Offered as REL 108 and PHI 108. This course asks the big question, "What is the Meaning of Life?" and explores a range of answers offered by philosophers and religious thinkers from a host of different traditions in different eras of human history. It explores a variety of forms of philosophical and religious thinking and considers the ways in which philosophical and religious thinking can be directly relevant to students' lives.

The ubiquitous message is to work harder and be more productive. In doing so, the promise is stability, good lives and good jobs. What if this is all wrong? What if “rest” is what humans are really missing? This course explores this question by reading sociologists, historians, psychologists, public health scholars, critical disability scholars, Jewish philosophers, Black Christian activists and Zen masters. This course considers how “rest,” as conceived by these diverse people, encompasses visions for just economic systems and antiracist praxis, as well as the flourishing of ecosystems. Finally, students experiment with rest themselves. (E)

The Hebrew scriptures (Tanakh/Old Testament). A survey of the Hebrew Bible and its historical and cultural context. Critical reading and discussion of its narrative and legal components as well as an introduction to the prophetic corpus and selections from the wisdom literature.

“Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial moral and political questions of our time,” claimed Martin Luther King, Jr. What is the power of nonviolent protest? What does it do for protesters and their communities? Can it really change the world? This course examines nonviolent protest—its history, methods, spiritual commitments, promises, and limitations. Topics include Gandhian mass mobilizations, Civil Rights marches, Chicano-led farmworker strikes, antinuclear sit-ins, pro-democracy community organizing, Indian farmers’ encampments, and recent protests on college campuses. Class materials include speeches, films, manifestos, poems, posters, songs, archival documents, academic articles, and meetings with activists. This course has no prerequisites. (E)

Commonly associated with pre-modern societies, the term "blasphemy" has taken on new life in today’s technologically-connected world. This course examines the notion of blasphemy--its meanings, the invisible boundaries it presupposes both in some of the world’s major religious traditions and in secular contexts, and the different ways of seeing it often signifies. Based on case studies, it explores contemporary public uses of the term, the competing understandings of the "sacred" it often assumes, and the cultural and political challenges the term presents in a globalized society. The course considers the implications of the public charge of blasphemy in light of issues such as: the religious and the secular; humor and satire; commodification and consumerism; "insiders," "outsiders, and cultural appropriation; art, film and the sacred; museum conservation and display; and free speech and human rights. Enrollment limited to 20.

An exploration of biblical prophecy with a focus on how the prophets called for social and religious reform in language that continues to resonate today.

Offered as REL 240 and RES 240. The nineteenth and early twentieth centuries marked one of the most brilliant yet destructive periods in Russia’s history. This course explores the religious, spiritual, and philosophical ideas that fueled both a renaissance in the arts and a political revolution, each of which had enormous impact worldwide. Drawing on the visual arts, music, and theater, as well as religious, philosophical, and political writings, the course introduces students to some of the best-known thinkers and cultural innovators in Russia’s late-imperial and Soviet past, as well as in the post-Soviet present. Discussions include: ways to enlightenment; religious faith, materialism, atheism, and science; meanings of history; Freemasonry, theosophy, and the occult; the body, sex, and spirituality; art, human creativity and god-building.

Major themes addressed by Muslim thinkers since the 19th century, such as Islamic reform and revival, the encounters with colonialism and imperialism, nationalism and other modern ideologies; and Islamic discussions of modernity, liberalism, democracy, feminism, sexuality, and militancy. Reading of primary sources in translation.

Offered as MES 252 and REL 252.The course examines the history, culture, production, consumption, art and environment of food and the intricate relationship between food, identity and religion in the Middle East, from ancient times until today. Students also study the political, economic and social impacts of certain food-related products and systems on local communities, from the old Spice Trade to food subsidy, price fluctuation, changing farming and consumption habits, and globalization. The class features weekly cooking sessions, where students learn how to read and prepare recipes, experiment with the chemical composition of specific dishes, and experience the communal and ritualistic sides of Middle Eastern cuisine. Enrollment limited to 16. Instructor permission required.

Permission Required/Registration by Waitlist. During Add/Drop, Waiver Required.

The development of Buddhism and other religious traditions in Japan from prehistory through the 19th century. Topics include doctrinal development, church/state relations, and the diffusion of religious values in Japanese culture, particularly in the aesthetic realm (literature, gardens, tea, the martial arts, etc.)

