11417

REL / JS 101 Introduction to Jewish Studies

Cecile Kuznitz

. T . Th .

10:30 - 11:50 am

HEG 200

HUM/DIFF

See Jewish Studies section for description.

11426

REL 131 Islam and Islamics

Ismail Acar

M . W . .

1:30 -2:50 pm

OLIN 202

HUM/DIFF

Cross-listed: Middle Eastern Studies, Theology Purposely or accidentally Muslims and non-Muslims use the terms of Islam and Islamics interchangeably. Do these terms address the same entities, or do they have different meanings? What is Islam as a religion? What really makes a thing Islamic, and what does not? To answer these questions we will examine classical sources of Islam, the Qur’an and the Prophetic tradition, and their interpretations by various groups of people: philosophers, theologians, jurists, mystics, and politicians. Although there is an agreement on the major sources of Islam, it is not the case for Islamics. Current debates involve such as philosophical versus theological, mystical versus legal, political versus pious, and moderate versus extreme interpretations of the Islamic tradition. We will examine these debates in the second part of the course after examining the major sources of Islam in the first part. Program category: Interpretive

11158	REL 141 Sanskrit II	Richard Davis	. T . Th .	10:30 - 11:50 am	OLIN 107	FLLC
			. . W . .	10:30 - 11:50 am	OLIN 302	FLLC

Cross-listed: Asian Studies, Classics The Spring semester continues the study of Sanskrit foundations begun in the Fall, and introduces readings of Sanskrit texts in the original. The readings will include selections from the Indian epic Mahabharata. We will also continue our recitation practice, to gain an appreciation of the aural quality of the "perfected language." Program category: Interpretative

11030

THEO 212 Archaeology of the Bible

Bruce Chilton

. T . Th .

1:00 -2:20 pm

Center for the Study of James

ELIT

See Theology section for description.

11032

THEO 214 Visions of the Social Order in Formative Judaism and Christianity

Bruce Chilton / Jacob Neusner

. T . . .

10:30 - 11:50 am

OLIN 101

SSCI

See Theology section for description.

11421

HIST 229 Confucianism: Humanity, Rites, and Rights

Robert Culp

M . W . .

10:30 - 11:50 am

OLIN 308

HIST/DIFF

See History section for description.

11413

REL 236 Introduction to Sufism

Ismail Acar

. T . Th .

1:00 -2:20 pm

HEG 201

FLLC

Cross-listed: Middle Eastern Studies Sufism is one of the most important philosophical and theological movements within the world of Islam. While primarily known for their production of mystical poetry and achievement of ecstatic states, Sufis have produced a unified system of belief and interpretation which both transgresses and defines the boundaries of the Islamic religious tradition. In this course we will examine some of the central ideas of Sufism, such as the nature of the relationship between God and humanity, and between God and His creation. The implication of these relationships for the process by which the Sufi hopes to achieve closeness or even union with God will be examined. As well as the intellectual aspect of Sufism, the historical developments of the Sufi orders, and their social and political role in Islamic history will be dealt with. As far as possible, translations of original Sufi texts will make up the majority of the course readings. The course is open to all students, but previous work in the study of religion is strongly recommended. Religion program category: Interpretive

11414

REL 283 History of Christian-Muslim Relations

Ismail Acar

. T . Th .

4:00 -5:20 pm

OLIN 203

HUM/DIFF

Cross-listed: Medieval Studies This course provides a historical overview of Christian-Muslim relations by discussing the lives and writings of significant persons against the backdrop of important events and developments, including the exploration of some of the key issues that have divided Christians and Muslims.  In light of these conversations, each student will be challenged to develop a paradigm of relating the past, the present, and the future. This course is open to all students interested in religion and history. Program category: Historical

11309

REL 286 Science and the Sacred: Exploring the Intersection between Religion and Rationality

David Nelson

. T . Th .

10:30 - 11:50 am

OLIN 303

HUM

This course will examine a number of important, contemporary issues at the intersection between religion and science. Scientific thinking about God, religious responses to cosmology and evolution, and the writings of both scientists on religion and religionists on science will be included. We will focus on attempts to learn about religion from science, and about science from religion, and on the different methodologies, assumptions, and entailments of the two disciplines. No significant background in either field is required.

11031

THEO 320 The Gnostic Quest

Bruce Chilton

. T . . .

2:30 -4:50 pm

Center for the Study of James

HUM

See Theology section for description.

11495

REL 343 Popular Arts in Modern India

Richard Davis

M . W . .

3:00 -4:20 pm

OLIN 309

HUM

Cross-listed: Art History, Asian Studies In India one sees them everywhere: bright wide-eyed Hindu deities, in poster form, perched above cash registers in restaurants and clothing shops, glued to the dashboards of taxis and buses, and framed on the walls of temples and home shrines. These mass-produced chromolithographs or “god-posters” occupy a central place in the visual landscape of modern India, but until recently they have remained far on the periphery of scholarly attention. In this seminar we will explore the world of Indian god-posters. The course will consider iconographic features, stylistic developments, political and religious significations, and devotional responses to these popular commercial prints. We will look at the ways the artists have adapted their visual practices within commercial structures of production, and how they have directed their arts towards devotional needs. We will also situate this pervasive genre in “interocular” relation to other modern forms of South Asian visual arts, such as tribal and folk arts (Warli and Mithila painting), pilgrimage paintings (Kalighat, Nathadvara), Parsi theater, photography in India, and especially Bollywood cinema.

11159

REL COL Religion Colloquium

Richard Davis

M . . . .

5:30 -6:30 pm

OLIN 101

N/A

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