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Courses Offered by Religious Studies (RELI) Courses 1010 Introduction to World Religions (3) A first course in religious studies, designed both to introduce students to ways of understanding religion as a phenomenon in human culture and history and also to survey a wide variety of the religions of the world. 2150 Old Testament (3) A literary and historical approach to the study of the Hebrew Bible in the light of recent scholarship. 2160 New Testament (3) An introduction to the literature of the New Testament from a historical perspective. 2190 The Modern Middle East (3) An interdisciplinary study of the social, religious and historical dimensions of contemporary issues and events which make this cultural and geographic region a crucible of global tensions. (Cross-listed with HIST-2190, SOC-2190.) 2200 Introduction to Religious Ethics (3) An introduction to the main types of ethical thought in the history of religion (with special attention to current approaches) and the relation of religious ethics to contemporary moral problems. 2300 Introduction to Jewish Ethics (3) An introduction to the main types of ethical thought in the history of Judaism (with special attention to contemporary approaches) and the relation of Jewish ethics to other religious and non-religious moral systems. The following issues will be examined: truth-telling, self-sacrifice, political ethics, sexual ethics, abortion, suicide, euthanasia and others. 2400 Religion in America (3) The role of religion in American culture, seen in the interaction between the inherited religious traditions and the crucial events in American experience and how this affects American identity - past and present. Prereq: Sophomore or permission of instructor. 3010 Methods and Phenomena of Religious Studies (3) A seminar considering the various attempts to define religion and the various specialties and methodologies which comprise the field of Religious Studies. Multiple faculty from the religion subject areas will participate in the seminar. The course is intended for majors and minors in Religion and others with high interest in the field of Religious Studies. Prereq: 9 hours in Religion and junior standing or above, or permission of instructor. 3020 Native American Religions (3) Study of the sacred stories, symbols, ceremonies, and belief systems of selected Native American peoples, representing the major cultural regions of North America. Prereq: Junior, or NAMS 1100, or three hours in religion. 3030 Shamanism (3) Study of the forms and techniques of shamanic experience from its Paleolithic and Neolithic origins to its contemporary practice among indigenous peoples, including its role in the development of human religious traditions and systems of healing. 3050 Religions of the East (3) A study of the major religions which considers their histories and contemporary forms. Included are the religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and Shintoism. Prereq: Junior, three hours in religion, or permission of instructor. 3060 Religions of the West (3) A study of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, with an introduction to their ancient predecessors. Prereq: Junior, three hours in religion, or permission of instructor. 3120 The Hebrew Prophets (3) A critical survey of the messages and roles of the Hebrew prophets in light of their historical, cultural and theological background in Israel and the Ancient Near East. The course will include an examination of prophecy in the Biblical literature. Prereq: Junior or three hours in religion. 3130 Women and the Bible (3) A survey of the female characters of the Hebrew Bible and New Testament, a critical analysis of Biblical imagery of and teachings concerning women, and an examination of the impact of Biblical interpretations on women in society. Prereq: Junior, three hours in Religion or Women's Studies, or permission. (Cross-listed with WMST-3120.) 3150 The Judaic Tradition (3) A study of the Judaic understanding of God, man and world in three stages: (1) The early Hebraic understanding of law and history; (2) The Rabbinical tradition and development of Jewish mysticism and philosophy; and (3) Contemporary Judaism and movements such as Hasidism, reconstructionism and Zionism. Prereq: Junior or RELI 1010, 2300, 2150 or permission. 3170 History of Christianity (3) The development of Christian theological, ritual, and social practice from the beginnings of Christianity through the Reformation. Prereq: Junior, three hours in religion, or permission of instructor. 3180 Modern Christian Thought (3) The history of Christian thought from the Enlightenment to Vatican II. Prereq: Junior, three hours in religion, or permission of instructor. 3200 Islam (3) A study of history, beliefs, and practices of Islam, including both Sunni and Shi'i traditions as well as the role of Sufism and contemporary movements. Prereq: Junior, three hours in religion, or permission of instructor. 3220 Religion and Reason (3) A critical study of the dialogue between philosophical reason and religious belief. Reason is seen historically in the various roles of enemy, ally and servant of religion. Consideration of contemporary options for applying intellect to faith. Prereq: Junior, three hours in religion, or permission of instructor. 3250 The Feminine in Mythology (3) The course will acquaint students with (1) the images of the feminine in the earliest strata of human culture, (2) the symbols of the feminine in the myths of the primary religious traditions of the world, and (3) the role of feminine image-making within contemporary religious consciousness. Prereq: Junior, or three hours in Religion, or permission. (Cross-listed with WMST-3250.) 3310 Contemporary Religious Thought (3) A survey of recent developments in religious thought, emphasizing central themes and basic issues in current discussion. Prereq: Junior, three hours in religion, or permission of instructor. 3330 Roman Catholic Theology Today (3) An investigation of differences and developments in Roman Catholic theology in last decades of the 20th century, with consideration of the bases in the tradition for the progressive and conservative theologies of today. Prereq: Junior, three hours in religion, or permission of instructor. 3400 Religion and Film (3) This course examines the relationship between religion and film. From the very beginning of filmmaking, religion or religious themes have been the subject of movies. And, religion is found in many different kinds of movies, from Hollywood blockbusters to art films, from documentaries to short films. This course explores the various ways in which movies treat religion or religious topics. Prereq: RELI 1010 (Introduction to World Religions) or permission of the instructor. Not open to nondegree students. 