Not all the courses listed below will be offered in any given year. Applicants should consult the Department about the courses to be offered. 3.0 credit unit courses (half-courses) are denoted by an asterisk (*). 6.0 credit unit courses (full courses) have no asterisk.
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RELS-801*  |
Core Course I: Religion and Modernity |
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Examines the nature of religious transition in response to various pressures for religious change. Three term-hours; fall; F. Jahanbakhsh
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| RELS-802* |
Core Course II: Theory and Method in Religious Studies |
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Looks at recent articulations and applications of theories and methods in Religious Studies. Three term-hours; winter; E. Goldberg
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| RELS-898 |
Master's Essay |
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A research essay. The Master's Essay must demonstrate appropriate competence in the application of theoretical and methodological approaches to religion with respect either to the response of a tradition to modernity or to the contemporary place of religion in relation to other cultural expressions. The Master's Essay will not be subject to an oral defence but will be read by one member, normally of the department in addition to the essay supervisor.
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Elective Courses
Two of these courses will be offered each year.
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| RELS-808* |
Readings in Religion I |
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Advanced seminar providing detailed reading of one contemporary theme or thinker in Religious Studies. Three term-hours, fall; P. Dickey Young.
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| RELS-809* |
Readings in Religion II |
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Advanced seminar providing detailed reading of one contemporary theme or thinker in Religious Studies. Not offered 2011-2012.
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| RELS-871* |
Directed Studies in Modern Buddhism |
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Examination of selected topics using primary sources in translation. Not offered 2011-2012.
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| RELS-872* |
Directed Studies in Modern Hinduism |
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Examination of selected topics using primary sources in translation. Not offered 2011-2012.
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| RELS-873* |
Directed Studies in Modern Islam |
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An examination of ways in which Islam in various contexts is or is not responding to the questions of modernity. Not offered 2011-2012.
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| RELS-874* |
Directed Studies in Modern Christianity |
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Examination of selected topics relevant to understanding Christianity in the contemporary world. Not offered 2011-2012.
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| RELS-875* |
Directed Studies in Modern Judaism |
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Examination of selected topics in Modern Judaism. Not offered 2011-2012.
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| RELS-876* |
Directed Studies in Modern Chinese Religions |
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Examination of selected topics in Modern Chinese religions. Not offered 2011-2012.
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| RELS-884* |
Feminist Studies and Religious Studies |
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Examination of feminist theory and its application to the study of religion. Not offered 2011-2012.
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| RELS-885* |
Religious Fundamentalisms |
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Explores theoretical aspects of religious fundamentalisms as a response to modernity, as well as specific case studies. Not offered 2011-2012.
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| RELS-886* |
Religion, Nature and Technology |
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Examines the connections between the secularization of religion, the disenchantment of nature, and the rise of technology in the modern period. Three term-hours; winter; J. Miller.
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Reading Courses
These courses will be offered concurrently with a linked undergraduate course. A maximum of 1.0 courses (6 credit units) from this list is permitted for the M.A.
M.A. students will be required to attend classes with the undergraduate students but will have separate course requirements including additional readings and different assignments. They will also meet with the instructor on occasion separately from the undergraduate students.
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| RELS 806* |
Directed Special Studies 1 |
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Advanced seminar providing detailed reading in one contemporary theme or thinker in Religious Studies. Three term-hours; fall. H. Adelman
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| RELS-807* |
Directed Special Studies 2 |
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Advanced seminar providing detailed reading in one contemporary theme or thinker in Religious Studies. 3 term-hours; winter. TBA.
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| RELS-810* |
Modern and Contemporary Christian Thought |
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Exemplary work in recent and contemporary Christian theology. Three term-hours; winter. TBA.
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| RELS-811* |
Jesus: The Continuing Historical Quest |
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This course provides an introduction to the methods and premises used in the modern quest to understand the historical facts of Jesus life. Particular attention will be given to understanding the historical Jesus in his first-century socio-cultural context. Offered jointly with RELS-311*. Not offered 2011-2012.
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| RELS-812* |
Christian Feminist Theology |
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Issues raised by the feminist critique of traditional Christian theology and feminist attempts at theological reconstruction. Not offered 2011-2012.
