RELIG - Religious Studies
Offered By:
Faculty of Arts
Below are the courses available from the RELIG code. Select a course to view the available classes, additional class notes, and class times.
Survey of the history of Religious Studies; introduction to classical theories and main disciplinary approaches. Required for Honors, Majors, and Minors.
An introduction to the critical study of the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible.
An introduction to the varied world of Judaism: its ways of life, beliefs, history and thought.
Critical introduction to the New Testament and other early Christian Writings in their historical cultural context.
A study of the major traditions of classical Hinduism, and of the religious thinking and experience formed through these traditions.
A study of the emergence of Buddhism as a religion, its basic ideas, spirituality, and literature.
Survey of teachings and practices related to women, gender, and sexuality in world religions.
The history and contents of the Qur'an, including a critical comparison of the Qur'an and biblical literature. Prerequisite: One course in RELIG or consent of the instructor.
A study of the history of Zen/Chan Buddhism in China and Japan in terms of the major movements, their main figures, and samples of the representative texts. Prerequisite: RELIG 240 or EASIA 223, or consent of Instructor.
Prerequisite: One course in Old Testament/Hebrew Bible or consent of Program Coordinator.
Prerequisite: one course in Christianity or consent of Program Coordinator.
Prerequisite: RELIG 220, RELIG 222, or 3 units in RELIG at the 300-level, or consent of instructor. May be repeated if course content varies.
May be repeated for credit when course content differs. Prerequisite: one course in Buddhism or consent of Instructor.
Theories and disciplinary approaches in the study of religion, religions, and religious practices. Required for Honors, Majors, and Minors. Prerequisite: 3 units in 200-level RELIG or consent of Program. Note: May be repeated for credit when course content differs. Preference given to RELIG Honors, Majors, and Minors. Students cannot receive credit for both RELIG 475 and 375.
Prerequisite: consent of Program Coordinator.
An in-depth study of the problems of Islamic Studies.
Prerequisite: consent of Department.
Prerequisite: consent of Department.
Fundamentals of the Sanskrit language for reading and translation purposes. Designed for students with no previous knowledge of Sanskrit.
Preparation of the Honors essay. Formerly RELIG 501.
Preparation of the Honors essay. Formerly RELIG 501.
A survey of the Christian traditions in historical context. Note: Not open to students with credit in HIST 297 or ET RE 248.
Religion, society and culture in Palestine from the Persian conquest to the time of Jesus. Note: Not open to students with credit in CLASS 380.
A study of representations of Jesus in various historical and social contexts.
This is a pass/fail course.
May be repeated for credit when course content differs.
An introduction to the major religious traditions originating in West Asia, including, but not limited to, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Note: not open to students with credit in RELIG 101.
An introduction to the major religious traditions originating in South and East Asia, including, but not limited to, Buddhism, Hinduism, Daoism, Confucianism, and Shinto. Note: not open to students with credit in RELIG 101.
May be repeated for credit when course content differs. Prerequisite: one course in Hinduism/SouthAsian Religions or consent of program.
May be repeated for credit when course content differs.
Introduction to the foundational texts, esoteric rituals, and sexual alchemy associated with Tantric practices in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain contexts.
May be repeated for credit when course content differs.
The history, practices, and politics of contemporary Yoga movements.
Historical and contemporary manifestations of violence across diverse religious traditions.
Near Eastern texts from the Gilgamesh Epic and Enuma Elish to the Book of Genesis and beyond.
Prerequisite: One of: RELIG 240, RELIG 343, EASIA 223, EASIA 323, EASIA 325 or consent of Instructor. Note: Not open to students with credit in RELIG 442 with the topic Visual and Material Culture in East Asia.
Note: Not open to students with credit in RELIG 542 with the topic Visual and Material Culture in East Asia.
An exploration of matters related to Jewish history, religion, and culture. Can be repeated if course content varies. Prerequisite: RELIG 205 or consent of instructor.
A study of the emergence and development of Islamic religious traditions in historical perspective. Prerequisite: One course in RELIG or consent of the instructor. Not open to students with credit in RELIG 220.
Effective: 2025-09-01 RELIG 521 - Topics in Reading Arabic Texts
Guided reading of Arabic sources central to Islamic Studies. Readings are in Arabic, class discussion and written assignments will be English. Sources may include religious, legal, and historical texts. Prerequisite: ARAB 211 or equivalent, or the consent of the department. May be repeated for credit when course content differs. Not open to students with credit in HIST 626.
Effective: 2025-09-01 RELIG 421 - Topics in Reading Arabic Texts
Guided reading of Arabic sources central to Islamic Studies. Readings are in Arabic, class discussion and written assignments will be English. Sources may include religious, legal, and historical texts. Prerequisite: ARAB 211 or equivalent, or the consent of the department. May be repeated for credit when course content differs. Not open to students with credit in HIST 426.