Upcoming Semester Upper Level Courses

Spring 2022 Upper-Level Course Offerings

Religion 200: Approaches to the Study of Religion

Explores the history of and methodological resources for the study of religion. Focus may vary with the instructor, but the emphasis is on the ways religion has been defined, studied, and interpreted over the last several centuries.

REL 290 A Special Topics: Jesus & Buddha

This course invites students to engage in a comparative study of Jesus and Buddha, the central figures of Christianity and Buddhism. While acknowledging and respecting each tradition’s unique and distinctive texts, rituals, philosophies, and histories, the course invites participants to deepen their understanding of both traditions by looking at them on their own terms and also through the lens of the other.

REL 290 B Special Topics: Seeing with the Native Eye (1.5 credit course, first half of the semester)

Students will examine key aspects of the historical relationship between Native Americans and Europeans, with attention to the various policies enacted by the US federal government regarding Native Americans, images of First Peoples produced by Europeans and their impacts, and the recent re-emergence of Native cultural traditions.

REL 290 C: The Art of Meditation: Walking the Ancient St. Cuthbert’s Way
(3 hours, Group II—Religion, History, and Society)
Dr. Ulrike Wiethaus

WFU Short-Term Abroad Program: Reynolda Campus and Scotland

Site-specific study of early medieval Christianity & pilgrimage. Daily walking along the Way. Students will immerse themselves into the intersections of ecology, the history of Christian spirituality (with accommodation for non-Christian traditions), personal growth, and interdisciplinary academic work in the art of meditation. Please see travel information on the GPS website.

Offered Thursdays from 4-6:30 on campus April 7, 14, 21, 28. The trip to Scotland is scheduled for two weeks to begin directly after Spring 2022 finals.

REL 317 Wisdom Literature

Examines the development, literary characteristics, and theological contents of the works of ancient Israel’s sages.

REL 332 Religion & Public Engagement

Examines the interface between religious communities and the public sphere, and the potential for social change in contemporary global and local contexts through a range of readings, guest lectures, field trips, and films. Traditions and emphasis may vary with instructor.

REL 335 Religious Ethics and The Problems of War

Examines the causes and characteristics of war, various religious responses to it, and approaches to peacemaking, with attention to selected contemporary issues.

REL 345 The African American Religious Experience

Explores the religious dimensions of African-American life from its African antecedents to contemporary figures and movements. (CD)

REL 362: Topics in Islam: Muslim Youth

This course will explore the lived experiences of young Muslims around the world through the intersecting lenses of religion, power and protest. In particular, students in this course will learn how international conflicts and changes in global and local economic structures have led to renewed calls for solidarity, accountability, and justice within trans-regional Muslim youth movements.

REL 390 Special Topics: Holy Chow! Food & Religion

Religion and food practices are deeply intertwined, providing us with guidance on what we may eat, how we may eat it, with whom we may eat, and where we may eat. Through case studies this class will explore food-related religious practices, food prohibitions, fasts and feasts, food equity, and food taboos.

REL 390 Special Topics: OMG! I’m Queer! (1.5 credit course, second half of the semester)

This course introduces students to queer theory in order to analyze how religion intersects with politics to regulate gender and sexuality in the US. By focusing on current issues and debates, we will explore how concepts of sin and immorality are used to legitimate certain identities and stigmatize others.