Spring 2026 Courses
**Updated 10/10/2025. Listings are subject to change. Students, confirm meeting arrangements in BuckeyeLink when enrolling. All courses are full-term, 3 credit hour offerings unless otherwise noted.**
Core Courses
*COMPSTDS 4990
Senior Seminar in Comparative Studies | LEC | TR 11:10AM-12:30PM | TBD | Spencer Dew | Class #18125
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.
*For Major credit only.
RELSTDS 2102.02
Comparative Sacred Texts| LEC | TR 12:45PM-02:05PM | Online | Kathleen Kaura | Class #21178
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.xx, or GE foundation writing and info literacy course, or equivalent. Not open to students with credit for CompStd 2102.02. GE lit and diversity global studies course. GE foundation lit, vis and performing arts course.
RELSTDS 2370
Intro to Comparative Religion| LEC | MW 11:30AM-012:25PM | Jennings Hall 355 | Seth Josephson | Class #27927
REC| F 10:20AM-11:15AM | Enarson Hall 018 | Ciara Bernal | Class #27928
REC| F 11:30AM-12:25AM | Enarson Hall 018 | Ciara Bernal | Class #27929
REC | F 11:30AM-12:25AM | University Hall 090 | Karin Ikeda | Class #28714
REC | F 12:40PM-01:35PM | University Hall 090 | Karin Ikeda | Class #28715
Introduction to the academic study of religion through comparison among major traditions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc.) and smaller communities.
Prereq: English 1110 or equiv. Not open to students with credit for 2370H or CompStd 2370H or 2370. GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies and race, ethnicity and gender div course.
RELSTDS 2370H
Intro to Comparative Religion Honors | LEC | TR 11:10AM-12:30PM | Hagerty Hall 046 | Patrick Dunn | Class #29994
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
RELSTDS 3972
Theory and Method in the Study of Religion | LEC | WF 11:10AM-12:30PM | Hagerty 050 | David Brakke | Class #18115
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)
Individual Religious Traditions Courses
CLAS 3401
Ancient Greek Religion | LEC | MWF 01:50PM-02:45PM | Denny 250 | Sarah Johnston | Class #34691
Study of ancient Greek religions, including the beginnings of Christianity.
Prereq: Not open to students with credit for Classics 323. GE historical study course.
HEBREW 2700
Introduction to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament| LEC | TR 09:35AM-10:55 AM | Mendenhall 131 | Daniel Frank | Class #29996
Introduction to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament is taught from a historical perspective. The HB/OT is a collection of texts designed to create and fortify the ethnic identify of a single group within imperial contexts, while focusing on the formation of gender, identity and race. The student will study the cultural dimensions of the ancient societies in which the HB/OT was written.
Prereq: English 1110.xd, or GE foundation writing and info literacy course. Not open to students with credit for 2700H, JewshSt 2700, or 2700H. GE lit and diversity global studies course. GE foundation lit, vis and performing arts and race, ethnicity and gender div course. Cross listed to JewshSt.
HEBREW 2700H
Introduction to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament| LEC | TR 09:35AM-10:55AM | Mendenhall Lab 131 | Daniel Frank | Class #25459
Introduction to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament is taught from a historical perspective. The HB/OT is a collection of texts designed to create and fortify the ethnic identity of a single group within imperial contexts, while focusing on the formation of gender, identity and race. The student will study the cultural dimensions of the ancient societies in which the HB/OT was written.
Prereq: English 1110.xd, or GE foundation writing and info literacy course. Not open to students with credit for 2700H, JewshSt 2700, or 2700H. GE lit and diversity global studies course. GE foundation lit, vis and performing arts and race, ethnicity and gender div course. Cross listed to JewshSt.
HEBREW 3704
Women in the Bible and Beyond | LEC | TBA | Online | Yohnatan Nadiv | Class #29265
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. Cross-listed in JewshSt
JEWSHST 2201 | Introduction to Jewish Culture, Thought and Practice| LEC | TR 03:55PM-05:15PM | Hagerty Hall 186 | Adena Tanenbaum | Class #29998
An introduction to the historical, ideological, and cultural growth of Judaism examined from a variety of methodological perspectives.
Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 201. GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies course.
JEWSHST 2700H
Introduction to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament| LEC | TR 09:35AM-10:55AM | Mendenhall Lab 131 | Daniel Frank | Class #25459
Introduction to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament is taught from a historical perspective. The HB/OT is a collection of texts designed to create and fortify the ethnic identity of a single group within imperial contexts, while focusing on the formation of gender, identity and race. The student will study the cultural dimensions of the ancient societies in which the HB/OT was written.
PHILOS 2120
Asian Philosophies | LEC | WF 11:10AM-12:30PM | Journalism Building 375 | Dylan Isaac Flint | Class #22646
A survey including at least three of the following philosophies system of Asia: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, Taoism, and Confucianism.
GE lit and diversity global studies course. GE foundation lit, vis and performing arts and historical and cultural studies course.
