Religious Studies Courses

3 Credits. Historical, theoretical, and methodological introduction to the study of religion. Critical analysis of the development of the discipline of religious studies. Preparation for all advanced study in religious studies theory and method, as well as study of particular religious traditions. Satisfies the following GEP requirements: Humanities, Global Knowledge. Offered every semester.

3 Credits. Major Eastern and Western religious traditions with attention to their basic teachings and practices as well as to the historical, geographical, social, and political settings in which they have arisen and developed. Satisfies the following GEP requirements: Humanities, Global Knowledge. Offered every semester.

3 Credits. Engagement of diverse religious traditions with the contemporary world. Examination of topics such as religion and the environment, science, women and gender, the state, justice and conflict. Satisfies the following GEP requirements: Humanities, Global Knowledge. Offered every semester. Spring 2022 Flyer

3 Credits. Asian religious traditions in comparative perspective. Religious and cultural history through literature, film, and art of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Afghanistan, China, Japan, Korea, and other countries in the region. Doctrine, practice, teaching tales, and issues of change and conflict. Satisfies the following GEP requirements: Humanities, Global Knowledge. Offered most semesters.

3 Credits. Selected studies in religion that do not appear regularly in the curriculum. Topics will be announced for each semester in which the course is offered.

3 Credits. PREREQUISITE(S): 3 hours of Sociology at the 200 level. Religious belief, practices and organizations addressed as social phenomena. Structural functionalism, conflict and subjectivism as theoretical orientations for understanding influences between religion and society. Relationship of religion to family, government and economy, and to social divisions, conflict and change. Satisfies the following GEP requirements: Humanities, Social Sciences. Offered every semester.

3 Credits. Study of Old Testament books, examining their content, background, and development. Comparisons of the biblical material with other Ancient Near Eastern literature. Assessment of contributions from archeology and literary studies to clarifying the text. Satisfies the following GEP requirements: Humanities, Global Knowledge. Classroom and online sections offered every semester. Spring 2022 Flyer

3 Credits. Literary and historical study of the New Testament in its Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts. Special attention to distinctive characteristics of the Gospels and their relationships, early controversies with Judaism and the emergence of church structure and teaching. Satisfies the following GEP requirements: Humanities, Global Knowledge. Classroom and online sections offered every semester.

3 Credits. Intertestamental literature in the context of Jewish history, institutions, and beliefs of the Intertestamental Period (ca. 300 B.C.-ca. 100 A.D.). Satisfies the following GEP requirements: Humanities, Global Knowledge. Offered occasionally.

3 Credits. Development of Christianity from its origins to the present; events, persons, ideas, beliefs, and practices which were most significant in this development. Satisfies the following GEP requirements: Humanities, Global Knowledge. Offered every semester.

3 Credits. Representative people, movements, and thought in the major religions within the context of American society and culture. Satisfies the following GEP requirements: Humanities, U.S. Diversity. Offered every fall.

3 Credits. Religious cults, sects, and minority faiths in America, including Mormonism, Christian Science, and Jehovah’s Witnesses. Also covers alternate groups such as the holiness-charismatic movement and the Unification Church. Origins, development, and teachings of these groups within the context of American culture and religion. Satisfies the following GEP requirements: Humanities, U.S. Diversity. Offered every spring.

3 Credits. Responses of contemporary Western religious thinkers to critics of religion and to challenges posed by the 20th century including the Nazi Holocaust, social injustice (liberation theologies – black, feminist, Third World), ecological crisis, threat of nuclear warfare, and conflicts between religions. Satisfies the following GEP requirements: Humanities, Global Knowledge. Offered spring semester in even-numbered years.

3 Credits. Basic religion/philosophical concepts, social institutions, and individual practices of Hindu civilization from earliest Vedic times to the present. Focus on major traditions: Action (karma), Knowledge (jnana), and Devotion (bhakti), with emphasis on disciplines (yoga), myth, symbol, art. Satisfies the following GEP requirements: Humanities, Global Knowledge. Offered occasionally.

3 Credits. History and structure of the Buddhist tradition analyzed through the “three jewels”: the Buddha, the Monastic Community (sangha), and the Teachings (dharma). Emphasis on fundamental religion/philosophical concepts, social history and ritual practices of Southern Buddhism, early Mahayana development, and Tantric ideals. Growth of the traditions in China and Japan. Satisfies the following GEP requirements: Humanities, Global Knowledge. Offered every fall.

