Religion

Senior Theses

Every student who graduates from Carthage with a major in religion must complete a substantial research work or project. Students work on this senior thesis with a directing professor, and it counts as a religion course (RELI 400: Senior Seminar).

The work produced for these senior theses is very creative, and many projects are interdisciplinary, combining religion with theatre, communications or classics study. In the past, students have written plays, produced radio programs, or focused on archaeological excavations.

Here is a look at summaries of 2008-2009 senior projects.

Rockin’ Out for Jesus – Zachary Wolf

Rockin' out for Jesus is here to stay! This musically simple form of expression has assumed a prominent position alongside the chants, madrigals, and hymns that have long characterized public Christian worship. But will the growing complexity and virtuosity of the rock scene call forth a yet newer, reformed genre? Zachary Wolf’s careful analysis of music history both inside and outside church walls provides a clue.

Cannibalism and Eucharist – Brent Mitchell

"Take, eat, this is my body." Traditional adherence to the transubstantiation doctrine calls the faithful to identify the Eucharistic bread and wine with the body and blood of Christ. But this evokes a ghastly suspicion! Are we, as a people, tethered to a benighted past marked by ritual cannibalism? Brent Mitchell’s psycho-anthropological investigation unveils startling connections.

The Prosperity Gospel – Marguerite Harris

You, too, could be using a $23,000 commode. Just name-it-and-claim-it! From Essek Kenyon to Creflo Dollar, prosperity preachers have been fleecing their sheep. Rampant abuse even ignited a senate inquiry, resulting in Chuck Grassley's pointed challenge to preacher David Meyer's privy habits. Marguerite Harris’ spirited review of the rise of the prosperity gospel and its grip on the poor explores how it happened in our land of milk and honey.

Religion in the Culture of Bioethics – Sierra Nash

Medical professionals worldwide grapple with bioethical concerns. Organ donation, humanity of the fetus, and euthanasia all seem to call forth religiously conditioned responses. But do they? And who decides where religion drops off and science takes up? Sierra Nash’s analytic comparison of US and Japanese practices provides insight into the religio-cultural bearing upon bioethics.

Saint Thomas and his Apostolate in India – Alpha Sabbithi

Saint Thomas (Didymus), in India? Three Indian Christian traditions insist on it. Evidence ranges from syncretistic ritual forms, to a putative tomb where the faithful report miraculous healing, to seven churches of mysterious origin. Benedict VI recently unleashed a storm of protest in India when he questioned the reliability of the tradition. Alpha Sabbithi’s historical inquiry assesses the likelihood of Saint Thomas' Indian sojourn.

Legalism and Mandatory Dress Codes – Alethea van Buren

A woman’s style of dress speaks. With careful selection she can display attitudes, intentions, and self-identity. But does God care? Yes, argues Alethea van Buren, though much depends upon whether the woman is under Biblical Law or Spirit Law. The first enforces outer discipline, the second flows from inner vitality. Van Buren explores religious communities which fail to recognize this distinction, thus imposing needless, detrimental, constraints upon women’s fashion choices.

Academics at Carthage

Prospective Students

Faculty Spotlight

Religion Professor James Lochtefeld brings Indian culture to life in photography show. Read more.

J-Term in Israel

Unearthing the Past. Annual study tour in northern Israel transforms Carthage undergrads into archaeologists.

J-Term in India

See a slideshow of photographs from Religion J-Term trips to India and The Himalayas.