Religion (RELI)

RELI 8036  AFRICANA RELIGIONS (3 credits)

An introduction to religions in Africa and the diaspora, including African Traditional Religions, Christianity, Islam, and Afro-Caribbean religious traditions, using anthropological, historical, and other academic approaches to the study of religious and spiritual traditions. In particular, students will learn about the role of spirits, ancestors, witches, and other invisible agents in ideas and practices regarding health and healing. Finally, the class will examine the complex inter-relationships between religious ideas and practices and contemporary post-colonial political-economic realities, including the consequences of genocide and other human rights violations and the role of religious communities in social and economic development. (Cross-listed with RELI 4030, BLST 8036, BLST 4030).

RELI 8066  FIRST NATIONS: SPIRIT IN ARTS AND CULTURES (3 credits)

First Nations: Spirit in Arts and Cultures explores how contemporary Indigenous/Native (First Nations, Metis and Inuit) artists in the lands now known as Canada express their cultures, especially beliefs, through the fine arts. While we will focus on visual culture (sculpture, painting, film, mixed media), literary works (a novel, poetry) and music will also be included. First Nations, Metis and Inuit artists often simultaneously express traditions, their own experiences, and reflections on the present and past through their work. By doing this, they share valuable perspectives on health and healing as well as the national process of Truth and Reconciliation. Trying, so much as possible, to let the artists speak for themselves, we will explore how spirituality manifests itself in contemporary cultures for these Indigenous artists north of the border. (Cross-listed with RELI 4060, NAMS 4060, NAMS 8066).

Prerequisite(s): Graduate student status

RELI 8156  JUDAISM IN THE MODERN AGE (3 credits)

A study of Jewish communities and movements since the Enlightenment emphasizing historical, intellectual, religious-legal, and socio-cultural developments. Pivotal movements (e.g., Hassidism, Reform, Historical Conservative Judaism, Modern Orthodoxy, Zionism) and major historical events (e.g., the American and French Revolutions, Tsarist oppression, the Holocaust/Shoah and the establishment of the State of Israel) will be analyzed for their ongoing impact on Jewish thought, practice, and social organization. (Cross-listed with RELI 4150)

RELI 8166  THE HOLOCAUST (3 credits)

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)

RELI 8176  HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY I (3 credits)

The development of Christian theological, ritual, and social practice from the beginnings of Christianity through the Reformation. History of Christianity from its origins in the first century through the sixteenth century movements for reform. (Cross-listed with RELI 4170).

RELI 8186  HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY II (3 credits)

This course will focus on the historical development of Christian ideas, practices, and institutions from the reformations of the sixteenth century CE through the early twenty-first century CE. In addition to the theological claims, students will examine the history of ritual practice and organizational development of the principal varieties of Christianity - Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and other eastern churches, Protestant, and Pentecostal. (Cross-listed with RELI 4180).

RELI 8206  COMPARATIVE RELIGIOUS ETHICS (3 credits)

An introduction to historical and contemporary approaches to comparative religious ethics, with special focus on specific case studies as encountered in societies and religious communities across the globe. In addition to reading authors from a variety of perspectives (Aristotelians, natural law theorists, philosophers of law, pragmatists, theologians, and historians of religion), students will be introduced to special topics in the field, e.g., religion and public life, religion and law, syncretism, the secular/non-secular divide, etc. This course supports the Ethics and Values concentration in the Master of Arts in Critical and Creative Thinking. (Cross-listed with RELI 4200, CACT 8206)

RELI 8216  PUBLIC HEALTH, RELIGION, AND HUMAN RIGHTS (3 credits)

This course examines the intersections among public health, religion, and human rights. It considers how human rights impact public health and vice versa; how human rights and religious thought impact each other; how religious communities approach issues of public health; and how religious thought and practice affects people's health. Topics include infectious diseases such as HIV and COVID-19; issues of stigma and discrimination in public health; social determinants of health such as poverty and environmental quality; and women's and LGBTQ+ health. Students will gain skills of textual analysis, dialogue, and argumentative reasoning in both written and verbal form. (Cross-listed with RELI 4210, CACT 8216)

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing.

RELI 8226  VIOLENT CONFLICTS, PEACEBUILDING, AND THE ETHICS OF INTERVENTION (3 credits)

This course is designed to familiarize the student with the nature of violent conflict, including terrorism, and a variety of the mechanisms for peacebuilding. The course will also explore human rights and the ethics of intervention. This course supports the Ethics and Values concentration in the Master of Arts in Critical and Creative Thinking. (Cross-listed with RELI 4220, CACT 8226)

RELI 8256  WAR, RELIGION, AND HUMAN RIGHTS (3 credits)

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).

