Spring 2020 Courses

REL/ETH/PHIL 003 -- GLOBAL RELIGION, GLOBAL ETHICS (4) --- PROF. LLOYD STEFFEN 

Introduction to philosophical and religious modes of moral thinking, with attention given to ethical issues as they arise cross-culturally in and through religious traditions. The course will reference the United Nations Millennium Goals to consider family life and the role of women, social justice, the environment, and ethical ideals. Particular focus varies but may include one or more of the following: abortion and reproductive health, the death penalty, religiously motivated violence, and problems of personal disorder (heavy drinking, anorexia, vengeance).  (HU)

 

REL/ASIA 012 -- MOUNTAINS, BUDDHAS, ANCESTORS: INTRODUCTION TO EAST ASIAN RELIGIONS (4) -- PROF. ANNABELLA PITKIN

This course explores the principal religions of East Asia, including Buddhism, Daoism, Confucianism, Shinto, and Shamanic Traditions. What is each tradition’s view of human potential? How is ultimate reality depicted and experienced? What do home altars, boisterous festivals, and silent meditation halls have in common? Several primary texts are read in translation.  (HU)

 

REL/ASIA/GS 077 -- THE ISLAMIC TRADITION (4) -- PROF. KHURRAM HUSSAIN

A thematic introduction to Islamic history, doctrine and practice. Topics include: Qur’an; prophecy and sacred history; ritual practices; community life; legal interpretation; art and aesthetics; mysticism; politics and polemics.  (HU)

 

REL 095 -- KENDRICK LAMAR AND THE MAKING OF BLACK MEANING (4) -- PROF. CHRISTOPHER DRISCOLL & PROF. MONICA MILLER

Rap artist Kendrick Lamar has quickly been crowned one of hip-hop's G.O.A.Ts. Artistically adventurous, and socially conscious, Lamar is both unapologetic and intentional in using his art form to address fundamental aspects of human life--pain, humility, guilt, spirituality, self-confidence, mental health, and much more. Many liken K-Dot's albums to religious poetry that tells as much a journey about where Lamar has been, and is headed. From rap albums to interviews, this course interdisciplinarily explores the impact and "spirit" of Lamar’s corpus, while also highlighting how to study popular culture with the interdisciplinary tools of religion studies. Lamar's work provides an entry point into the intersectional study of race, religion, politics, and social life.  (HU)

 

REL 096 -- THE RELIGION OF DISNEY CORP.  (4) -- PROF. JODI EICHLER-LEVINE & PROF. KHURRAM HUSSAIN

In its vast scope, power, various forms of consumer products, and enormous intellectual property holdings (including Star Wars and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as well as its recent acquisition of 20th Century Fox), the Walt Disney Corporation has tremendous influence over modern American-- and global-- society. This course uses the rubric of "religion" to investigate both the fan culture surrounding Disney and its many properties, and the company's corporate aspirations, structure and ethos.  (HU)

 

REL 097 -- RELIGION AND THE PARANORMAL (4) -- PROF. CHRISTOPHER DRISCOLL

Government Conspiracies. UFOs. Bigfoot. Ghosts. Cattle Mutilations.  Free Energy.  Life after Death.  Angels and Demonic possession.  Psychics, Seances, Telepathy, and other Stuff They Don’t Want You to Know. Is any of this stuff real?  What does real mean, anyway?  Ask an “experiencer” and the answer is surely yes, but ask a skeptic and it is all make believe.  Some of the most well-known religious leaders, and many scholars of religion, too, focused attention on what today we call the paranormal.  It turns out, debates about the paranormal offer a wonderful window into the study of religion, and the question of how we understand and study human experience.  Are our experiences shared?  And if not, are they credible?  Following weekly case-studies, students will leave the class with the ability to critically compare various beliefs, and with awareness of the relationship between experience, belief, and what we know about the world.  Are you a believer?, and if so, in what?  “The truth is out there,” so come join us as we search for it in Religion and the Paranormal.  (HU)

 

