Religious Studies

An introduction to those texts identified as Christian scripture. Particular focus on the social, historical and religious contexts that helped shape this literature and the ways in which these texts witness to the early history of Christianity. 4 SH. CC: Literary Expression.

This course makes use of biblical stories in order to address ethical questions about human nature, the natural and social world, and the nature of good and evil. As we read the Bible’s folktales, epics, legends, chronicles, and parables while examining their ethical worldview and teachings, we will also ask how and where we see parallels to these stories’ plots, characters, themes, and moral lessons in the world today. 4 SH. CC: Ethics.

Examines both historical and contemporary aspects of the world’s major religions. 4 SH. CC: Diversity Intensive, Ethics Intensive.

Examines the contemporary personal and social consequences of religiously based values from a multicultural perspective. 4 SH. CC: Diversity, Ethics.

Examines Judaism as it has been defined and developed as a way of thought and a way of life. The course focuses on central religious concepts, holidays, life-cycle ceremonies and various forms of religious expression, including prayer and ritual, in order to help students understand what it means, and has meant, to be Jewish. Same as JWST-113. 4 SH. CC: Diversity.

Explores issues and problems related to the philosophical and ethical literature of the Jews, from the Talmudic period through the present. Topics vary and may include classical Jewish texts, mysticism, continental and poststructural Jewish philosophy, morality, and social practice, women and gender, and Judaism in America. The course encourages students to recognize in Jewish texts reflections of Judaism that are diverse and at times antithetical to one another. Same as JWST-115. 4 SH. CC: Ethics.

This course provides students with an introduction to various religious traditions in Asia. It will provide an overview of the history, beliefs, and practices of Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism, with the intent of helping students to understand the culture, history, and values of Asian communities. 4 SH. CC: Diversity Intensive, Ethics Intensive.

Examines the traditions, history, and main social and legal institutions of Islam. Besides considering the basic tenets and texts of the religion, this course focuses on the variety of ways in which Muslims and non-Muslims have understood and interpreted Islam. Specific topic areas addressed include the life of the Prophet of Islam, Islamic pre-modern, modern and contemporary history, the Quran, the Islamic concept of God and society, the role of women, and Islamic governments and movements. 4 SH. CC: Ethics, Diversity.

An introduction to the texts of the Hebrew Bible, with concern for their socio-historical contexts, literary forms and theological insights. Attention also to the variety of ways in which this literature has been and continues to be valued. Prerequisites: sophomore standing and one of the following: a course in religious studies, English, a history, DIVS-100 or WGST-100, or instructor’s permission. Same as JWST-201. 4 SH. CC: Diversity Intensive, Interdisciplinary, Writing Intensive.

Close reading of both the canonical and non-canonical gospels and their various representations of Jesus. Consideration of the search for the historical Jesus and the nature of the communities from which the gospels derived. 4 SH. CC: Historical Perspectives, Ethics Intensive.

An extensive inquiry into women’s stories and images in the Hebrew Bible, New Testament, and related literature from the biblical period. Explores the range of roles played by women within biblical narratives, the variety of metaphorical/symbolic uses of femininity in biblical traditions, and legal and ethical precepts related to the status of women in the biblical period. Methods and approaches from the social sciences, history, literary studies, and theology, as shaped by feminist theory, will serve as the main guides for this study. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing and one of the following: a course in religious studies, a course in women’s studies, a course in English, a course in history, or DIVS-100. Same as WGST-207 and JWST-207. 4 SH. CC: Diversity Intensive, Interdisciplinary, Writing Intensive.

This course gives students an intensive introduction to Buddhism, one of the most influential and vibrant religious traditions in the world today. Beginning at home with North American Buddhism, the course covers the history, practices, and beliefs of all major Buddhist traditions, organized geographically. Primary texts in English translation are emphasized, and students are encouraged to try out Buddhist practices in optional sessions. The course also covers contemporary Buddhist responses to ethical issues like abortion, global poverty, and the peace process. 4 SH. CC: Diversity Intensive, Ethics.

A study of the events, persons, and socio-cultural processes of ancient (biblical) Israel. Examines carefully the ways in which both the Bible and archaeology can and cannot serve as prime source material for a history of ancient Israel. Considers also the relationships between the biblical text and archaeological findings for historical reconstructions. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing and either one course in history or one of the following courses: RELI-102, RELI-103, RELI-201, RELI-203, RELI-207. 4 SH. CC: Historical Perspectives, Interdisciplinary.

Focus on classical and contemporary writings to determine the credibility of religious faiths and beliefs. Same as PHIL-210. 4 SH. CC: Diversity Intensive

Examines the theological and musicological aspects of artistic contributions to Christian worship as recognized in cultural settings. Same as MUSC-215. Prerequisite: junior standing and ability to read music. 4 SH. CC: Artistic Expression, Diversity Intensive, Interdisciplinary.

Examines anthropological concepts of magic, witchcraft, and religion in a cross-cultural context. Drawing on ethnography, anthropological theory, history, and film, the class explores the nature of magic, witchcraft, and religion; the relations among them; and the ways in which they interact with other social formations, for example gender, politics, and economics. Countries studied have included South Africa, India, Haiti, and the U.S. Same as ANTH-220. 4 SH. CC: Diversity, Social Interactions.

Critically studies how women are perceived, portrayed, and involved in a number of the world’s religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, Christianity, and women’s spiritual movements. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing. Same as WGST-225. 4 SH. CC: Diversity Intensive, Interdisciplinary, Writing Intensive.