3500 Special Topics in Religion (3) The content of this course varies from semester to semester, giving instructor and students an opportunity to investigate various subjects of interest in religious studies. (May be repeated for credit as long as the topic is different.) Prereq: Junior, three hours in religion, or permission of instructor. 3960 Readings in Religion (1-6) Individual research in selected areas or particular questions in religious studies. Prereq: Nine hours in religion and permission of instructor. 4010 Senior Seminar in Religion (3) This course provides a capstone experience in religious studies. It serves as the third writing course and is required for Religion majors. The readings will be on a topic chosen by the instructor each time the course is taught. Each student will complete a major research paper and will present it orally. Prereq: Five courses in Religion, or permission of instructor. 4020 The Buddhist Tradition (3) A study of the Buddhist understanding of man's religious circumstances, including the life and teachings of Gautama the Buddha, the development of Theravada tradition, the philosophy of Nagarjuna, and the major Mahayana movements with special attention to Zen and Tantrism. Prereq: Junior or permission of instructor. 4040 Religion and Homosexuality (3) A study of homoeroticism in (1) ancient Near Eastern and classical Mediterranean traditions, and in (2) traditions from one or more non-Western cultural regions. The course will include cross-cultural study of religious understandings of homosexuality in modern cultures, with attention to the relation between sexuality and spirituality and to issues of gender identity. Prereq: Junior standing, six hours in religion and/or women's studies, or permission of instructor. (Cross-listed with WMST-4040.) 4150 Judaism in the Modern Age (3) A critical investigation of Judaism since the Enlightenment emphasizing historical, intellectual and religious-legal developments. Pivotal movements (e.g., Hassidism, Reform, Historical Conservative Judaism, Modern Orthodoxy, Zionism) and major historical events (e.g., the American and French Revolutions, Tsarist oppression, the Holocaust and the establishment of the State of Israel) will be analyzed for their ongoing impact. Prereq: For RELI 4150: Junior, three hours in religion, or permission of instructor; For RELI 8156: nine hours in religion or permission of instructor. (Cross-listed with RELI-8156.) 4160 The Holocaust (3) An interdisciplinary approach in a seminar oriented format discussing various aspects of the most notorious genocide in modern times. The course will explore the history of anti-Semitism, the rise of Nazi Germany and the road to the 'final solution.' It will further explore psychological, sociological and intellectual aspects of the dark side of humanity. Prereq: Undergrad: Junior or instructor permission. (Cross-listed with HIST-4720, HIST-8726, RELI-8166.) 4300 Existentialism and Religious Thought (3) A study of existentialism in its theistic (e.g., Kierkegaard) and atheistic (e.g., Sartre) forms, and its impact on recent Jewish and Christian thought. Prereq: Junior. (Cross-listed with RELI-8306.) 4400 Women in Islam (3) This course examines the religious, political and cultural assignments ascribed to Muslim women. Starting with the Qur'an, social, legal, and scriptural norms will be explored through the voices of Muslim women around the world. Passages of the Qur'an, hadiths and the commentaries that lead to the elevation and/ or demise of Muslim women and their rights are studied. Examining the role of the female body, sexuality and seclusion within a historical context will lead to an understanding of the gendering of women in Islam. Prereq: For RELI 4400: RELI 3200 or permission; For RELI 8406: graduate standing. (Cross-listed with RELI-8406.) 4420 Muslims in America (3) This course is designed to familiarize the student with the multiplicity of Muslim voices in the United States and to examine the myths created through stereotyping and orientalizing. The course will also investigate how Muslims in America form identities as hybrids and transnationals and follows the chronological development of American Muslims including their identity construction, religious issues, and politics. Prereq: RELI 3200 or permission 8156 Judaism in the Modern Age (3) A critical investigation of Judaism since the Enlightenment emphasizing historical, intellectual and religion-legal developments. Pivotal movements (e.g., Hassidism, Reform, Historical/Conservative Judaism, Modern Orthodoxy, Zionism) and major historical events (e.g., the American and French Revolutions, Tsarist oppression, the Holocaust, and the establishment of the State of Israel) will be analyzed for their ongoing impact. Prereq: Junior, three hours in religion, or permission of instructor. 8166 The Holocaust (3) An interdisciplinary approach in a seminar oriented format discussing various aspects of the most notorious genocide in modern times. The course will explore the history of anti-Semitism, the rise of Nazi Germany and the road to the 'final solution.' It will further explore psychological, sociological and intellectual aspects of the dark side of humanity. Prereq: Undergrad: Junior or instructor permission. (Cross-listed with HIST-4720, HIST-8726, RELI-4160.) 8306 Existentialism and Religious Thought (3) A study of existentialism in its theistic (e.g., Kierkegaard) and atheistic (e.g., Sartre) forms, and its impact on recent Jewish and Christian thought. (Cross-listed with RELI-4300.) 8406 Women in Islam (3) This course examines the religious, political and cultural assignments ascribed to Muslim women. Starting with the Qur'an, social, legal, and scriptural norms will be explored through the voices of Muslim women around the world. Passages of the Qur'an, hadiths and the commentaries that lead to the elevation and/ or demise of Muslim women and their rights are studied. Examining the role of the female body, sexuality and seclusion within a historical context will lead to an understanding of the gendering of women in Islam. Prereq: For RELI 4400: RELI 3200 or permission; For RELI 8406: graduate standing. (Cross-listed with RELI-4400.) 8426 Muslims in America (3) This course is designed to familiarize the student with the multiplicity of Muslim voices in the United States and to examine the myths created through stereotyping and orientalizing. The course will also investigate how Muslims in America form identities as hybrids and transnationals and follows the chronological development of American Muslims including their identity construction, religious issues, and politics. Prereq: Graduate Standing 8900 Readings in Religion (1-6) An individually organized program of readings pertinent to one or more topics subordinate to the heading of Religion. To be carried out under the supervision of a member of the graduate faculty. May be repeated twice for credit. Prereq: Graduate, permission of instructor, and no incompletes outstanding. Site maintenance done
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