Offered as HST 271 and REL 271. Was Jesus a revolutionary socialist? Or did he preach an ethic of self-help? Is it holy to be poor? Or is prosperity a moral duty? This course focuses particularly on the relationship between religion and capitalism in the realms of economic and moral ideas, labor and working class politics, business history, and grassroots social movements. It covers such topics as: utopian communes; debates over slavery and free labor; the "lived religion" of the working class; Christian and Jewish socialism; "New Age" spirituality and the counterculture; liberation theology and racial capitalism; big business and the Prosperity Gospel; and conservative Christianity in the age of Chick-Fil-A. Enrollment limited to 18. (E)

Offered as PSY 304 and REL 304. What is happiness? What is personal well-being? How are they achieved? This course examines the core ideas of the Buddhist science of mind and how they are being studied and employed by psychologists, neuroscientists, cognitive scientists and psychotherapists. The focus of the course is the notion of "happiness," its cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary definition as well as the techniques advocated for its achievement by both the Buddhist and the psychologist. Prerequisite: PSY 100, REL 105 or one course in Buddhist traditions, or equivalent. Restrictions: Juniors and seniors only. Enrollment limited to 15. Instructor permission required.

Permission Required/Registration by Waitlist. During Add/Drop, Waiver Required.

Normally for senior majors who have had four semester courses above the introductory level. Instructor permission required.

Offered as HST 271 and REL 271. Was Jesus a revolutionary socialist? Or did he preach an ethic of self-help? Is it holy to be poor? Or is prosperity a moral duty? This course focuses particularly on the relationship between religion and capitalism in the realms of economic and moral ideas, labor and working class politics, business history, and grassroots social movements. It covers such topics as: utopian communes; debates over slavery and free labor; the "lived religion" of the working class; Christian and Jewish socialism; "New Age" spirituality and the counterculture; liberation theology and racial capitalism; big business and the Prosperity Gospel; and conservative Christianity in the age of Chick-Fil-A. Enrollment limited to 18. (E)

How did early Jewish communities imagine mothers, and what does this reveal about communal ideas of gender, family and identity in early Judaism? This course considers various manifestations of mothers in early Judaism through exploration of such literary sources as the Bible, rabbinic literature and the pseudepigrapha, as well as artifacts from material culture such as Aramaic incantation bowls, synagogue wall paintings and other archeological evidence. No prior knowledge of Judaism is expected. (E)

Previously REL 227. An exploration of Jewish women’s changing social roles, religious stances and cultural expressions in a variety of historical settings from ancient to modern times. How did Jewish women negotiate religious tradition, gender and cultural norms to fashion lives for themselves as individuals and as family and community members in diverse societies? Readings from a wide range of historical, religious, theoretical and literary works in order to address examples drawn from Biblical and rabbinic Judaism, medieval Islamic and Christian lands, modern Europe, America and the Middle East. Students' final projects involve archival work in the Sophia Smith Collection of Women's History.

Offered as MES 252 and REL 252.The course examines the history, culture, production, consumption, art and environment of food and the intricate relationship between food, identity and religion in the Middle East, from ancient times until today. Students also study the political, economic and social impacts of certain food-related products and systems on local communities, from the old Spice Trade to food subsidy, price fluctuation, changing farming and consumption habits, and globalization. The class features weekly cooking sessions, where students learn how to read and prepare recipes, experiment with the chemical composition of specific dishes, and experience the communal and ritualistic sides of Middle Eastern cuisine. Enrollment limited to 16. Instructor permission required.

Permission Required/Registration by Waitlist. During Add/Drop, Waiver Required.

Offered as REL 108 and PHI 108. This course asks the big question, "What is the Meaning of Life?" and explores a range of answers offered by philosophers and religious thinkers from a host of different traditions in different eras of human history. It explores a variety of forms of philosophical and religious thinking and considers the ways in which philosophical and religious thinking can be directly relevant to students' lives.

Offered as PSY 304 and REL 304. What is happiness? What is personal well-being? How are they achieved? This course examines the core ideas of the Buddhist science of mind and how they are being studied and employed by psychologists, neuroscientists, cognitive scientists and psychotherapists. The focus of the course is the notion of "happiness," its cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary definition as well as the techniques advocated for its achievement by both the Buddhist and the psychologist. Prerequisite: PSY 100, REL 105 or one course in Buddhist traditions, or equivalent. Restrictions: Juniors and seniors only. Enrollment limited to 15. Instructor permission required.

