Ohio State is in the process of revising websites and program materials to accurately reflect compliance with the law. While this work occurs, language referencing protected class status or other activities prohibited by Ohio Senate Bill 1 may still appear in some places. However, all programs and activities are being administered in compliance with federal and state law.

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.**

*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)

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.

 

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.

***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.