Religious Studies (RLST)

RLST 104 - Introduction to the Bible. 3 Credits.

This course offers an introduction to the modern study of the Bible, including both the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and the New Testament. It assumes no prior knowledge of religion, the Bible, Judaism or Christianity. The goal of the course is to understand the Bible?s literary structures and themes and its ancient historical contexts. It will approach the Bible from comparative, historical, literary, anthropological and archeological perspectives to illuminate the world of its authors.

RLST 191 - Special Topics. 1-9 Credits.

(R-9) Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

RLST 198 - Internship. 1-6 Credits.

(R-6) Prereq., consent of faculty supervisor and the Internship Services office. Extended classroom experience which provides practical application of classroom learning during placements off campus. A maximum of 6 credits of Internship (198, 298, 398, 498) may count toward graduation.

RLST 202X - Hindu Traditions. 3 Credits.

Critical exploration of selected aspects of Hindu thought, narrative and practice, both in contemporary and historical perspective. Focus primarily on India, but with consideration of Hinduism's transformation and impact beyond South Asia.

RLST 204 - Intro to the Hebrew Bible. 3 Credits.

An introduction to the history, religion, and literature of ancient Israel and to modern methods in Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) studies. Includes an introduction to the history and religions of ancient West Asia.

RLST 232 - Buddhism. 3 Credits.

A historical introduction to the development of Buddhist thought and practice in the cultures of Asia and the West.

RLST 238H - Japanese Religions. 3 Credits.

Offered at least once every two years. An introductory exploration of Japan's unique religious synthesis of Buddhist, Shinto, Taoist, Confucian and folk/shamanistic traditions.

Gen Ed Attributes: Historical Studies

RLST 281E - Comparative Ethics. 3 Credits.

An examination of central theological teachings and modes of ethical reasoning of major religious traditions with models from the East and West.

Gen Ed Attributes: Ethical & Human Values Course

RLST 291 - Special Topics. 1-9 Credits.

(R-9) Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

RLST 292 - Independent Study. 1-6 Credits.

(R-6) Course material appropriate to the needs and objectives of the individual student.

RLST 300 - Theory & Method Study of Relig. 3 Credits.

A survey of modern theories and methods in the study of religion. Overview of sociological, anthropological, psychological, phenomenological, comparative, cognitive, and other approaches to the question, What is religion?

RLST 310 - Topics in Biblical Studies. 3 Credits.

(R-6) Selected topics in modern Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and New Testament studies. Focus on history, literature, and religions of ancient West Asia, the Mediterranean and North Africa. Topics vary from year to year and include: Israelite religion; prophets and prophecy; biblical history and historiography; ancient Gospels; the letters and communities of Paul; early biblical interpretation; archaeology and iconography of ancient religions; religion and politics in the Bible.

RLST 320 - Ancient Judaism & Early Christianity. 3 Credits.

(R6) Survey of the history and literature of ancient Judaism and early Christianity. Topics include: the emergence of Judaism and Christianity in the Persian, Greek, and Roman empires; religions of ancient West Asia and the Mediterranean; stories of Jewish and Christian origins; the historical Jesus; the early rabbinic movement; the Dead Sea Scrolls; Paul between Judaism and Christianity.

RLST 335 - Western Religious Thought I. 3 Credits.

Selected studies in the intellectual history of western religions, alternating between studies of periods and seminal thinkers. Emphasis will be on the ancient and medieval periods.

RLST 336 - Western Religious Thought II. 3 Credits.

Selected studies in the intellectual history of western religions, alternating between studies of periods and seminal thinkers. Emphasis will be on the late medieval and early modern periods.

RLST 353 - Topics in South Asia Religions. 3 Credits.

(R-6) This course will examine select topics of central importance with respect to the history of interaction between the major religions (Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism) of South Asia.

RLST 354 - Topics in East Asia Religions. 3 Credits.

(R-6) This course will examine select topics of central importance with respect to the history of interaction between the major religions (Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, and folk animism and shamanism) of East Asia.

RLST 366 - Tibetan Civilization. 3 Credits.

An exploration of the history and culture of a unique civilization that has influenced greatly the cultures of Himalayan, East, and South Asia. Special attention will be given to Tibetan religions, but these will be explored within the context of the society's political, social, economic, and other cultural developments.

RLST 368 - Contemporary Buddhism in S/SEAsia. 3 Credits.

As with other major religions, modernity and globalization have presented profound challenges to Buddhist traditions. In this course we will explore various contemporary issues that have affected Theravada Buddhist societies--colonial and post-colonial revivalism, religious nationalism, women's rights and social reform--as case studies in some of the major ways in which religions have confronted modernity.

RLST 369 - Contemplative Traditions of Asia. 3 Credits.

An exploration of the rich and diverse approaches to mental transformation and cultivation of gnosis as developed by several of Asia's major religious traditions, such as Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism, Taoism, and Confucianism.

RLST 370 - Mysticism. 3 Credits.

(R-6) An inquiry into the literature and interpretation of mysticism in the major religious traditions. Each offering will focus on a specific tradition or period.

RLST 376 - Contemporary Religious Thought. 3 Credits.

(R-6) Study of selected major critical and constructive proposals in modern religious thought in various traditions.

RLST 391 - Special Topics. 1-12 Credits.

(R-12) Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

RLST 392 - Independent Study. 1-6 Credits.

(R-6) Course material appropriate to the needs and objectives of the individual student.

RLST 491 - Special Topics. 1-12 Credits.

(R-12) Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

RLST 492 - Independent Study. 1-9 Credits.

(R-9) Prereq., consent of instr. Work on selected problems by individual students under direct faculty supervision.