There are a number of courses offered at The Ohio State University to study religion beyond those explicitly offered for credit toward the Religious Studies major in the Department of Comparative Studies. The lists of courses below are being offered in the Spring 2018 term, and may be considered for major/minor credit on the basis of first consulting with the current Chair of the Religious Studies major, Dr. Sarah Johnston (johnston.2@osu.edu).
African American & African Studies
AFAMAST 4342 | Religion, Meaning, and Knowledge in Africa
TR 9:35-10:55 | Monika Brodnickal | 33991
While the practice of religion in Africa is as diverse as its people, three major belief systems define the practice: African Indigenous Religion, Islam, and Christianity. This course will examine classical and contemporary definitions of African Traditional Religion/s and the introduction and adaptations of Islam and Christianity in Africa. The course will also put the three religious traditions in context through relevant novels that will highlight the influences, complexities, and conflict between these religions. Some questions that will be addressed are: What is African Indigenous Religion? Is it singular or plural? What is Black Islam and is the term accurate? What types of Christianities exist in Africa? What is the role of colonialism in the practice of these religions? GE in Culture & Ideas and Diversity Global Studies.
English
ENGLISH 2280 | The English Bible
WF 2:20-3:40 | James Fredal | 7979
The Bible in English translation, with special attention to its literary qualities, conceptual content, and development within history. Prereq: 1110.01 (110.01) or equiv. Not open to students with credit for 2280H (280H) or 280. GE lit course.
Hebrew
HEBREW 2700 | Biblical & Post-Hebrew Literature in Translation
TR 9:35-10:55 | Daniel Frank | 8291
Reading and analysis of selected chapters from the Hebrew scriptures and post-biblical Hebrew writings representative of major historical, cultural, and literary trends. Prereq: English 1110 (110). Not open to students with credit for 370, 370H, 2700H, JewshSt 2700, or JewshSt 2700H. GE lit and diversity global studies course. Cross-listed in JewshSt.
HEBREW 2703 | Prophecy in the Bible & Post-Biblical Literature
TR 12:45-2:05 | Daniel Frank | 16554
The dynamics of Israelite prophecy and apocalyptic in the context of ancient Near Eastern culture. Prereq: English 1110 (110). Not open to students with credit for 373 or JewshSt 2703. GE lit and diversity global studies course. Cross-listed in JewshSt.
HEBREW 2708 | Biblical & Post-Biblical Wisdom Literature
TR 11:10-12:30 | Sam Meier | 33529
An examination of the various ideas, themes, attitudes, implications, and genres of biblical and post-biblical wisdom literature. Prereq: English 1110 (110). Not open to students with credit for 378 or JewshSt 2708. GE lit and diversity global studies course. Cross-listed in JewshSt.
History
HISTORY 3005 | The United States Constitution and American Society to 1877
TR 11:10-12:30 | David Stebenne
Examination of the major developments in American constitutional history from the origins of European settlement of what became the USA through the era of Reconstruction. Emphasis on the origins of the English Common Law, its transmission to the Thirteen Colonies, constitutionalism and the American Revolution, the rise and decline of the Articles of Confederation and the antebellum constitutional system, law and American economic development, the pressures placed on the legal system by the expansion of slavery, the constitutional crisis of the late 1850’s, the emergence of a new constitutional system in the wake of the American Civil War, and the changing legal status of African-Americans in the 1860’s and ‘70’s.
HISTORY 3306 | History of African Christianity
TR 2:00-3:30 | Ousman Kobo | 33632
The development of Christianity in Africa from antiquity to the present; Christianity's interaction with Islam and indigenous religions; Mission Christianity and its aftermath. Sometimes this course is offered in a distance-only format. Prereq: English 1110.xx and any History 2000-level course, or permission of instructor. GE historical study and diversity global studies course.
HISTORY 3455 | Jewish Life from the Renaissance to the Early Enlightenment
WF 12:45-2:05 | Matthew Goldish | 33111
Life and thought of European and Mediterranean Jews in the early modern period. Sometimes this course is offered in a distance-only format. Prereq or concur: English 1110.xx, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for JewshSt 3455. GE historical study course. Cross-listed in JewshSt.
Near Eastern Languages & Cultures
NELC 3700 | Mythology of Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia
WF 3:55-5:15 | Michael Biggerstaff | 16553
Where did gods and goddesses come from and where do they live? How and why were humans created? Were humans and deities expected to be equally moral? What are heaven, hell, and death like? What happens after death? In short, what is a myth and how do myths compare with reality? Join us as we explore how ancient Mesopotamians and Egyptians answered these questions as far back as four thousand years ago.
Scandinavian
SCANDVN 3350 | Norse Mythology & Medieval Culture
TR 9:35-10:55 | Merrill Kaplan | 33175
The myths of the Old Norse gods and the worldview and beliefs of pagan Scandinavia. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for Scandnav 222. GE lit and diversity global studies course.
Women's, Gender, & Sexuality Studies
WGSS 3320 | Religion, Politics, & Sex
(Cross Listed with Political Science)
TR 12:45-2:05 | Cynthia Burack
Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies 3320 is a topics course in which students are introduced to forms of analysis that feminist and other scholars use to investigate social, cultural, legal, and political issues, problems, and phenomena. The topic of this course is religion, politics, and sex. Readings, assignments, and class discussions will engage with social, cultural, political, historical, and psychological dimensions of religion and politics in the US that bear on or contribute to the contemporary context for issues that matter to feminists. Issues include reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, and the role of religion in US political behavior.