Spring 2016

Explores multiple religious traditions of the Mediterranean as networks that emerge within and among the landscapes, cultures, and politics of this highly interconnected geographic space.

Survey of the changing beliefs and practices of the Christian religion from obscure origins to globalized present, with special attention to the varieties of Christian literature.

Focus primarily on works of Buddhist literature written in a variety of genres. Introduction of basic teachings that link Buddhist traditions across time and space.

Active learning course enables students to acquire and experience survival skills devised in pre-modern times and to apply this knowledge in an experimental context.

A close consideration of ancient Near Eastern myths--especially those from Mesopotamia and Canaan--with special attention to their influence on the Bible.

Examination of the question of how ancient and modern Christians and scholars have reconstructed the life of Jesus of Nazareth, founding figure of Christianity.

Exploration of the rise of Islam in Black America, and the relationship of Blackamerican Muslims to more recent Muslim immigrants using historical and sociopolitical frameworks.

In-depth exploration of one of the pivotal moments in the history of Christianity and Western society.

Close examination and discussion of a variety of religious views regarding human rights. Forges useful frameworks for interpreting the complexity of competing ideas.

Survey of methods and selected issues in the field of religious studies; required of all majors during their junior or senior year. Recommended preparation: REL 301.

Seminar on selected aspects of the Buddhist tradition.

How religion, ethics and spirituality are embedded, embodied and emplotted in television drama; how secular texts represent "lived religion" to increasingly diverse audiences.

The role of religion in modern society from the standpoint of sociological theory and research.

Individual research and readings. Not available for graduate credit.

Individual research for honors in the major leading to a substantial project.

Research leading to the master's degree. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC.

Exploration of themes and traditions of Islam as they appear globally in a variety of specific country contexts.

Study of Japanese Buddhist texts in classical or modern Japanese and/or kambun. The class covers multiple genres from sutras to vernacular text. Recommended preparation: Advanced Japanese language ability; REL 652.