School of Arts
& Sciences

RS 244 Chinese Philosophy (3-0) 3

A study of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism with consideration of some dissenting views to these dominant schools of Chinese thought, such as Maoism and Legalism. We will investigate the theories of human nature, knowledge, and reality embraced by these philosophies, as well as their conceptions of ethics and politics. This course is the same as Phil 244; credit will be given for only one of these courses.

RS 261 Philosophy Of Religion (4-0) 4

An examination of different philosophical approaches to problems raised by religion. Readings are selected from sources representing widely differing points of view, e.g., those of phenomenology, feminism and liberation theology. Alternate fall terms. This course is the same as Phil 261; credit will be given for only one of these courses.

RS 297RS Tibetan Buddhism: Philosophy and Situation (0-15) 6

This course is designed to investigate the history, cosmology, and politics of Tibetan Buddhism-as well as some of the challenges it faces in the contemporary world-through readings, discussions, and the experience of visiting sites of significance to these issues. It presents Tibetan Buddhism as a metaphysical system through which a cultural/ethnic group sees and lives the world and the ways in which that metaphysics has come in conflict or has been adopted an adapted. The course looks at the ways Tibetan Buddhism (based on a metaphysics of "emptiness") comes in conflict with the political ideology and philosophy of materialism championed by Marxism and Capitalism, as well as the ways it has had to adapt to the contemporary world, and the ways in which it has been mystified and romanticized. This course is the same as Phil 297 and PS 297. Credit will be given for only one of these courses.

RS 305 Mesopotamian Myth/Religion (3-0) 3

A study of ancient Near Eastern myth/religion from the beginning of written history in Sumer (Mesopotamia) around 3000 B.C. into the early post-exilic period of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) in Israel around 500 B.C. Interconnections, influences, and innovations will be explored. Summer term. This course is the same as Hist 305; credit will be given for only one of these courses.

RS 306 Ancient Women's Religions (4-0) 4

A study of ancient women's religious practices and beliefs from Neolithic Europe, Sumer, and the ancient Near East, the Greco-Roman world and early Christianity. Fall term. This is the same as Hist 306; credit will be given for only one of these courses.

RS 308 Rise Of Christianity (4-0) 4

A study of the historical Jesus of Nazareth, Judaism, and first century Jewish Palestine under Roman domination. The development of Pauline Christianity and the struggle between orthodox and Gnostic Christians culminating in the final orthodox victory around 400 A.D. will be studied in depth. Winter term. This is the same as Hist 308; credit will be given for only one of these courses.

RS 310 Psychology Of Religion (4-0) 4

In this course, we will explore the psychology of spirituality and religious experience. Topics will include the history of Psychology of Religion; the motivational basis of religious participation; the relationship between mental health and religion; development of religious ideas across the lifespan; and social-psychological factors in religious conversion and commitment. On demand. This is the same as Psyc 310; credit will be given for only one of these courses.

Prerequisites: Psyc 110S Human Relations or Psyc 157 Introduction to Psychology.

RS 320 Indigenous Worldviews (4-0) 4

A survey of selected regional belief systems outside the major religious traditions treated in Phil 321. Emphasis is on philosophical foundations of religious cultures native to the Americas, Africa, Asia, Australia, and Old Europe. Special attention is given to the mythic and other symbolic expressions of archaic consciousness in contemporary societies. Alternate fall and summer terms. This course is the same as Phil 320;credit will be given for only one of these courses.

RS 321 World Religions (4-0) 4

A study of the nature and history of the major contemporary religions of the world. Alternate fall and summer terms. This course is the same as Phil 321; credit will be given for only one of these courses.

RS 328 Christianity In U.S. History (4-0) 4

This course covers the role of Christianity in United States history from the nation's creation until today. The class will look at how mainline Christian denominations have shaped U.S. history and been in turn shaped by the American experience. Within this broad historical sweep of linking the past to the present important issues like the separation between church and state, and how the nation has gone from Protestant establishment to secularism as well as how law and politics have come to impact religion, will be examined. Fall term, alternate years. This course is the same as Hist 328; credit will be given for only one of these courses.

RS 355 East Asian Popular Religion (4-0) 4

This course examines East Asian popular religious practices in their historical, social and economic contexts. We begin with theoretical works and introductory lectures on ritual, sacred space, pilgrimage, and various East Asian philosophical and religious traditions, including Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism and Shinto. We will then focus on specific East Asian pilgrimages, sacred sites, rituals and myths, progressing from ancient to modern periods. This course is the same as Hist 355; credit will be given for only one of these courses.

RS 385 Historical Jesus (3-0) 3

This course investigates Jesus as an historical figure in the context of the religion, politics, economic, and culture of his time in Roman dominated Jewish Palestine. Historical critical methods will be employed to evaluate the major scholarly debates among secular, Christian, and Jewish scholars. Summer term.

RS 446 Ancient Israel And Judah (3-0) 3

This seminar explores ancient Israel from its beginnings around 1250 B.C. to the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth around 33 A.D. Topics include the historical and archaeological origins of Israel and Judah, Biblical composition and authors, the Babylonian exile, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and Jesus in Jewish and Christian historical context. Historiography and critical scholarship are emphasized. This course is recommended as a senior capstone course in Religious Studies. Winter term.