RELG 110: Introduction to Religion

This course offers an opportunity to reflect upon religion in human life. Sections vary with professors' aims, but all sections encounter material from more than one religious tradition, and probe theories of religion from several disciplinary perspectives. The study of individual quests highlights the personal dimension of religion, while the examination of historical cases brings out its cultural and political dimensions. Issues of gender, power, and social location also receive attention. Although Religion 110 makes no attempt to survey the world's religions, it provides an introduction to aspects of religious life and to the academic field of religious studies. 6; Humanities; offered Fall 2007, Winter 2008, Spring 2008 -- Staff

RELG 111: Judaism, Christianity, Islam

Western civilization has been shaped decisively by three monotheistic religious traditions­Judaism, Christianity and Islam. In this course, we explore some of the central beliefs, values, and ritual practices of these religions, some of their interactions, and some of the issues that divide them. Attention will be paid both to the historical development of these traditions and to the distinctive forms they have assumed in modern times. The course will be useful for anyone interested in the religious roots of western culture and it will prepare you to do more advanced work in any of these traditions. No prerequisites. 6; Humanities; not offered 2007-2008

RELG 120: Introduction to Judaism

How does a religious tradition evolve over time? This course provides an overview of the Judaic tradition as a whole, exploring its history, modes of expression, and characteristic polarities as they have emerged in various times and places. The contours of classical Jewish life and thought are explored, as well as the crises, challenges, and choices confronting Jews and Judaism today. 6; Humanities; offered Winter 2008 -- L. Newman

RELG 121: Introduction to Christianity

This course introduces students to the diverse practices, beliefs, texts, communities, and cultural expressions that have shaped the Christian religion in a variety of times and places. Topics include: canonical and non-canonical gospels; historical Jesus; theological understandings of faith, God, sin, and salvation; the growth of American evangelicalism and Pentocostalism today; icons; patterns of Christian worship; and Christian attitudes toward religious pluralism. Throughout the course attention is given to the complex variables that shape particular Christian perspectives and practices such as race, gender, class, and social context. 6; Humanities; offered Spring 2008 -- L. Pearson

RELG 122: Introduction to Islam

This course introduces Islam, a 1400-year old religion whose more than one billion adherents are spread throughout the world today. Of the various ways of approaching such an extensive tradition, we will follow a socio-cultural method with particular emphasis on how various types of Muslims have understood and interpreted their religion over the course of history. We will examine Islamic religious ideals, practices, institutions, and personalities to elicit the broad parameters that give coherence to Islamic religion and civilization. The course will also emphasize the diversity of Islamic religious perspectives, paying attention to social factors such as language affiliation, ethnicity, nationality, and gender. 6; Humanities, Recognition and Affirmation of Difference Requirement; offered Fall 2007 -- R. Jackson

RELG 123: Muhammad and the Quran

This course explores the Islamic religious tradition through its scripture, the Quran, and the life of its prophet, Muhammad. We will study Muhammad's biography to understand how it has influenced the development of Islamic belief and ritual. Through an examination of religious texts, art, and music, we will explore the role his memory has played in popular religious culture. We will study the Quran through its content, its origins, and the impact it has had on the development of Islam. In the process, we will emphasize the Quran as an aesthetically charged scripture as well as a written text. 6; Humanities, Recognition and Affirmation of Difference Requirement; not offered 2007-2008

RELG 124: Jews and the American Experience

What happens to a traditional religion when it is transplanted into a modern environment? How do people adapt old beliefs and practices to a new social setting, and what new forms of religious and ethnic life develop? These are the questions raised by the study of Jews and Judaism in America. We will analyze the development of Judaism in America through the works of historians, sociologists, novelists, filmmakers, and theologians. 6; Humanities; not offered 2007-2008

RELG 130: Native American Religions

This course explores the history and contemporary practice of Native American religious traditions, especially as they have developed amid colonization and resistance. While surveying a broad variety of ways that Native American traditions imagine land, community, and the sacred, the course focuses on the local traditions of the Ojibwe and Lakota communities. Materials include traditional beliefs and practices, the history of missions, intertribal new religious movements, and contemporary issues of treaty rights, religious freedom, and the revitalization of language and culture. 6; Humanities, Recognition and Affirmation of Difference Requirement; offered Fall 2007 -- M. McNally

