Religion
Religion (RELI) Associate Professors: Maria Antonaccio (Chair), Rivka B. K. Ulmer, Carol Wayne White Assistant Professors: Paul A. Macdonald, Karline M. McLain, James Mark Shields (visiting) Religion addresses the experiences, narratives, and imagination of individuals and groups as they strive to articulate meaningful lives. As an academic study, religion focuses both on institutional formations associated with traditions and world religions as well as social, cultural, and political developments that evoke ultimate commitments from participants. Coursework in the discipline serves to provide students with an understanding of key approaches, concepts, and practices in the study of religion. Such study helps students acquire the skills needed for reflection upon the human quest for transformation and meaning. A major in religion provides the context for historical and conceptual engagement with some of the most profound ideas, thinkers, and questions that challenge humanity. It also serves as the first stage for those interested in graduate work or a professional career in religion. Majors in religion have followed diverse national and international careers such as business, law, journalism, non-profit organizations, and public service. A major in religion consists of eight courses, including one of the 100-level introductory courses. Students majoring in religion, in consultation with a department adviser, will design a program of courses in accord with their own educational aims, and with the departmental requirements outlined below. The program of courses for each major will include at least one, but not more than two, introductory courses. A student majoring in religion will take at least one course from each of the three curricular areas, i.e., "Western" Religious Traditions, "Non-Western" Religious Traditions, and Religion, Culture, and Theory. Finally, a major will take one religion Capstone, namely CAPS 427. Requests for exemption from one or more of these requirements will be considered by the department chair upon petition by the student major. Religion majors are encouraged to pursue off campus study either abroad, e.g., the Friends World College program, or in approved domestic programs in order to broaden their understanding of religious pluralism both globally and in the United States. No more than two religion courses earned off campus may be used to meet the major requirements. Transfer students may appeal this restriction by writing to the chair of the department. The religion department encourages majors to consider honors candidacy by completing an honors thesis in their final academic year. Students wishing to undertake an honors thesis should consult with their adviser in the fall semester of their junior year and declare their intentions and their thesis topic in the spring semester of their junior year. The minor in religion consists of any four courses, one of which must be an introductory course, i.e., RELI 100, 105, 110, 115, 125, or 180. Students considering a minor are invited to discuss their interests with a department faculty member. In addition to the above described minor in religion, students may elect a minor in Jewish studies. The minor in Jewish studies consists of four courses from the lists below: at least one “core” course, the primary focus of which is Judaism, not more than one “secondary” course, the focus of which includes Judaism, and not more than two “topics” courses, when the focus of the course includes Judaism and the course has the approval of the department chair. Core Courses: (The primary focus of which is Judaism.)
RELI 205 Hebrew
RELI 209 Israel: Land, People, and Tradition
RELI 210 Judaism
RELI 211 Women in Judaism
RELI 307 Post-biblical Literature
Secondary Courses: (The focus of which includes Judaism.)
RELI 105 Introduction to the Bible
RELI 110 Introduction to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam Topics Courses: (When the focus of the course includes Judaism and the course has the approval of the department chair)
RELI 228 Religions in the Modern World
RELI 234 Issues of Religion and Culture
RELI 310 Topics in Religion and Law
RELI 315 Topics in American Religion
RELI 319 Individual Studies in Religion
RELI 320 Individual Studies in Religion
RELI 325 Major Religious Thinkers
RELI 326 Major Religious Movements
CAPS 427 Capstone
Introductory Courses 100. Introduction to Religion (I or II; 3, 0)
This course will introduce students to the academic study of religion and will examine such basic religious categories as history, myth, ritual, and text. Prerequisite: first-year or sophomore standing. Others by permission of the instructor. 105. Introduction to the Bible (I or II; 3, 0)
Critical, literary, and historical analyses of Hebrew (Tanak) and Christian scriptures. Prerequisite: first-year or sophomore standing. Others by permission of the instructor. 110. Introduction to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (I or II; 3, 0)
Basic teachings of Judaism, Christianity and Islam concerning God, human nature, sin and salvation, and major historical changes in each tradition. Prerequisite: first-year or sophomore standing. Others by permission of the instructor. 115. Introduction to Asian Religions (I or II; 3, 1)
A comparative study of the basic teachings and practices of Asian religions through lectures, discussions, readings, and films; inquiry into similarities and differences. Prerequisite: first-year or sophomore standing. Others by permission of the instructor. Crosslisted as EAST 115. 125. Introduction to Ethics (I or II; 3, 0)
This introductory course in ethical reflection draws from a variety of religious and philosophical perspectives to address a range of contemporary moral issues. Prerequisite: first-year or sophomore standing. Open to others by permission of the instructor. 180. Introduction to Religion in America (I or II; 3, 0)
This course will examine variety in American religion both in terms of diversity (the various religious traditions) as well as pluralism (cultural interaction and encounter). Prerequisite: first-year or sophomore standing. Others by permission of the instructor.
