Courses
RL-110 What Is Religion (Fall; Yearly; 4.00 Credits; H,CW) This course serves as an introduction to religious studies. It engages some of the most important questions which preoccupy students of world religions. How do religions work? What kinds of issues does religion address?
RL-115 Viking Religion (Variable; Variable; 4.00 Credits; H,WK-HT) This course surveys the history, literature, religion, and culture of the Viking Age. We read the major mythologies of the Vikings, Sagas, and archeological evidence on practical aspects of Viking religious behaviors. We study cultural features such as housing, politics, blacksmithing, and shipbuilding. Pre- or Co-Req: FYC-101 or EN-110 or EN-109.
RL-123 World Religions (Variable; Yearly; 4.00 Credits; H,I,CS,SW-GE) This class looks at how global religions engage with contemporary challenges and issues. We will discuss scriptures, rituals, and current events primarily based on sources within each tradition. Pre-Req or Co-Req: FYC-101 or EN-110 or EN-109. (Formerly titled Global Religions Today)
RL-131 Old Testament As History and Literature (Variable; Yearly; 4.00 Credits; H,I) An introduction to the historical-critical reading of the Old Testament against the background of the history, politics, religion, literature, and culture of the ancient Middle East. This course studies how these Israelites texts were written and how their literary qualities shape their religious meanings.
RL-132 New Testament As History and Literature (Variable; Yearly; 4.00 Credits; H) An introduction to the historical-critical reading of the New Testament against the background of the history, politics, religion, literature, and culture of the ancient Mediterranean world. This course studies how these early Christian texts were written and how their literary qualities shape their religious meanings.
RL-199 RL Special Topics (Variable; Variable; 1.00-4.00 Credits) An examination of an area of study not regularly included in the departmental offerings. Titles will vary. Students may take each special topics course for credit.
RL-210 Sacred Landscapes (Either Semester; Variable; 3.00 Credits; H,CTDH) This course explores the relationship between the experience of geography and religious ideology. We take various environments-mountainous, oceanic, desert, forest, plains-and try to connect the religious thoughts of their inhabitants to the geography.
RL-230 Religions of India (Either Semester; Yearly; 4.00 Credits; H,I,CW,SW-GE) An introduction to religions originating in or having a major impact on contemporary India, including Hinduism, Sikhism, and Islam. We will engage with rituals, mythology, and sacred texts from each tradition. The emphasis in this class is on what makes these traditions compelling to the people who practice them. Pre- or Co-Req: FYC-101 or EN-110 or EN-109.
RL-235 Religion and Nature (Variable; Yearly; 4.00 Credits; H,I,CA,CW,WK-HT) What is the relationship between religious/ spiritual worldviews and the ways humans interact with the natural world? We will examine religious views of nature, wilderness, pollution, and climate change, as well as ways in which these worldviews have led to harm to environmental systems. Students will also spend time examining their own relationships with the natural world. Pre-Req or Co-Req: FYC-101 or EN-110 or EN-109
RL-250 Women in the Bible (Variable; Variable; 4.00 Credits; CA,H,WK-HT) This course focuses on the female characters in the Bible and on its teachings about the social and religious roles specific to women. The course studies those texts in both their ancientand modern contexts, with special attention to how they interact with culture and explores what meanings those biblical passages can have for women (and men) today. Prerequisite: FYC-101 or EN-110 or EN-109
RL-265 U.S. Religious Diversity (Variable; Yearly; 4.00 Credits; CA,H,CW,SW-US) The United States has become an increasingly religiously diverse nation, especially since the end of the Asian Exclusion Act in 1965. This course looks at the history of conflict, cooperation, and power dynamics between different religious groups in the United States, as well as how religious diversity has impacted, and been impacted by, American politics. A particular focus of the class is the intersection of the categories of race and religion. Prerequisite or corequisite: FYC-101 or EN-110 or EN-109.
RL-299 Special Topics (Variable; Variable; 1.00-4.00 Credits) Allows the department to offer special topics not normally offered. Departments may offer more than one special topic. Prerequisites vary by title.
RL-301 The Afterlife (Variable; Yearly; 4.00 Credits; H,CW,WK-HT) This upper-level seminar explores questions like these: What do major world religions teach about afterlife? How did the Bible's afterlife beliefs develop historically? Can the soul survive without the body? If so, what would a non-bodily life be like? What do near-death experiences prove about the afterlife? What is the meaning of life if there is (or is not) an afterlife? Pre-Req: FYC-101 or EN-110 or EN-109
RL-302 Atheism (Variable; Yearly; 4.00 Credits; H,WK-HT) This upper-level seminar explores questions like these: What are the arguments both for and against the existence of God? What motivates atheists to live morally? What is the meaning of life for atheists? How and why do some atheists practice religion, and how does a religion function without belief in God? How does atheism affect the well-being of individuals and societies? Prerequisite: FYC-101 or EN-110 or EN-109
RL-399 Special Topics (Variable; Variable; 1.00-4.00 Credits) Allows the department to offer special topics not normally offered. Departments may offer more than one special topic. Prerequisites vary by title.
RL-440 Yoga Studies (Variable; Yearly; 4.00 Credits; CA,H,I,CW,WK-HT) Yoga has become one of India's best-known exports, primarily in the form of physical (Hatha) Yoga. We will examine many of the numerous varieties of Yoga philosophy and explore how yoga and meditation became popular in the West. Students will learn basic meditation. Must have junior or senior class standing.
RL-450 God, Evil & the Holocaust (Either Semester; Variable; 4.00 Credits; H,CW,WK-HT) If God is so powerful and so good, why is there so much Evil in the world? This course examines this problem from Jewish, Christian, and agnostic perspectives, with special attention to the Holocaust, and studies ancient and modern attempts to confront this problem, including readings from the Bible, philosophers, theologians, Holocaust survivors, modern fiction, and contemporary films. Pre-Req: FYC-101 or EN-110 or EN-109, and junior or senior standing.
RL-490 Religion Internship (Irregular/On Demand; Irregular/On Demand; 2.00-9.00 Credits; H) See " Internship " in catalog. Corequisite: RL495. Prerequisites: Jr. or Sr. Standing.
RL-495 Religion Internship Seminar (Irregular/On Demand; Irregular/On Demand; 2.00-6.00 Credits; H) See " Internship " in catalog. Corequisite: RL490.
RL-499 Special Topics (Variable; Variable; 1.00-4.00 Credits) Allows the department to offer special topics not normally offered. Departments may offer more than one special topic. Prerequisites vary by title.
RL-TUT Religion Teaching Assistant (Irregular/On Demand; Irregular/On Demand; 1.00-3.00 Credits; H)