RELG 135: Introduction to African American Religion

This course explores the varieties of African American religious expressions. Our primary aim will be to trace their historical development in America, but we also will attend to the continued influence of Africa and the Caribbean on these traditions. We will examine the religious expressions of African Americans in their considerable diversity, but also will attend to certain themes that cut across time and tradition, such as the power of the spoken word and the importance of music. 6; Humanities, Recognition and Affirmation of Difference Requirement; not offered 2007-2008

RELG 140: Religion and American Culture

This course explores the colorful, contested history of religion in American culture. While surveying the main contours of religion in the United States from the colonial era to the present, the course concentrates on a series of historical moments that reveal tensions between a quest for a (Protestant) American consensus and an abiding religious and cultural pluralism. 6; Humanities, Recognition and Affirmation of Difference Requirement; offered Winter 2008 -- M. McNally

RELG 150: Religions of South Asia

A survey of the origins and classical development of the major religious traditions of the Indian subcontinent. Primary attention will be given to the Hindu and Buddhist communities, but Islam and the Jain and Sikh traditions also are considered. Readings are drawn mainly from Indian sources in English translation. 6; Humanities, Recognition and Affirmation of Difference Requirement; offered Fall 2007 -- W. Elison

RELG 151: Religion in Chinese Culture

An introduction to the major religious traditions of China, from earliest times to the present. Combining thematic and historical approaches, this course will scrutinize both defining characteristics of, and interactions among, various religious traditions, including Buddhism, Daoism, and the Confucianism, as well as Christianity and new religious movements. We also will discuss issues crucial in the study of religion, such as the relation between religion and violence, gender, modernity, nationalism and war. 6; Humanities, Recognition and Affirmation of Difference Requirement; offered Winter 2008

RELG 152: Religion in Japanese Culture

An introduction to the major religious traditions of Japan, from earliest times to the present. Combining thematic and historical approaches, this course will scrutinize both defining characteristics of, and interactions among, various religious traditions, including worship of the kami (local dieties), Buddhism, shamanistic practices, Christianity, and new religious movements. We also will discuss issues crucial in the study of religion, such as the relation between religion and violence, gender, modernity, nationalism and war. 6; Humanities, Recognition and Affirmation of Difference Requirement; offered Fall 2007 -- A. Sango

RELG 153: History of East Asian Religions

This course offers an overview of the major religious traditions of East Asia, including Buddhism, Daoism, Confucianism, and Christianity, as developed and practiced in the history of China, Korea, and Japan. Throughout the course, we approach the history of East Asian religions as processes of interactions, border-crossing, acculturation, and mutual alteration. We will pay special attention to East Asian religions in the modern period (especially their encounter with the West), as well as to their contemporary developments in East Asian and American societies. 6; Humanities, Recognition and Affirmation of Difference Requirement; not offered 2007-2008 -- A. Sango

RELG 154: Daoism

Classics of Daoist wisdom such as the Laozi and Zhuangzi have become popular in the West, but the Daoist religion--with its misty heavens, majestic deities, stirring rituals, and quiet cultivation of bodily energies--is still largely unknown here. This course will cover the whole spectrum of Chinese Daoism, including Daoist history, practices, ideas, and ways of life, allowing students to gain a general understanding of this ancient and vital religious tradition. 6; Humanities, Recognition and Affirmation of Difference Requirement; not offered 2007-2008

RELG 160: Psychology and Religion: Freud, Jung and James

As approaches to human experience, religion and psychology have been regarded variously as entirely distinct, as interpenetrating, and as adversaries. What are the issues involved in approaching religion from a psychological perspective? Is it possible to bring psychology and religion into conversation without reducing one to the terms of the other? In this course we will explore the modern history of this interdisciplinary conversation through an in-depth study of its three most influential theorists: William James, Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. 3; Humanities; not offered 2007-2008

RELG 211: Religion and Modern Literature

An exploration of the religious significance of selected works of fiction, poetry, and drama by literary artists of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The close literary analysis of these texts will be accompanied by a unifying interest in the problem of faith and doubt in the modern era and in the various stances adopted by modern thinkers with regard to historical religious traditions. 6; Humanities; not offered 2007-2008

