Program in the Study of Religion — Courses
Cross-listed Courses
Courses preceded by an “L” are cross-listed with another department or program, as indicated by the parentheses in the course title: for example, “RELSTY L232 (EASIAN L232)”, which is cross-listed with the Program in East Asian Studies.
Courses
RELSTY G112
Religion, Politics, Sex and Violence
RELSTY G204
Buddha, Jesus, and Plato
For a complete description of these courses, see “First-year and Intermediate Seminars” section of this publication.
RELSTY 104
Socrates, Jesus, Buddha
A study of three great paradigmatic figures and the different ways of life and views of reality which they represented. Attention to the social-cultural contexts in which they emerged; critical evaluation of Socrates and Jesus as sources of Western values; and exploration of why the Buddha has recently become an attractive alternative.
Distribution I Area: Philosophical and Humanistic Studies.
Distribution II Area: Humanities.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits
RELSTY 109
Symbol, Myth and Ritual: Cultural Studies in Religion
This course studies myths, symbols, rituals, and other dimensions associated with religion. These dimensions, however, also appear outside religion—e.g., in popular movies, fashion, sports and music. The course will explore these “religious” dimensions as they appear in both arenas, by applying some major theories of religion (e.g., Freud, Durkheim and Eliade) as well as the tools of cultural analysis.
Distribution I Area: Philosophical and Humanistic Studies.
Distribution II Area: Humanities.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits
Ms Sands
RELSTY 122
Introduction to Critical Studies in Religion
This course introduces students to two or three religious traditions, including at least one “major” religion and one smaller and/or newer tradition. By studying the historical evolution of the category “Religion” as well as the evolution of the specific “religions,” students learn to recognize the historical, economic and political forces that shape “Religion” over time.
Distribution I Area: Philosophical and Humanistic Studies.
Distribution II Area: World Cultures.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits
RELSTY L232 (EASIAN L232)
Asian Religions
A study of religious expression in China and Japan with special emphasis on Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism and Shinto.
Distribution I Area: Philosophical and Humanistic Studies.
Distribution II Area: Humanities.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits
RELSTY 233
Introduction to Islam
This course acquaints students with the broad outline of the Islamic religion, including its origins and historical development, its sacred scriptures, and the main beliefs and practices of Muslims. It also considers Islam’s mystical dimension, its aesthetic expressions, its views of gender relations, and its orientation in the modern world.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits
RELSTY 241
Myth, History, and Prophecy: Old Testament
Interpretation of the religion and literature of ancient Israel in comparison with the mythic religious forms of the ancient Near East, with some attention to subsequent biblical interpretation, literature, and philosophy. Central themes include myth and history, covenant, charismatic leadership, imperial religion, prophetic protest, and apocalyptic visions.
Distribution I Area: Historical and Cultural Studies.
Distribution II Area: Humanities.
Diversity Area: International.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits
Mr Horsley
RELSTY 242
New Testament, Judaism, and Hellenistic Religion
A study of the religion and the literature of early Christianity in comparison with other, contemporary, Jewish movements—Pharisees, Essenes, others—and with Hellenistic philosophy and mystery religions. Concentration on the career and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, the interpretation of his significance, and the development and diversity of the Christian movement.
Distribution I Area: Philosophical and Humanistic Studies.
Distribution II Area: Humanities.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits
Mr Horsley
RELSTY 245
The History of Christianity
A study of Christianity in its diverse forms, exploring the development of institutional forms, theology, and Christianity’s relation to the world. Materials include a comprehensive text, primary source readings, and cultural resources, such as music and images. Special attention is paid to people who were marginalized or subordinated within Christian history, such as women, non-literate people, non-Europeans and “heretics.”
Distribution I Area: Historical and Cultural Studies.
Distribution II Area: Humanities.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits
Ms Sands
RELSTY 264
Contemporary Religious Thought
This course acquaints students with several major religious traditions within the U.S. and explores how each religious tradition responds to contemporary questions such as interreligious toleration, violence, sexuality, work, and gender relations. We will not seek any one answer to these questions, but explore the religious options for responding to these central issues of contemporary life.
Distribution I Area: Philosophical and Humanistic Studies.
Distribution II Area: Humanities.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits
Ms Sands
RELSTY 273
Problems in Religion and Ethics
Consideration of certain religious-ethical perspectives on a few key social issues such as medical ethics, racial and sexual oppression, poverty, and violence. Concentration on three or four different positions such as those of Cox, Daly, Heschel, King, Niebuhr, Vatican II, and Third-World Catholic figures.
Distribution I Area: Philosophical and Humanistic Studies.
Distribution II Area: Humanities.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits
Mr Horsley
RELSTY L312 (HIST L312)
The Jewish Mind to 1600
Foundations of Jewish thought and institutions from the age of the Talmud to the early modern period. Characteristic features of Talmudic law and lore, medieval Jewish philosophy, mysticism, and humanism are examined, with attention both to historical context and to Biblical background.
Prerequisite: Junior standing or permission of instructor.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits
Mr Segal, Mr Smith
RELSTY L358 (EASIAN L358)
Psychology, Politics, and Philosophy in East Asia
Why do attitudes in China, Korea, and Japan differ from Western attitudes on such issues as human rights; individualism and community; child rearing; moral and psychological development; the role of government; and proper behavior in business organizations? This course explores the roots of these differences in the Confucian tradition.
Distribution II Area: World Cultures.
Diversity Area: International.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits
RELSTY 370
Religion and Law
This course teaches students to think critically and knowledgably about church-state relations, with attention to the difficulty of defining religion. Students first study the U.S. Constitution, relevant case law and history, then key concepts and controversies (e.g., separationism vs. accommodationism). In the last section of the course, students apply knowledge and principles to current cases.
Prerequisite: Junior standing or permission of instructor.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits
Ms Sands
RELSTY/POLSCI L380
Religion and Imperialism
Critical consideration of the ways that imperialism impacts religion and religion affects imperialism, with attention to historical cases such as the pax Romana and early Christianity, and focusing mainly on contemporary cases such as the Western European and American impact on the Middle East and Islam and Islam-inspired resistance in Iran and Palestine.
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing, 30 credits, or permission of instructor.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits
RELSTY L381 (HIST L381)
The History of American Religion
The history of religion in
Diversity Area: United States.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits
RELSTY 478, 479
Independent Study
Open only to a very limited number of students in any one semester. A written prospectus must be formulated with the instructor.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor and program director.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits
RELSTY 480
Special Topics Seminar
Intensive study of special topics, varying each year. Enrollment is limited.
Prerequisites: Junior standing and permission of instructor.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits