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• Religious Studies

Undergraduate Religious Studies

2015 Spring Term

Class Schedule

INTRODUCTION TO WESTERN RELIGIONS (GH)

RELIGST 112

An introduction to the major religious traditions that have shaped Near Eastern and Western culture; especially Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Class Schedule

INTRODUCTION TO ISLAMIC CIVILIZATIONS (GH)

RELIGST 135

This course examines emergence and evolution of Islamic Civilizations from the seventh century though the modern era. It covers the birth and spread of Islam, the rise and fall of Muslim Empires, religious and political institutions, scientific and cultural achievements, and the position of women and religious minorities.

Class Schedule

INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM (GH)

RELIGST 222

A basic introduction to Judaism, this course explores Jewish traditions from their origins in ancient Israelite religion; Rabbinic Judaism; Jewish philosophy and mysticism; contemporary Jewish movements; the primary texts of Judaism; and the religious experience, values, beliefs, practices, and symbols of a variety of "Judaisms" throughout the world.

Class Schedule

THE BIBLE AS LITERATURE (GH)

RELIGST 252

This course will survey the Bible and some other related Near Eastern literature, focusing on the development of genres, motifs, and other literary forms that have influenced the form and content of Western literature, including the parable, the proverb, the loss of Eden, exile and return, origin stories, and hero stories. (Offered jointly with English).

Class Schedule

RELIGIOUS ETHICS (GH)

RELIGST 302

The comparative study of the ethical dilemmas and discourse within religious narratives and traditions. The course presents selected ethical dilemmas and raises questions requiring students to analyze the positions embedded within religious narratives, and develop their own informed ethical positions. Topics include war, human rights, ecology, economic justice, and sexuality.

Class Schedule

ASIAN RELIGIOUS THOUGHT (GH)

RELIGST 303

A study of selected texts and religious thought from India, China, and Japan in relation to their impact on personal spiritual development and cultural integration.

Class Schedule

CONTEMPORARY ISLAMIC THOUGHT AND PRACTICE

RELIGST 304

This course will explore - thematically rather than cronologically - major trends in contemporary Islamic thought and practice through a study of key thinkers and a close reading of their works. Such trends include modernism, reformism, fundamentalism, nationalism, centrism, liberalism and feminism.

Class Schedule

GEOGRAPHY OF RELIGION (GI)

RELIGST 333

This course examines the role of religion in contemporary American society and in communities around the globe from a geographic perspective. Significant places and spatial patterns associated with religions will be investigated along with the relationship between religion and the political landscape. Students will be expected to identify, visit, and analyze two religious sites in their community.

Class Schedule

THE HOLOCAUST: NAZI GERMANY AND THE GENOCIDE OF THE JEWS

RELIGST 388

This course will examine the origins, implementation, and legacies of the Nazi Holocaust against the Jews. It is intended to help students gain an appreciation of the importance of the Holocaust to the Jewish experience, while understanding that other groups also were victimized. (Offered jointly with Sociology).

Class Schedule

INDEPENDENT STUDY

RELIGST 498

Study of a selected topic or topics under the direction of a faculty member. Repeatable