirst-Year Ancient Greek, First Semester

GREK 011bFirst-Year Ancient Greek, Second Semester

GREK 023Intermediate Greek, Third Semester

GREK 025Intermediate Greek, Fourth Semester

GREK 127Advanced Greek

LATN 011aFirst-Year Latin, First Semester

LATN 011bFirst-Year Latin, Second Semester

LATN 023Intermediate Latin, Third Semester

LATN 025Intermediate Latin, Fourth Semester

LATN 127Advanced Latin

One of the following classical mythology courses:4

CLAS 051Classical Mythology

CLAS 115Topics in Mythology and Religion

Three of the following courses:12

CLAS 100History of Ancient Greece or,

CLAS 102History of Ancient Rome

CLAS 110Greek Literature and Society or,

CLAS 112Latin Literature and Roman Society

CLAS 120Sexuality in Greek Society or,

CLAS 122Sexuality in Roman Society

CLAS 130Greek Art and Architecture or,

CLAS 132Roman Art and Architecture

CLAS 191Independent Study

GREK 191Independent Study

LATN 191Independent Study

CLAS 193Special Topics

GREK/LATN1 course in Greek or Latin

Minor in ancient Studies

In order to earn a minor in ancient studies, students must complete a minimum of 20 units with a Pacific minor grade point average of 2.0.

Minor Requirements:

One of the following classical mythology courses:4

CLAS 051 Classical Mythology

CLAS 115 Topics in Mythology

One of the following ancient history courses:4

CLAS 100 History of Ancient Greece

CLAS 102 History of Ancient Rome

RELI 102 History of Ancient Egypt and the Near East

RELI 126 Ancient Israel in its Historical Context

One of the following ancient literature courses:4

CLAS 110 Greek Literature and Society

CLAS 112 Latin Literature and Roman Society

RELI 023 Hebrew Bible

RELI 025 New Testament/Christian Origins

or another course by permission of the department chair

Two electives from CLAS, GREK, HEBR, LATI, and/or RELI8

Note: 1) Electives should be chosen in consultation with the adviser.

Note: 2) 16 of these units must be completed at Pacific.

Bachelor of Arts
Major in Liberal Studies

In order to earn the bachelor of arts degree with a major in liberal studies, students must complete a minimum of 124 units with a Pacific cumulative and major/program grade point average of 2.0.

I. General Education Requirements

Minimum 42 units and 12 courses, including:

PACS 001Pacific Seminar 1: What is a Good Society? 4

PACS 002Pacific Seminar 2: Topical Seminar4

PACS 003Pacific Seminar 3: The Ethics of Family,
Work, and Citizenship3

One course from each subdivision below:

Social and Behavioral Sciences

IA.Individual and Interpersonal Behavior

IB.U.S. Studies

IC.Global Studies

Arts and Humanities

IIA.Language and Literature

IIB.Worldviews and Ethics

IIC.Visual and Performing Arts

Natural Sciences and Mathematics

IIIA.Natural Sciences

IIIB.Mathematics and Formal Logic

IIIC.Science, Technology, and Society

ora second Natural Science

Note: 1) A complete list of the courses that satisfy the subdivisions above can be found in the front General Education section of this catalog and the online course search. 2) No more than 8 units from a single discipline may be applied to meet the requirements of the general education program. 3) Not all the courses that satisfy the subdivisions above will also satisfy the General Education requirements for the Liberal Studies major. Choose courses to satisfy the General Education requirements in consultation with an advisesor.

II. Diversity Requirement
Complete one diversity course3-4

III.College of the Pacific BA Requirement

One year of college instruction or equivalent training in a language other than English.

Note: 1) Transfer students with sophomore standing are exempt from this requirement.

IVII. Fundamental Skills

Demonstrate competence in:

Reading

Writing

Quantitative analysis

Note: 1) A detailed description of how you can satisfy the fundamental skills above can be found in the front General Education section of this catalog.

IV. Breadth Requirement

Complete 64 units outside the primary discipline of the first major, regardless of the department which offers the course(s) in that discipline (including general education courses, transfer courses, CPCE/EXTN units, internships, etc.)

VI. Major Requirements

Minimum 82 units and 23 courses, including:

Area I: Language Arts

Minimum 18 units and 5 courses, including:

A course in composition or PACS 001

A course in literary analysis

A course in language and language acquisition

A course in communication

A language arts elective

Area II: Mathematics/Science

Minimum 16 units and 4 courses, including:

A course in college mathematics

A course in life science

A course in physical science

A mathematics/science elective

Area III: Humanities/Social Studies

Minimum 23 units and 7 courses, including:

A course in the development of civilization

A course in American history and institutions

A course in global/intercultural studies or PACS 002

A course in multicultural/ethnic/gender studies

A humanities elective or course in intercultural /international studies

A course in individual/interpersonal behavior

A humanities/social science elective

Area IV: Performing Arts

Minimum 11 units and 3 courses, including:

A course in visual arts

A course in music

A course in performing arts

Area V: Pacific Seminar

Minimum 3 units and 1 course, including:

PACS 003 or another ethics course

Area VI: Concentration

Minimum 11 units and 3 courses

Note: 1) Choose a concentration listed at the beginning of this section in consultation with an adviser.

Course Offerings

Religious Studies

RELI 023.Hebrew Bible(4)

The Hebrew Bible is a central book of western culture, serving as a foundation for Judaism and Christianity. This course surveys the biblical literature, familiarizes students with critical methods for the study of the Bible, situates the Bible within the literature and culture of the ancient Near East, and discusses the religion of ancient Israel. Issues of history and archaeology will also be addressed.