Permission Required/Registration by Waitlist. During Add/Drop, Waiver Required.

Offered as REL 108 and PHI 108. This course asks the big question, "What is the Meaning of Life?" and explores a range of answers offered by philosophers and religious thinkers from a host of different traditions in different eras of human history. It explores a variety of forms of philosophical and religious thinking and considers the ways in which philosophical and religious thinking can be directly relevant to students' lives.

Offered as REL 240 and RES 240. The nineteenth and early twentieth centuries marked one of the most brilliant yet destructive periods in Russia’s history. This course explores the religious, spiritual, and philosophical ideas that fueled both a renaissance in the arts and a political revolution, each of which had enormous impact worldwide. Drawing on the visual arts, music, and theater, as well as religious, philosophical, and political writings, the course introduces students to some of the best-known thinkers and cultural innovators in Russia’s late-imperial and Soviet past, as well as in the post-Soviet present. Discussions include: ways to enlightenment; religious faith, materialism, atheism, and science; meanings of history; Freemasonry, theosophy, and the occult; the body, sex, and spirituality; art, human creativity and god-building.

Offered as MES 252 and REL 252.The course examines the history, culture, production, consumption, art and environment of food and the intricate relationship between food, identity and religion in the Middle East, from ancient times until today. Students also study the political, economic and social impacts of certain food-related products and systems on local communities, from the old Spice Trade to food subsidy, price fluctuation, changing farming and consumption habits, and globalization. The class features weekly cooking sessions, where students learn how to read and prepare recipes, experiment with the chemical composition of specific dishes, and experience the communal and ritualistic sides of Middle Eastern cuisine. Enrollment limited to 16. Instructor permission required.

Permission Required/Registration by Waitlist. During Add/Drop, Waiver Required.

Offered as HST 271 and REL 271. Was Jesus a revolutionary socialist? Or did he preach an ethic of self-help? Is it holy to be poor? Or is prosperity a moral duty? This course focuses particularly on the relationship between religion and capitalism in the realms of economic and moral ideas, labor and working class politics, business history, and grassroots social movements. It covers such topics as: utopian communes; debates over slavery and free labor; the "lived religion" of the working class; Christian and Jewish socialism; "New Age" spirituality and the counterculture; liberation theology and racial capitalism; big business and the Prosperity Gospel; and conservative Christianity in the age of Chick-Fil-A. Enrollment limited to 18. (E)

Offered as PSY 304 and REL 304. What is happiness? What is personal well-being? How are they achieved? This course examines the core ideas of the Buddhist science of mind and how they are being studied and employed by psychologists, neuroscientists, cognitive scientists and psychotherapists. The focus of the course is the notion of "happiness," its cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary definition as well as the techniques advocated for its achievement by both the Buddhist and the psychologist. Prerequisite: PSY 100, REL 105 or one course in Buddhist traditions, or equivalent. Restrictions: Juniors and seniors only. Enrollment limited to 15. Instructor permission required.

Permission Required/Registration by Waitlist. During Add/Drop, Waiver Required.

Offered as REL 240 and RES 240. The nineteenth and early twentieth centuries marked one of the most brilliant yet destructive periods in Russia’s history. This course explores the religious, spiritual, and philosophical ideas that fueled both a renaissance in the arts and a political revolution, each of which had enormous impact worldwide. Drawing on the visual arts, music, and theater, as well as religious, philosophical, and political writings, the course introduces students to some of the best-known thinkers and cultural innovators in Russia’s late-imperial and Soviet past, as well as in the post-Soviet present. Discussions include: ways to enlightenment; religious faith, materialism, atheism, and science; meanings of history; Freemasonry, theosophy, and the occult; the body, sex, and spirituality; art, human creativity and god-building.

Lovers meet in a moonlit grove, away from prying eyes. Kings dripping with blood loom over battlefields strewn with fallen enemies. Narratives full of intrigue and pathos abound in the premodern literatures of India and in this class students become sahṛdayas (“those with heart”)— sensitive readers and connoisseurs of these compelling tales. The course uses Indian literary and poetic theory to build a critical toolbox to analyze readings. Primary sources range from the fifth century BCE until the sixteenth century CE in a variety of India’s languages including Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Rajasthani. Though the focus is on premodern materials, the course explores these texts’ enduring legacies in contemporary art, culture, and politics. (E)