3 Credits. Survey of Chinese religions from prehistoric times to the present. Confucianism, Daoism, primary Buddhist schools in China, spirit possession, divination and popular religious worship. Satisfies the following GEP requirements: Humanities, Global Knowledge.

3 Credits. Survey of various strands of Japanese religious life from prehistoric times until present. Kami worship; primary Buddhist schools in Japan; Japanese Christianity; Confucianism; and New Religions. Satisfies the following GEP requirements: Humanities, Global Knowledge.

3 Credits. Introductory survey of the Islamic religious tradition. Examination of the primary historical, literary, and theological sources for Islamic thought in global contexts. Topics include the Prophet Muhammad, the development of the early Muslim community, Islamic religious practice, Sunni and Shi’i Islam, Sufism, theology, law, and Islamic art and architecture. Satisfies the following GEP requirements: Humanities, Global Knowledge. Offered every fall.

3 credits. History of religions among Americans of African descent from the period of the development of the transatlantic slave trade to the present. Exploration of the complex ways religion has shaped the lifeworld of African Americans. Satisfies the following GEP requirements: Humanities, U.S. Diversity. Offered in Spring 2022. Spring 2022 Flyer

3 Credits. A survey of Jewish religious traditions from the Bible through the present day. Evolution of major religious ideas through the classical texts including Torah, Talmud, philosophical and mystical literature, and contemporary fiction. Satisfies the following GEP requirements: Humanities, Global Knowledge. To be offered in Spring 2023.

3 Credits. The application of theories of emotion and specific emotions [such as wonder, grief, anger and fear] to the study and practice of religion and to the relationship of religion to race, gender, class and politics. Satisfies the following GEP requirements: Humanities, Interdisciplinary Perspectives. Offered in Fall 2021.

3 Credits. PREREQUISITE(S): One course in REL, PHI, ANT, HI, PS, or SOC. Issues and problems in religions and societies since 1945. Historical, theoretical, sociological, and cultural approaches to globalism and religion. Inquiry into the role of ethical reasoning in religious debates on the problem of globalization. Satisfies the following GEP requirements: Humanities, Global Knowledge. Offered occasionally.

3 Credits. PREREQUISITE(S): REL 312 and REL 317 recommended; for 502: graduate status. Credit cannot be given for both REL/HI 402 and REL/HI 502. Growth and diffusion of early Christianity from the end of the first century up to the time of Eusebius and the conversion of Constantine (early fourth century); Christianity in its Greco-Roman environment; Roman policy towards Christianity; heterodox Christian movements; anti-heretical writings; orthodox institutions of authority. Satisfies the following GEP requirements: Humanities, Global Knowledge. Offered in Spring 2022. Spring 2022 Flyer

3 Credits. PREREQUISITE(S): For 407: 3 hours of history; for 507: graduate status. Credit cannot be given for both REL/HI 407 and REL/HI 507. The history of the Islamic Near East to 1798. Topics include the East Mediterranean before Islam, Muhammad and the development of Islam, sources of Muslim civilization, Islamic law, science, philosophy, art and architecture, Islam in Spain, India, Asia and Africa, the Crusades, the Ottomans, Islam and Europe. Satisfies the following GEP requirements: Humanities, Global Knowledge. Offered occasionally.

3 Credits. PREREQUISITE(S): For 408: 3 hours of history or religious studies; for 508: graduate status. Credit cannot be given for both REL/HI 408 and REL/HI 508. Evolution of modern Islam from 17th century to the present. Primary emphasis on North Africa, the Middle East and South Asia. Pre-modern Islamicate empires, reform and revival. Historical origins of current issues in the Islamic world. Satisfies the following GEP requirements: Humanities, Global Knowledge.Offered in Spring 2022. Spring 2022 Flyer

3 Credits. PREREQUISITE(S): For 412: REL 312 or REL 317; for 512: graduate status. Close study of the varieties of gospel writings, both canonical and non-canonical, in early Christianity. Analysis of the constituent features of the gospels (parables, healing narratives, sermons) and their “pre-history,” the use of the gospels in the reconstruction of the life and ministry of Jesus, and critical methods in gospel research. Satisfies the following GEP requirements: Humanities, Global Knowledge.

3 Credits. PREREQUISITE(S): For 413: REL 312 or REL 317; for 513: graduate status. Intensive study of the apostle Paul and his writings in their historical, literary, and religious contexts. Sources for the life and ministry of Paul; the structure and theology of the Pauline and deutero-Pauline epistles; the influence and image of Paul in early Christianity; and contemporary controversies and issues in the study of Paul. Satisfies the following GEP requirements: Humanities, Global Knowledge. Offered occasionally.

