Courses

Principles, procedures, and problems of lawmaking in the United States; special attention to Congress and state legislatures.

An examination of the structures and functions of legislative bodies with particular emphasis on the United States.

A survey of the biblical history of the life of Jesus Christ through an analysis of the four Gospels, with an exegesis of selected texts. The study includes a consideration of the critical theories advanced to explain the similarities and differences between the Synoptic Gospels and evaluation of the methods used in the various quests for the historical Jesus.

An exegetical study of the person of Christ as depicted in the Gospels, making use of the methods of both grammatical and historical exegesis. Attention is given to background study, the interpretation of the teaching and acts of Jesus, and the application of these truths in a modern society.

The Literate Mind is an advanced course in educational psychology/ neuroscience that explores the consequences of reading and writing —for humankind, for communities, and for individual learners. The course reviews the cognitive, neural, and social mechanisms that produce those consequences, how those mechanisms arise, and how malleable they are.

This course will introduce students to the literature and culture of Brazil through the arts (music, painting, architecture, film, dance) from the 17th to 20th century. The course focuses mainly on colonial artistic expressions (e.g., poetry and Baroque art) as well as modern cultural productions.

Biblical literature in English translation, including narratives, prophetic literature, gospels, apocalypses, and poetry. Material is studied with attention to its sociological and historical background, its literary value, and its relevance to two religions. Biblical influence on English language literature may be examined in such authors as Milton, Dryden, Smart, Blake, Byron, Melville, Dickinson, and twentieth- century and contemporary English-language poetry.

The experiences of European Jewry during the Second World War and the years leading up to it as reflected in Yiddish literature. The course will explore such topics as genocide, ghetto life, concentration camps, Jewish resistance and escape, the response of the Western world and the Soviet Union.

Major European texts in a variety of forms and genres, studied in their historical, social, intellectual, and religious contexts.

A survey of the literature of young adults with particular attention to recent examples. Emphasis will be on the literary qualities of the reading.