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| RELS-822* |
Yoga in India and the West |
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Surveys the history and philosophy of yoga in India and the West. Yoga practicum: estimated cost $85.00 Not offered 2011-2012.
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| RELS-824* |
Body, Mind and Spirit in Chinese Culture |
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Chinese cultural views of the body, mind and spirit and the connections between traditional Chinese medicine, philosophy and religion. Not offered 2011-2012.
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| RELS-825* |
Religions of Japan |
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Shinto, Buddhism, and new religions in contemporary Japan, examined in terms of their central features and historical development. Not offered 2011-2012.
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| RELS-826* |
Religion and Politics in Iran |
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Explores the role of religion in a Muslim society as exemplified in modern Iranian experience: a move from politicization of Islam to a post-fundamentalist interpretation. Not offered 2011-2012.
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| RELS-827* |
Religions of Native Peoples |
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Features of and theories about religious life in small-scale traditional societies. Includes Canadian Indians and Inuit. Not offered 2011-2012.
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| RELS-828* |
Interpretation of Apocalyptic Literature |
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The primary focus of the course will be the theological perspectives and social functions of apocalyptic in select religious traditions. The course will also survey the appropriation of apocalyptic themes throughout history in artistic forms such as art, fiction, and film, with particular attention to our modern times and cultures. Offered jointly with RELS-328*. Not offered 2011-2012.
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| RELS-831* |
Religion and Violence |
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Links between violence and religious beliefs, practices, and institutions; for example, sacrifice, holy wars, scapegoating, and suicide. Not offered 2011-2012.
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| RELS-832* |
The Goddess |
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Examination of Goddesses in various religious traditions, both ancient and contemporary. Not offered 2011-2012.
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| RELS-834* |
Jewish Views of the Other |
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A study of the tensions that come into play as Jews formulated views of the Other to balance co-existence with them. Source materials include authoritative writings of Jewish commentary and law and social scientific views of them. Not offered 2011-2012.
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| RELS-840* |
Religion and Democracy |
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Deals with the role of religion in the public sphere and its relation to liberal democracy. It examines the (in)compatibility of some tenets of certain religions with modern democratic principles. Not offered 2011-2012.
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| RELS-852* |
The Contemporary Religious Situation |
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Religion in modernity; traditional groups, newer religious movements, contemporary ideologies and social trends of religious significance. Offered jointly with RELS-452*. Not offered 2011-2012.
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| RELS-854* |
Theory in Religious Studies |
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An introduction to major theoretical approaches to the study of religion. Offered jointly with RELS-354*. Three term-hours; winter. TBA.
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| RELS-864* |
Comparative Religious Ethics |
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Ethics in religious traditions; how and why systems differ. Both general concepts and specific problems are considered. Not offered 2011-2012.
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| RELS-892* |
Religion and Politics in Modern India |
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Examines the transition from colonial subject to independence. Topics include Gandhi, Tagore, colonialism, and the creation of Hinduism. Not offered 2011-2012.
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| RELS-893* |
Buddhism in the Modern World |
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Encounter between Buddhism and the West, major movements and thinkers, and socio-politically engaged Buddhism. Three term-hours; fall. E. Goldberg
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| RELS-894* |
Religion and Politics in Contemporary China |
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Examines Chinese and foreign religions in mainland China from 1949 to the present day. Topics include the status of established religions, the political control of new religious movements and the resurgence of traditional Chinese religion and ideologies including Daoism and Confucianism. Three term-hours; winter. J. Miller
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| RELS-896* |
Islam in the Modern World |
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Exploration of Islamic developments since the 19th century: major thinkers, trends of thought, and contemporary movements as responses to modernity. Three term-hours; winter. F. Jahanbakhsh
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| RELS-897* |
Judaism in the Modern Age |
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The development of modern Jewish religious thought and practice, including the Reform, Orthodox, Conservative and Reconstructionist movements. The consequences of the Holocaust and the establishment of the modern state of Israel. Three term-hours; fall. H. Basser
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Courses of Instruction 
