REL H102 A: Religion and Russian Culture (3)
REL H102 B: India Through Literature (3)
REL 101: American Religious Encounters (3)
Introduction to the study of religion as a phenomenon of human culture. Various examples of religion are observed and compared in relationship to a thematic and methodological framework. IIB.
REL 103: Themes in the History of Religion (3)
Theme: “The History of Jewish and Christian Apocalypticism”
This course introduces students to the age-old phenomenon of Apocalypticism, a dualistic stance toward the world that sees the signs of the end of our present age just around the corner and calls on individuals to prepare themselves for the final judgment soon to follow. Students will explore questions such as “How did Apocalypticism come about, and what are its historical roots?”; “Why does the apocalyptic scenario continue to find eager adherents?”; “What can the history of Apocalypticism tell us about its relationship to social and political forces at work in the culture more broadly?” This history will be traced from ancient Mesopotamia , through ancient Israel and Judaism to Early Christianity, and on through the Christian West to the present.
REL 180M: Warfare and Violence in the Bible (3)
Throughout the millennia, one thing remained constant in the societies of the ancient Near East: the centrality of warfare and violence. This class will examine how violence is presented in the narratives, law codes, and inscriptions of this area and will address such questions as why people make war and why violence is used not only to destroy, but also to shape cultures and societies. Students will learn to utilize a diverse array of sources to uncover details about the social and political history of ancient civilizations. Texts examined will include various books of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), including Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, and Ezekiel, the Epic of Gilgamesh, Hammurapi’s Code, and various apocalyptic texts, e.g., the books of Daniel, Enoch, and Revelation.
REL 202: Religions of Asia (3)
Study of Hinduism, Buddhism, and other religions in South and East Asia.
REL 231: Paul and the Beginnings of Christianity (3)
History, institutions, and thought of early Christianity in the first two centuries, C.E., including the letters of Paul and early interpreters of Paul. Prerequisite: REL 175 .
REL 241: Religions of the American Peoples (4)
An introduction to the Jewish, Eastern Orthodox, and Roman Catholic traditions with emphasis on their transition to and development in North America. Cross-listed with AMS 241.
REL 242: Religious Pluralism in Modern America (4)
Historical and cultural analysis of religious communities of the U.S. of primarily non-European origin. Includes African American, Native American, and Latino/a, American religions. May include Middle Eastern and Asian traditions, including Islam. Cross-listed with AMS 242.
REL 254: Introduction into Russian and Eurasian Studies (3)
Examines the major developments that have shaped Russian and Eurasian Culture, society and politics over the last millennium. The course incorporates perspectives from the social sciences, humanities and the fine arts. Cross-listed with POL, HST, RUS 254 .
REL 302: Methods for the Study of Religion (MPT) (4)
This course introduces undergraduate majors and minors (and intrepid thematic sequence students) to the use of theory in the study of religion. We examine several methods of analysis, including psychological, sociological, anthropological, historical and comparative methods. Although we do cover the “dead white men” like Freud, James, and Durkheim, we also look at more contemporary scholars such as Wendy Doniger, J.Z. Smith, and Charles H. Long.
REL 323 Buddhism in India and South Asia (3)
Explores the development of Buddhism in India and South Asia. Examines the relationship between early Buddhist values and those of the larger culture in India, especially with regard to the importance of marriage, family, and accumulation of wealth. As Buddhism spread to Nepal, Tibet, Sri Lanka, Burma, and Thailand, it was transformed by and effected profound changes within these other cultures. These cultural interactions are explored.
Prerequisite: REL 202 or REL 324 or PHI 106 or permission of instructor.
REL 324: Buddhism in China, Korea, and Japan (3)
The expansion of Buddhism from India to East Asia. Focus on Buddhism’s encounter with, accommodation to, and influence on Chinese religion and culture. Also examines: Buddhism’s permutations in Korea and its profound effect upon Japan. Open to any student with previous work either in East Asian culture or in Buddhism. Prerequisite: REL 202 or permission of instructor.
REL 336: Jesus and the Gospels (3)
Jesus and his message according to the gospel material studied critically in historical context. Prerequisite: REL 231 or permission of instructor. Prerequisite: REL 175. Offered infrequently.
REL 392: Philosophy of Religion (4)
Study of major philosophical problems relating to religion. Topics drawn variously from Western or Eastern intellectual traditions or from both. Problems such as the meaning of religious utterances, existence of a divine being, life after death, relationship of faith and reason are treated. Cross-listed with PHL 392. Offered infrequently.
REL 430/530: Early Christian Literature and Religion (1-4; max 12)
Selected texts and/or themes of early Christianity studied critically in their historical and cultural context. Prerequisite: REL 231 or 336 or graduate standing or permission of instructor. Reading knowledge of Greek is desirable. Offered infrequently.
REL 470/570: Problems in Western Religious Thought (4)
Study of select problems, such as theism, religious knowledge and language, secularization, demythologization, myth and symbol, methods in religious inquiry, etc. Concentrates on one or two problems for discussion in and through selected readings and student papers. Offered infrequently.
REL 530: Early Christian Literature and Religion (1-4; max 12)
See REL 430
REL 570: Problems in Western Religious Thought
See REL 470
REL 600: Seminar in Comparative Religion (2)
Advanced and intensive study of limited subjects to be announced.
REL 620: Practicum in Religion (2)
Required each semester of all graduate assistants as an adjunct to teaching duties. Must have a graduate assistantship in the department.