RELI 8266  THE END OF THE WORLD: RELIGION AND APOCALYPSE (3 credits)

This course introduces students to sacred texts and their interpretation by "end of the world" groups across world history. Several ancient, medieval, and contemporary groups are discussed. Special attention is paid to the connections between apocalyptic and political movements, as well as religion and violence. (Cross-listed with RELI 4260).

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing

RELI 8406  WOMEN IN ISLAM (3 credits)

This course examines the religious, political and cultural assignments ascribed to Muslim women. Starting with the Qur'an, social, legal, and scriptural norms will be explored through the voices of Muslim women around the world. Passages of the Qur'an, hadiths and the commentaries that lead to the elevation and/ or demise of Muslim women and their rights are studied. Examining the role of the female body, sexuality and seclusion within a historical context will lead to an understanding of the gendering of women in Islam. (Cross-listed with RELI 4400)

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing.

RELI 8426  MUSLIMS IN AMERICA (3 credits)

This course is designed to familiarize the student with the multiplicity of Muslim voices in the United States and to examine the myths created through stereotyping and orientalizing. The course will also investigate how Muslims in America form identities as hybrids and transnationals and follows the chronological development of American Muslims including their identity construction, religious issues, and politics. (Cross-listed with RELI 4420)

Prerequisite(s): Graduate Standing.

RELI 8456  HOLY TERROR: RELIGION AND HORROR (3 credits)

Examining the genre of horror in books, films, and television, students will explore the ways in which horror in its many forms illuminates upon an array of religious ideas. Some of the major subjects and themes examined in this class include: various cultural interpretations of sleep paralysis, the fear of death and dying badly, Hell and Satan, nature horror, body horror, and the breakdown of the established order of reality and its replacement with one that is alien and hostile to it. In addition to these themes, we will also explore horror in Native American and Eastern social and cultural contexts. Emphasis is placed on the genre's ability to portray complex religious, philosophical, sociological, and anthropological subject matter. (Cross-listed with RELI 4450).

RELI 8526  JESUS AND ARCHAEOLOGY (3 credits)

Jesus and Archaeology is a course surveying the material culture of Judea and Galilee in the time of Jesus. Studying materials is a new approach to the long study of the Historical Jesus Quest. By providing a large amount of archaeological data, this method contributes a critical mass on old debated questions such as the society in Judea and Galilee, rural versus urban, Hellenism versus Judaism, size, population and language of Galilee in the time of Jesus and much more. (Cross-listed with RELI 4520).

RELI 8556  JESUS IN FILM (3 credits)

This course is a study of how the life of Jesus of Nazareth has been portrayed in cinema over the past century. Emphasis will be placed upon the ways in which the biblical sources are adapted for films, how Jesus films reflected and influenced the values and beliefs of the times in which they were made, and the reception by audiences of the diverse film representations of Jesus. (Cross-listed with RELI 4550).

RELI 8606  WOMEN AND RELIGION (3 credits)

This course on women and religion will focus on the intersections of power and oppression that women experience in four of the major world religions - Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, and Islam. Students will examine the historical, cultural and religious contexts that highlight women's involvement or exclusion from activity and power within each religion. Students will research case studies from around the world to examine tensions within and between religious and secular societies through the lens of gender. (Cross-listed with RELI 4600).

RELI 8756  RELIGION, FILM, AND VIOLENCE (3 credits)

A study of the ways in which films represent violence and how these representations intersect with religious concepts. Topics will include how films express the justification or "sanctification" of violence as legitimate, redemptive violence, notions of sacrifice, and the nonviolent critique of violence. We will examine a variety of genres including action films, crime stories, horror, and religious films, noting their societal influence and how they express diverse values regarding violence and its legitimation. (Cross-listed with RELI 4700).

RELI 8836  ANCIENT GREEK MYTH, RELIGION & MAGIC (3 credits)

Students will examine the impact of ancient Greek myth and belief on actual religious practice: e.g., "lived" religion. Areas covered include formal civic sacrifice, wartime religion, family and personal devotions, mystery cults, oracles and seers, plus the popular pursuit of magic. (Cross-listed with HIST 8836, HIST 4830, RELI 4830).

RELI 8856  ROME AND THE EARLY CHURCH (3 credits)

Students will cover Roman-Christian-Jewish interactions from just before the birth of Jesus of Nazareth to c. 450 CE, with an emphasis on social and political history. We catalogue Christianity's transformation from its origins as a Jewish movement and an illegal "superstition" to the dominant religion of the Roman empire. (Cross-listed with HIST 8856, HIST 4850, RELI 4850).

Prerequisite(s): Junior standing.

RELI 8900  READINGS IN RELIGION (1-6 credits)

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.

Prerequisite(s): Graduate, permission of instructor, and no incompletes outstanding.