College of Arts and Sciences

Religion

Chairman Stephen Prothero

Director, Undergraduate Programs Jonathan Klawans

University Professors Mason, Wiesel

William Goodwin Aurelio Professor Fredriksen

Professors Hart, Hawkins, Katz, Levine, Neville, Olson, Prothero, Swartz

Associate Professors Eckel, Klawans, Korom, Lobel, Seligman, Zank

Assistant Professors Ali, Cogan, Green, Klepper

Associated Faculty Berthrong (STH), Lehrich, Wildman (STH)

The academic study of religion provides students with an excellent cross-cultural grounding in the humanities and social sciences and is a challenging and personally rewarding area for those preparing for careers in law, journalism, social work, professional service in religious institutions, and for graduate study leading to teaching careers in religious studies. Students of international relations frequently find a major or minor concentration in religion particularly helpful for understanding the influence of long-standing ideological conflicts on contemporary events. Students in the natural sciences frequently find a minor concentration in religion appealing given the moral complexity of technology and the medical and health sciences.

Students planning to concentrate in religion should contact the department office for a detailed outline of requirements.

Concentration in Religion (1510)

Concentrators and co-concentrators must meet with the departmental Director of Undergraduate Programs in order to choose a faculty advisor. Concentrators will then consult their faculty advisor regularly when planning their programs of study.

Ten courses completed with a grade of C or higher. All concentrators must take two 100-level courses, two 200-level courses, two 300-level courses, and CAS RN 495. The three additional required courses may be taken at the 200, 300, or 400 level, with no more than one at the 200 level. Concentrators are strongly encouraged to take CAS RN 103 and 104. Alternatively, they may take one course in "Religious Traditions" (CAS RN 100, 103, or 104) and one in "Comparative Themes" (CAS RN 101, 102, 106, 108, 121, or 122). Students who have successfully completed CAS CC 101 (Core Humanities I) or CAS CC 102 (Core Humanities II) or both may substitute these courses for the required 100-level Religion course(s).

Religion concentrators may elect either 1) a general program of study that ensures broad exposure to at least three areas of specialization, or 2) a specialized program that ensures expertise in one particular area of specialization. Students in the general program are required to take at least two courses in each of three chosen areas of specialization (as indicated below). Students in the specialized program are required to take at least five courses in their area of specialization; in addition, they must take four courses outside their chosen area: CAS RN 495 and three other courses. Major concentrators in either program may, with the approval of their advisor, count toward the concentration a maximum of two related courses taken in other departments. Students who have completed both CAS CC 101 (Core Humanities I) and CAS CC 102 (Core Humanities II) and who have applied those courses toward the required 100-level Religion courses will normally not be allowed to count any additional courses from other departments toward the concentration.

Areas of specialization are Christian studies, comparative philosophy of religion, East Asian studies, Islamic studies, Judaic studies, religion in America, religion and culture, and South Asian studies.

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Concentration in Anthropology and Religion (2219)

For information about this joint concentration, see Anthropology.

Concentration in Classics and Religion (1546)

For information about this joint concentration, see Classical Studies.

Concentration in Philosophy and Religion (1520)

For information about this joint concentration, see Philosophy.

BA/MA Concentration in Religion (1510)

The BA/MA concentration in religion is a flexible program that can be designed to meet a broad range of intellectual and personal needs—including the needs of those students preparing for teaching careers in secondary education. The concentration consists of at least 18 courses (including CAS RN 495) completed with a grade of B or higher, 10 of which must be at the 500 level or above. Admission to the program is competitive and normally occurs at the beginning of the student's junior year. Students considering the program should consult with an advisor as early as possible in order to formulate an appropriate plan of study. They should also meet with the departmental Director of Undergraduate Programs to discuss the application procedure. Please refer to Special Courses and Programs under College of Arts and Sciences on this site for general information about BA/MA programs.

Minor Concentration in Religion (1510)

Six courses completed with a grade of C or higher, including one course at the 100 level and at least one but not more than two courses at the 200 level. The remaining courses must be taken at the 300 level or higher. Core Curriculum students may substitute either CAS CC 101 or CAS CC 102 for the required 100-level course. Students who take CAS RN 103 and 104 may count both of those courses toward the minor, which they would then complete with at least one but not more than two 200-level courses, and the remaining courses at the 300 level or above. All minor concentrators who do not complete both CAS RN 103 and 104 must take courses above the 100 level in at least two different religious traditions. Minor concentrators may, with the approval of their minor advisor in the Department of Religion, count toward the concentration one course taken in another department.