RELI 025. New Testament and Christian Origins(4)

This course offers a socio-historical and literary introduction to the writings of the earliest Christians. It will emphasize the importance of the historical context of these writings and will investigate the ways these texts fit into Mediterranean cultures. Topics include: the Jewish origins of the “Jesus movement;” the formation of early Christian communities and their varying patterns of belief and practice; the development of oral and written traditions about Jesus, especially in the gospels and letters of Paul; and various images of Jesus and their significance. Students will learn how to read ancient texts closely, gain an understanding of the various methods of scholarly biblical interpretation, and learn how to evaluate these interpretations critically.

RELI 027.Portraits of Jesus(4)

In this course, we will examine some of the different “Jesuses” that have emerged from the “Quest for Jesus” through the ages, including historical studies, art, and literature. Was Jesus an itinerant, charismatic teacher? A healer and miracle-worker? A social revolutionary? Or is he an ahistorical figure on whom we have projected our own needs and desires for two millennia?

RELI 030.Western Religious Traditions(4)

This course will survey Western religious traditions broadly conceived. The Abrahamic traditions (Judaism, Islam, and Christianity) will comprise the core of the course. Other content will vary by instructor and/or semester but may include Mesopotamian, Egyptian, or Greek religion, Zoroastrianism, European Paganism, Native American religion, or New Religious Movements.

RELI 034.Introduction to Religion(4)

This class is designed to introduce students to religion as an academic field of study. While we can easily locate groups who identify themselves as Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, and so forth, we might actually have more difficulty figuring out what–if anything–unifies all of these groups, and therefore what it is that people mean when they use the term religion. In this class we will explore some of the basic concepts and categories used by scholars when they investigate the social phenomenon of religion. All students will discover that this course gives them experience in critical thinking, comparative analysis, and cultural diversity.

RELI 035.Judaism(4)

A basic introduction to Judaism covering its history, beliefs and customs with an emphasis on understanding the Jews of today.

RELI 043.Social Ethics(4)

This course will examine several contemporary problems in social ethics from the standpoint of religious traditions and philosophical perspectives. It will introduce ethical and religious concepts and consider such issues as pacifism and just war, civil disobedience, capital punishment, the distribution of scarce resources, and the environment. We will discuss what selected thinkers say about such issues, and how they reach their conclusions in light of their religious, philosophical, and anthropological convictions.

RELI 044.Sex, Sin, and Salvation(4)

This course will explore and analyze sexuality and gender in terms of ethics and religion. It will focus primarily on historical and contemporary Christian perspectives, with some attention to other religious traditions and philosophical viewpoints. Topics will include such issues as sexual ethics, homosexuality, sexuality and spirituality, gender roles and connections between gender and ethical perspectives.

RELI 070.Religion and American Culture(4)

An examination of the way in which religion has contributed to the shaping of American political, social and cultural life, and the way in which the American experience has in turn shaped religion. It will move from the colonial experience through the awakenings,” to the emergence of new religions and cults, the revolutions of the sixties, the revival of conservative Christianity in the American political spectrum and ecology as the “new awakening.”

RELI 102.History of Ancient Egypt and the Near East(4)

This course covers the history and cultures of the pre-Greek ancient world, namely, Egypt and the Near East from the third millennium BCE (3300 BCE) to the beginning of the Hellenistic period (333 BCE). After surveying the geography of the area under study, we will examine primary and secondary sources to understand the political currents and social practices of Egypt, Sumer, Babylonia, and Assyria. Special emphasis will be given to the origins, development, and social uses of writing / literacy.

RELI 120.Wisdom in Biblical Literature(4)

This course will introduce the student to the biblical books of Proverbs, Job, and Qohelet (Ecclesiastes). These books share the common thread of teaching people how to live skillfully and have incited controversy for millennia. We will read these books in English, examine and discuss the major themes, literary structures, cultural contexts, and issues in interpretation that surround these books, and reflect upon their significance for several communities of readers in various periods of history. In order to situate these Israelite books within their ancient cultural contexts, we will have opportunity to read and discuss wisdom texts from the neighboring cultures of Egypt and Mesopotamia. And, in order to appreciate the position of these books within wisdom tradition, we will also look at some wisdom writings from Israel not included in the biblical canon.

RELI 124.Ancient Judaism(4)

We will survey ancient Judaism from roughly 539 BCE until the Islamic era (c. 600 CE), emphasizing the ideological importance of the destruction of the second temple in 70 CE. Readings and discussion in primary texts (e.g. Enoch, the Dead Sea Scrolls, Maccabees, the Talmud, Mishnah, and various midrashim) will complement our historical investigation.

RELI 126.Ancient Israel in Its Historical Context(4)

This course will focus on the historical and cultural context in which ancient Israel arose and flourished-from the early Iron Age (c. 1200 BCE) to the beginning of the Hellenistic period (323 BCE). In the first part of the course, after surveying the geography and political history of the ancient Near East from 2000-320 BCE, we will critically examine the historical rise and existence of Israel in its larger geo-political context. Special consideration will be given to understanding the relationship of archaeological, politico-historical, and biblical evidence. In the second part of the course we will turn our attention to “everyday life” in ancient Israel, that is, to various social and material elements of ancient Israelite culture (e.g., family structure, buildings, vocational activities, art and music, literacy, etc.) as reconstructed from archaeological and biblical evidence. We will apply what we learn to various biblical topics and/or texts.

RELI 128.Social Topics in Early Christianity(4)

A study of one or more social issues prominent during the early stages of Christianity. Topics will vary according to the interests of faculty and students.

RELI 130.The Christian Tradition(4)

An historical and theological analysis of Christian thought and practice. Content will vary depending upon instructor. It may, for example, focus on Christian origins in Greek and Hebrew culture, the Reformation Era, or issues of theological reinterpretation for the 21st century.