Autumn 2023 Courses
Core Courses
RELSTDS 2102.02 | Comparative Sacred Texts | LEC | 12:45-2:05 TR | Hayes 25 | Finver, Savannah H. | 31159
Introduction to religious views of the universe, the supernatural, social organization, ethics, etc., through sacred texts (oral and written) of diverse cultures and historical periods.
Prereq: English 1110 (110), or equiv. Not open to students with credit CompStd 2102.02 (202.02). GE lit and diversity global studies course.
RELSTDS 2370 | Introduction to Comparative Religions | LEC | 1:50-2:45 TR; F Recitations | Sullivant 220 | Urban, Hugh | 28914
Introduction to the academic study of religion through comparison among major traditions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc.) and smaller communities.
Prereq: English 1110 (110) or equiv. Not open to students with credit for 2370H or CompStd 2370H (270H) or 2370 (270). GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course.
RELSTDS 2370H | Introduction to Comparative Religions Honors | LEC | 2:20-3:40 TR | Derby 30 | Dew, Spencer | 28917
Introduction to the academic study of religion through comparison among major traditions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc.) and smaller communities.
Prereq: Honors standing, and English 1110 or equiv. Not open to students with credit for 2370, CompStd 2370, or 2370H. GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies and race, ethnicity and gender div course.
* COMPSTDS 3990 | Approaches to Comparative Studies | LEC | 2:20-3:40pm TR | Enarson 214 | Shank, Barry | 19330
Introduces comparative studies majors to theoretical tools, methods of investigation, and key concepts in comparative studies research and scholarship.
Prereq: English 1110 (110) or equiv. CompStd major, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 398.
*For Major credit only.
Individual Religious Traditions Courses
ENGLISH 2280 | The English Bible | LEC | 9:35-10:55 WF | Denney 238 | Hamlin, Hannibal | 30786
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 2700 or JEWSHST 2700 | The Hebrew Bible | LEC | 12:45-2:05pm WF | Denney 238 | TBA | 20607 or 29131
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. Not open to students with credit for 2700H, JewshSt 2700, or 2700H. GE lit and diversity global studies course.
HEBREW 2700H or JEWSHST 2700H | The Hebrew Bible | LEC | 9:35-10:55am TR | Enarson 015 | Frank, Daniel | 29550 or 29551
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. Not open to students with credit for 2700, JewshSt 2700, or 2700H. GE lit and diversity global studies course.
HISTORY 2221 | Introduction to the New Testament: History and Literature | LEC | 10:20-11:15am MWF | Ramseyer 100 | Harrill, J. Albert | 30336
Introductory survey of the New Testament writings in translation, including non-canonical sources of the early Christian movement.
Prereq or concur: English 1110.xx, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for Clas 2221, 2221E, 2401, or 2401E.
GE for lit and historical study course. GE foundation lit, vis and performing arts and historical and cultural studies course. Cross-listed in Clas.
PHILOS 2120 | Asian Philosophies | LEC | 9:35-10:55am TR | Sullivant 220 | Brown, Steven | 27757
A survey including at least three of the following philosophical systems of Asia: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, Taoism, and Confucianism.
GE lit and diversity global studies course.
PHILOS 2120 | Asian Philosophies | LEC | 5:30-6:50pm TR | Journalism 270 | Flint, Dylan Isaac | 30131
A survey including at least three of the following philosophical systems of Asia: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, Taoism, and Confucianism.
GE lit and diversity global studies course.
RELSTDS 4873 | Contemporary Religious Movements in Global Context | LEC | 9:35-10:55am TR | Denney 253 | Urban, Hugh | TBA
Examination of contemporary religious movements within the context of larger political, cultural, and economic processes, including post-colonialism, modernization, and globalization.
Prereq: One course in CompStd, RelStds, or IntStds; or Grad standing; or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for CompStd 4873 or IntStds 4873. GE theme citizenship for div and just wrld course. Cross-listed in IntStds.
Comparative/Interdisciplinary Courses
AFAMAST 4342 | Religion, Meaning, and Knowledge in Africa | LEC | 11:10-12:30pm TR | University Hall 056 | Dew, Spencer | 35391
While the practice of religion in Africa is as diverse as its people, three major belief systems define the practice: African Traditional 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.
GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course.
HEBREW 3704 OR JEWSHST 3704 | Women in the Bible and Beyond | LEC | ONLINE | Brenner, Naomi | 35380 or 35381
An examination of the social, legal, and religious position of women as they appear in the Hebrew Bible and the ways in which they have been represented and interpreted in later textual, visual, and audio sources.
Prereq: English 1110. Not open to students with credit for 2704, JewshSt 2704, or 3704. GE lit and diversity global studies course. GE foundation lit, vis and performing arts and race, ethnicity and gender div course.
MEDREN 2666 | Magic and Witchcraft in the Middle Ages and Renaissance | LEC | 12:25-2:05pm TR | | Fontana 1000 | Brewer, David | 35356
A study of the history of witchcraft and magic from 400 to 1700 C.E. within sociological, religious and intellectual contexts.
Prereq: Not open to students with credit for Medieval 240. GE culture and ideas and diversity global studies course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies course.
PHILOS 2670 | Science and Religion | LEC | 9:35-10:55am WF | Hopkins 246 | Soles III, Donald Elwood | 35537
A philosophical examination of the relationship between science and religion, concentration on issues regarding the creation of the universe and the origins of life.
Prereq: Not open to students with credit for CompStd 2670 or RelStds 2670. GE cultures and ideas course. Cross-listed in RelStds.
RELSTDS 3680 or HISTORY 3680 | Religion and Law in Comparative Perspective | LEC | 2:20-3:40 TR | Mendenhall 125 | Weiner, Isaac | 31071
Comparative, interdisciplinary approach to studying religion and law. Drawing on concrete cases, historical studies, and theoretical literature, the course explores how the relationship between religion and law has been configured differently in different liberal democracies, such as the U.S., France, and Israel, and what this might mean for contemporary debates.
Prereq: Not open to students with credit for History 3680. GE historical study and diversity global studies course. GE theme citizenship for div and just wrld course.
Other Notable Courses of Interest*
*Please note that the following courses are NOT currently listed for major/minor credit, but may be of interest to our students anyway. If you would like to inquire about substituting one of the courses listed here for major/minor credit, please email Dr. Hugh Urban at urban.41@osu.edu.
HISTORY 2454 | History of Antisemitism | LEC | 11:10-12:30 WF | Hopkins 246 | Judd, Robin | 35240
Study of the development of anti-Semitism, the history of anti-Semitic ideologies and practices, and different Jewish responses to anti-Semitism over time.
Prereq or concur: English 1110.xx, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 333 or JewshSt 2454. GE historical study course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies course. Cross-listed in JewshSt.
HISTORY 3230 | Saints and Demons in Medieval Europe | LEC | 2:20-3:40pm TR | Denney 253 | Butler, Sara M | 35123
Study of the development of Medieval Christianity from Constantine to the early sixteenth century.
Prereq or concur: English 1110.xx, or completion of GE Foundation Writing and Information Literacy Course, or permission of instructor. GE historical study course. GE theme traditions, cultures, and transformations course.
HISTORY 4217 | Seminar in Late Antiquity - Dreams and Dream Interpretation: Social Mores and Daily Life | SEM | 12:45-2:05pm WF | Classroom TBA | Harrill, J. Albert | 35257
Advanced research and readings on selected topics in Late Antiquity.
Prereq or concur: English 1110.xx, a grade of C or above in History 2800, and any 3000-level History course; or permission of instructor.