Fall 2009 Religious Studies Course Descriptions

 

RELST 2655                        Introduction to Islamic Civilization                             3 Credits

Powers, D.                 MW     11:15-12:05                

Crosslisted with NES 2655, HIST 2530    

 

We consider the major themes of Islamic civilization as they developed from the lifetime of Muhammad until the twentieth century. While the readings provide the student with the chronology of Islamic history, lectures are devoted to an analysis of thematic units, such as art and architecture, science, and cities. The class meets three times weekly, and the classroom format is that of a lecture/discussion in which students are encouraged to participate actively. Lectures are accompanied by slide presentations when appropriate.   

 

Discussions:

Disc 201                     F          11:15-12:05     Staff

Disc 202                     F          12:20-1:10       Staff

Disc 203                     F          11:15-12:05     Staff

Disc 204                     F          12:20-1:10       Staff   

 

RELST 2724                        Introduction to the Hebrew Bible                                3 Credits

Monroe, L.                 MWF 12:20-1:10                   

Crosslisted with NES 2724, JWST 2724

 

Though many recognize the centrality of the Tanakh/ Old Testament/Hebrew Bible in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, and its impact on world civilization, Voltaire's observation, made some three centuries ago, that the Bible is "more celebrated than known" has lost none of its validity. This course is an enterprise in bridging this gap through the careful reading of the biblical literature and the use of academic tools so that students develop the skills for reading and interpreting biblical texts in the light of modern approaches. The writings will be contextualized from their ancient Near Eastern setting to their later appropriation by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Finally, through writing and projects, students will have an opportunity to examine current interpretations of the Hebrew Bible in art, music, literature, film, sport, politics, popular culture, academic discussions, or public controversies, and reflect on how these ancient texts still influence us in the digital age. Because of the shortage of time to entertain topics of limitless potential we will need to be highly selective.

 

RELST 3212            Qur’an and Commentary                                                            3 Credits

Powers, D.                 TR       8:40-9:55                    

Crosslisted with:  NES 3212

                       

This course is an advanced study of classical Arabic through a close reading of selected chapters of the Qur’an, together with the Qur’anic commentary (tafsir) and other relevant literature. Special attention is given to grammar, syntax, and lexicography.

 

RELST 3280            Literature of the Old Testament                                  4 Credits

Carmichael, C           TR       8:40-9:55

Crosslisted with:  COML 3280

 

Analysis of small sections of well-known material for in-depth discussion.

 

RELST 3353            Mysticism in Chinese Religion                                      4 Credits

Boucher, D.               MW     2:55-4:10                                

Crosslisted with:  ASIAN 3353


This course will examine techniques of spiritual cultivation in both the Daoist and Buddhist traditions of China. In particular we will compare and contrast methods which focus on the manipulation of bodily energies and fluids, particularly in the early and medieval Daoist traditions, with the Buddhist emphasis on cognitive transformation, particularly in the Chan school. Some of our discussion will also look at the debates on the nature of mystical states as "pure consciousness events” on the one hand and culturally-specific constructions on the other.

 

RELST 3460                        Modernization of the American Mind                         4 Credits

Moore, L                    TR       11:15-12:05                

Crosslisted with HIST 3460, AMST 3460

 

American thought and culture from 1890 to the present. Emphasizes the intellectual impact of major political and economic events and the adaptation of social ideas and values to new conditions.

 

Discussion:

Disc 202                     R         1:25-2:15         Staff

 

RELST 3635                        Christianization/Roman World                                      4 Credits

Rebillard, E.             MW     8:40-9:55                                

Crosslisted with:  CLASS 3625, NES 3625, HIST 3625

 

In the fourth century CE the emperors decided to favor Christianity and shortly thereafter to forbid non-Christian activity. The ‘end of paganism’ however did not occur all at once if it ever did. The study of the Christianization of the Roman world is concerned with both the impact of Christian belief and practice on the late antique society and the resistance and/or persistence of the old beliefs and practices. This seminar will focus on the approaches to the problem of Christianization and on its documentation. Through readings and discussion, we will chart the transformations of the Roman world from 300 to 600 CE and try to get a better understanding of what remains one of the most fascinating historical problems of the ancient world.

 

RELST 4100                        Latin Philosophical Texts                                               1-4 Credits
Brittain, C. & S. MacDonald           TBA

Crosslisted with:  PHIL 4002

 

Reading and translation of Latin philosophical texts. Co-meeting with PHIL 6020.