PHILOS 2120
Asian Philosophies | LEC | TR 9:35AM-10:55PM | Journalism Building 375 | Dylan Isaac Flint | Class #27229
A survey including at least three of the following philosophies system of Asia: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, Taoism, and Confucianism.
GE lit and diversity global studies course. GE foundation lit, vis and performing arts and historical and cultural studies course.
PHILOS 2120
Asian Philosophies | LEC | WF 09:35AM-10:15AM | Dreese Lab 266 | Erich Jones | Class #34562
A survey including at least three of the following philosophies system of Asia: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, Taoism, and Confucianism.
GE lit and diversity global studies course. GE foundation lit, vis and performing arts and historical and cultural studies course.
PHILOS 2120
Asian Philosophies| LEC | TR 03:55PM-05:15PM | Journalism Building 371 | Vaughn Papenhausen | Class #34563
A survey including at least three of the following philosophies system of Asia: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, Taoism, and Confucianism.
GE lit and diversity global studies course. GE foundation lit, vis and performing arts and historical and cultural studies course.
PHILOS 2850
Introduction to Philosophy of Religion | LEC | WF 02:20PM-03:40PM | Journalism Building 106 | Steven Brown | Class #29501
A philosophical analysis of the nature of religion and the foundations of religious belief.
GE cultures and ideas course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies course.
Comparative/Interdisciplinary Courses
CLAS 3401
Ancient Greek Religion | LEC | MWF 01:50PM-02:45PM | Denny 250 | Sarah Johnston | Class #34691
Study of ancient Greek religions, including the beginnings of Christianity.
Prereq: Not open to students with credit for Classics 323. GE historical study course.
HEBREW 3704
Women in the Bible and Beyond| LEC | TR 11:10AM-12:30AM | Mendenhall Lab 129 | TBA | Class #29265.
An examination of social, legal, and religious positions 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. Cross listed in JewshSt.
HISTORY 3229
History of Early Christianity | LEC | WF 9:35AM-10:55AM | Denny 250 | Caspian Goggin | Class Class #35377
A survey of the history of Christianity from its Jewish and Greco-Roman roots to the late sixth century.
Prereq or concur: English 1110.xx, or permission of instructor. GE historical study and diversity global studies course. GE theme traditions, cultures, and transformations course.
HISTORY 3245
The Age of Reformation | LEC | WF 9:35AM-10:55AM | Journalism Building 371 | Laura Flannigan | Class | Class #35441
The history of the Protestant, Catholic, and Radical Reformations of 16th and early 17th century Europe.
Prereq or concur: English 1110.xx, or GE foundation writing and info literacy course, or permission of instructor. GE historical study course. GE theme citizenship for div and just wrld and traditions, cultures, and transformations course.
JEWSHST 3704
Women in the Bible and Beyond| LEC | TR 11:10AM-12:30AM | Mendenhall Lab 129 | TBA | Class #29265.
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, Hebrew 2704, or 3704. GE lit and diversity global studies. GE foundation lit, vis and performing arts and race, ethnicity and gender div course. Cross-listed in Hebrew.
RELSTDS 3168
History of God | LEC | TR 02:20PM-03:40PM | Baker Systems 148 | James Moore | Class #30610
Exploration of how the idea of a single God developed in religions having their origins in the ancient near East and the Mediterranean (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Hellenistic philosophy) from ancient times to the present.
Prereq: English 1110, or GE foundation writing and info literacy course. Not open to students with credit for NELC 3168. GE theme traditions, cultures, and transformations course. Cross-listed in NELC.
RELSTDS 3666
Modern Magic | LEC | MW 09:35AM-10:55AM | Hayes Hall 050 | Seth Josephson | Class 27934
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. GE foundation lit, vis and performing arts and historical and cultural studies course.
RELSTDS 3678
Religion and American Culture | MW 11:10AM-12:30PM | Hagerty 046 | Isaac Weiner | Class #36583
Thematic approach to the intersections of religion and American culture, with attention to varied topics such as pluralism, nationalism, race, gender, sexuality, law, media, science, economics, and popular culture. GE Theme: Citizenship for Diverse and Just World.
Religion is special in America. Religious individuals, communities, and institutions enjoy special legal privileges, such as tax-exempt status and free exercise protection. Religions regularly demand special toleration and respect. Religious freedom is thought to be one of the things that makes America exceptional. But what (and where) is religion in America, and what makes a religion American? What broader issues are at stake when we try to define and locate religion in a society as diverse and pluralistic as our own? How does thinking about religion’s place in American culture help us think more broadly about the meanings of American citizenship – both its scope and its limits?
RELSTDS 3679
Popular Culture and World Religion| LEC | WF 12:45PM-02:05PM | Room TBD | Spencer Dew | Class #36078
The representation of religion in visual culture, in the United States and around the world; the ways that religious traditions are represented or misrepresented; the ways religious traditions appropriate popular culture for their own purposes; new forms of religious practice and community that grow directly out of popular culture.
Prereq: English 1110. GE VPA course. GE foundation lit, vis and performing arts course.