3 Credits. PREREQUISITE(S): For 423: one 300-level course in religion, philosophy, or history; for 523: graduate status. Credit cannot be given for both REL 423 and REL 523. Issues and problems in religion and politics in the United States since 1900. Historical, theoretical, sociological, and cultural approaches to religion and politics. Inquiry into the relations between religion and the state. Responses of religious traditions to American social and political issues. Satisfies the following GEP requirements: Humanities, U.S. Diversity. Offered in Spring 2022. Spring 2022 Flyer

3 Credits. PREREQUISITE(S): 3 credits in one or more of the following: For REL 424, ANT, COM, HI, IS, PS, REL, SOC; for REL 524, graduate standing. Credit cannot be given for both REL 424 abd REL 524. An interdisciplinary investigation of interfaces between religion and politics in select global hotspots. Possible topics include governmental systems, constitutional law, war, disaster, and development. To be offered in Fall 2022.

3 Credits. PREREQUISITE(S): For 471: one 3 credit-hour course in religious studies, biological sciences, philosophy of science, or history of science; for 571: graduate status. Credit cannot be given for both REL/STS 471 and REL/STS 571. Evolutionary Biology and Christianity. Darwin’s evolutionary theory; neo-Darwinism; conflicts between evolutionary theory and Christian thought; methodological parallels and differences between science and religion; proposals for divine action in an evolutionary world. Satisfies the following GEP requirements: Humanities, Interdisciplinary Perspectives. Offered every fall.

3 Credits. PREREQUISITE(S): For 472, 3 credit hours in REL or WGS; for 572, graduate status. Credit will not be given for both REL 472 and REL 572. Historical, literary, and theological sources dealing with portrayals of women and women’s religious experience in several religious traditions of the world through different historical periods, from ancient to modern. Impact of feminist theory on the academic study of religion; methodological issues surrounding the study of women’s religious history; role of religion in shaping attitudes toward women and their status in society. Satisfies the GEP Humanities requirement. Offered spring semester in odd-numbered years.

3 Credits. PREREQUISITE(S): For 473, one 3-credit course in Religious Studies (REL) or Philosophy (PHI) or Women’s and Gender Studies (WGS); for 573, graduate status. Credit will not be given for both REL 473 and REL 573. Examines comparative religious ethics concerning gender, marriage, parenthood, children, and the relationship of human beings to the “natural.” Relates these views to new and emerging reproductive technologies. Compares the internally diverse perspectives of three major religious traditions with regard to their interpretations of these technologies. Analyzes the impact of particular uses of these technologies on the rights of women and girls. Offered fall semester in even-numbered years.

3 Credits. PREREQUISITE(S): For 482, one 300-level course in REL; for 582, graduate status. Credit cannot be given for both REL 482 and REL 582. Critical and theoretical inquiry into religious violence and nonviolence. Source materials on violence and nonviolence from histories and texts. Case studies of inter- and intra-religious conflict and violence, including both U.S. and non-U.S. religious traditions. Conflict resolution and role of religious peacebuilding. Politics and public policy of religion, violence, and conflict. Satisfies the following GEP requirements: Humanities, Global Knowledge. Offered occasionally.

3 Credits. PREREQUISITE(S): For 489: one course in REL, PHI, ANT, HI, or SOC; for 589: graduate status. Theory and method in the study of religion. Historical survey of the discipline of religious studies. Investigation of the major schools of interpretation and themes of study. Application of methodologies to historical and sociological case studies, involving both U.S. and non-U.S. religious traditions. Satisfies the following GEP requirements: Humanities, Global Knowledge.

3 Credits. PREREQUISITE(S): 300-level course in REL and consent of instructor. Open primarily to religious studies majors and minors. Advanced research and writing in selected topics; application of contemporary and historical methods for the study of religion; hermeneutic theory.

1-6 Credits. PREREQUISITE(S): 6 hours in REL. Detailed investigation of selected topics in religion. Topics determined by faculty members in consultation with head of the department. Course may be used for individualized study programs.

