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Spring 2019 Courses

Religious Studies Major Courses Spring 2019

 

Religious Studies:

 

RELSTDS 2102.02: Comparative Sacred Texts
[Major, Comparative/Interdisciplinary Courses]
WF 12:45-2:05 | TBD | 21839
This course will cover the sacred texts of a variety of religious traditions and the basic theories and methods for reading religious literature. We will examine texts not only from "mainstream" traditions such as Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism, but also materials from Native American traditions and from new religious movements such as Scientology and Wicca. Students will also be introduced to basic theoretical tools for reading and interpreting sacred texts from multiple perspectives. In addition to lectures, films, and in-class discussions, the class will include field trips to a variety of religious sites in central Ohio.GE Literature and Diversity: Global Studies.
 
RELSTDS 2370 : Introduction to Comparative Religion
[Major, Core Courses] [Minor, Core Courses]
WF 11:10-12:30 | Melissa Curley | 21839
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 3666: Magic in the Modern World: From the Golden Dawn to Harry Potter
[Major, Individual Religious Tradition] [Minor, Elective Course]
TR 12:45-2:05 | Hugh Urban | 34321
This course traces the modern revival of magic and neo-paganism, both in new religious movements and in popular culture, novels, music and film, from 1870 to the present. The course examines the intersections between emergent magical groups and various social and political movements. GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course.
 
RELSTDS 3673: The Buddhist Tradition
[Major, Individual Religious Traditions] [Minor, Elective Course]
WF 2:20-3:40 | Melissa Anne Marie Curley | 32812
History and structure of Buddhism from founding to present in South, Southeast, and East Asia; emphasis on rituals, beliefs, and local and regional variations. 2370 (270) recommended. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for CompStd 3673 (323), EALL 3223 (323), or RelStds 323. Cross-listed in EALL 3223.
 
Religious Studies/History 3680: Religion and Law in Comparative Perspective
[Major, Core Course] [Minor, Core Course]
MW 12:45-2:05 | Isaac Amitai Weiner  | 33471
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. Team-taught w/ faculty in RelStds and History. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for RelStds 3680. GE historical study and diversity global studies course. Cross-listed as History 3680.
 
RELSTDS 3972: Theory and Method in the Study of Religion 
[Major, Core Courses] [Minor, Core Courses]
WF 2:20-3:40 | TBD | 17261
Survey of contemporary theories and methods used in the academic study of religion. Prereq: 2370 (270) or 2370H (270H) or equiv. Not open to students with credit for RelStds 4972 or CompStd 4972 (520).

 

Classics:

 

Classics 3401: Ancient Greek Religion
[Major, Individual Religious Traditions]
MWF 1:50-2:45 | Sarah Iles Johnston | 22417
Study of ancient Greek religions, including the beginnings of Christianity. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for Classics 323. GE historical study course.

 

Comparative Studies:

 

COMPSTD 4990 : Senior Seminar
[Major, Core Courses]
WF 12:45-2:05 | Barry Shank | 17293
Writing seminar based on students' independent research. Prereq: 3990 (398), and 500 or a 4000-level course in CompStd, and Sr standing; or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 598.

 

History:

 

History 2221: Intro to the New Testament: History and Literature
[Major, Individual Religious Traditions]
MWF 10:20-11:15 | James Albert Harill | 27043
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. Cross-listed in Clas.\
 
History 2351: Early Islamic Society, 610-1258
[Major, Individual Religious Traditions]
Online | Sanja Kadric | 33843
Origins and early development of selected fundamental Islamic institutions in their historical and cultural context. Prereq or concur: English 1110.xx. Not open to students with credit for 540.01. GE historical study course.
 
History 2375: Islamic Central Asia
[Major, Individual Religious Traditions]
WF 11:10-12:30 | Scott Cameron Levi | 31892
Introductory survey of the political, cultural, religious, and economic history of Islamic central Asia from the eighth-century Arab conquests to the nineteenth-century Russian colonial era. Prereq or concur: English 1110.xx, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 343. GE historical study and diversity global studies course.
 