 

RELST 4102            Biblical Hebrew Prose:  Genesis                                  4 Credits

Monroe, L.                 M         2:30-4:25                                

Crosslisted with:  NES 4102, JWST 4102

 

From the Garden of Eden to Noah’s Ark, from Abraham’s journey from Haran to Joseph’s coat of many colors, the book of Genesis contains stories that are at once familiar to Western readers, and foreign in their ancient Near Eastern setting. Through reading the book of Genesis in the original Hebrew, this course will address issues such as how the Israelites understood their origins, and their relationships with their God, Yahweh, their neighbors, and the land of Canaan itself, as well as how these themes are developed in biblical myth and folklore. Close attention will be paid to matters of grammar, syntax, and vocabulary in order to develop students’ skills in reading biblical Hebrew prose and to enhance their understanding of the Hebrew language itself as a window on ancient Israelite thought. Students will be expected to utilize commentaries, biblical Hebrew grammars and lexicons in their preparation of assigned texts. Prior training in Biblical Hebrew is required.  This course satisfies the Literature and the Arts distribution requirement.

 

RELST 4280            Biblical Seminar                                                                4 Credits

Carmichael, C           W        2:30-4:25

Crosslisted with:  COML 4280

 

A study of how biblical ethical and legal rules (in Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy) comment on incidents in the biblical narratives (Genesis-2 Kings). The link between law and narrative enables us to observe in detail how ancient thinkers evaluate ethical and legal problems of perennial interest.

 

RELST 4427            Buddhist Monasticism                                                     4 Credits

Boucher, D.              T          2:30-4:25                                

Crosslisted with:  ASIAN 4427

 

This seminar will investigate a range of monastic vocations and interests.  We will be particularly interested in the socio-economic impact of monasticism on Buddhist societies:  why have so many people dedicated so much capital to the preservation of an institution that seemingly contributes nothing to the economy?  We will also want to ask questions about monastic motivations:  why would someone choose to live this kind of life?  What are its advantages?  How do such choices influence monastic attitudes to the laity and, particularly, to women?

 

RELST 4462                        Religion, Colonialism and Nationalism                       4 Credits

Blackburn, A             TR       2:55-4:10          

Crosslisted with ASIAN 4462

 

Prerequisites: one course in ASIAN, RELST, HIST, ANTHR at 3000 level or above or permission of instructor.

 

RELST 4489                        Religion & Sustainability                                                4 Credits

Law, J. M.                  T          2:30-4:25                                

Crosslisted with:  ASIAN4489

 

The natural world and the relationship of human beings and animals to it and within it is a central component of cosmogonic myths and religious ideologies in most major religious traditions. In this course, we explore how mythological, textual, ritual and ideological understandings of the relationship between human beings and the natural world uniform understandings of the contemporary environmental crisis and the responsibility of human beings to address it. We will also explore how different approaches to environmentalism have tried to incorporate various religions. This class will focus on cases from Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Jewish, Christian and Muslim discourses on the natural world. We explore a variety of models of formulating the human/natural relationship: dominion, stewardship, illusion, primary sacrality and alienation. We challenge the view that grounding environmental activism in religious discourse is an effective way for environmental work to proceed and look at concrete case studies of religious communities working for, or against, environmental sustainability.

This course will include readings from primary sources in translation in the major religious traditions, and secondary sources relating to case studies. Because the class is a small seminar format, students who enroll in the class must be comfortable working closely with readings, and taking responsibility for participation in class and advance preparation for conversations.

 

RELST 4823                        Secular Disaffections: On Islam and the Politics of Emotion 4 Credits

Mas, R.                       W        2:30 - 4:25                              

Crosslisted with:  SHUM 4823, NES 4923


We will examine the role of affect, emotion and feeling in constituting secular subjectivities. How emotions are formulated to serve as the foundation of political concepts and projects is an important focus especially in terms of normative accounts and visceral reactions to Islam in contemporary Western liberal societies.  Limited to 15 students.

 

RELST 4990                        Directed Study                                                                   1-4 Credits

Staff                            TBA                                                   

 

For majors in Religious Studies; permission of director required.

 

RELST 4991                        Directed Study                                                                   1-4 Credits

Staff                            TBA                                       

 

For majors in Religious Studies; permission of director required.

 

RELST 4995                        Senior Honors Essay                                                        1-8 Credits

Staff                            TBA                                       

           

Required for Honors in Religious Studies.  Permission of Instructor required.

 

PHIL 6020                Latin Philosophical Texts                                               1-4 Credits
Brittain, C. & S. MacDonald           TBA

 

Reading and translation of Latin philosophical texts. Co-meeting with PHIL 4002.

Prerequisites: knowledge of Latin and permission of instructor.