Spring 2018

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.

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.

Exploration of the senses and the technologies of pleasure in India, relating this material to some fascinating examples of Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist literature.

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.

Archaeology and global heritage debates, laws, ethical conundrums, and stakeholder perspectives reveal goals and guiding values of societys exploration of the past.

History and contexts of anti-Semitism, racism and other discourses about difference examined through religious, national and cultural forms in Europe and in the US.

Comparative analysis of biblical works and how they were employedby various writers in major works of Western literature.

Examines Christianity in the second century including theology, ethics and identity.

How human appetites for sex, food, community or immortality are articulated as mystical desires in different religions, either within institutional structures or working against them.

An introduction to Indian philosophy, including major schools of thought in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain philosophies. No previous knowledge of Indian religions or philosophy required.

Examination of the nature and substance of Islamic law (Sharia) and how it relates to American democracy, society and secularism.

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.

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

Exploration of the influence of American religion on foreign policy from Colonial Era to present; how the news media, reporting on international stories, shapes public opinion.

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.

Comparative and transhistorical methods for understanding the most prominent developments in premodern or modern globalized Christianity.

Study of Islamic religious texts in multiple genres, primarily in Arabic, though other languages may be offered. Recommended preparation: Advanced Arabic language ability.

Study of varied Asian Buddhist texts in translation and in original languages. Exploration of the major secondary literature on Buddhist texts.