Religious Studies Major

Introduction

RS 105

World Religions

3 Units - Examines six of the following traditions in light of human quest for transcendence: Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shintoism, Zen, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Films augment lectures. GE, DCG.

RS 120

Exploring Religion

3 Units - Introduction to theory and method in the study of religion; examines religious elements, including such topics as faith, sacred time and space, ritual, tradition, devotion, meditation, and new religious movements.

Religion in Tradition
(5 Courses)

RS 320

Sacred Texts: Hebrew Bible

3 Units - "Old Testament" books, including Deuterocanonical works. Jewish, Christian, Islamic, and humanist perspectives. Exegesis; hermeneutics; historical-critical and literary views of texts.

RS 321

Sacred Texts: New Testament

3 Units - Differing perspectives within Christian tradition as found in the variety of genres and viewpoints of New Testament writers. Course uses historical-critical and literary methods, but accepts its expression as an inspired scripture within a living faith tradition.

RS 322

Sacred Texts: Buddhist Texts

4 Units - Survey folk tales, philosophical treatises, poetry, tantras, and scriptures from early Buddhism to Zen. Attention to canon, genre, transmission, translation, hermeneutics, cultural transformation, function, message, and aesthetics.

RS 323

Sacred Texts: Hindu Texts

4 Units - Indian literature ancient and modern: the Vedas, mythic visions, lives of saints, poetry, epics, philosophers, yogis, devotees, folk tales, and modern writers, such as Rushdie, Jhabvala, and Narayan.

RS 330

Introduction to Judaism

3 Units - Survey of religious Judaism: from orthodoxy to reform. Meanings of Jewish life-cycle events, holiday and calendar rituals, history and sacred literature..

RS 331

Introduction to Christianity

3 Units - Doctrinal developments; literature; rites and rituals; history (including development of major branches). Issues of modernity and postmodernity (could include feminist perspectives and interreligious dialog).

RS 332

Introduction to Islam

3 Units - Beliefs, institutions, sacred literature, history. Life of Muhammad, development of tradition in classical period, issues in modernity.

RS 340

Zen, Dharma, & Tao

3 Units - Confucianism, Taoism, Shinto, and the major forms of Buddhism in China and Japan. DCG.

RS 341

Spiritual Traditions of India

3 Units - In this course, exploration of images, temples, myth, poetry, meditation, devotion, and philosophy are woven together in a multidimensional approach to the exquisite spiritual traditions of Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism.

RS 342

Buddhism in India and Tibet

3 Units - The development of Buddhism in India and its transformation in Tibet, from the original Buddha to the Dalai Lamas with attention to diverse spiritual instincts of mystics, devotees, and philosophers.

RS 345

T'ai Chi Ch'üan (Taijiquan)

3 Units - Learn detailed movements of Taiji longform. Emphasis: conceptuality as encoded in body movement and form. Readings from Chinese classics, with focus on how direct awareness influences textual understanding. CR/NC.

RS 350

Religions of the Goddesses

3 Units - Beginning with goddess figures dating to 22,000 BCE, examine goddess religions through the archaeology and mythology of Western Europe and the Near East.

RS 391

Religion in Tradition: Special Topics

3 Units - Topics within religious tradition(s) with thematic focus or tradition overview. Rep with different topics.

RS 392

Sacred Literature: Special Topics

3 Units - Survey selected works of sacred literature in Eastern or Western religious traditions. Rep with different topics.

Religion in Myth, Culture, and Experience
(9 Units, no more than 3 from experiential workshops)

RS 300

Living Myths

3 Units - Examines how a culture's “sacred stories” express worldview, guide behavior, and empower personal quests for meaning. Sections offered under the following themes: War and Peace, Quest for Self, Beyond the Hero.

RS 360

Religion & Psychology

3 Units - Religious nature of human development. Concepts such as religious impulse, meaning, and soul explored from religious and psychological perspectives.

RS 361

Consumerism & (Eco)Spirituality

3 Units - How religious practice questions/challenges consumerism. Underlying roots of consumerist mentality and its personal/environmental effects. Explore spiritual/religious foundations for sustainability and environmental health.

RS 362

Wisdom & Craft

3 Units - How persons communicate their spiritual wisdom, their awareness of living connectedness and place in the cosmos, through everyday tasks of crafting creative work. Compare/contrast traditions (Amish, Navaho, Shaker, etc.).

RS 363

Mysticism & Madness

3 Units - Religious understanding and scientific critiques of spiritual experiences, from speaking in tongues to mystical trance states. Experiential education in Tibetan visualization, Zen meditation, Sufi dance, etc., in additional required meetings.

RS 393

Cinema & the Sacred

3 Units - Studies “Movies” treatment of religion in their themes, content, and mythological underpinnings, and religious phenomenon through cult films, screen idols, and theatre as modern mythological temple.

RS 393

Religion in Myth, Culture, & Experience: Special Topics

3 Units - Thematic and/or comparative examination. Rep with different topics.

RS 394

Religious Studies Workshop

1-3 Units - Experiential learning (participation). Topics vary. Focus is intensive and short term. CR/NC. Prereq: IA. Rep.

RS 400

Paths to the Center

3 Units - Inner unity and how religions facilitate human integration. Two religious perspectives compared with a secular perspective. Identify options of meaningful focus.

NAS 311

Comparative Native American Mythology

1-3 Units - Independent study of selected topic under supervision. Provides depth to specific area of student's development. Rep.

Senior Seminar

RS 395

Senior Seminar

3 Units - Capstone for major. Professor determines thematic focus. Culminating project applies research skills, critical and experiential reflection, and methodologies within the discipline. Prereq: completed 27 units required for the major.