RELG 220: Patriarchs, Priests, Prophets and Poets (Hebrew Bible)

The central religious beliefs and moral values of ancient Israel will be explored both in relation to other ancient Near Eastern cultures and as the basis of later developments in Judaism and Christianity. Attention will also be given to the diversity of literary genres exemplified in the Hebrew Bible and to the problems of interpreting biblical texts. 6; Humanities; offered Fall 2007 -- L. Newman

RELG 221: Jesus, Paul, and Christian Origins (New Testament)

This course introduces students to the diverse literature and theologies of the New Testament and to the origins and social worlds of early Christian movements. Possible topics include: Jesus and his message; Paul and women's spiritual authority; non-canonical gospels (Mary, Thomas, Judas, etc.); relations between Christians and Jews in the first century; and more. Attention is given to the interpretation of New Testament texts in their historical settings, and to the various ways contemporary scholars and groups interpret the New Testament as a source for theological reflection. 6; Humanities; offered Winter 2008 -- L. Pearson

RELG 224: Women and Christianity

This course first examines women's historical involvement in Christianity and the various views on women held by influential Christians of the past. It then probes literary and theological texts that reflect the efforts of contemporary thinkers to understand and transform a tradition they find both oppressive and liberating where justice for women is concerned. A diverse range of contemporary authors (including African-American, Chinese-American, European-American, and Mexican-American) invite reflection on topics such as God-language, Christian missions, race, class, spirituality, sexuality, and environmental justice. 6; Humanities; not offered 2007-2008

RELG 225: Catholic Life and Thought

This course will consider selected aspects of Roman Catholic theology, ethics, and spirituality, with attention to the theme of continuity and change in the history of this religious tradition. Topics covered will include modern controversies over scriptural and papal authority, the ongoing development of moral teaching, the role of the laity, and various contemporary issues. Previous study of Christianity is recommended but not required. 6; Humanities; offered Winter 2008 -- A. Patrick

RELG 226: Muhammad in History and Memory

The life of Muhammad has been enshrined in a wealth of narrative and ritual sources from the seventh century to the present. The first part of the course will discuss recent, highly controversial attempts to reconstruct "the historical Muhammad" in critical academic literature. The latter half of the course will draw from classical Islamic historiography, festivals celebrating the Prophet's birth, modern literature, and film to survey the rich variety of ways Muslims have memorialized the life of the Prophet. 6; Humanities; not offered 2007-2008

RELG 227: Liberation Theologies

An introduction to black theology, Mexican-American theology, Latin American liberation theology, and feminist theology through writings of various contemporary thinkers. Attention will be directed to the social settings out of which these thinkers have emerged, their critiques of "traditional" theologies, and the new vision of Christian life they are developing. Previous study of Christianity is recommended but not required. 6; Humanities, Recognition and Affirmation of Difference Requirement; offered Fall 2007 -- A. Patrick

RELG 228: Issues in Christian Ethics

With attention to classical thinkers and contemporary debates, this course explores how various Christians understand the ethical implications of their faith. Using a case method approach, we will probe such topics as: ethical decision making; discipleship in a pluralistic culture; conscience and the authority of scripture, church, and tradition; and, moral issues related to developments in science and society, such as bioethical questions and gay marriage. Previous study of Christianity is recommended but not required. 6; Humanities; offered Winter 2008 -- A. Patrick

RELG 229: Middle East Mosaics Program: Egyptian Religions from the Pyramid Age through the Beginnings of Islam

This three-week course, to be taught in Cairo, will be complemented by tours of the Egyptian Museum, visits to the pyramids at Saqqara and Dashur, and to the Coptic quarter in the Old City of Cairo. 3; Humanities; offered Winter 2008 -- R. Oden

RELG 231: Protestant Thought

Who is God? What is faith? Protestants have offered surprisingly diverse responses to these and other questions concerning the nature of humanity, its relation to God, and its place in the world. This course engages classic theological questions posed by Protestant thinkers from the Reformation through the modern period. Focus is on the interpretation of texts and movements (such as Lutheranism, Calvinism, pietism, Puritanism, abolitionism, romanticism, and existentialism) in their historical contexts and contemporary relevance. The course also explores the relationship of Protestant thought to Catholicism, to the rise of secular rationality, and to movements for social justice. 6; Humanities; not offered 2007-2008