RELSTDS 4875
Gender, Sexuality, and Religion| LEC | TR 09:35AM-10:15AM | Room TBD | Adam Banks | Class #36078
Explores intersections of gender, sexuality and religion in comparative and cross-cultural contexts.
Prereq: English 1110 (110) or equiv. Not open to students with credit for CompStd 4875 (515)
PHILOS 2120
Asian Philosophies | LEC | WF 11:10AM-12:30PM | Journalism Building 375 | Dylan Isaac Flint | Class #22646
A survey including at least three of the following philosophies system of Asia: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, Taoism, and Confucianism.
GE lit and diversity global studies course. GE foundation lit, vis and performing arts and historical and cultural studies course.
PHILOS 2120
Asian Philosophies | LEC | TR 9:35AM-10:55PM | Journalism Building 375 | Dylan Isaac Flint | Class #27229
A survey including at least three of the following philosophies system of Asia: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, Taoism, and Confucianism.
GE lit and diversity global studies course. GE foundation lit, vis and performing arts and historical and cultural studies course.
PHILOS 2120
Asian Philosophies | LEC | WF 09:35AM-10:15AM | Dreese Lab | Erich Jones | Class #34562
A survey including at least three of the following philosophies system of Asia: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, Taoism, and Confucianism.
GE lit and diversity global studies course. GE foundation lit, vis and performing arts and historical and cultural studies course.
PHILOS 2120
Asian Philosophies| LEC | TR 03:55PM-05:15PM | Journalism Building 371 | Vaughn Papenhausen | Class #34563
A survey including at least three of the following philosophies system of Asia: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, Taoism, and Confucianism.
GE lit and diversity global studies course. GE foundation lit, vis and performing arts and historical and cultural studies course.
PHILOS 2850
Introduction to Philosophy of Religion | LEC | WF 02:20PM-03:40PM | Journalism Building 106 | Steven Brown | Class #29501
A philosophical analysis of the nature of religion and the foundations of religious belief.
GE cultures and ideas course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies course.
Other 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. Melissa Curley at curley.32@osu.edu.
HISTART 2007
From Buddha to Bollywood: Art and Architecture of Southern Asia | LEC | TR 02:20PM-03:40PM | Derby Hall 049 | Ujaan Ghosh | Class #30515
This course is designed to offer students a comprehensive overview of the diverse visual cultures of South Asia. We will delve into a broad range of topics, including architecture, sculpture and painting, performative traditions, and film. Through lectures, discussions, and assignments, we will develop a critical vocabulary to better understand and interrogate the rich visual heritage of the Indian subcontinent. Our focus will be on exploring the various ways in which visual culture has been utilized as a modality to express political power, gender roles, ethnic and racial identity, diverse religious beliefs, and social aspirations. Further, the course steers attention to questions of gender and identity in the South Asian context as they are expressed through artistic practice. Additionally, we will take a closer look at some of the foundational pedagogical debates and conversations surrounding South Asian Art. By the conclusion of the course, students will have a comprehensive understanding of the diverse artistic traditions as they are practiced in South Asia, and an appreciation for art's intersection with complex issues of race, ethnicity, gender, and politics.
HISTORY 2455
Jews in American Film | LEC | M 11:10AM-12:30PM | Denny Hall 214 | Matt Goldish | Class #35141
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 JewshSt 2455. GE historical study course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies and race, ethnicity and gender div course. Cross-listed in JewshSt.
HISTORY 2800H
Introduction to the Discipline of History | LEC |MW 02:20PM-03:40PM | Dulles Hall 027 | Matt Goldish | Class #35216
Topic: The Salem Witch Trails
Investigation of the methods and analytical approaches historians use to understand the past.
Prereq: Honors standing, or permission of instructor. Prereq or concur: English 1110.xx. Not open to students with credit for 398H.
HISTORY 4217
Seminar in Late Antiquity | LEC | WF 02:20PM-03:40PM | Journalism Building | David Brakke | Class #35162
Topic: Women and Gender in Ancient Christianity
This seminar will study the roles that women played in Christian communities from the New Testament through the fifth century C.E. and the images of women and notions of gender that (usually male) authors constructed in Christian literature of the same period. After brief consideration of methodological questions in the historical study of women and gender, we will gain an overview of our topic and then consider some case studies (e.g., Mary Magdalene, Thecla, Perpetua, Melania the Younger). Students will then develop, present, and write relevant research projects.
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.
NELC 3700
Mythology of Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia | LEC |MW 02:20PM-03:40PM | Mendenhall Lab 129 | Sarah Schellinger | Class #27170
An introductory comparative survey of the mythology of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. Prereq: English 1110, or GE foundation writing and info literacy course. GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course. GE theme lived environments course.
RUSSIAN 5250.05
The Russian Writer: Lev Tolstoy | LEC | WF 12:45PM-02:05PM | Hagerty Hall 046 | Alisa Lin | Class #36991
Lev Tolstoy (1828-1910) is a truly magnificent, iconic writer from the Russian nobility whose influence on literature, philosophy, and social-justice movements has been transnational and profound. Many of Tolstoy's ideas and positions are worthy of a critical eye and engaged debate - which is what we will do in our class.