This course combines religious, Philosophical and ecological thought as a means of addressing questions about appropriate ethical responses, actions and attitudes in our relationship with our ecosystems. It covers current utilitarian, deontological, and virtue based religious moral thought to focus on questions about the morality of economic and built-environment infrastructures and resultant cultural sea-shifts that need to take place to enable us to embody an ethical relationship with the environment. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or permission of the instructor. 4 SH. CC: Ethics, Interdisciplinary.

This course offers an introduction to the history, religion, and culture of the Philippines. It is designed as a pre-departure course for students taking part in the GO-Philippines program. 2 SH.

This course uses contemporary zombie films to frame an interdisciplinary exploration into the ancient origins of the apocalyptic genre and the origins and reception history of the Book of Revelation. Discourses about the end(s) of teh world/society are explored across history in an effort to find ethically meaningful ways of interpreting John’s apocalypse. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing. 4 SH. CC: Ethics, Interdisciplinary.

Examines selected topics in religion, depending on student and instructor interest. Course may be repeated for credit if topic is different. 2-4 SH. CC: Ethics Intensive and Interdisciplinary when the topic is Theology and Philosophy in the Fiction of C.S. Lewis.

Through readings from the writings of Martin Luther (1483-1546) and major secondary sources, this course examines the life, thought and importance of Luther in the context of his times and with attention to his significance for today’s Christian churches and interfaith dialogues. 4 SH.

The purpose of this course is to offer an introduction to the academic study of the Christian Church from its inception through the middle ages. Beginning with a quick background sketch of the events in the New Testament, this course will examine the people, events, and theology that we associate with the early and medieval church, up to the dawn of the Reformation. This class is designed, then, to introduce students to the defining people and events during this period that shaped, and continue to shape, the Christian Church. 4 SH. CC: Historical Perspectives.

The purpose of this course is to offer an introduction to the academic study of the Christian Church from the 16th century until today. Beginning with a quick background sketch of the events in the middle ages, this course will examine the people, events, and theology that we associate with the Reformation, Enlightenment, and contemporary Church. We will also be considering the history of the Church outside of its western parameters. This class is designed, then, to introduce students to the defining events during these periods that shaped, and continue to shape, the Christian Church. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing. 4 SH. CC: Historical Perspectives.

This course offers a cross-cultural examination of the pursuit of a good human life, and how one learns to live better. In other words, it is about the theory and practice of being awesome at life. We focus on ethical dispositions (skills, habits, and virtues) as critical features of ethics, explored through texts from various religious and philosophical figures in English translation, as well film and other media. Prerequisite: Junior standing. Previous experience in philosophy or religious studies is helpful, but not required. 4 SH. CC: Ethics.

This course is an in-depth study of two uniquely East-Asian religious traditions: Daoism and Zen Buddhism. It is also an exploration of the ethical implications of authenticity in personal conduct, especially as it relates to interpersonal communication and interaction. We will read primary texts in English translation as a way to understand how these texts were created and used in the East Asian context, as well as how they might speak to students’ own ethical lives. No prerequisites, but previous experience in Religious Studies or Philosophy will be helpful. 4 SH. CC: Ethics.

This course introduces students to the indigenous system of ethical thought that has most profoundly shaped Chinese and East Asian culture: Confucianism. We focus on original textual material in English translation and place these materials in their historical context to understand their relationship to each other and to subsequent developments in China and beyond. However, the course primarily focuses on the ideas these texts express and how those ideas relate to universal concerns in ethics, as well as specific ethical issues. In other words, this is first and foremost an ethics class, and in particular it deals with Chinese materials and East Asian approaches to ethical issues. 4 SH. CC: Diversity Intensive, Ethics, Writing Intensive.

Examines the interaction of science and religion by looking at the history of their relationship, philosophical and theological issues, and current debate on specific questions of interest to both disciplines. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or instructor or adviser permission. 4 SH. CC: Interdisciplinary, Ethics Intensive.

A practical course designed to introduce the student to the work of the church musician as planner, administrator, leader and resource person. Incorporates the examination of material for use with soloists, instrumentalists, handbells and choral groups of all ages and in various denominations. Same as MUSC-353. Prerequisites: MUSC-161 and MUSC-163. CC: Diversity Intensive. 4 SH.

This course examines religious beliefs, practices,and ways of life that have come to be labled “fundamentalist.” The course attends in particular to their emergence in the modern world and the ways in which they critically engage secular convictions about morality, aesthetics, and epistemology. The focus of the course is on Protestant fundamentalism and the Islamic Revival, but, depending on student interest, may also consider ultra-orthodox Judaism or Hindu nationalism. Prerequisite: one of the following: ANTH-162, ANTH-220, SOCI-101, SOCI-102, a 100-level religious studies course, or instructor’s permission. Same as ANTH-360. 4 SH. CC: Diversity Intensive, Social Interactions, Writing Intensive.

Individual and in-depth study of a specialized topic under a faculty member’s direction. May involve a reading program, a major research paper, or experiential learning in conjunction with written analysis and reflection. Prerequisite: Department permission. Variable credit.

Study of a particular topic under a faculty member’s direction. The Capstone is to serve students as the culmination of their studies allowing them to address questions in religious studies through the lens of their total undergraduate education. Such projects could be structured in a number of different ways and might include an experiential learning aspect. The capstone should culminate in a major research paper. 2-4 SH. Capstone.