RELG 234: Way of Wisdom: Job and Ecclesiastes

How do religious people respond when their time-honored doctrines no longer explain their experience? How can one believe in a benevolent God in the face of suffering, or in life's essential goodness in the face of human mortality? These are some of the questions that troubled the ancient writers of the biblical books of Job and Ecclesiastes. This course explores these two classic examples of "wisdom literature," as well as the efforts of contemporary writers to build on their insights. Prior study of the Bible is not a prerequisite. 6; Humanities; not offered 2007-2008

RELG 243: Native American Religious Freedom

This course explores historical and legal contexts in which Native Americans have practiced their religions in the United States. Making reference to the cultural background of Native traditions, and the history of First Amendment law, the course explores landmark court cases in sacred lands, peyotism, free exercise in prisons, and sacralized traditional practices (whaling, fishing, hunting) and critically examines the conceptual framework of "religion" as it has been applied to the practice of Native American traditions. Service projects will integrate academic learning and student involvement in matters of particular concern to contemporary native communities. 6; Humanities, Recognition and Affirmation of Difference Requirement; offered Spring 2008 -- M. McNally

RELG 249: Religion and American Public Life

This course explores the contentious place of religion in American public life. What roles do religious organizations and religious motivations play in the public arenas of electoral politics, policy-making, schools, courts, social service delivery, media, and marketplace? What roles ought they play? In a pluralistic society, how are Americans to balance diverse moral positions with our shared civic life? Engaging the insights of sociologists of religion, legal scholars, ethicists, political theorists, and cultural critics this course will refine the language with which we address such broad questions. Students will apply those insights to focused critical analyses of issues they choose. 6; Humanities; not offered 2007-2008

RELG 250: Hindu Traditions

An exploration of selected texts and topics from the dominant religious tradition of India. Drawing from both classical and modern sources, we consider a range of expressions of Hindu religiousness, from philosophic speculation, to mythic narrative, yogic practice, daily ritual, ecstatic devotion, and social and ethical prescription. Religion 150 is recommended but not required. 6; Humanities, Recognition and Affirmation of Difference Requirement; offered Spring 2008 -- W. Elison

RELG 251: Theravada Buddhism

Study of Buddhism's beginnings in India and its spread to Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia, where it is a dominant religious and cultural form. The first part of the course focuses on Theravadin interpretations of the Buddha's life and basic teachings, as found in the Pali canon. The second part of the course analyzes Buddhism's function as a cultural system in one or more Theravadin society, with special attention to such issues as Buddhist legitimization of secular power, popular religious practices, the relation between monks and laity, and the role of women. Religion 150 recommended but not required. 6; Humanities, Recognition and Affirmation of Difference Requirement; offered Spring 2008 -- R. Jackson

RELG 253: Tibetan Buddhism

Against a background of the essential ideas and practices of Mainstream and Mahayana Buddhism, this course examines the development within Mahayana of the esoteric traditions of Tantra, and then traces the rise and development of the complex, Tantra-dominated Buddhism of Tibet. Topics include the role of the lama, ideas about death and reincarnation, tantric meditative practices, debates about such doctrines as emptiness and skillful means, the place of women, and the history of the Dalai Lamas. Religion 150 is recommended but not required. 6; Humanities, Recognition and Affirmation of Difference Requirement; not offered 2007-2008

RELG 258: Women and Buddhism

This course explores various, often contradictory, images and roles of women in Buddhism from cross-cultural and comparative perspectives. First, we examine how women's sexuality and spiritual capacity are perceived in different strands of Buddhism that were developed in South and East Asian societies. Then we probe the ways in which Buddhist ideas both reflected and prescribed the gender roles practiced in these societies. Special attention will be given to women's efforts to understand and appropriate the resources of Buddhist traditions to address the social problems they encounter. 6; Humanities, Recognition and Affirmation of Difference Requirement; offered Fall 2007 -- A. Sango

