Fall 2002 Class Schedule - Supplement #4

This message includes information regarding new courses added to the Fall Term listing and updated information regarding other courses that occurred after the Fall Registration book went to press. All class schedule supplements are also published on the Registrar's Website under http://www.csbsju.edu/registrar/Class%20Schedules.htm

New Courses:

CORE 368-01A    Origins of Evil
The discussion surrounding the “problem of evil” in the Judeo-Christian tradition generally focuses on the following questions: Is it possible to believe in an all-loving and all-powerful God who guides and arranges our lives when there exit such horrible evil and suffering in the world? Why did God not eliminate all of this agony and suffering? Why did God not create a better world in the first place? Can we still affirm divine justice in spite of all the suffering in the world? Within the framework of these and other questions, we will examine the ideas and theoretical foundations that make up the “problem of evil.” We will study representative works by theologians, philosophers, writers and artists, in order to determine the limits and the validity of their positions. The primary aim of this class is not to determine whether the actions of God are right or wrong, but to examine and clarify the methods used by scholars and how these individuals fit within the precepts of various religious orders and schools of thought.

To make this course exciting and stimulating we will read short selections from such works as Hans Schwartz, Evil: A Historical and Theological Perspective; Elaine Pagels, The Origins of Satan; Mark Twain, Letters from the Earth; Ute Ranke-Heinemann, Eununchs for the Kingdom of Heaven; Saint Augustine, Confessions; Saint Thomas, A Summa of the Summa; Herman Hesse, Demian; Maimonides, The Guide for the Perplexed; Friedrich Nietzsche, Zarathustra; The Bible. We will also look at several art works and view excerpts from films.

CORE 369-72A/PCST 368-72A    Justice, Peace & Reconciliation
From the Book of Exodus to the Hebrew prophets and the New Testament, one finds the utopian vision of a just, peaceful and reconciled world, summarized in the biblical term “shalom.” Through the study of biblical texts and contemporary writings, we will explore the Judeo-Christian tradition’s vision of justice, peace and reconciliation. Through the analysis of case studies we will explore how individuals, organizations and communities in the tradition are working to bring about shalom in various parts of the world through such means as nonviolent action, the defense of human rights, methods of conflict resolution and transformation, and efforts for peacebuilding and reconciliation.

Mo Laube
Data/Web Coordinator
Office of the Registrar
College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University
Phone 320-363-3399
Fax 320-363-2714
mlaube@csbsju.edu