| Religious Studies |
RS 483 - History of World Religions
Credits:
4.00
Introduces the religions of the world in terms of
historical development, relationship to society, belief
system, central texts, and ritual practices. (Also offered
as HIST 483.) Writing intensive.
RS 484 - Patterns in World Religions
Credits:
4.00
Introductory course on the comparison of religions and
religious patterns. Examining cross-cultural themes such
as sacred places, sacred books, and sainthood, students
become acquainted with the concepts and methods used in the
historical study of religions. Primary and secondary
readings encompass a wide variety of religious practices
and ideas. (Also offered as HIST 484.) Writing intensive.
RS 576 - Hebrew Bible in Historical Context
Credits:
4.00
An introductory study of the Hebrew Bible, or Old
Testament, examining the development of biblical
literature in the context of ancient Near Eastern cultures
and history. Includes the interpretation of creation
stories and the patriarchal narratives using literary and
folklore methods, the transformation of Israelite religion
from Moses to David to Ezra, the role of prophets and
nature of ancient prophecy, the concept of the messiah,
"wisdom" literature and the biblical interpretations of
misfortune, the formation of a biblical canon, and the
critical analysis of sacred texts. (Also offered as HIST
576.) Writing intensive.
RS 600 - Special Topics
Credits:
4.00
Studies of particular religious traditions, or periods
within those traditions, or special topics and issues of
concern within religious studies such as mythology, ritual,
mysticism, etc.
RS 601 - Seminar in Religious Texts
Credits:
4.00
Close study of sacred text(s) from a particular religious
tradition (Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, etc.)
or a thematic selection of texts across religions. (Also
offered as HIST 601.)
RS #607 - Religion in American Thought and Life
Credits:
4.00
Interdisciplinary study of the varied nature of American
religious experience and its relationship to other aspects
of American culture. Topics vary from year to year, and may
include the interdisciplinary study of a spiritual
community, African American religious history, material
culture and spiritual expression, politics and religious
free speech, religious culture in the nineteenth century,
multi-ethnic religions, and literature. (Also offered as
AMST 607.) Writing intensive.
RS 617 - Religion, Culture, and Conflict in South Asia
Credits:
4.00
Explores connections between religion and violent conflict
in South Asia. Includes overviews of three great religious
traditions of the region: Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam,
and how they are realized in the daily lives of South Asian
practitioners. Ethnographic case studies of religious
violence, coupled with readings in contemporary theory, to
understand how and why violence is produced by considering
not only religious belief and practice but also such
factors as colonialism, postcolonial politics, the social
processes of contemporary diasporas, economic structure and
change, and international religious movements. Prereq: at
least sophomore standing. Anthropology or religious studies
background is recommended. (Also offered as ANTH 617.)
Writing intensive.
RS #682 - Cults and Charisma
Credits:
4.00
Examines religious sects and charismatic leaders using
case studies from history and the contemporary world, as
well as analytical principles from religious studies and
anthropology. Explores various approaches to the question,
What makes a person powerful over others? in connection
with the formation of messianic sects, the genesis of the
"cult," the traditional authority of priests and kings,
sainthood, the events at Jonestown and Waco, and the
popular image of the "cult." Students learn to employ a
variety of tools and models to understand historical
situations of charismatic leadership. (Also offered as HIST
682.)
RS 689 - New Testament in Historical Context
Credits:
4.00
A study of the collection of writings known as the New
Testament as both literature and historical documentation.
Assigned readings from primary and secondary sources stress
the historical, social, religious, and literary backgrounds
of gospels, Paul's letters, and the Apocalypse, and include
a variety of early Christian texts left out of the
canonical New Testament. Other more general themes are the
formation of the Christian canon, the division of the
Jesus-movement from Judaism, the status of Jesus in his own
time, the nature of parables, the end of the world, and the
authority of women in early churches. Emphasizes the
historical understanding of sacred scripture. (Also offered
HIST 689.) Writing intensive.
RS 699 - Seminar in Religious Studies
Credits:
4.00
Advanced discussion of a particular theme in religious
studies, meant both to give students a solid foundation in
classic theories of religion and to explore new authors and
ideas. Past topics have included ritual, possession, magic,
and apocalypticism. Classes are in seminar format and
culminate in a final research paper. (Priority to minors in
Religious Studies.) Prereq: permission.
RS 770 - Anthropology of the Sinister
Credits:
4.00
Examines narratives of the sinister?stories about witches,
demons, vampires, and extraterrestrials that are told as
if true. Investigates the cultural, political, and economic
contexts of their production. Variants of the sinister are
compared cross-culturally and trans-historically. Links
between a recent worldwide upsurge in narratives of the
sinister and the processes of globalization and modernity
are emphasized. Seminar format; open only to juniors and
seniors. (Also listed as ANTH 770).
RS 795 - Independent Study
Credits:
2.00 or 4.00
Independent study of traditions, topics, or figures within
the scope of religious studies. Before registration,
student must formulate a project and secure consent of a
cooperating program/faculty member who will supervise the
independent study.
RS 796 - Independent Study
Credits:
2.00 or 4.00
Independent study of traditions, topics, or figures within
the scope of Religious Studies. Before registration,
student must formulate a project and secure consent of a
cooperating program/faculty member who will supervise the
independent study.
RS XXX - Special message place holder
Credits: