Religion

REL1144: Religious Extremism – Terje Ostebo
MW 6 (12:50 – 1:40) & F Various Discussion Times; LEI 0207

This course critically examines the concept of religious extremism—often associated with radicalism, fanaticism, or fundamentalism—by questioning its definitions, uses, and relationship to ideas of moderation. Rather than focusing on specific religions, the class explores extremism in relation to nationalism, race, gender, sexuality, and processes of radicalization, drawing on interdisciplinary perspectives from the humanities and social sciences to analyze its contemporary global expressions.

REL2104: Environmental Ethics – Amanda Nichols
Asynchronous Online

Explores competing secular and religious views regarding human impacts on and moral responsibilities toward nature and of the key thinkers and social movements in contention over them. (WR)

REL2121: American Religious History – Rachel Gordan
Asynchronous Online

Historical inquiry into the ideological origins and social context of American religious life.

REL2334: Religions of India – Vasudha Narayanan
M 7 (1:55 – 2:45) MAT0006 and W 7-8 (1:55 – 3:50) MAT 0004

Introductory course focusing on the religious traditions and cultural diversity seen in the Indian subcontinent and the engagement of Hindu texts with western philosophy and classics. Using historical and thematic approaches, this course will focus on texts, rituals, and philosophy of Hinduism, Christianity, Judaism, & Islam.(H)(I)(WR 6)

REL2362: Introduction to Islam – Terje Ostebo
MWF 4 (10:40 – 11:30); AND 0013

Historical introduction to Islamic tradition. The foundational elements of the tradition, based on the life of Prophet Muhammad and the text of the Qur’an and on an examination of subsequent Islamic expressions. (N) (I)

REL3191: Death and Afterlife in World Religions – Vasudha Narayanan
Asynchronous Online

Examines conceptions of death and the afterlife from the perspectives of various religious traditions and popular culture. Considers certain ethical issues related to death and how some American religious traditions engage with such issues.

REL3294: Apocalypticism – Robert Kawashima
T 8-9 (3:00 – 4:55) R 9 (4:05 – 4:55); MAT 0108

Explores Jewish and Christian apocalypticism through a survey of apocalyptic texts from the Hebrew Bible, Second Temple Jewish literature (including the Dead Sea Scrolls), and the New Testament.

REL3305: Global Christianity – Jeyoul Choi
MFW 5 (11:45 – 12:35); AND 0134

Presents Christianity as an agent of globalization, contributing to the homogeneity and heterogeneity of contemporary society and creating the doctrinal and ritualistic diversity of Christianity in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Analyzes the patterns in which Christianity continues and changes in different geographical regions.

REL3381: Religion in Latin America – Jeyoul Choi
MWF 7 (1:55 – 2:45); MAT 0102

Main religious traditions in Latin America: native religions, Catholicism in its various forms, Protestantism, and African-based religions. (I)

REL3931: Junior Seminar – Mario Poceski
M 9 (4:05 – 4:55) MAT 0108 & W 9-10 (4:05 – 6:00) MAT 0115

Intensive introduction to the study of religion. Required of all religion majors during the junior year.

REL3938: Special Topic: Sufism – Ali Mian
T 7 (1:55 – 2:45) MAT 0012 & R 7-8 (1:55 – 3:50) ARCH 0213

Special topics in religion. Examines the topics of Sufism, the mystical branch of Islam that emphasizes inner spirituality, love, and direct experience of the divine. It often involves practices like meditation, poetry, music, and devotion to cultivate closeness with God.

REL4092: Ethics, Utopias, Dystopias – Yaniv Feller
T 8-9 (3:00 – 4:55) and R 9 (4:05 – 4:55); MAT 0016

Examines relationships between ethics and utopias in literature, religious communities, and millenarian movements. (WR 2)

REL4188: Environmental Values & Practices – Anna Peterson
T 5-6 (11:45 – 1:40) & R 6 (12:50 – 1:40)

The course brings together students to synthesize their sustainability studies, reflect on what they’ve learned, and build a shared intellectual community while examining the connections between environmental and social values and practices. Through readings, activities, and a substantial final project, students analyze real-world sustainability challenges and propose evidence-based, creative solutions.

REL4221: Pentateuch – Robert Kawashima
T 4 (10:40 – 11:30) R 4-5 (10:40 – 12:35); LIT 0205

In-depth study of the Pentateuch (Genesis-Deuteronomy) in light of modern biblical scholarship.

REL4368: Global Islam – Ali Mian
T 4 (10:40 – 11:30) R 4-5 (10:40 – 12:35); MAT 0116

Addresses the need for a deeper understanding of the diversity of Muslim cultures/societies in the contemporary global context; combines topical and geographical approach and studies Islam as it intersects with broader social, cultural, political, and economic dynamics.

REL1144: Religious Extremism – Terje Ostebo
MW 6 (12:50 – 1:40) & F Various Discussion Times; LEI 0207

This course critically examines the concept of religious extremism—often associated with radicalism, fanaticism, or fundamentalism—by questioning its definitions, uses, and relationship to ideas of moderation. Rather than focusing on specific religions, the class explores extremism in relation to nationalism, race, gender, sexuality, and processes of radicalization, drawing on interdisciplinary perspectives from the humanities and social sciences to analyze its contemporary global expressions.

IDS2935: Post-Holocaust American Jews – Rachel Gordan
MW 8 (3:00 – 3:50) LAR0310; F 8 (3:00 – 3:50) MAT0116

This course examines the lasting impact of the Holocaust on American culture and society, exploring its influence on attitudes toward antisemitism, the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement, philosophical thought, and cultural memory in films, comics, and museums.