History 3218: Paul & His Influence in Early Christianity
[Major, Individual Religious Traditions]
WF 12:45-2:05 | James Albert Harrill | 31981
Survey of the life and thought of the apostle Paul in translation, and his influence on the formation of Christianity. Prereq: English 1110.xx, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for Clas 3407. GE for lit and historical study course.
 
History 3227: Gnostics and Other Early Christian Heresies
[Major, Individual Religious Traditions]
TR 11:10-12:30 | David Bernhard Brakke | 31987
Examines the early Christian philosophical movement known as "the Gnostics" whose beliefs, based on the stories of the Bible, Platonist philosophy, and the new revelation of Jesus, shocked other Christians. Sometimes taught at distance. Prereq or concur: English 1110.xx, or permission of instructor. GE historical study and diversity global studies course.
 
History/Religious Studies 3680: Religion and Law in Comparative Perspective
[Major, Core Course] [Minor, Core Course]
MW 12:45-2:05 | Isaac Amitai Weiner  | 33471
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 hasbeen configured differently in different liberal democracies, such as the U.S., France, and Israel, and what this might mean for contemporary debates. Team-taught 
w/ faculty in RelStds and History. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for RelStds 3680. GE historical study and diversity global studies course. Cross-listed as History 3680.

 

Near Eastern Languages & Cultures:

 

NELC 3501: Introduction to Islam
[Major, Individual Religious Traditions] [Minor, Specific Tradition Elective]
TR 2:20-3:40 | Sean W Anthony | 32381
Examination of Islam as a world religion, enabling an understanding of its major tenets and beliefs as they are envisioned by insiders and outsiders. Prereq: English 1110 (110). Not open to students with credit for 351. GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course.

 

Philosophy:

 

PHILOS 2120: Asian Philosophies
[Major, Comparative/Interdisciplinary Courses]
MWF 12:40-1:35 | Steven G Brown | 23661
A survey including at least three of the following philosophical systems of Asia: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, Taoism, and Confucianism. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 215. GE lit and diversity global studies course.
 
PHILOS 2860: Science & Religion 
[Major, Comparative/Interdisciplinary Courses]
WF 12:45-2:05 | Richard Samuels | 28142
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 170, CompStd 2670 (170) or RelStds 2670. GE cultures and ideas course. Cross-listed in RelStds 2670.
 
 
 

 

Religious Studies Minor Courses Spring 2019

 

Religious Studies:

 

RELSTDS 2370: Introduction to Comparative Religion
[Major, Core Courses] [Minor, Core Courses]
WF 11:10AM-12:30PM | Melissa Anne Marie Curley | 21840
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 3666: Magic in the Modern World: From the Golden Dawn to Harry Potter
[Major, Individual Religious Tradition] [Minor, Elective Course]
TR 12:45-2:05 | Hugh Urban | 34321
This course traces the modern revival of magic and neo-paganism, both in new religious movements and in popular culture, novels, music and film, from 1870 to the present. The course examines the intersections between emergent magical groups and various social and political movements. GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course.
 
RELSTDS 3673: The Buddhist Tradition
[Major, Individual Religious Traditions] [Minor, Elective Course]
WF 2:20-3:40 | Melissa Anne Marie Curley | 32812
History and structure of Buddhism from founding to present in South, Southeast, and East Asia; emphasis on rituals, beliefs, and local and regional variations. 2370 (270) recommended. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for CompStd 3673 (323), EALL 3223 (323), or RelStds 323.Cross-listed in EALL 3223.
 
RELSTDS 3972 : Theory and Method in the Study of Religion 
[Major, Core Courses] [Minor, Core Courses] 
WF 9:35-10:55 | David Bernhard Brakke | 17261
Survey of contemporary theories and methods used in the academic study of religion. Prereq: 2370 (270) or 2370H (270H) or equiv. Not open to students with credit for RelStds 4972 or CompStd 4972 (520).

 

Classics:

 

CLAS 2220 (2220H): Classical Mythology
[Minor, Elective Courses]
MWF 11:30-12:25 | Brandon Edward Bourgeois | 16979
TR 7:05-8:25 | Kathryn Marie Caliva | 22419
TR 2:20-3:40 | Frank Thomas Coulson | 16981 (H)
TR 9:35-10:55 | Fritz Graf | 31370 (H)
WF 9:35-10:55 | Bruce Alan Heiden | 16982 (H)
Personalities and attributes of the Greek and Roman gods and goddesses, their mythology and its influence on Western culture. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for Classics 222. GE lit and diversity global studies course.
 
