Miami University
Department of Comparative Religion
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Department of Comparative Religion 7 Old Manse • Oxford, Ohio 45056
513.529.4300
Thematic Sequence
REL 1 - Religion and American Life

This thematic sequence acquaints students with fundamental themes in the relationship between religion and society, as exemplified in the development of American religious pluralism in theory and practice, as well as in the impact of religious themes in the development of an American cultural identity.

1.  REL 101 Varieties of Religious Expression (MPF) (3), or
     REL 102 Religion and Modern Culture (MPR) (3), or
     REL 103 Religion, History and Society (MPF) (3); and
2.  AMS/REL 241 Religions of the American Peoples (4), or
     AMS/REL 242 Religious Pluralism in Modern America (4), or

     REL 245 Women, Religion, and Social Change in America (4); and

3.  AMS/REL 341 Protestantism and the Development of American Culture (4), or
     AMS/REL 442 Religion, Society, and Culture in New England (4), or

     REL 343 African-American Religions (4), or

     REL 445 Issues in the Study of Native American Religions (4)

Note: Not open to majors in The Department of Religion.

REL 2 - The Historical and Comparative Study of Religion


Uses the approach of the history of religions to provide perspective continuity and depends heavily on the study and interpretation of classical foreign-language texts in English translation, while using case studies, surveys, and field reports. Unlike some sequences in the humanities that concentrate on religious ideas and doctrines, this sequence utilizes categories developed from the field of comparative religion to acquaint students with the diversity of religious phenomena. Emphasizes the importance of studying religion in comparative and global context; allows a choice of emphasis of either major Eastern or Western religious traditions, at the second level.

1.   REL 101 The Varieties of Religious Expression (MPF) (3); and

2.  REL 202 Religions of Asia (3), or
     REL 211 Introduction to the Religion of Ancient Israel (3); and
3.  REL 302 Methods for the Study of Religion (4)

Note: Not open to majors in The Department of Religion.

REL 3 - Religion and Philosophy of Buddhist Asia (suspended eff. 2008) (


Seeks to give students a firm grounding in the patterns of thought, symbolism, and behavior originating in and associated with Buddhism. Students follow the path of Buddhism from its birth in Upandishadic Asia to its function as a bridge culture knitting together much of Asia.

1.  PHL 106 Thought and Culture of India and South Asia (MPF) (3); and
2.  REL 323 Buddhism in India and South Asia (3); and
3.  REL 324 Buddhism in Korea, China, and Japan (3)

Note: Not open to majors in The Departments of Philosophy or Religion.

Contact: James Constantine Hanges (hangesjc@muohio.edu), Ph.D. Chief Departmental Advisor
For more information, view The Miami University General Bulletin