Religious Studies

The course examines the teachings, traditions, and history of the Hasidic movement, from its revolutionary beginnings to its current, reactionary position. The movement is examined for its original philosophical and theological teachings, and how changing assumptions affected its history and development over the last three centuries. The movement’s history can be divided into approximately four historical and ideological periods: the 18th century and the movement’s beginnings, its pioneering figures, its mystical-messianic vision, and the social controversy which surrounded it. The 19th century with the consolidation of the Hasidic movement into mainstream Judaism, the founding of Hasidic dynasties and their internecine battles, Hasidism’s relationship to modernity and the Jewish Haskala (Enlightenment), and the nascent Zionistic movement. The 20th century sees the budding of a contemporary Hasidism, in dialogue with the world, only to be cut short by the Holocaust and replaced by extreme reactionism. And the 21st century, with the current challenges facing the movement, both in Israel and America. Attention is also given to “neo-Hasidic” groups, such as the Jewish Renewal movement, Carlebach minyanim, Breslov, and Chabad. Students approach Hasidism through its primary texts (in the original Hebrew with English translation), culture, customs, and literature, in addition to more contemporary media forms such as magazines, movies for and about Hasidism, web logs, etc. Several films and television shows about Hasidim are assigned for viewing during the semester. The course also includes first-hand meetings with Hasidic Rebbes and members of the community.

This course examines Buddhist moral teachings and practices and their meaning and significance for contemporary living. It begins with a brief sketch of the Buddhist doctrines which can be easily identified as ethical teachings, and continues with the application of such teachings in some social and ethical issues such as war and terrorism, abortion, suicide, etc

This course examines Japanese culture and thought from the Buddhist perspectives, making constant references to both common and different features in the ways of thinking between Chinese and Japanese peoples, and also to how Japanese Buddhism and culture including Zen Buddhism, tea ceremony, Japanese cuisine, and other cultural activities became a global phenomenon after the 19th century. T

This course explores the relation of Korean Christianity and Yonsei spirit, and their growing process in history. It provides students with the background of Korean Protestantism in relation to Yonsei history, and helps them to have a comprehensive understanding of religious, cultural and social aspects of Korea. Topics include key values of Christianity, world Christianity and its history, Christianities in our global communities, Korean history and religions, sustainable development goals and Yonsei spirit, the beginning of Korean Christianity and Yonsei, the development of Korean Christianity and Yonsei (Korean War-two Koreas, military dictatorship, industrialization, church growth, student movement), and democratization process and Yonsei spirit. 

This course examines a general introduction to six of the world’s major religions with a special focus on the way in which their specific laws and customs impact upon the behavior of their adherents. The religions studied are Hinduism, Buddhism, Daoism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Each week a specific practical theme will be traced across the six religions. The themes include sacred images; scriptural texts; ethics; the three life-cycle rituals of birth, death and marriage; food and clothing customs; the calendar; religious architecture and popular places of pilgrimage.