Classics 3401: Ancient Greek Religion
[Major, Individual Religious Traditions] [Minor, Elective Course]
MWF 1:50-2:45 | Sarah Iles Johnston| 22417
Study of ancient Greek religions, including the beginnings of Christianity. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for Classics 323. GE historical study course.

 

English:

 

English 2280 : The English Bible
[Minor, Elective Courses]
TR 2:20-3:40 | James Fredal | 26338
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 2241: Culture of Contemporary Israel
[Minor, Elective Courses]
MW 12:45-2:05 | Adena V. Tanenbaum | 26566
An introduction to the Culture of modern Israel: historical roots, socio-politicalinstitutions and developments, and literary and artistic creations reflecting the realities of contemporary Israeli society.  Prereq: Not open to students with credit for Hebrew 2241H (241H), 241, JewshSt 2242, or 2242H. GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course. Cross-listed in JewshSt 2242.
 
Hebrew 2700 (2700H): Biblical and Post-Biblical Hebrew Literature in Translation
[Minor, Elective Courses]
TR 12:45-2:05 | Sam Arthur Meier | 32359 (H)
TR 2:20-3:40 | Daniel Frank | 26569
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 and Post-Biblical Literature
[Minor, Elective Course]
TR 3:55-5:15 | Michael Biggerstaff | 32372
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. GE lit and diversity global studies course.  Cross-listed in Jewish Studies.By the end of this course, the student will be able to: 1) articulate the essential features of Israelite prophecy as a distinctive social phenomenon in the context of ancient Near Eastern culture; 2) trace the evolution of the phenomenon in Israel from its rise to its decline and ultimate transformation into apocalyptic; 3) identify the nuances and idiosyncrasies of certain individual prophets; and 4) identify the primary contributions of the prophetic phenomenon to the Judaeo-Christian heritage. To achieve these objectives, class lecture coupled with class discussion will form the core of this course, supplemented by outside readings and written assignments. The readings will include primary and secondary sources, providing the student opportunity for exposure to the prophetic literature at first hand while also supplying input from contemporary scholarship.
 
Hebrew 5601: Intro to Hebrew Literary and Cultural Texts
[Minor, Elective Courses]
MW 2:20-3:40 | Adena V. Tanenbaum | 26563
Literary and cultural Hebrew texts from the biblical to the modern period; students will develop the ability to read critically and to build analytical vocabulary. In Hebrew. Prereq: 2105, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for JewshSt 5601.
 
Hebrew 5602: The Bible as Literature: Selected Readings
[Minor, Elective Courses]
TR 11:10-12:30 | Sam Arthur Meier | 27940
Critical study of basic issues in the language and analysis of biblical texts. In Hebrew.Prereq: 2105, or permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of 12 cr hrs. Cross-listed in JewshSt.

 

History of Art:

 

HISTART 2003 (2003H): East Asian Art
[Minor, Elective Courses]
(LEC) MW 11:30-12:25 | Christina Wei-Szu Burke Mathison | 18976
(REC) R 11:30-12:25 | TBD | 18977
(REC) R 11:30-12:25 | TBD | 18978
(REC) F 11:30-12:25 | TBD | 26579
(REC) F 11:30-12:25 | TBD | 26580
 
(LEC) TR 12:45-2:05 | Julia Frances Andrews | 32646(H)
Art of East Asian cultures from ancient through contemporary times. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 213 or 2003H. GE VPA and historical study and diversity global studies course.
 
HISTART 4510 : Northern Renaissance Art
[Minor, Elective Courses]
WF 11:10-12:30 | Barbara Joan Haeger | 32650
Art of Northern Europe from the late 14th to the mid-16th century, with emphasis on the major masters. Prereq: 2001 (201), or 2002 (202), or permission of instructor. Not open tostudents with credit for 527 or 627.

