Religion is a complex phenomenon which involves social norms, beliefs and fears, and overarching worldview. Religious experiences are among the most profound an individual can have. The course will examine religious phenomena from various perspectives including historical, psychological, anthropological, political, sociological, the symbolic and ritual, to appreciate the tremendously important role religion has played in human history and contemporary experience.

This course provides an introduction to the basic beliefs and concepts of the world’s great religious traditions, including Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism and Shintoism.

Judaism, Christianity and Islam have much in common, beginning with their common patriarch Abraham. But there are also elements in each that are unrecognizable from the perspectives of the other two. This course will trace the relationships among the Children of Abraham across history and in today’s turbulent world. Max hours: 3 Credits. Semester Hours: 3 to 3 

This course introduces students to the history, texts, practices and experiences of Islam and Muslims, and investigates modern topics such as Sunni-Shi’a sectarianism, women and gender, politics and conflict and contemporary issues. With 1.5 billion adherents, Islam is the world’s second largest religion, roughly 20% of the world’s population.  Islam is also a living tradition, always in evolution. The course also acquaints students with methods for studying and talking about Islam.

We in the Western world encounter a vastly different world, a radically different “universe of meaning,” when we examine the traditions of the East. Even what we tacitly assume to be “real” is claimed by the Hindus and Buddhists of India to be a grand illusion. The world of China is, again, very different from India. An examination of Tibetan and Japanese religious forms will conclude our study of Asian thought. Cross-listed with PHIL 3666. Max hours: 3 Credits. Semester Hours: 3 to 3 

Religion is one of the key elements that creates diversity. This course will explore issues in religion and religious identity in contemporary America, including Native American spiritual traditions, Jewish American, Asian American religious traditions, the African American spiritual traditions and their relationship to the civil rights movement, and the growth of the Black Muslim movement.  Attention will also be given to the question of gender issues, as the traditional model for gender roles was formulated, in part, from a religious basis.

This course introduces students to the nature and functions of religion in society, emphasizing western religions in the U.S. Students will develop and apply an understanding of classic and modern sociological theories of religion to current events and disciplinary developments. Cross-listed with SOCY 4610, SOCY 5610, RLST 5020. Prereq: Junior or Senior standing or permission from instructor. Max hours: 3 Credits. Semester Hours: 3 to 3 

Concerns about climate change, resource depletion, species extinction, genetic engineering and biodiversity have intensified in recent years. Religions both create and mitigate conflict. This course will examine the historical and contemporary attitudes and actions of religion in responding to environmental concerns.

This course approaches the field of classical Greek mythology and religion from the perspective of Jungian archetypal theory.  The deities of the ancient Greeks will be presented as archetypal patterns with universal correlates elsewhere in world religions.  A foundation in C. G. Jung's archetypal theory will be offered to ground the course material.

This course studies Islamic thought and practice over the last two centuries in terms of major historical processes that have operated at local, national, and global scales. Cross-listed with RLST 5462, HIST 4462, HIST 5462. Max hours: 3 Credits. Semester Hours: 3 to 3 

Various topics in Religious Studies pursued in independent research. (Students cannot sign up for this online.)