"Western" Religious Traditions
209. Israel: Land, People, and Tradition (AII; 3, 0)
Study of the complex relationship between Judaism and the sacred traditions of the Jews as related to the Land Israel and the city of Jerusalem. 210. Judaism (AI or II; 3, 0)
A survey of Jewish religious traditions, addressing major historical developments (e.g., biblical, rabbinic, and modern periods) and basic rituals and theological issues (e.g., "chosenness", covenant, salvation). 211. Women in Judaism (AII; 3, 0)
Survey of Jewish texts and films that focus specifically on women or use feminine imagery; considers feminist and historical-critical interpretations of the evolving role of Jewish women. 212. Christianity (AI or II; 3, 0)
An overview of the Christian religious tradition, dealing with major historical periods (biblical, medieval, modern) and basic theological and ethical issues (e.g., revelation, salvation, sources of moral authority). 213. God, Suffering, and Evil (I or II; 3,0)
An investigation into the problem suffering and evil pose for western religions and Christian reflection on the existence and nature of God. 214. God, Nature, and Knowledge (I or II; 3, 0)
Study of various philosophical, religious, and scientific theories regarding God and nature. 215. Essentials of Christian Thought (I or II; R; 3, 0)
A survey of major topics in Christian thought, including God, creation, human nature, sin, salvation, the Christian life, the church, the status of other religions, and the future of human history and the world. 218. Christian Ethics (I or II; 3, 0)
Major trends in Christian ethics, wtih particular attention to the diversity of sources and methods used by Christian thinkers to reflect on practical moral issues. 221. God and Morality (I; 3, 0)
An overview of Western religious ethics, focusing on the relation between religion and morality, the connection between ideas of human selfhood and moral goodness, and the uses of argument to justify religious and moral claims. 223. History of Western Religious Thought (I; 3, 0)
A survey of the major religious ideas and problems which have shaped the Western intellectual tradition. Topics to be explored include conceptions of God, theories of human nature, and the relation between religious belief and cultural values. 225. Religion and Literature (I; R; 3, 0)
Examination of the religious, philosophical, and ethical quandaries confronting human beings through the study of literary works. Themes may include autobiography and the construction of identity; the nature of human freedom, love, and aspiration; the problems of evil, suffering, and alienation; the experience of moral conflict; and other topics. 241. Religion and the Loss of Traditional Faith (I or II; 3, 0)
Examination of new approaches (linguistic, philosophical, and hermeneutical) that challenge traditional religious ideas and the role of faith in the contemporary world. Emphasis is on intersection of religion and critical theory. 280. Religion and Constitutional Law (I or II; 3, 0)
This course explores the developing relationship between religion and American constitutional law, focusing on historic documents and Supreme Court decisions relating to the First Amendment. 281. Religion and American Politics (I or II; 3, 0)
This course explores the relationship of religion and American politics, focusing on the role and impact of religious groups and issues in contemporary elections. 307. Post-biblical Literature (I or II; R; 3, 0)
A survey of Jewish post-biblical literature and thought which may include one or more of the following: the literature of the Second Temple period and rabbinic literature (Pseudepigrapha, Dead Sea Scrolls, Targum, Josephus, Mishnah-Tosefta, Midrash, Talmud, Codices, Bible commentaries), in their religious, historical, literary and cultural contexts. 315. Topics in American Religion (I or II; R; 3, 0)
This course will examine specific topics in American religion including in-depth analyses of religious movements and traditions in America. "Non-Western" Religious Traditions 200. Buddhism (II; 3, 1)
An interdisciplinary introduction to Buddhism, including basic teachings of liberation from suffering, impermanence, no-self, ethics, and meditation. Also explores the historical development of various streams of Buddhism in Asia and the West, with attention to the effect of Buddhism on society, politics, and material culture. Crosslisted as EAST 251. 201. Islam (II; 3, 0)
An overview of the many cultural expressions of this religion which emerged from the Arabian peninsula in the sixth century C.E. and spread through Eurasia to the larger world. The course will focus on the role of Muhammad as prophet, the Qur’an as scripture, and Hadith as religious narrative. The tensions between Law (Shar’iah), modernity, and mysticism (Sufism) also will be explored. 202. Hinduism (AI or II; 3, 0)
A historical survey of the family of Hindu religious traditions. This course traces the development of Hindu scriptures, rituals, philosophies, and ethics from the ancient to the contemporary world. Concepts such as karma, yoga, and reincarnation will be put in the broader contexts of Hindu dharma (religious law), theism, and ritual. 203. Hinduism and Film (II; 3, 0)
A survey of Indian cinema and Hinduism, exploring early Hindu mythological films, the underlying religious messages of popular “secular” films, and the influences of Hindu worship practices on Indian cinema.