 

History:

 

History 2350: Islam, Politics, and Society in History
[Minor, Elective Courses]
Online | Gulsah Torunoglu | 33842
Introduction to the manner in which Islam has interacted with politics in the Middle East and vicinity from the rise of Islam through the present.Prereq or concur: English 1110.xx. Not open to students with credit for 340. GE historical study course.
 
History 2351: Early Islamic Society, 610-1258
[Major, Individual Religious Traditions] [Minor, Elective Course]
Online | Sanja Kadric | 33843
Origins and early development of selected fundamental Islamic institutions in their historical and cultural context. Prereq or concur: English 1110.xx. Not open to students with credit for 540.01. GE historical study course.
 
History 2353: The Middle-East Since 1914
[Minor, Elective Courses]
Online | Doga Ozturk | 33708
An introductory study of the political, social and cultural history and evolution of Islamic civilization since 1914. The course will examine the impact of outside power on the Middle East, 
as well as the region's responses to modernity; political, socioeconomic andcultural change; ideological strategy; Islamic identity and globalization; and changes in media of communication. Prereq: English 1110.xx or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 3358 or 540.05. GE historical study course.
 
History 2450: Ancient Jewish History 300 BCE-1100 CE
[Minor, Elective Courses]
TR 12:45-2:05 | Daniel Frank | 31893
Introduction to the history of Jewish communities, religion, and culture in the Near East from the Greco-Roman period to the First Crusade. Prereqor concur: English 1110.xx, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 330.01 or JewshSt 2450. GE cultures and ideas and historical study and diversity global studies course. Cross-listed in JewshSt.
 
History 2455: Jews in American Film
[Minor, Elective Courses]
T 3:55-5:15 | Matthew Goldish | 31895
A study of how modern Jews appear in film compared with historical reality. Prereq or concur: English 1110.xx, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 332 or JewshSt 2455. GE historical study course. Cross-listed in JewshSt.
 
History 3071: Native American Removal – Present
[Minor, Elective Courses]
TR 9:35-10:55 | Daniel Winumwe Rivers | 27061
Covers major events in American Indian history from 1820s to present, including removal, reservations, cultural adaptation, federal policies, self-determination, activism, and contemporary issues. Prereq: English 1110.xx, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 568.02. GE historical study and diversity soc diversity in the US course.
 
History 3354: Islamic Spain and Northern Africa
[Minor, Elective Courses]
MWF 1:50-3:40 | Ahmad Alawad Sikainga | 33384
Lecture/discussion course examining Spain and North Africa under Islamic rule, from the Muslim conquests of the early 7th century through the early 19th century. Prereq or concur: English 1110 or equiv, or permission of instructor. GE historical study course.

 

Medieval & Renaissance Studies:

 

MEDREN 2215: Gothic Paris
[Minor, Elective Courses]
TR 2:20-3:40 | Sarah-Grace Heller | 33161
The arts, architecture, poetry, history, music, theology, food, and fashion of Paris in 1100-1300, the age of Gothic cathedrals and the birth of the university. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for Medieval 215. GE culture and ideas and diversity global studies course.
 
 

Near Eastern Languages & Cultures:

 

NELC 3201: Islam in the US
[Minor, Elective Courses]
WF  12:45-2:05 | Morgan Yih-Yang Liu | 32378
An examination of the main elements of Islamic belief as well as the particular characteristics of each major Islamic group in the United States. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 341. GE cultures and ideas course.
 
NELC 3501: Introduction to Islam
[Major, Individual Religious Traditions] [Minor, Specific Tradition Elective]
TR 2:20-3:40 | Sean W Anthony | 32381
Examination of Islam as a world religion, enabling an understanding of its major tenets and beliefs as they are envisioned by insiders and outsiders. Prereq: English 1110 (110). Not open to students with credit for 351. GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course.

 

Philosophy:

 

PHILOS 2120: Asian Philosophies
[Major, Comparative/Interdisciplinary Courses] [Minor, Elective Courses]
MWF 12:40-1:35 | Steven G Brown | 23661
A survey including at least three of the following philosophical systems of Asia: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, Taoism, and Confucianism. Prereq: Not open to studentswith credit for 215. GE lit and diversity global studies course.