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Interdisciplinary Courses

Some information in this department has changed since the publication of the St. Olaf College 1996-1997 Academic Catalog. Current information can be found in print or online in The Catalog Supplement for 1997-98.

The Catalog Supplement for 1997-1998: Interdisciplinary

Overview

Interdisciplinary courses use the resources of several disciplines to investigate topics that cut across departmental lines. Often team taught, these courses raise awareness about the distinctive methodologies and conceptual frameworks of different disciplines and their strengths and possible biases in describing, explaining, and evaluating reality.

Courses

111 Introductory Studies in Literature and Theology (2)
Students examine significant similarities in form and content between Biblical texts and ancient and modern literature. The course highlights central narrative, themes and archetypal images of the Bible and investigates important examples of their recurrence in imaginative literature. Student work emphasizes the skills of careful analysis, intelligent discussion, and good writing. This is a double course, satisfying the requirements for both first-year English and Religion. Offered Fall Semester only.

232 Human Values
Students investigate the meaning, justification, and objectivity of value claims, survey normative perspectives in ethics, consider research on value acquisition and changes, and analyze the value dimension in debates on social and political issues such as legislating morals, professional ethics, and medical decision-making. Fall 1996: "Ethics, Medicine, and Society." Interim
199 "Medical and Professional Ethics."

236 Science, Technology and Values

Students investigate science and technological development as activities and as causes of social change, emphasizing value-laden issues and surveying normative perspectives in ethics. Topics include the impact of technology on society and the environment, social control of technology, and issues in cost-risk-benefit analyses and technology assessments.

238 War and Peace
An interdisciplinary approach to war and peace. With the dual perspective of philosophy and history, we study various ethical arguments as shaped in different cultures. Examples are drawn from ancient Athens, medieval Christendom, Asia, Islam and the modern West; ethical topics include: pacifism, utilitarianism, divine command ethics, natural law theory, feminism, and cultural relativism. We begin with warfare as treated in the Bible and conclude with nuclear terrorism.

250 Western Christianity and the Orthodox East: Unity and Separation
This thematic study of the encounter of Western Christiantiy with the Orthodox East begins with their common Biblical origins. Students are introduced to the theology, worship, and religious culture of the Orthodox world that marked Eastern Chistianity off from the Latin (and later Reformation) West. They study key moments in the theological contact between West and East through classical theological and spiritual texts.

310 Ethical Issues and Classic Normative Perspectives: The Great Conversation Continued
This course examines ethical issues from perspectives that are contemporary expressions of our reactions to classic normative traditions covered in the two-year sequence of the Great Conversation program. Included among these perspectives will be one or more contemporary representatives of the Christian theological tradition. Possible ethical issues to be considered include political morality, sexuality, gender, matters of life and death (war, euthanasia, abortion), economic justice, and environmental responsibility. Offered Spring Semester.

Interim

Paracollege Seminars

The Paracollege frequently offers interdisciplinary courses which are open to general college students. Consult the Class and Lab Schedule for the current listing.

Faculty

The faculty of interdisciplinary programs are drawn from a variety of departments. See faculty listing under department for individual degree information.

Edward Langerak (Coordinator)
Professor of Philosophy, 1972-