Religious Studies Courses

344-10300 Introduction to the Hebrew Scripture   HU LA

A survey of major themes in the Hebrew Scripture: creation, God, man, sin, salvation, Messiah, covenant, law, rituals, history, and life after death. 3 credits. (IRR)

344-10400 Introduction to the New Testament   HU LA

A survey of the life and teaching of Jesus, and major themes in the Pauline Epistles and the Book of Revelation. 3 credits. (IRR)

344-10500 Introduction to World Religions: Indigenous and Eastern   HU LA 1a, h, g

Examination of methods in the study of religion and the meaning of ritual, myth, and symbols as applied to Native American and other primal religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Shintoism. Ideas of divinity, methods of liberation, life after death, attitudes toward nature, ways of living in society, and world views are studied in each tradition and then compared. 3 credits. (F,Y)

344-10600 Introduction to World Religions: Western and Modern   HU LA 1b, h, g

Study of the historical and theological dimensions of the three major Western religious traditions. Ideas of god and prophecy, angels and sages, messiahs, rabbis, and Sufis are examined in a comparative approach to Jewish, Christian, and Muslim religions. Various methodological approaches to the study of religion are surveyed and applied to our interpretation of the traditions. Also explored are the primal worlds of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim storytelling, from the foundational scriptures (Bible and Koran) through later texts exemplifying the fundamental values of each tradition. Also considered is the encounter between these traditions and the critiques of secular modernity (Freud, Marx, Nietzsche), raising the question of the contemporary meaning of religion in the West. 3 credits. (S,Y)

344-17500, 344-17600 Selected Topics in Religion   HU LA

Topics to be determined according to teacher and student interest. May be repeated for credit for selected topics on different subjects. 3 credits. (IRR)

344-20100 Religion and Culture   HU LA 1a

Study of the mutual relations between religion and culture. The course explores the religious dimension of art, music, and literature, and considers the way religious symbols influence cultural movements; contrasts religious symbols as the basis for cultural values with religious symbols as a countercultural critique of majority norms. Students study both Western and non-Western examples, such as African-American spirituals, Handel's Messiah, European cathedrals, and Buddhist meditation practices. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing or above, or one course in religious studies. 3 credits. (O)

344-20200 Religion and Society   HU LA 1a, h, g

Studies the interrelationships between religion and society. Major themes include examination of how religions influence social and political systems, how economic and historical factors affect religious dynamics, and how social scientists study religion today. It is a multicultural study of diverse societies. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing or above, or one course in religion. 3 credits. (E)

344-20400 Christianity   HU LA

A survey of the Gospel accounts of Jesus, and the historical development of Christianity, including major theological themes and issues. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing or above. 3 credits. (O)

344-20600 The Problem of Evil   HU LA

See 314-20600. (Y)

344-20700 Death and Immortality   HU LA 1a, h

A look at various experiences surrounding death and their symbolic significance. Seen as an integral aspect of life rather than as an unwelcome end, death and grieving become initiations into a deeper sense of life. Includes a study of symbolism hidden in myths of afterlife, and how we can grapple with the threat of nuclear war. Prerequisites: One course in the humanities or social sciences. 3 credits. (Y)

344-20900 Reason, Religion, and God: Introduction to Philosophy of Religion   HU LA 1a

See 314-20900. (Y)

344-22100 Religion and Depth Psychology   HU LA

A study of Freudian, Jungian, humanistic, and transpersonal psychologies with respect to issues in religion. Topics for study include dream theory, the individuation process, psychological types, self-actualization, peak and plateau experiences, death, psychological aspects of worship, values, the psychology of meditation, and levels of consciousness. Students are encouraged to keep a dream notebook and must submit a term paper based on it or some suitable research topic. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing. 3 credits. (O)

344-25200 Introduction to Mysticism   HU LA

Drawing from the mysticism of world religions, focuses on the mystical process, i.e., what happens to the mystic on his or her journey to "deepest reality" and the ways to reach this goal. Topics include stages of the mystical path, voices and visions, love or bridal mysticism, meditation and contemplation, and mysticism in the world of action, science, and the occult. Prerequisites: One course in the humanities or social sciences. 3 credits. (E)