3 Credits. PREREQUISITE(S): graduate status. Credit cannot be given for both REL/HI 402 and REL/HI 502. Growth and diffusion of early Christianity from the end of the first century up to the time of Eusebius and the conversion of Constantine (early fourth century); Christianity in its Greco-Roman environment; Roman policy towards Christianity; heterodox Christian movements; anti-heretical writings; orthodox institutions of authority. Offered in Spring 2022. Spring 2022 Flyer

3 Credits. PREREQUISITE(S): graduate status. Credit cannot be given for both REL/HI 407 and REL/HI 507. The history of the Islamic Near East to 1798. Topics include the East Mediterranean before Islam, Muhammad and the development of Islam, sources of Muslim civilization, Islamic law, science, philosophy, art and architecture, Islam in Spain, India, Asia and Africa, the Crusades, the Ottomans, Islam and Europe. Offered occasionally.

3 Credits. PREREQUISITE(S): graduate status. Credit cannot be given for both REL/HI 408 and REL/HI 508. Evolution of modern Islam from 17th century to the present. Primary emphasis on North Africa, the Middle East and South Asia. Pre-modern Islamicate empires, reform and revival. Historical origins of current issues in the Islamic world. Offered in Spring 2022. Spring 2022 Flyer

3 Credits. PREREQUISITE(S): graduate status. Close study of the varieties of gospel writings, both canonical and non-canonical, in early Christianity. Analysis of the constituent features of the gospels (parables, healing narratives, sermons) and their “pre-history,” the use of the gospels in the reconstruction of the life and ministry of Jesus, and critical methods in gospel research.

3 Credits. PREREQUISITE(S): graduate status. Intensive study of the apostle Paul and his writings in their historical, literary, and religious contexts. Sources for the life and ministry of Paul; the structure and theology of the Pauline and deutero-Pauline epistles; the influence and image of Paul in early Christianity; and contemporary controversies and issues in the study of Paul. Offered occasionally.

3 Credits. PREREQUISITE(S): graduate status. Credit cannot be given for both REL 423 and REL 523. Issues and problems in religion and politics in the United States since 1900. Historical, theoretical, sociological, and cultural approaches to religion and politics. Inquiry into the relations between religion and the state. Responses of religious traditions to American social and political issues. Offered in Spring 2022. Spring 2022 Flyer

3 Credits. PREREQUISITE(S): graduate status. Credit cannot be given for both REL 424 and REL 524. An interdisciplinary investigation of interfaces between religion and politics in select global hotspots. Possible topics include governmental systems, constitutional law, war, disaster, and development. To be offered in Fall 2022.

3 Credits. PREREQUISITE(S): graduate status. Credit cannot be given for both REL 471 and REL 571. Evolutionary Biology and Christianity. Darwin’s evolutionary theory; neo-Darwinism; conflicts between evolutionary theory and Christian thought; methodological parallels and differences between science and religion; proposals for divine action in an evolutionary world. Offered every fall.

3 Credits. PREREQUISITE(S): graduate status. Credit will not be given for both REL 472 and REL 572. Historical, literary, and theological sources dealing with portrayals of women and women’s religious experience in several religious traditions of the world through different historical periods, from ancient to modern. Impact of feminist theory on the academic study of religion; methodological issues surrounding the study of women’s religious history; role of religion in shaping attitudes toward women and their status in society. Offered spring semester in odd-numbered years.

3 Credits. PREREQUISITE(S): graduate status. Credit cannot be given for both REL 473 and REL 573. Examines comparative religious ethics concerning gender, marriage, parenthood, children, and the relationship of human beings to the “natural.” Relates these views to new and emerging reproductive technologies. Compares the internally diverse perspectives of three major religious traditions with regard to their interpretations of these technologies. Analyzes the impact of particular uses of these technologies on the rights of women and girls. Offered fall semester in even-numbered years.

3 Credits. PREREQUISITE(S): graduate status. Credit cannot be given for both REL 482 and REL 582. Critical and theoretical inquiry into religious violence and nonviolence. Source materials on violence and nonviolence from histories and texts. Case studies of inter- and intra-religious conflict and violence. Conflict resolution and role of religious peacebuilding. Politics and public policy of religion, violence, and conflict. Offered occasionally.

3 Credits. PREREQUISITE(S): graduate status. Theory and method in the study of religion. Historical survey of the discipline of religious studies. Investigation of the major schools of interpretation and themes of study. Application of methodologies to historical and sociological case studies, involving both U.S. and non-U.S. religious traditions.

1-6 Credits. PREREQUISITE(S): graduate status. Detailed investigation of selected topics in religion. Topics determined by faculty members in consultation with head of the department. Course may be used for individualized study programs. Students cannot receive credit for both REL 498 and REL 598 unless the topic is different.