REL 098 -- APOSTLES OF RACE (4) -- PROF. MONICA MILLER

Apostles of Race explores the intersections of race and religion through an examination of wide-range of American icons. This course explores the manner in which religion has been used racially, and race has been used religiously, through a recasting and remixing of identities and various forms of social difference. At stake are the social, cultural, historical, political, and economic interests that inform the many ways racialized identity is performed, perceived, organized, and functions.  (HU)

 

REL/AAS/ENGL/JST 102 -- PROMISED LANDS: JEWISH AND AFRICAN AMERICAN CHILDREN’S LITERATURE (4) -- PROF. JODI EICHLER-LEVINE

In the Hebrew Bible, Psalm 137 asks, “How can we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?” For Jews, blacks, and black Jews, this was and is a poignant question. This course examines how these two rich, often overlapping and interacting groups tell their stories in literature for children and young adults, with a particular focus on the mediation of traumatic pasts. What does it mean to imagine promised lands beyond such pasts—and can they be reached?  (HU)

 

REL/JST 123 -- ARMAGEDDON:  ENDTIME THINKING IN JUDAISM AND CHRISTIANITY (4) -- PROF. BENJAMIN WRIGHT

Thinking about how the world will end was an important feature of certain types of ancient Judaism. Early Christianity took over many of these ideas, and they became fundamental to later Christian theologies, including many that continue to be advocated today. This course will look at ancient Jewish and Christian texts that speak about the end of the world and will trace some of them through more contemporary developments in these two religious traditions.  (HU)

 

REL 159 -- ROMAN CATHOLICISM IN THE MODERN WORLD (4) -- PROF. MICHAEL RAPOSA

A survey of the various intellectual, cultural, political and ecclesiastical developments that have shaped contemporary Roman Catholic life and thought.  (HU)

 

REL/HMS/JST/PHIL 195 -- JUDAISM, MEDICINE, AND BIOETHICS (4) -- PROF. DENA DAVIS & PROF. HARTLEY LACHTER

This class traces the relationship between Jews and medicine from 1100 to 2020.  How does Jewish religion and culture cultivate an affinity for the healing arts?  How does Jewish law, ethics and culture inform contemporary bioethics?  (HU)

 

REL/GS 196 -- MUSLIMS AND MEDIA (4) -- PROF. ROBERT ROZEHNAL   (Writing Intensive)

Amid the global “war on terror,” media coverage of Islam and Muslims dominates news headlines around the world. At the same time, studies show the vast majority of Americans know virtually nothing about the basic facts of Islamic history, beliefs and practices—and the realities of everyday Muslim life around the world. Using webpages, social media, and films, this course explores how Muslims are portrayed in popular media narratives. With attention to a variety of cross-cultural and transnational settings, we also examine how tech-savvy Muslims deploy media to give voice to their own experiences. Topics include: Islamophobia, Islamic law, political Islam and terrorism, gender debates, music and pop culture, artistic and literary expressions, and Sufism.  (BUG, HU, WRIT)

 

REL/ASIA 197 -- ENLIGHTENING LIVES: BUDDHISTS AUTO/BIOGRAPHY IN ASIA  AND THE US (4) -- PROF. ANNABELLA PITKIN   (Writing Intensive)

How do Buddhists imagine a “good life”? Buddhist biographies, autobiographies, poems, paintings, and films from Asia and the US reveal how Buddhists describe an ideal human life, addressing love, art, war, religious awakening.  (BUG, HU, WRIT)

 

REL/AMST/PHIL 347 -- AMERICAN RELIGIOUS THINKERS (4) -- PROF. MICHAEL RAPOSA

An examination of the writings of key figures in the history of American religious thought (such as Edwards, Emerson, Bushnell, Peirce, James, Royce, Dewey and the Niebuhrs). Attention will be directed both to the historical reception of these writings and to their contemporary significance.  (HU)

 

REL 374 -- SEMINAR FOR MAJORS (4) -- PROF. HARTLEY LACHTER

A capstone seminar for departmental majors.  Considers the methodologies of religious studies and assesses current issues in the field.  Offers opportunities for in-depth work on a particular tradition under the guidance of a faculty member.  Offered in spring semester.  (HU)