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About the Course

Rationale | Pedagogical Matters | Curriculum Details

Rationale

The aim of this seminar is to examine material pertinent to constructing a comprehensive interpretation of language as it is used in theology, religion, and mysticism. A wide range of disciplinary perspectives will prove useful, including those of evolutionary theory, sociology, psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, literary criticism, philosophy, and theology.

“Religious Language” (STH TT973) is a research seminar for doctoral students. Advanced masters students can seek the permission of the instructor to participate. Classes will meet once a week on Thursdays from 9-12. Each class will be conducted in the seminar discussion format with mini-lectures given by the instructor as needed or requested by the class.

The phrase “research seminar” indicates both that the goal is original research and that the students participating are invited to structure the seminar as they see fit. While a schedule of readings and topics will be offered, it is expected that students at this level should introduce new readings, challenge prevailing perspectives of the class, and devise different arrangements of topics for discussion.

This seminar makes extensive use of web support. Every student is provided with free access to the web and email. The course website is accessible from http://webct.bu.edu using your BU username and password. Participation in web-based seminar activities helps students learn the course material at their own pace and more effectively. Web involvement is also an important aspect of the participation portion of the final grade.

Pedagogical Matters

The pedagogical principles adopted by the teaching staff, as well as their execution, are subject to ongoing assessment. End-of-semester course evaluations are particularly helpful in that regard. This course will change next time in part because of what you say on those forms. This web page offers another opportunity to profit from the wisdom and experience of this year's class by inviting email comments during the semester about the teaching methods and performance of the staff. To make those comments, please email me at the feedback address.

Curriculum Details

This course, STH TT973, can satisfy the requirement for a Theology II elective in the STH MDiv curriculum by petition. Otherwise it is a free elective in theology.

The information on this page is copyright ©1994-2010, Wesley Wildman (basic information here), unless otherwise noted. If you want to use ideas that you find here, please be careful to acknowledge this site as your source, and remember also to credit the original author of what you use, where that is applicable. If you want to use text or stories from these pages, please contact me at the feedback address for permission.