Minor Concentration in Judaic Studies (1585)

See Judaic Studies.

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Courses

Courses marked with a (†) satisfy divisional studies requirements.

†CAS RN 100 Religion and Culture

Introduction to the history of religions with special emphasis on the classical periods of Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam and to the scientific study of religion. Attention is focused on the cultural contributions of religion in ways that invite further investigation and study. Green, Lobel, Prothero. 4 cr, either sem. (HU)

†CAS RN 101 The Bible

Designed for the student who will take only one or two courses in religious studies, this course introduces the Bible as a foundational source of Western culture. In addition to basic knowledge of Hebrew and Christian scriptures, the student may expect to gain an appreciation of biblical themes in Western literature and art. Hawkins. 4 cr, 2nd sem. (HU)

†CAS RN 102 Sacred Journeys

An introduction to the comparative study of religion through scriptural images, travelers' accounts, and mystical reflection on the theme of the sacred journey in religious quest in Native American traditions, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Eckel, Lehrich. 4 cr, either sem. (HU)

†CAS RN 103 Religions of the World: Eastern

Study of Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Shinto. Focus on the world view of each tradition and the historical development of that world view. Cogan, Eckel. 4 cr, either sem. (HU)

†CAS RN 104 Religions of the World: Western

Continues but does not presuppose CAS RN 103. The study of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Introduction to the development, thought, practices, and influence of these religions. Ali, Klawans. 4 cr, either sem. (HU)

CAS RN 106 Death and Immortality

Examines death as religious traditions have attempted to accept, defeat, deny, or transcend it. Do we have souls? Do they reincarnate? Other topics include cremation, ancestor worship, apocalypse, alchemy, AIDS, near-death experiences, otherworld cosmologies. Prothero. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS RN 108 New Age Spirituality

Survey of the origins and development of New Age spirituality in a global context, concentrating on Occidental borrowings from India and Tibet. Possible topics include romanticism, utopianism, the occult, magic, neopaganism, out-of-body experiences, reincarnation, and channeling. Korom. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS RN 111 Multireligious America

Not offered 2007/2008

†CAS RN 201 The Hebrew Bible

Study of the literature of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and the religious faith to which these writings bear witness within the context of the history of the ancient Israelite community. Klawans. 4 cr, 1st sem. (HU)

†CAS RN 202 From Jesus to Christ: The Origins of Christianity

Places Jesus of Nazareth in his contemporary religious and social context of Second Temple Judaism; and accounts for the origins and growth of Christian life, belief, and spirituality up to the second century, as reflected in the writings of that period. Fredriksen. 4 cr, 2nd sem. (HU)

CAS RN 209 Roman Catholicism

Introduction to the history, character, beliefs, and practices of the Roman Catholic Church. Topics include the origin and development of the church, and the function of the sacraments and the councils, popes, and monks. Lehrich. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS RN 210 Buddhism

A historical introduction to the major themes of Indian Buddhist thought and practice with special attention to the development of Buddhism in Tibet. Eckel. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS RN 211 Chinese Religion

A historical survey of Chinese religion. Covers ancient mythology, cosmology, shamanism, and ritual; the traditional state cult, Taoist mysticism, and immortality; Buddhist schools and Non-Confucian worldview; and sectarian movements and popular cults. Cogan. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS RN 212 Christianity

Introduction to Christian thought and practice in a world context, origins to present. Topics include sin, salvation, sacrament, sacred text, bodies and souls, community, authority and the individual, Christians and non-Christians, and the challenge of modernity. Green. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS RN 213 Hinduism

Introduction to the Hindu tradition. Ritual and philosophy of the Vedas and Upanishads, yoga in the Bhagavad Gita, gods and goddesses in Hindu mythology, "popular" aspects of village and temple ritual, and problems of modernization and communalism in postcolonial India. Korom. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS RN 214 Islam

The rise and spread of Islam from the seventh century to the present; introduction to its central beliefs, institutions, and practices, and its impact on the religious and cultural history of Asia and Africa. Continuity and change in the modern period. Ali. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS RN 215 Japanese Religion

