91403

REL 103 Buddhist Thought and Practice

Kristin Scheible

M . W . .

8:30 -9:50 am

OLIN 201

HUM/DIFF

Cross-listed: Asian Studies; Theology This course is designed to explore the three jewels of Buddhism: the Buddha, the Dharma (the teaching), and the Sangha (the Buddhist community). We will move imaginatively through different historical periods, cultures, and what might be called Buddhisms in this introductory survey of Buddhist teachings and practices. Our goals are threefold: first, we must consider what tools are potentially helpful in the comparative study of religion. We will revisit and reevaluate this objective throughout the course. Second, and most importantly, we will explore the diversity of thought and practice within the religious tradition monolithically referred to as Buddhism, by acquainting ourselves with the texts and participants of various communities (or schools) of Buddhists including Theravada, Tibetan, Pure Land and Zen. Finally, the three jewels framework will help us to organize our findings and to make sense of apparent continuities and differences among the traditions. Religion program category: Historical Class size: 22

91532

REL 106 Introduction to Islam

Mairaj Syed

M . W . .

3:10 -4:30 pm

HEG 308

HUM/DIFF

Cross-listed: Middle East Studies; Theology This course seeks to provide an introduction to pre-modern and contemporary Islam. We will study the central beliefs, institutions, and practices that constitute Islam. We will start with Muhammads message in seventh century Arabia.  We will then examine the intellectual traditions of Islamic law, theology, and mysticism in medieval Muslim societies. Starting in the 19^th century, these same societies underwent massive structural change with the advent of colonial occupations. We will study the impact of Western colonialism on the structure of religious authority in Islam. We will study themes that have figured prominently in popular media portrayals of Muslims in the last few decades, notably gender and Islamic politics, including the radical variety. We will conclude the course by analyzing competing theories about the relationship between the West and Islam. Class size: 22

91401

REL 111 The Hebrew Bible

David Nelson

. T . Th .

11:50 -1:10 pm

OLIN 305

HUM/DIFF

Cross-listed: Jewish Studies, Theology The Hebrew Bible is arguably one of the most important works of Western culture. This course will survey the text, meaning, historical background and ancient near eastern literary and cultural context of the Hebrew Bible, and will provide a crucial introduction to all further studies of the three Abrahamic faiths. We will examine the interplay between history and myth, the various forms and purposes of biblical law, the phenomenon of biblical prophecy, and the diverse literary genres that are found within the Bible. Our goal will be to understand the work as a religious, historical, legal, and narrative work that reflected the society from which all of later Judaism, Christianity and Islam grew. Class size: 18

91380

REL 117 Hindu Religious Traditions

Richard Davis

. T . Th .

1:30 -2:50 pm

OLINLC 206

HUM/DIFF

Cross-listed: Asian Studies; Theology This course will provide an historical overview of the series of religious movements in India collectively referred to as Hinduism. For the foundations of classical Hinduism, we will read from a vast corpus of mythic and epic literature and familiarize ourselves with the gods, goddesses, and heroes that have been central to Hindu religious practice throughout history. We will explore a range of social and devotional paths taken by Hindus by examining caste structure and social location, as well as the paths of action, devotion, and wisdom (karma, bhakti, and jnana, respectively). Moving into the contemporary context, we will focus on modern ethnographic accounts of how the tradition is lived, both in India and the United States, with a special eye to the construction of sacred space through temples and pilgrimage. Religion program category: Historical

Class size: 22

91382

REL 140 Sanskrit

Richard Davis

. T W Th .

9:00 - 10:00 am

OLIN 101

FLLC

Cross-listed: Asian Studies, Classical Studies Sanskrit is the language of ancient India, the language in which such works as the Bhagavad Gita, the great Hindu epics Mahabharata and Ramayana, and the Upanisads were written. In this course students will learn the grammar and syntax of Classical Sanskrit and acquire a working vocabulary. In the second semester students will read substantial portions of original texts in Sanskrit. Religion program category: Interpretive. Class size: 22

91203

REL 215 Trading Places

Bruce Chilton / Jacob Neusner

. T . . .

10:10 - 12:30 pm

OLIN 101

HUM

Cross-listed: Jewish Studies, Theology At the beginning of the common era, Judaism presented a view of God which was so appealing in its rationality, it competed seriously with various philosophical schools for the loyalty of educated people in the Graeco-Roman world. Christianity, meanwhile, appeared to be a marginal group, neither fully Judaic nor seriously philosophical. Six centuries later, the Talmud emerged as the model of Judaism, and the creeds defined the limits and the core of Christianity. By that time, Judaism and Christianity had traded places. Christianity was the principal religion of the Empire, and philosophy was its most powerful vehicle for conversion; Judaism was seen as a local anomaly, its traditions grounded in customary use rather than reflection. Class size: 22

91397

REL 262 Islamic Ethics in Medieval and Modern Society

Mairaj Syed

M . W . .

1:30 -2:50 pm

OLIN 309

HUM/DIFF

Cross-listed: Human Rights, Middle-Eastern Studies This course is an introduction to Islamic ideals of conduct, character, and community, and to medieval and modern disputes over their interpretation and application. We will investigate the nature and different types of Islamic ethical reasoning by looking at specific issues, such as sexuality and marriage, bioethics, capital punishment, environment, warfare, and human rights. Throughout the course we will consider the implications of these debates on our own understanding of the relationships between law and morality and the role of religion in public life. Religion program area: Interpretive, Theoretical Class size: 18

91381

REL 269 Sacred Pursuits

Richard Davis

M . W . .

3:10 -4:30 pm

OLIN 307

HUM

Cross-listed: Jewish Studies, Theology This seminar is devoted to developing theoretical self-awareness in the study of religion. In order to achieve that end, we will read some of the key theorists in the study of religion, apply their insights to case-studies, and refine their approaches as seems necessary. Class size: 15

91533

REL COL Religion Colloquium

Mairaj Syed

M . . . .

5:00 -6:00 pm

OLIN 202

2 credits The religion colloquium is a two-credit course open to all students, but required of religion moderands. The purpose of the colloquium is to foster a community of scholarship among students and faculty interested in the study of religion, and to prepare public presentations of independent research. The colloquium is designed to encourage interdisciplinary and comparative perspectives on students topics of particular interest. Weekly sessions will be devoted to discussion of new books, films, CD-roms, etc. as well as regular updates of progress on senior projects. Public sessions of the colloquium will be scheduled three or four times each semester; students who enroll for credit will shoulder the responsibility for preparing papers to present in these sessions. Outside speakers and faculty members may also be invited to present papers in these public sessions. Religion program category: Theoretical Class size: 22