Religious Studies

In the year 600, Christianity was the dominant religion of both the Middle East and Europe. By the year 750, this had all changed. Instead, Islam was the main religion in the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of southern Europe. So began relations and interactions between the two religions that would last throughout the medieval period, and up to today, see periods of both intense, fanatical, violence and close scientific and political collaboration. This course explores the history of relations between members of the two religions over the period of 900 years, from the rise of Islam in the early seventh century to the final defeat of the Muslims of Spain in 1492. It examines perceptions between the two sides in writings produced in a variety of languages, cultures, times and places. In so doing, the course will instruct not only the relations during the medieval period but will also uncover the roots of many of the tensions in the world today.

This course provides a general overview of secularism in the world. Reading texts, scientific articles, press articles, and historical documents, it reviews case studies with a comparative approach from political science, history, sociology, philosophy, and theology. Topics include the regime of separation of the Churches and the State in France, the secular state, the American civil religion, the Italian concordat, the Danish case, Turkey, the Mexican separation, and the Belgian derogatory regime. 

This course is considered a continuation of the course, "Special Topic in Japanese Culture A" and aims to deepen understanding of Shinto and Zen Buddhist traditional Japanese culture through three cultural experiences. The course provides an overview of Japanese religious culture and consider the religious consciousness of the Japanese people as seen in Oni and Mononoke, etc, in Japanese anime.
 

The course instructs on the origins of Shinto, as well as Shinto thought; the period of shrine establishment; histories of the shrine maiden; rituals; music; history, and development of Dance in Japan. This section also covers Shintoism and Kotodama (the philosophy of words and spirits) and Kodaimoji (ancient scripts.), as well as the philosophy of Budo (Martial arts). Then, the course provides a general overview of the development of Buddhism in Japan, including the development of Japanese Zen Buddhism and its wide range of cultural influence. It covers the history and thought of Zen Buddhism; its words; the relationship between Zen and Martial arts; Zen painting, as well as a Zazen experience. Through these studies and experiences, students will learn the characteristics of Japanese culture.

This course provides an overview of the basic approaches to the study of religion as a human phenomenon. As an introductory course it covers classical positions on religion; sociological, psychological, phenomenological, and anthropological approaches; and contemporary debates in the academic study of religion. On successful completion of this course, students are able to identify key approaches in the development of the academic study of religion; distinguish the methodologies of the disciplines investigating religion; characterize classical positions and their foundational concepts; relate theories to their historical, social, and philosophical context; and discuss the changing relationship of religion to society in different eras.

This course analyzes the role that religious forces play in international society today. It provides an overview of major world religions then discusses the role of religions in conflicts and peace.

This course provides a study of the basic characteristics of Chinese religions including etiquette, architecture, art, music, clothing, incense, worship and other methods. It examines China's religious issues, while integrating Chinese culture and beliefs. It also looks at religious research, covering field research theory, survey, judgment, comparison, and literature reviews.

The class explores various ideas from humanities and social sciences and engages scholars around the world. Topics include public religion, economics, and politics; religion and state; religion and political parties; religion and democratization; religion and civil society; religion, peace and politics; religion, politics, and conflict; the interplay between science, philosophy, and the world religions and implications for the flourishing of life in the post-covid19 era; and religion and foreign policy.