Religious Studies

This course examines the major issues and core ideas of Buddhism from its beginnings to subsequent developments in others parts of Asia. It covers Buddhist understanding of liberation, existence, and knowledge, with a focus on exploring how Buddhist thought and practices, such as ritual and meditation, shape each other in larger socio-cultural contexts.

This course explores how the first Islamic caliphate transformed the society, culture, and politics of western Asia in the centuries after the mission of Muhammad, c. 600-950. In the 7th century the new faith of Islam emerged in Arabia. Its adherents, though few in number, overturned the geopolitical world order, defeating the superpowers of their day to create the world’s largest empire, stretching from Portugal to Pakistan. This course asks how this first Islamic state was brought into being and how it changed life in the Middle East and beyond.
 

This course answers a wide range of inquiries related to the one of the most complex and profound texts in human history, the Old Testament, or the Hebrew Bible. Who wrote this book? For whom was this book written? When and how was this book created and completed? How was this book interpreted throughout the history of Western civilization? 

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will:
1. Be familiar with theological terms and expressions in the English language for Old Testament study.
2. Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of the basic contents and theological outlooks of some relevant texts of the Old Testament.
3. Discuss some significant contemporary debates and recent developments concerning the formation history of the Old Testament.
4. Engage with big ideas.
5. Improve intellectual and academic skills.

Students pursue an area of study in their major which is not available in the normal framework of the Undergraduate Study Abroad Program. Applicants for such study are expected to develop a sound rationale for their individual research project which requires faculty guidance and must reflect an intensive research project. This course is supervised one hour weekly for the duration of the 11 week semester.