100s Courses

Horror and the human. Monster and mankind. They seem such opposites. But are they? Or do the deliberate distortions of horror reflect our understanding of humanity, like the `funny mirrors' in a haunted house? If so, what significance does classic horror fiction, which possesses such lasting popularity, hold for us today? And what does the Pope have to do with Dracula?!

This course is a chance for you
- to read fantastic and timeless texts
- to engage the provocative ideas raised by them about the nature of the human, the good, love, and horror
- to examine your own assumptions and views about life, humanity, and yourself
- to learn from others and to help others learn
- to challenge yourself and others beyond mediocrity, and to grow from the challenges of others.

RELIGION AND ATROCITY – Dr. Steven Hoogerwerf

In this course we will examine the relationship between religion and atrocity. At times, religion has been a causative factor in the perpetration of violence – or has failed to marshal resistance against it. The perceived connection between religion and atrocity or religion’s apparent impotence to do anything about it has led some to denounce religion. Whether we renounce it or not, it is important to ask: “Why does religion sometimes function to fuel and justify atrocity?”

In the midst of atrocity, the victims who suffer also often turn to religion as a source of comfort, escape, empowerment, or salvation. Religion’s power to alleviate suffering by eliminating its causes or by ameliorating its impact matches its power to inspire atrocity. How do the resources of religion – especially Judaism and Christianity – enable people to cope with the suffering that is caused by personal atrocities or tragedies they suffer?

THE MANY FACES OF AMERICAN CHRISTIANITY – Dr. Jenny Everts

This course will examine the ways different denominations and cultural traditions interpret Christianity in their worship and teaching. Students will attend and report on worship services at a variety of Holland area churches.

FROM RABBI TO GOD: How Jesus Conquered the Romans – Dr. Phil Muñoa

This is an introductory course about the origin and spread of Christianity. It begins with Jesus of Nazareth and continues through the fourth century CE when Christianity became the only legal religion of the Roman Empire. We will learn by means of a careful examination of primary texts (Jewish, Christian, and Greco-Roman writings) and a secondary text.

EARTH AND ETHICS – Dr. Steven Bouma-Prediger

Global warming, holes in the ozone layer, toxic wastes, oil spills, acid rain, drinking water contamination, overflowing landfills, topsoil erosion, species extinction, smog. The earth and its many inhabitants are in trouble, claim numerous professional earth-watchers. Is this claim true? If it is, why? What are come of the causes of ecological degradation? What can and should be done? And what is the role of religion? How have religious beliefs and practices contributed to these problems and how might they be part of the solution? How should we then live? In this course we will ask these and other crucial questions. And we will learn how religious folk answer such questions. This course, in short, is an inquiry concerning earth and ethics.

CHRISTIANITY AND CONFLICT – Dr. Jeff Tyler

In this class we will explore, discuss and debate how religion and life interact, how people of the past have responded to conflict and to what degree their responses and insights are still valid today. Our experiences, yours and mine, will be valuable resources as we compare how Jews and Christians handled violence and alienation. Hopefully we will sharpen our own views and come to a greater appreciation of the Christian tradition. And the next time we are frustrated, angered, or insulted, perhaps we will respond out of personal conviction and not merely out of impulse and habit.

THE GOOD BOOK – Dr. Lynn Japinga

The course objectives are: 1) to become familiar with the story line and some of the main characters of the Bible; 2) to encounter various types of Biblical literature; 3) to learn to find and use tools for Biblical study; 4) to develop a greater ability to read, understand, and interpret the Bible; 5) to gain an appreciation of the complexity of the Bible; and 6) to learn something about the academic study of religion.

Which Jesus? - Dr. Wayne Brouwer

We will read most of the New Testament and Jesus through the Centuries by Jaroslav Pelikan. We will use this book to survey the ways in which Jesus has been viewed or understood in different historical or cultural contexts. This will help us to gain a well-rounded view of who Jesus is and to evaluate the ways in which people speak about Jesus today. At least one paper will be assigned--an inquiry into how people close to us or prominent social figures view Jesus. The goal of the paper is to help us make up our minds as to who Jesus is in our personal life or contemporary society.