RELG 259: Visual Cultures of South Asia

Are ways of seeing and showing culturally specific? Mainly anthropological in spirit but drawing also on approaches from art history and media studies, this course will present and theorize a range of visual practices specific to the societies of historical and contemporary South Asia. Contexts include various religious practices, including but not limited to Hindu visual worship, or darshan; classical and contemporary art and architecture; norms of self-presentation (or self-effacement) involving religion, caste, and especially gender; performance genres; political spectacle; and cinema, both ethnographic works and commercial productions. 6; Recognition and Affirmation of Difference Requirement, Does not fulfill a distribution requirement; offered Winter 2008 -- W. Elison

RELG 261: Beyond Hindu and Muslim: The Lives of Indian Saints

Charismatic teachers--Hindu and Sikh gurus and Muslim pirs--have been prominent as interlocutors between religious communities in South Asia. This course will examine how this cross-pollination produces a mutual flowering in the early modern period, with Bhakti and Sufism developing kindred concepts and attitudes, including a complementary mistrust of institutional authorities, a fondness for rhetorical paradox, and an emphasis on eroticism and mystical ecstasy. We will consider studies of the careers and cults of holy men and women from the medieval period to the present alongside critical readings of primary texts, including poems, songs, and films. 6; Humanities; offered Spring 2008 -- W. Elison

RELG 263: Sufism

A survey of the large complex of Islamic intellectual and social perspectives subsumed under the term Sufism. Sufi mystical philosophies, liturgical practices and social organizations have been a major part of the Islamic tradition in all historical periods, and sufism has also served as the primary muse behind Islamic aesthetic expression in poetry, music, and the visual arts. We will treat the material in three sections: basics of Sufism, historical evolution of the tradition, and the impact of modern ideas. The course aims to deepen students' understanding of Islam and to underscore the diversity of human ways of being religious in the world. 6; Humanities; not offered 2007-2008

RELG 266: Islamic Conversions: The Muslim Presence in South Asia

A survey exploring Islamic orthodoxies and heterodoxies in South Asia. We will chart the process of Islam’s Indianization through a sequence of historical readings. The question "What’s South Asian about this?" then opens the way to ethnographic perspectives on themes of contemporary practice; possession and healing, dress and diet, ideology and relations with state and other authorities, caste. In the last third of the course we turn to representative literary texts for a view of how a distinctively Muslim cultural sensibility has come to be identified in both Pakistan and India with the language and letters of Urdu. 6; Humanities, Recognition and Affirmation of Difference Requirement; offered Winter 2008 -- W. Elison

RELG 269: Jewish Ethics

How do religious beliefs shape our moral perspectives? In this course we will examine the ways in which this has happened within the Jewish tradition, paying attention to both ethical theory (e.g., the relationship of law and ethics) and issues in applied ethics (e.g., war, sexual ethics, abortion). Both traditional and contemporary approaches to Jewish ethics will be examined. Prior study of religion and/or ethics will be useful, but is not required. 6; Humanities; offered Winter 2008 -- L. Newman

RELG 270: Philosophy of Religion

A study of classic issues in the philosophy of religion and philosophical theology. Possible topics include: the existence and nature of God; the status and nature of religious experience; the problem of evil; the meaning of faith, belief, and truth; definitions of the self and salvation; and the significance of religious pluralism for claims about truth and God. Readings are drawn from the work of modern and contemporary philosophers and theologians. Prerequisites: Previous work in religion or philosophy will be helpful but is not required. 6; Humanities; offered Spring 2008 -- L. Pearson

RELG 271: Religious and Moral Issues of the Holocaust

This course explores the profound theological and moral issues raised by the Nazi policy of systematic genocide. Attention will be given to a wide range of issues, including Jewish and Christian responses to these events, collaboration with the perpetrators, spiritual resistance, whether there are "unforgivable" crimes, and the use of scientific data from experiments on concentration camp inmates. Permission of the instructor required. 6; Humanities; offered Spring 2008 -- L. Newman

RELG 273: Indian Philosophy

An introduction to the classical philosophical tradition of India. The primary emphasis is on reading and discussion of selected Hindu and Buddhist sources in English translation, though contemporary and comparative materials also may be included. In terms of the "fields" of Western philosophy, the major focus is on Indian approaches to metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics, with secondary consideration of logic, linguistic philosophy, and aesthetics. Some prior work in either Western philosophy or South Asian religion is highly desirable. 6; Humanities, Recognition and Affirmation of Difference Requirement; offered Fall 2007 -- R. Jackson

