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• Religious Studies

Undergraduate Religious Studies

2020 Spring Term

Class Schedule

INTRODUCTION TO ASIAN RELIGIONS

RELIGST 111

An introduction to the major religious traditions in the cultural areas of South, Southeast, and East Asia: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Shinto.

Class Schedule

INTRODUCTION TO WESTERN RELIGIONS

RELIGST 112

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

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INTRODUCTION TO ISLAMIC CIVILIZATIONS

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

BUDDHISM: THE MIDDLE WAY

RELIGST 232

This course introduces the wide range of Buddhist ideas and practices that have developed in Asia. It considers the social context in which Buddhism developed, the philosophical bases of all Buddhist schools, the development of the Mahayana, Buddhist Tantra, and Buddhist practices in South, Southeast and East Asia.

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THE BIBLE AS LITERATURE

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).

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RELIGIONS OF INDIA

RELIGST 262

India is well-known as the land of Hinduism, but it is also the birthplace of Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, and it is the home to a substantial portion of the world's Muslims. In this class, we will learn about each of these major Indian religions, as well as the way in which they relate to each other historically.

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EVIL AND RELIGION

RELIGST 340

This course presents a variety of ways of examining the problem of evil in several of the world's religious traditions--as a philosophical and theological problem for understanding the relationship between God and human beings in monotheistic religions, but also in broader comparative perspective through the confrontation of evil in polytheistic and non-theistic religions.

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RELIGION IN AMERICAN CULTURE

RELIGST 351

An examination of the significant role played by religious ideas and traditions in American society from colonial times to the present in historical and cultural perspectives.

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MODERN RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS

RELIGST 371

Modern Religious Movements will introduce students to the historical development and contemporary manifestations of various religions or religious traditions throughout the world from the early modern era to the present. It explores both those religious forms born within the modern era and those religious movements that are shaping religious expression today.

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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).

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EXCHANGE STUDY

RELIGST 497

Variable topics.

Class Schedule

INDEPENDENT STUDY

RELIGST 498

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