Spring 2027
The following descriptions of courses being offered by the Department of Religion in Spring 2026 were submitted by the course instructors.
Specific information regarding the dates, times, and locations of these courses may be found in the Registrar’s official webpage: Schedule of Courses for Spring 2027.
Religion Courses: Spring 2027
REL 1144: Religious Extremism – Terje Ostebo
MW 8 (3:00 – 3:50) LIT 121 & F Various Discussion Times
What is religious extremism? Who are the extremists? This course digs into these and other questions and provides students with critical knowledge about what is called extremism within Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism, while also investigating it in relation to topics such as nationalism, race(ism), and gender and sexuality. (Gen Intl) (Quest 1)
REL 2502: Intro to Christianity – Jeyoul Choi
MWF 4 (10:40 – 11:30) TUR 2322
Includes origins and development of Christianity, beliefs and rituals, global diversity, Christianity-inspired literature, and engagement with contemporary cultural issues.
REL 2600: Jews, Jewishness, and Judaism – Rachel Gordan
T8-9 (3:00-4:55) MAT 105 & R9 (4:05-4:55) MAT 119
Multidisciplinary approach to the Jewish experience from its Biblical origins to modern times.
REL3191: Death and the Afterlife – 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. (UFO) (DER)
REL 3213: Hebrew Bible as Literature – Robert Kawashima
T4 AND0019 (10:40-11:30) & R 4-5 (10:40 – 12:35) FAC120
Intensive introduction to the literary study of the Hebrew Bible within the context of ancient Near Eastern literature and history.
REL 3249: Christian Gospels – Robert Kawashima
T 7 (1:55 – 2:45) MAT0005 & R 7-8 (1:55 – 3:50) LEI 142
Redaction-critical study of selected portions of the canonical Gospels with particular attention to the development of traditions about Jesus in the earliest church.
REL 3336: Religion in Modern India – Vasudha Narayanan
M 7 (1:55 – 2:45) MAT0006 & W 7-8 (1:55 – 3:50) MAT0014
Studies religious traditions of India and their interpretation in relation to conditions of the modern world. (Gen Intl) (WR6)
REL 3381: Religion in Latin America – Jeyoul Choi
MWF 4 (1:55 – 2:45) FAC 0127
Main religious traditions in Latin America: native religions, Catholicism in its various forms, Protestantism, and African-based religions. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or higher. (Gen Intl)
REL 3931: Junior Seminar – Yaniv Feller
T 8-9 (3:00 – 4:55) & R 9 (4:05 – 4:55); MAT0051
Intensive introduction to the study of religion. Required of all religion majors during the junior year.
REL 3938: Religion, Human, and AI – Prathik Murali
MWF 6 (12:50-1:40) FAC 0127
Special topics in religion. This course explores the complex and evolving relationship between religion and artificial intelligence, examining how religious traditions, religious ethical frameworks, and cultural imaginaries respond to emerging forms of Artificial Intelligence.
REL 4141: Religion and Social Change – Jeyoul Choi
T 4 (10:40 – 11:30) & R 4-5 (10:40 – 12:35); AND 0021
Investigates diverse relations between religion and processes of social change. Uses both theoretical and ethnographic case studies to explore issues raised by religion’s social role in the US, Britain, Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or higher. (WR 4)
REL 4400: Religion and Psychology – Ali Mian
MWF 5 (11:45 – 12:35) MCCB G086
Covers history of philosophy and religion on psychological theories of consciousness, intelligence, cognition, as well as the mind’s role in the construction of knowledge, ignorance and morality, and it facilitates students in articulating their psychological models to explain human experience, belief, and well-being.
Quest Courses (Religion Department)
IDS 2935: Reimagining Africa – Terje Ostebo
MW 4 (10:40-11:30) & F Various Discussion Times
This course examines contemporary Africa and its global significance through case studies that challenge common stereotypes and representations of the continent. By exploring themes such as memory, justice, happiness, and social change, students will learn how Africa’s experiences and innovations contribute to understanding pressing global issues and shaping the future of world history, culture, and international relations.