RELG 278: History of Christian Thought

This course imagines the history of Christian thought as a series of conversations between key thinkers in the tradition on selected topics such as salvation, grace, God, ethics and community. We will participate in these conversations together with significant Christian figures from the early Church, the Middle Ages, the Reformation, the Enlightenment, and contemporary Christianities. We will focus on the close reading of classic and contemporary texts and will interpret, contextualize and critique these texts in an effort to understand the intellectual conflicts and continuities that comprise Christian theology. 6; Humanities; not offered 2007-2008

RELG 283: Religion and Sexuality

Sex confronts us viscerally in our biological drives. It confronts us socially as the historical construction called "sexuality." And sex confronts us spiritually as a set of religious problems and religious solutions. In this course we will first study how theorists from the fields of comparative religion, psychoanalysis, critical history, and evolutionary science approach the topic of religion and sex/sexuality. We will then look at how religion and sexuality have intersected in different societies, with a focus on alchemy in medieval Europe, medieval China, and modern American alternative religion. This course will concentrate on theory and historical cases rather than contemporary controversies. 6; Humanities; not offered 2007-2008

RELG 300: Issues in the Study of Religion

This seminar is designed to acquaint junior religion majors with some of the basic theories, methods, and problems in the field of religious studies. 6; Humanities; offered Spring 2008 -- L. Newman

RELG 319: Bioethics: Christian Approaches

In 2005 the Terry Schaivo case brought national attention to disputes within American Christian groups on issues of medical care. This seminar will probe why such differences, which cut across denominational lines, have developed, and how Catholic and Protestant scholars are addressing the debated questions. It will also serve as a general introduction to Christian bioethics, examining theological principles regarding health care and biomedical research, and practical topics including issues surrounding the beginning and end of human life, genetic engineering, medical futility, and the allocation of health care resources. Previous study of ethics or Christianity is recommended but not required. 6; Humanities; not offered 2007-2008

RELG 322: Gender and God-Talk: Christian Feminist Theologies

How have thinkers from Black, White, Asian, and Latina backgrounds responded to the claim that Christianity is hopelessly patriarchal, which philosopher Mary Daly advanced in Beyond God the Father three decades ago? This seminar probes Daly's challenge and the ensuing developments in Christian biblical, ethical, and theological studies. Catholic and Protestant writers from within and beyond the United States will be studied on such topics as gender and biblical interpretation, God-language, redemption, the Virgin Mary, sexual ethics, and ecofeminism. Some prior knowledge of Christianity is highly recommended. 6; Humanities; offered Fall 2007 -- A. Patrick

RELG 327: Genesis

This course will address two central concerns through an in-depth study of the book of Genesis: hermeneutics--the problems and possibilities of textual interpretation, and theology--the ways in which religious communities and individuals reflect on the meaning of sacred events. This important biblical book raises an extraordinary range of issues, including cosmogony, the nature of humankind, faith, familial relationships, politics, sex and violence. Materials will be drawn from both classical and modern commentaries. Prior work in literature or religion helpful, but not necessary. 6; Humanities; not offered 2007-2008

RELG 328: Contemporary Jewish Thought

This seminar introduces students to contemporary (Post-World War II) Jewish theology. We will explore the creative and diverse ways in which modern Jewish thinkers have combined elements of modernity (e.g. the emphasis on autonomy and freedom) with traditional Jewish beliefs about God, revelation, and redemption. The course will include representative selections from rationalists and mystics, feminists, traditionalists and post-modernists. Prior study of religion and/or philosophy will be helpful. 6; Humanities; not offered 2007-2008

RELG 329: Theology, Tradition, and Culture

What is the identity of Christianity? Does Christianity have an essence? How do we speak of Christianity, given its diversity of expression? Do religious traditions have boundaries? If so, who constructs them, and how? This course will explore issues at the crossroads of theology, tradition, and culture. We begin by analyzing different understandings of theology's relationship to culture. We then examine competing ways of defining tradition, drawing on theological, anthropological, philosophical, sociological, and historical methods. Throughout the term, we consider the implications of relativism, pluralism, and diversity for theological reflection on the nature of traditions and the "identity" of religious communities. 6; Humanities; not offered 2007-2008