243. Religions of South Asia (I or II; 3, R; 0)
Focused study of one or more South Asian religious traditions. This course centers on South Asian religions and on topics that may include, but will not be limited to: Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, Islam in Pakistan and India, and Buddhism in Tibet, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. 244. Religions of East Asia (I; 3, 0)
Focused study on one or more East Asian religious traditions. This course centers on religions and on topics that may include, but will not be limited to: Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism, Shinto, and new East Asian religious movements. Crosslisted as EAST 244. 245. Religions of China (I; 3, 0)
An introduction to the religious traditions of China through study of their origins, basic beliefs, practices and values, historical development, as well as their interaction and involvement with politics, culture, society and each other. Focus on the three major traditions – Confucianism, Daoism, and Chinese Buddhism. Crosslisted as EAST 252. 246. Religions of Japan (II; 3, 1)
An introduction to the religious traditions of Japan through study of their origins, basic beliefs, practices and values, historical development, as well as their interaction and involvement with politics, culture, society and each other. Focus on Shinto and the various forms of Japanese Buddhism. Crosslisted as EAST 253. 247. Epic India: Comics, Films, Text (I; 3, 0)
Survey of the great Indian religious epics, focusing on how these stories are retold in new times and places, and how they're recast in new media. Religion, Culture, and Theory 216. Philosophy of Religion (I; 3, 0)
Problems for rational inquiry arising from the claims and practices of religious faith, e.g., the nature of religious language, arguments for the existence of God, the concept of evil. Crosslisted as PHIL 223. Prerequisite: PHIL 98 or 100 or 103 or 201 or 220 or RELI 125, or permission of the instructor. 220. Comparative Ethics (AI or II; 3, 0)
An examination of the symbols, concepts, beliefs, and practices of a variety of religious traditions and their role in providing ethical guidance for human life. Special attention will be given to critical methods of comparative analysis and their application to diverse traditions. 226. Environmental Ethics (II; 3, 0)
A broad survey of the central theoretical and practical approaches being debated in environmental ethics. 234. Issues of Religion and Culture (AI or II; R; 3, I)
Focus on interdependence of religion and cultural phenomena: ideology; alienation; formation of world view; understandings of time and space; relation between church and state; faith and science. 235. Religion and Popular Culture (I or II; 3, 0)
This course examines the relationship of religion to contemporary popular culture, both in how religion is portrayed (in music, movies, and on television) and how it is replicated (in ritual, myth, and morality). 240. Perspectives in Religion and Science (II; 3, 0)
Survey of theories, topics, and problems involved in understanding the historically evolved and complex relationship between Western religion and science and their respective truth claims. 307. Post-biblical Literature (I or II; R; 3, 0)
A survey of Jewish post-biblical literature and thought which may include one or more of the following: the literature of the Second Temple period and rabbinic literature (Pseudepigrapha, Dead Sea Scrolls, Targum, Josephus, Mishnah-Tosefta, Midrash, Talmud, Codices, Bible commentaries), in their religious, historical, literary and cultural contexts. 310. Topics in Religion and Law (I or II; R; 3, 0)
This course will examine aspects of the relationship between religion and law in global, regional, tradition-based, and/or historical contexts. Individual and Specialized Study of Religion 319 and 320. Individual Studies in Religion (I and II; R; 3, 0) Half to two courses.
Guided investigations. Open to qualified students with some previous study of religion who wish to pursue individual programs of study in the field. Prerequisite: permission of the department chair. 325. Major Religious Thinkers (AI or II; R; 3, 0)
The thought, historical setting, and influence of one or more classical religious thinkers, e.g., Paul the Apostle, Augustine, Kierkegaard, Confucius, Rosenzweig, Gandhi. 326. Major Religious Movements (AI or II; R; 3, 0) Origins, beliefs, and significance of selected religious communities and movements, e.g., Mysticism, Modern Catholicism, Evangelicalism, Monasticism, Religious Socialism. 330. Theories of Religion(I or II; 3, 0)
Anexploration of theoretical models and methods employed in the study of religion. Readings will be from major texts, which may include sociological, psychological, anthropological, and phenomenological approaches, along with recent challenges to such theories from thinkers of feminist, postmodern, and postcolonial perspectives. 350. Honors Thesis (I and II; 3, 0)
Courses offered occasionally: 205 Hebrew, 219 Contemporary Religion: Race, Gender, and Sexuality, 224 Religion and Ecology, 227 Bioethics: Issues in Ethics, Medicine, and the Life Sciences
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