REL 101- Varieties of Religious Expression (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 102- Religion and Modern Culture (3) This course makes use of various works of science fiction, such as the Battlestar Galactica television program and the Dune book series, to examine how key themes and ideas relevant to the field of religious studies are expressed in popular culture.

REL 103- Religion, History and Society (3) Study of several major religious traditions as they develop over lengthy periods of time and across several different cultural settings, and as they interact with other dimensions of society. IIB, H.

REL 175- Critical Study of Biblical Literature (3) Surveys origins, historical development, context of texts, both canonical and non-canonical, that contributed to the formation of the Bible against the background of the advent and contributing development of modern literary and historical-critical methods.

REL 180 J- The Question of Marriage (3) This class engages feminist theory and gender studies to explore the consequences of different types of marital formations (polygamous as well as monogamous) for the lives of women and men in selected Western and non-Western cultures. Topics include: the place of marriage and family in dominant religious traditions, traditions that value celibacy, and in new religious movements; arguments for and against same-sex marriage; the social needs marital formations serve; whether each formation that we investigate is intended to preserve or challenge dominant social structures; how sexuality is regulated in the service of social goals, what is expected of each spouse, and whether the social labor of marriage falls more heavily on some social classes than on others.

REL 202- Religions of Asia (3) Study of Hinduism, Buddhism. and other religions in South and East Asia.

REL 211- Religions of the Hebrew Bible (3) Survey of the religion of ancient Israel from the beginnings of the nation to 587 B.C.E. Draws upon discoveries in the ancient Near East illuminating history, culture, and religion of ancient Israel. Prerequisite: REL 175.

REL 232- Development Of Christianity:100-451 (3) Development of Christianity and interaction between religion, culture, society, and politics from second through fifth centuries. Cross-listed with HST 232. Prerequisite: REL 175.

REL 236- Eastern Christianity (3) This course is an examination of the second largest Christian confession in the world today, though one that is largely unfamiliar to most Americans--the family of Eastern Orthodox Churches. Eastern Orthodoxy is the dominant religion in Russia and other parts of Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and the Middle East. This course will consider the history and contemporary map of Orthodoxy as well as examine its distinctive approaches to theology, spirituality, and worship (including icons).

REL 254- Introduction to Russian & Eurasian Studies (3) Examines the major developments that have shaped Russian and Eurasian Culture, society and politics over the last millennium. This course incorporates perspectives from the social sciences, humanities and the fine arts. Cross-linked with POL, HST, RUS 254.

REL 302- Methods For Study Of Religion (4) Classical and contemporary theories of the nature, origin, and function of religion in human society. Required for majors in comparative religion.

REL 318- Religions Of India (3) Major traditions of India with special emphasis on Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.

REL 323- Buddhism In India & 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 334- Women's Religion Experiences in the Ancient Mediterranean World (3) Placing women's lives and experiences at the center, introduces a range of religious traditions—Greek, Roman and Egyptian religions (temple cults, festivals, and domestic worship, Judaism and Christianity—of the ancient Mediterranean world (roughly between 5th century BCE to 4th century CE). Particular attention is paid to differences among women in the ancient world and to women's contributions to ancient religions. Cross-listed with WMS 334.

REL 335- Women in the Bible (3) This course will study the images of women in the Hebrew Bible, New Testament, and related literature from the Second Temple Period – Eve and Lillith, the matriarchs of Genesis, Tamar and the daughters of Lot, Queen Jezebel, Mother Mary and others. No prerequisite required.

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.

REL 402- Structures In History Of Religion (4) Investigations of categories, types, and forms developed for the study of religions, such as the Sacred, the Holy, myth, initiation. Prerequisite: (402) 12 hours in Religion (including REL 302) or consent of instructor; (502) Admission to the graduate program or consent of instructor.

REL 413- American Spirituality (4) Reading and discussions on seminal texts in American religious thought and spirituality from colonial origins to the present. Content may vary, but representative authors include Anne Bradstreet, Jonathan Edwards, Henry Thoreau, William James, T.S. Eliot, Thomas Merton, and Annie Dillard.

REL 430- Early Christian Literature & Religion (4) 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.

REL 502- (4) See REL 402

REL 513- (4) See REL 413

REL 530- (4) See REL 430

REL 600 B- Seminar in Comparative Religion (1-4) Preparation of thesis proposal and preliminary research. Normally taken in the second semester of first year of study.

REL 600 C- Seminar in Comparative Religion (2) Qualifying Examination. This course is designed to provide an opportunity for graduate students in comparative religion to demonstrate that they can understand, explain, apply, and/or evaluate influential methodological approaches to the academic study of religions. Required of all entering graduate students in comparative religion.

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.