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As a first year topics course, the main purpose is to introduce students to some aspect of the academic study of religion and spirituality. The specific topics will vary considerably; however, the objectives include training students in study methods generally and how to study religion as a scholarly subject in particular.

A introductory course in religious studies, designed both to introduce students to ways of understanding religion as a phenomenon in human culture and history and also to survey a wide variety of the religions of the world.

This course introduces students to the intersection of religion and human rights. It takes human rights as a moral tradition and asks how it impacts and is impacted by religious moral thought.

This course is designed to familiarize the student with the religions of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. The course will use archaeological discoveries together with ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian texts to explore the religions of these two civilizations. It will deal with Mesopotamian and Egyptian beliefs surrounding issues such as creation, afterlife, ethics, morality and rituals.

Prereq: Intro to World Religion is recommended but not necessary.

This course provides an introduction to the emerging field of spirituality and wellness. Utilizing perspectives from multiple disciplines and incorporating both third-person (research, theory) and first-person (experiential, reflective) approaches, students will explore topics such as: the nature of spirituality; mindfulness, meditation and wellness; spirituality and public health; spiritual wellness on campuses; and ecospirituality.

Prereq: Not open to non-degree graduate students.

Study of the sacred stories, symbols, ceremonies, and belief systems of selected Native American peoples, representing the major cultural regions of North America.

Prereq: Junior, or NAMS 1100, or three hours in religion.

This course explores the characterization of women in Hebrew and Christian scriptures as well as what we can learn about the lives of women in the ancient world from these and other sources. Attention is also given to the reception and use of these texts in later historical periods including contemporary religious contexts. (Cross-listed with WGST 3120).

The development of Christian theological, ritual, and social practice from the beginnings of Christianity through the Reformation.

Prereq: Junior, three hours in religion, or permission of instructor.

What do Muslims believe? How do they practice their faith? What role does Islam and what roles do Muslims play in the 21st century? This course provides an introduction to the history, beliefs, and practices of Islam and Muslim communities, including both Sunni and Shi'i traditions, Sufis and Salafis, from the time of Muhammad ibn Abdullah to the 21st century. Students will examine the ways in which we come to 'know' about Islam and how to approach mediated sources with a critical lens. Thus, in addition to highlighting the many important cultural, scientific, medical, artistic, and architectural contributions of Muslim societies throughout the past millenium, critical contemporary issues will also be addressed, including the role of women in Islam, the meaning of jihad, the legal traditions (shari'a and fiqh), the relationship between religion and politics in Islam, and issues of law, gender, myth, violence, colonialism, modernity, and Islamophobia.

The content of this course varies from semester to semester, giving instructor and students an opportunity to investigate various subjects of interest in religious studies. (May be repeated for credit as long as the topic is different.)

Prereq: Junior, three hours in religion, or permission of instructor.

A supervised internship enabling students to develop and apply knowledge and gain expertise related to the field of Religious Studies while working at a non-profit, educational, non-governmental or related organization. The host organization for the student must be approved in advance in consultation with the internship coordinator and the Chair of Religious Studies. This course may be repeated for a maximum of six credit hours.

Prereq: Junior or senior. Religious Studies major, Religious Studies minor, or concentration in Religious Studies. Permission of internship coordinator. Not open to non-degree graduate students.

This course provides a capstone experience in religious studies. It serves as the third writing course and is required for Religious Studies majors. The readings will deepen students' understanding of the field of Religious Studies and how it relates to social concerns, as well as guide students through developing a research project. Students will present research both in writing and verbally, in ways that address scholarship in Religious Studies and that are accessible to a general audience. Student will also have opportunities to reflect on experiential learning and career goals.

Prereq: Five courses in Religion, or permission of instructor.

This course is an exploration of Buddhist history, thought and practices. It begins with the origins, cultural context, and development of Buddhism in South Asia and then traces the path of Buddhism through Southeast Asia, Tibet, China, Korea, Japan and North America.

Prereq: Junior or permission of instructor.

This course examines the history and nature of religion in North America to c. 1770 with an emphasis on the British colonies. (Cross-listed with HIST 4010; HIST 8016).

Prereq: Junior or senior standing. Not open to non-degree graduate students.

An interdisciplinary approach in a seminar oriented format discussing various aspects of the most notorious genocide in modern times. The course will explore the history of anti-Semitism, the rise of Nazi Germany and the road to the 'final solution.' It will further explore psychological, sociological and intellectual aspects of the dark side of humanity. (Cross-listed with RELI 8166, HIST 4720, HIST 8726)

Prereq: Junior or instructor permission.

What is the connection between human rights, religion, conflict, and peacebuilding? Does religion cause war or help to stop it? How can human rights violations be prevented or stopped, and can religious actors be engaged in this work? Is the use of force ever appropriate to protect human rights? This course engages all of these questions by examining the ethical thought of multiple religious traditions; the work of human rights organizations; the just war tradition; and questions about sovereignty, peacebuilding, and the use of force worldwide. It includes discussion of historical issues and contemporary case studies. (Cross-listed with RELI 8256).

An interdisciplinary approach in a seminar oriented format discussing various aspects of the most notorious genocide in modern times. The course will explore the history of anti-Semitism, the rise of Nazi Germany and the road to the 'final solution.' It will further explore psychological, sociological and intellectual aspects of the dark side of humanity. (Cross-listed with RELI 4160, HIST 4720, HIST 8726)

What is the connection between human rights, religion, conflict, and peacebuilding? Does religion cause war or help to stop it? How can human rights violations be prevented or stopped, and can religious actors be engaged in this work? Is the use of force ever appropriate to protect human rights? This course engages all of these questions by examining the ethical thought of multiple religious traditions; the work of human rights organizations; the just war tradition; and questions about sovereignty, peacebuilding, and the use of force worldwide. It includes discussion of historical issues and contemporary case studies. (Cross-listed with RELI 4250).

An individually organized program of readings pertinent to one or more topics subordinate to the heading of Religion. To be carried out under the supervision of a member of the graduate faculty. May be repeated for credit when the topic varies.

Prereq: Graduate, permission of instructor, and no incompletes outstanding.