Contemporary Religious Thought (374-0-20)

Topic

Religion and Literature

Instructors

Claire E Sufrin
Crowe 5-155

Meeting Info

Kresge Centennial Hall 2-410: Mon, Wed 11:00AM - 12:20PM

Overview of class

Whether they are called "scripture," "myth," "history," "parable" or something else, ancient stories play an important role in Judaism and Christianity. In turn, these religions play an important role in some novels and poems. Literature and religion, in short, have a long history of interaction and influence. In this class, we will study biblical stories and the meaning they have taken on for Jews and Christians; literary portrayals and critiques of what it's like to live a religious life; and reflections on theological themes woven into contemporary novels and poetry.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the course students will be able to:
• identify different examples how religion and literature interact;
• explain how literary features add meaning to Jewish and Christian sacred stories;
• locate, analyze, and evaluate the portrayal of religion in literature;
• articulate, analyze, and evaluate novels and poems that make theological or religious arguments

Teaching Method

Class Materials (Required)

Søren Kierkegaard, Fear and Trembling (Penguin, 1985)
Marilynne Robinson, Home (Picador, 2009)
Cynthia Ozick, Messiah of Stockholm (Vintage Books, 1988)
Nicole Krauss, Great House (Norton, 2011)

Class Attributes

Advanced Expression
Ethical and Evaluative Thinking Foundational Disci
Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline
Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area
Ethics & Values Distro Area