Introduction to Japanese religions, including Shintoism and Zen, Pure Land, and Tantric Buddhism. Focus on Zen Buddhism and its cultural expression in both geido (way of the arts) and bushido (way of the warrior). Brief examination of the modern Japanese philosophy of religion. Cogan. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS RN 216 Judaism

Systematic and historical introduction to doctrines, customs, literature, and movements of Judaism; biblical religion and literature; rabbinic life and thought; medieval mysticism and philosophy; modern movement and developments. Levine. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS RN 219 Mysticism and Philosophy: Medieval Jewish Perspectives

Not offered 2007/2008

CAS RN 220 The Holy City: Jerusalem in Time, Space, and Imagination

Jerusalem as a holy city: its importance in historical experience and theological understanding of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Zank. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS RN 240 Made in God's Image: The Divine-Human Relationship

Exploration of some of the most basic questions about our existence. Who are we? Where did we come from? What is the divine and how can we know it? Readings from creation stories, ancient epics, the Bible, Augustine, and Dante. Hawkins. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS RN 242 Magic, Science, and Religion

Boundaries and relationships between magic, science, and religion from late antiquity through the European Enlightenment. Topics include transformation of pagan traditions, distinctions between learned and popular traditions, and changing assumptions about God and Nature. Klepper. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS RN 245 Religious Thought: The Quest for God and the Good

Introduction to religious thought, exploring the aims of human life, the place of God in the good life, and the role of contemplation and action in the spiritual quest. Readings from Plato, Aristotle, Bible, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Augustine, Maimonides, Ghazzali. Lobel. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS RN 247 Religion and Healing

Not offered 2007/2008

CAS RN 301 Varieties of Early Christianity

Surveys the many different and often competing forms of Christianity that arose and flourished in the second to the seventh century, from the "apostolic period" to the Arab conquest in the Middle East. Fredriksen. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS RN 303 Christian Thought I

Not offered 2007/2008

CAS RN 304 Christian Thought II

Second course in two-semester sequence on major developments in Christian intellectual history. Source readings are from Spener, Hobbes, Leibniz, Kant, Schleiermacher, Hegel, Harnack, Berdyaev, Barth, Bultmann, Maritain, and Bonhoeffer. Green. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS RN 305 The Bible in the Medieval World

The place of Sacred Scripture in medieval religion and culture; varieties of interpretation; learned and popular experience of Bible text; Christian, Jewish, and Muslim debate; and biblical motifs and imagery in literature, drama, art, and political thought. Klepper. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS RN 307 Medieval Christian Spirituality

Explores Christian beliefs and practices in medieval Europe within and outside formal church structures. Topics include accommodation of pagan culture, constructing identity, clerical and lay piety, heterodox practice and institutional response, and encounter with non-Christian traditions. Klepper. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS RN 309 Jewish Music

Jewish music as an expression of Jewish heritage, from ancient Israel to modern America. Sacred music; folk songs; nineteenth-century antagonisms, twentieth-century themes and composers in the diaspora. Reading, listening, and analysis; group presentation, performance, debate, final exam, and term paper. Yudkin. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS RN 313 Hinduism in America

The transplantation and transformation of the ideas, institutions, and practices of Hinduism and Sikhism in America. Consideration of gurus and students, Indian-American immigrants, and European-American converts. Emphasis on primary texts, including autobiographies, novels, catechisms, sermons, and anti-cult polemics. Prothero. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS RN 321 Wisdom Tradition in Ancient Israel and Judaism

Not offered 2007/2008

CAS RN 322 History of Judaism

Major trends in post-biblical Judaism; academy and synagogue; Mishna and Talmud; Babylonian diaspora; medieval poetry, philosophy, and mysticism; codes of law; organization of the Jewish community "in exile", the land of Israel; Jewish, Islamic, and Christian civilizations. Levine. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS RN 323 Classical Jewish Thought

Basic human and religious issues as they have been understood within the classical Jewish framework of God, the people of Israel, and Torah: good and evil, creation, the relationship of human beings to God and to one another. Lobel. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS RN 324 Introduction to Rabbinic Literature