RELG 331: God, Lovesickness, and Wine

From the seventh century to the present, poetry has been a mainstay of religious and cultural expression in numerous Islamic societies. In this course, we will explore the literary and social sides of this phenomenon by examining materials from a number of Asian and African societies. We will treat original poetry from different major and minor Islamic languages accompanied by contemporary literary theory. In addition, we will look at social aspects of poetry such as musical and recitative performance, mystical and political usage, and the lives of poets. Some prior knowledge of Islam or literary theory would be helpful. 6; Humanities, Recognition and Affirmation of Difference Requirement; not offered 2007-2008

RELG 344: Lived Religion in America

The practices of popular, or local, or lived religion in American culture often blur the distinction between the sacred and profane and elude religious studies frameworks based on the narrative, theological, or institutional foundations of "official" religion. This course explores American religion primarily through the lens of the practices of lived religion with respect to ritual, the body, the life cycle, the market, leisure, and popular culture. Consideration of a wide range of topics, including ritual healing, Christmas, cremation, and Elvis, will nourish an ongoing discussion about how to make sense of lived religion. 6; Humanities; offered Spring 2008 -- M. McNally

RELG 350: Emptiness

An exploration of the central concept of Mahayana Buddhism, shunyata, translated as emptiness. We will trace prefigurations of emptiness in early Buddhism, then examine its classical expression in the Perfection of Wisdom sutras and the treatises of the Madhyamaka school, and its gnostic application in tantric traditions. Throughout, we will try to understand how the "emptiness factor" affects basic questions in Buddhist metaphysics, epistemology, meditation-theory, and ethics. Our primary focus will be on Indian and Tibetan texts, but we also will consider interpretations from East Asian and modern Buddhist writers, and reflect on emptiness vis à vis Western philosophies. 6; Humanities, Recognition and Affirmation of Difference Requirement; not offered 2007-2008

RELG 356: Buddhism and Ecology

Both environmental scholars and activists have been vigorously discussing the role that religion plays in shaping our attitudes towards the environment. In this course, we carry on this conversation through a unique vantage point, Buddhism. Western environmentalists often assume Buddhism to be "eco-friendly." Together, we will critically rethink this benign image, exploring the parallels and the divergences between Buddhism and ecological practice, as well as the problems and the prospects of Buddhist environmentalism. 6; Humanities, Recognition and Affirmation of Difference Requirement; offered Winter 2008 -- A. Sango

RELG 380: Radical Critiques of Christianity

This course introduces students to some of the most radical critiques brought against the foundations of Christian theology (by philosophers and theologians, outsiders and insiders, alike) in the modern period. We examine critiques concerning the authority and historical veracity of scripture, the nature and status of Christian doctrines, the true meaning of faith, the relation between Christian theology and oppressive power, and the value of Christian morality. We also consider the work of Christian theologians who have embraced these critical perspectives and who have put them to use in their efforts to reform and redefine Christianity. Prerequisites: Prior coursework in philosophy or Christian theology is desirable, but there is no prerequisite for the course. 6; Humanities; offered Winter 2008 -- L. Pearson

RELG 381: Religion and Nationalism

From the pageantry of patriotic rituals to the bloody sacrifices of martyrdom, the link between religion and nationalism is unmistakable. In this course, we will ask: Is nationalism itself a religion? How does religious identity support and/or undermine nationalism? Is religious nationalism necessarily violent? Is it compatible with democracy? What are the religious ethics of nationalism? Drawing on diverse disciplines, we will focus on the dynamics of religion and nationalism in selected cases (examples may include the U.S., Ireland, Israel, and the former Yugoslavia). We will conclude by considering religious responses to the problems (and possibilities) of nationalism. Background in Religion recommended, but not required. 6; Humanities; not offered 2007-2008

RELG 399: Senior Research Seminar

This seminar will acquaint students with research tools in various fields of religious studies, provide an opportunity to present and discuss research work in progress, hone writing skills, and improve oral presentation techniques. Prerequisite: Religion 300 and acceptance of proposal for senior integrative exercise and instructor's permission. 6; Does not fulfill a distribution requirement; offered Winter 2008 -- R. Jackson

RELG 400: Integrative Exercise

3; S/NC; Does not fulfill a distribution requirement; offered Winter 2008, Spring 2008 -- Staff