344-25500 Religions in America   HU LA

A sociohistorical survey of the varieties of religions in North America. Includes an objective and historically grounded study of American religions in both their majority (Christianity, Judaism) and minority (Native American, occultism, African American) manifestations. Emphasizes the role religion plays in the political and ethical spheres of American life. Prerequisites: 344-10600. 3 credits. (O)

344-27500, 344-27600 Selected Topics in Religion   HU LA

Topics to be determined according to teacher and student interest. May be repeated for credit for selected topics on different subjects. Prerequisites: One course in the humanities or social sciences. 3 credits. (IRR)

344-28100 Hinduism   HU LA

A historical survey of the development of Hinduism from its origin in the Vedic religion to the modern Vedantism. Reading and discussion on the Upanishads, the Bhagavad-Gita, and the Yoga Sutra. Prerequisites: One course in the humanities or social sciences. 3 credits. (O)

344-28300 Introduction to Buddhism   HU LA 1b, h, g

See 314-28300. (E)

344-30500 Comparative Study of Religions   HU LA

Examination of the major issues in various religious traditions and comparison of their similarities and differences through the method of typological and phenomenological analysis. Certain common themes among these religions, such as the concept of god(s), the nature of man, the problem of evil, ways of salvation, patterns of rituals, and types of religious organization are discussed. Prerequisites: 344-10500; 344-10600; one level-2 or above course in religion. Recommended courses are 344-24200, 344-28100, or 344-28300. 3 credits. (E)

344-31100 Philosophy of Religion   HU LA

See 314-31100. (Y)

344-31700 Myth and Metaphor   HU LA

A study of myth as primary symbolism and the ground of conceptual meaning in religion: analysis of major archetypal images, the hero's quest, and personal mythology. Prerequisites: 344-10500 or 344-10600; one of the following: 344-20100, 344-22100, or 344-23200. 3 credits. (O)

344-32000 Anthropology of Religion   SS LA

See anthropology 339-32000. (Y)

344-35300 Twentieth-Century Mysticism   HU LA

Study of the major trends in 20th-century mysticism through the writings of key mystics. Topics include earth and esoteric spiritualistics, the influence of Eastern spiritualistics on the West, and current Jewish, Christian, and Sufi ideas. The writings of Teilhard de Chardin, Thomas Merton, and Yogananda, as well as works from the Native American and Sufi traditions are studied. Prerequisites: 344-25200. 3 credits. (E)

344-37500, 344-37600 Selected Topics in Religion   HU LA

Topics to be determined according to teacher and student interest. May be repeated for credit for selected topics on different subjects. Prerequisites: One course in religion and two additional courses in the humanities and/or social sciences. 3 credits. (IRR)

344-37700 Women and Religion   HU LA

A study of the emerging issues regarding women and religion, including the psychology of women's spiritual journey, the importance of the feminine or yin dimension of reality, the role of women in ancient and traditional religions, and new forms of feminine spirituality. Prerequisites: Three courses in religion and/or philosophy, or those courses in psychology, sociology, anthropology, and politics that address women's issues. 3 credits. (O)

344-39100, 344-39200 or 344-49100, 344-49200 Independent Study in Religion   U LA

Study or research project(s) of the student's own devising. Minimal consultation with professor; final project(s) evaluated by professor. Offered on demand only. May be repeated for credit for different projects. Prerequisites: One course in religion; two courses in the humanities and/or social sciences; permission of instructor. 1-4 credits, depending on instructor and student interest. (IRR)

344-39300, 344-39400 or 344-49300, 344-49400 Tutorial in Religion   U LA

Work by student and teacher together on a problem or project of interest to both. Prerequisites: Permission of instructor, one course in religion, and two additional courses in the humanities and/or social sciences. 1-4 credits, depending on instructor and student interest. Can be repeated for credit. (IRR)

344-49500, 344-49600 Seminar in Religion   HU LA

Small group study of a topic not offered otherwise in the curriculum or not offered at the same level. Prerequisites: One course in religion; two courses in the humanities and/or social sciences; permission of instructor. May be repeated for credit. 3 credits. (IRR)