Not offered 2007/2008

CAS RN 325 Jewish Mysticism

Not offered 2007/2008

CAS RN 328 Judaism in the Modern Period

Exploration of complex encounters between Judaism and modernity from the Renaissance and Reformation to expulsion from Spain and creation of Jewish centers in the New World; emancipation and its consequences; assimilation, conversion, Reform Judaism, Zionism, the American Jewish community, modern anti-Semitism. Katz. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS RN 329 Modern Jewish Thought

Explores attempts of major modern Jewish philosophers to reconcile Judaism and the modern consciousness. Authors include Mendelssohn, Cohen, Rosenzweig, Buber, Kaplan, and Fackenheim. Responses of traditional Judaism to modern strategies of identity and self-preservation; Judaism and the crisis of modernity. Zank. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS RN 333 Antisemitism

Not offered 2007/2008

CAS RN 334 Dead Sea Scrolls

Examination of the ancient Hebrew documents discovered in the Judean desert. Their authorship; the theological significance of the Scrolls; their relations to Ancient Judaism and early Christianity; the controversy over their release and publication. Klawans. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS RN 335 Judaism in the First Century

Explores the diversity of Judaism in the first century CE and traces the emergence of Christianity as a religion distinct from Judaism. Sources include ancient Jewish literature, early Christian literature, and archaeological evidence. Klawans. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS RN 338 The Holocaust and Music

Not offered 2007/2008

CAS RN 340 The Quran

Not offered 2007/2008

CAS RN 341 Islamic Mysticism: Sufism

Rise and development of the mystical movement in early Islam; analysis of the thought of leading Sufi brotherhoods, their organization, liturgy, and religious life; the impact of Sufism on classical and postclassical Islam. Mason. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS RN 344 Islam and the West

Not offered 2007/2008

CAS RN 345 Islamic Law

A survey of major trends in Islamic jurisprudence from the seventh century to the present; the structure of Islamic law, its regulative principles, its place in Islamic society, and the mechanisms by which it is elaborated and applied. Swartz. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS RN 347 Islamic Theology and Philosophy

An introduction to the most important philosophers and theologians in Islamic intellectual history, with a focus on the concepts they articulated and the movements they engendered. Ali. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS RN 360 Taoist Religion

Not offered 2007/2008

CAS RN 362 Chinese Medicine

Prereq: junior or senior standing. A wide range of traditional Chinese health and religious practices, interpreted in light of ancient concepts of body and mind, illness and health, and the like. Techniques are discussed, as well as magical, ritual, and popular healing. Barnes. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS RN 363 Zen Buddhism

A study of Zen teachings and practices as a sect of Chinese and Japanese Buddhism, as a philosophic system, and as a pattern of culture. Cogan. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS RN 375 Culture, Society, and Religion in South Asia

Ethnographic and historical introduction to the Indian subcontinent with a focus on the impact of religion on cultural practices and social institutions. Korom. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS RN 384 The Holocaust

Background of German (and European) anti-Semitism. Rise of Nazism and early oppression, initial Jewish reaction, mechanics of destruction, ghettos, camps, world response and nonresponse, literature of the Holocaust, and religious implications. Katz, Levine. 4 cr, either sem.

CAS RN 387 Anthropology of Religion

Prereq: CAS AN 101 or consent of instructor. Myth, ritual, and religious experience across cultures. Special attention to the problem of religious symbolism and meaning, religious conversion and revitalization, contrasts between traditional and world religions, and the relation of religious knowledge to science, magic, and ideology. Korom. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS RN 388 Oral Tradition as Verbal Art

Not offered 2007/2008

CAS RN 389 Moses and the Origin of Monotheism

Not offered 2007/2008

CAS RN 390 New Testament Literature

Not offered 2007/2008

CAS RN 401, 402 Senior Independent Work

Prereq: approval of the Honors Committee. 4 cr each, 1st & 2nd sem.

