Schedule of Classes

Survey of human values and religious experiences found in major religions of the world.

An introductory course on the history, beliefs, ethics, rituals, and practices of Judaism. The course also examines modern forms of Judaism, particularly in the United States and Israel.

Human values relevant to contemporary life found in ancient writings of Judaism and Christianity.

Academic study of Christian asceticism from the fourth to the seventh centuries. This course analyzes the earliest literature of the Christian monastic movements, primarily located in Egypt and the eastern Mediterranean lands. The course gives particular attention to understanding moral values developed in monasticism that influenced Western civilization.

Historical and theoretical analysis of relationships between Muslims and Christians, including a careful examination of the Middle Eastern Christian communities at the time of Muhammad, and after. Explores the ways Muslims and Christians have developed theological and social categories for characterizing each other.

Historical and cultural study of the religions of India, Southeast Asia, and China.

Nature of religion; function and validity of religious concepts in the modern world. Cross listed as PHL 344.

Primarily for undergraduate RLS majors: comprehensive and integrated survey of the discipline at an advanced level; projects in special areas.