Introduction to World Religions
50:840:103:01
M/W 9:35 am – 10:55 am
Professor Karapanagiotis
A general introduction to the basic religious concerns of humanity, and the ways in which religions have developed in Eastern and Western history, giving intellectual, moral, and institutional expression to the meaning of human existence. Fulfills new general education requirement in Heritages and Civilizations (HAC) and in Engaged Civic Learning (ECL).
Introduction to Religion and Contemporary Culture
50:840:108:01
T/TH 8:00 am – 9:20 am
Professor Banner
A study of the ways that religion may or may not have significance for our world today, examining issues such as the meaning of religious experience, evil and goodness, the purposes of ritual, roles of religion in society and culture, the impact of science and technology on religion, and issues in ethics. Fulfills new general education requirement in Ethics and Values (EAV).
The Historical Jesus
50:840:208:01
T/TH 9:35 am – 10:55 am
Professor Banner
Who was the Jewish teacher named Jesus? This course will explore how scholars use historical method to reconstruct the life of an ancient figure as well as how ideas and beliefs about a religious leader develop over time. It will examine the original sources for the historical Jesus and the major issues under debate in current scholarship. Fulfills new general education requirement in Heritages and Civilizations (HAC).
Gods, Sex, and Violence in the Old Testament
50:840:215:90
$100 Online Course Support Fee
Professor Banner
This course introduces select books of the Tanakh (Old Testament), as well as the history behind them, in order to examine some of the most unusual, strange and fascinating stories, legends and folktales in the Bible and try to understand them from the point of view of the cultures in which they were written. Fulfills new general education requirement in Heritages and Civilizations (HAC).
African-American Religion
50:840:216:01
T/TH 3:35 pm – 4:55 pm
Professor Ziyad
The effects of American enslavement on the religious and social institutions of the African people and the development of religious beliefs and institutions within the African-American community. The relationship between black and white religious institutions and the role of religion in the development of black political consciousness. Fulfills new general education requirement in US and the World (USW) and Diversity (DIV).
Race, Politics, and Religion
50:840:266:01
T/TH 9:35 am – 10:55 am
Professor Miller
This course examines how religion shaped the political and racial priorities of American History. Topics include the role and definition of civil religion, the struggle George Washington had with defining the role of religion in a new republic, the impact of slavery, and the social construction of whiteness. Fulfills new general education requirement in Ethics and Values (EAV).
Women and Religion
50:840:270:H1
M/W 12:30 pm – 1:50 pm
Professor Charme
An examination of the image of women and the feminine in the myths, symbols, and theology of major religious traditions. Consideration given to the status and role of women in relation to the issues of religious practice, participation in rituals, and ordination. Finally, a look at feminist options for women’s changing image and role in religion. Fulfills new general education requirement in Ethics and Values (EAV) and Diversity (DIV).
Death and Dying in World Religions
50:840:278:01
M/W 3:45 pm – 5:05 pm
Professor Gilmore-Clough
An exploration of the way diverse world religions try to make sense of the inevitability of death. The course examines rituals around death, notions of spirit/body relationships, conceptions of an afterlife, and the human struggle to find meaning in life in the face of death. Fulfills new general education requirement in Global Communities (GCM).
Religion and Science
50:840:288:01
W 6:00 pm – 8:50 pm
This course explores the historic tension between science and religion and analyzes areas of conflict and compatibility. Issues such as cosmology and creation, evolution and human nature, neurology and spirituality are discussed. Fulfills new general education requirement in Physical and Life Sciences (PLS).
ST: Women and Gender in Religion
50:840:293:01
S 11:30 am – 2:20 pm
Professor Westman
Cross-listed from Women’s and Gender Studies 988:298:01
Philosophical Issues Concerning Religion and Democracy
50:840:322:01, cross-listed with 50:730:350:01
TH 2:00 pm – 4:50 pm
Professor Yates
Critical examination of contemporary theories of liberalism and democracy as they relate to the inclusion of religious citizens in political contexts. Topics include the defense of religious freedom and tolerance, the use of religious reasons to justify laws regulating abortion and marriage, and the ideals of mutual respect and understanding in pluralistic political societies.
Evil
50:840:333:01
T/TH 2:00 pm – 3:20 pm
Professor Wall
An examination of the phenomenon of evil, particularly moral evil, through close readings of ancient and modern philosophical, religious, political, and literary texts. Questions include whether humanity is vil, how evil could be explained, whether it is compatible with belief in God, and if it sheds useful lighton contemporary issues like terrorism, genocide, racism, and poverty. Fulfills new general education requirement in Ethics and Values (EAV).
Magic and Ritual Power
50:840:363:H1
T/TH 11:10 am – 12:30 pm
Professor Banner
An examination of magic throughout history and today in ritual, community, literature, film, television, and personal spirituality. Is magic a form of religion? Are religious rituals forms of magic? How can magic be defined? What is its power? Such questions are asked across diverse practices and beliefs such as in Judaism, Christianity, Wicca, and paganism. Fulfills new general education requirement in Heritages and Civilizations (HAC).
Independent Study in Religion
50:840:389:01, 390:01
Staff
Advanced students pursue a research topic under the direction of a faculty member, culminating in a paper. Permission of instructor required.