CAS RN 413 Gender in Medieval Christian Mysticism

Study of the Christian mystical traditions of medieval Europe, both orthodox and heretical, with particular emphasis on the role of gender and authority in mystical writing, practicing, and teaching. Klepper. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS RN 425 Topics in South Asian Religions

Specific aspects of South Asian religions within a historical or comparative/phenomenological framework. Topic for Spring 2007: Buddhist Philosophy. Major issues, personalities, and texts in the Buddhist philosophical tradition, including early Buddhist scriptures, intellectual developments in classical India, China, Japan, and Tibet, and the encounter with modernity in Asia and the West. Eckel. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS RN 427 Topics in American Religion

Not offered 2007/2008

CAS RN 428 Theology Proseminar

Not offered 2007/2008

CAS RN 430 Topics in East Asian Religions: Meditation

Not offered 2007/2008

CAS RN 441 Hermeneutics

Not offered 2007/2008

CAS RN 443 Problem of Evil

A philosophical and theological analysis of the problem of evil, as formulated in the Bible and other sacred texts, ancient and modern philosophy, literature, and cinema. Olson. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS RN 449 Dante's Journey to God

Reading of the entire Divine Comedy as the poet's journey toward the vision of God. Special attention to how Dante transforms pagan sources, assimilates the Bible and its interpretative traditions, and boldly attempts to establish his own text as a "sacred poem." Hawkins. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS RN 450 Philosophy of Religion

Not offered 2007/2008

CAS RN 451 Topics in Continental Philosophy of Religion

Not offered 2007/2008

CAS RN 452 Topics in Religious Thought

Topic for Fall 2007: Religious Thought: East and West. Explores key problems in religious thought: nature of the Absolute, origin of time and the world, paradox of transcendence and immanence, role of teachers, sages, and prophets, language and negative theology, reason and the path to realization. Lobel. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS RN 468 Symbol, Myth, and Ritual

Historical overview of ritual behavior, the role of symbolism in the study of culture, and the narrative quality of worldview and belief. Emphasis on verbal performance and public display events in specific cultural contexts. Seligman. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS RN 469 Dante's Journey to God

Reading of the entire Divine Comedy as the poet's journey toward the vision of God. Special attention to how Dante transforms pagan sources, assimilates the Bible and its interpretative traditions, and boldly attempts to establish his own text as a "sacred poem." Zank. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS RN 470 Topics in Medieval Religious Culture

Not offered 2007/2008

CAS RN 495 Theoretical Approaches to the Study of Religion

Origins and history of the academic study of religion. Different constructions of religion as an object of study and the methods that arise from them. The role of the humanities and social sciences in understanding religion's place in history and contemporary experience. Lehrich. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS RN 498 Topics in Ancient Christianity

Topic for 2007/2008: TBA. Fredriksen. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS RN 499 Topics in Judaic Studies

Not offered 2007/2008

CAS RN 524 Topics in Bible and Literature

Not offered 2007/2008

CAS RN 543 Spiritual Affinities in Practice

Not offered 2007/2008

CAS RN 560 The Politics of Religion, Ethnicity, and Nationalism in International Relations

Prereq: junior standing. Explores causes, consequences, and patterns of resurgent religion, ethnicity, and nationalism in post - Cold War international relations, using interdisciplinary scholarship, policy literatures, and case studies. Prodromou. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS RN 561 Religion and International Relations

Prereq: junior standing and consent of instructor. Meets with CAS IR 561. Explores the role of religion in contemporary international relations in the context of questions about the common core of modernity. Reviews scholarly and policy literature, and case studies, in order to elucidate religion's intellectual and operational diversity in international relations. Prodromou. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS RN 577 Literature of Memory III: Faith and Tragedy

Prereq: one 400-level course in the humanities or upper-level literature class. From antiquity to modern times, writers have tried to capture what is essential in human nature by composing tragedies. What defines tragedy? How does the tragic form provide occasions for ethical examination? We will explore tragic literature from Sophocles to Miller and from Shakespeare to Shaw, as well as theories of tragedy from Aristotle to Brecht. Preference given to seniors and graduate students. Discussion section required. No WebReg. Stamped approval only. Wiesel. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS RN 578 Literature of Memory IV: Hope and Despair in Chasidism

Prereq: one 400-level course in the humanities or upper-level literature class. The Chasidic revolution, originating in Eastern Europe, altered the course of religious history by introducing radically innovative models of spiritual life that remained grounded in classical Jewish tradition. This course will explore central tensions between the Chasidic emphasis on joy and the experience of despair. How does one find hope in desperate times? How do fundamental principles impact a community's ability to generate constructive belief in the face of anguish? How did some of the great Jewish religious figures of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries negotiate choices surrounding faith and melancholy, deal with the temptation to despair, and foster hope. Preference given to seniors and graduate students. Discussion section required. No WebReg. Stamped approval only. Wiesel. 4 cr, either sem.

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