Courses and Syllabi
The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes.
Religious Studies Fall 2020
Undergraduate
100-Level Courses in RELI
Examines main forms of religious expression as embodied in several important religious traditions in contemporary world. Investigates religious experience; myth and ritual; teachings and scripture; ethical, social, and artistic aspects of religion; and nature and function of religion in human society. Limited to three attempts.
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8 Sections Currently Scheduled »
200-Level Courses in RELI
Focuses on Judaism, Christianity, and Islam from historical, comparative, and cross-cultural perspectives. May also include modern developments of those faiths such as Mormonism and Baha'ism, as well as Zoroastrianism and religions of ancient Near Eastern cultures. Limited to three attempts.
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3 Sections Currently Scheduled
Surveys religions of India, Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, Buddhism, and the religions of the Far East, China, and Japan, including Daosim, Confucianism, Shinto, from origins to present. Limited to three attempts.
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3 Sections Currently Scheduled
Explores the relationship between religion and literature in different times and cultures, the influence of religion on literary works, and how literature expresses major religious themes such as death and immortality, divine will and justice, suffering and human destiny, and religion and state. Limited to three attempts.
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9 Sections Currently Scheduled »
300-Level Courses in RELI
Surveys Buddhist religious traditions. Includes historical development of Buddhism in India, China, and Japan, examining both Theravada and Mahayana traditions; philosophical and religious significance of Buddhism; and social and political implications of Buddhist traditions in South Asian and East Asian countries. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Explores philosophical ideas, spiritual orientation, religious practice, and social and political values in Daoist tradition reading classic Daoist texts including Dao De Jing, Chuang-tzu, and other sources. Discusses Daoism in light of comparative and cross-cultural studies for global understanding of issues on concepts of nature, human nature, and good and evil. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Examines the origins and development of Mormonism, as embodied in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and other related churches. Introduces students to a critical analysis of Latter-day Saint scriptures, rituals, and history. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Investigates the genre of autobiography as employed by religious authors, both classical and modern. Introduces students to personal, historical, and religious doctrinal contexts that shape the autobiographical literature. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Explores the roles of religion in contemporary political life in the United States and abroad. Emphasizes religion in current political debates. Includes history, political theory, sociology, and theology to present a comprehensive understanding of the topic. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Focuses on the beliefs of the over one billion Roman Catholics in today's world. Probes the history, doctrine, symbols, rituals, practices, and material culture of the world's largest church. Considers Catholicism's dialog with secularism and discusses controversies and challenges facing the church today. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Examines Islamic views on fundamental issues in religious thought, such as nature of God, nature of man, and relationship between God and man as reflected in both divine revelation and human religious vocation. Investigates intellectual approaches to these problems within Islamic tradition, including those of theological, philosophical, and mystical thinkers. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Selected topics from a philosophical perspective. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 12 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Examines early Christian church from time of Jesus to 700 C.E. Covers internal development of Christianity as it formed official doctrines and institutions, and external relations of Christians with followers of other religions in Roman Empire. Special attention to reasons for success of Christianity in Roman world. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Explores the history of Christianity around the world in the context of political and social structures as well as religious beliefs and practices. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Topics in RELI
Selected topics from a philosophical perspective. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 12 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Graduate
600-Level Courses in RELI
A co-taught course by Religious Studies faculty that introduces students to the graduate study of religion through a survey of different lines of inquiry in the field and different methodological approaches in the discipline. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Introduces foundational Islamic texts; scholarly traditions of commentary, criticism and analysis on these texts; and application and significance of these texts in contemporary Islamic discourses. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Compares the conception of human rights in international human rights documents and accords with conceptions of human rights in classical Islamic theological, legal, and ethical texts. Examines various relevant issues, including but not limited to religious and gender discrimination, slavery, freedom of religion and belief and apostasy, and questions of punishment. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
