From the revivals of George Whitefield to the antebellum abolitionists to the unexpected rise of Donald Trump, Evangelicals have played a vital and contested role in American society. Evangelicalism has also burgeoned into a truly global faith tradition, with an estimated 600 million+ adherents around the world. This course presents a multidisciplinary and polyperspectival introduction to this religious movement in World Christianity.

Given the multidisciplinary character of religious studies, it is imperative for new scholars to gain a basic sense of theoretical and methodological options in the field. By way of an examination of landmark texts, this course surveys the formation of religious studies in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and considers some important contemporary approaches.

This seminar explores the major conversations that scholars of religion are having, and have had, about what "religion" is and the best ways to study it. Focusing on classical controversies, ongoing debates, and new developments, this course will help students map out the field of religious studies and begin to situate their own studies within it. This course is geared towards Religious Studies majors but open to any interested student.

This course provides the opportunity to offer a new course in the subject of Buddhism.

Buddhist Mysticism and Modernity

Systematic readings in a selected topic under detailed supervision. Prerequisite: Permission of departmental advisor and instructor.

Classical Tibetan language has been an essential language of Buddhist teachings for 1500 years and is still an active part of Buddhist and Tibetan life across Asia--a Latin of the Buddhist world. This course is an introduction to Classical Tibetan, a gateway to the vast worlds of Tibetan and Indian Buddhism. In the first year the focus is on the writing system, the vocabulary, and the grammar of Classical Tibetan. No prior experience is necessary.

Classical Tibetan language has been an essential language of Buddhist teachings for 1500 years and is still an active part of Buddhist and Tibetan life across Asia--a Latin of the Buddhist world. This course is an introduction to Classical Tibetan, a gateway to the vast worlds of Tibetan and Indian Buddhism. In the second year you will use this knowledge to read Buddhist texts in Classical Tibetan.  No prior experience is necessary.

This course explores the close and dynamic relationship between religion and environmental thinking in East Asia.

Classical Tibetan language has been an essential language of Buddhist teachings for 1500 years and is still an active part of Buddhist and Tibetan life across Asia--a Latin of the Buddhist world. This course is an introduction to Classical Tibetan, a gateway to the vast worlds of Tibetan and Indian Buddhism. In the second year you will use this knowledge to read Buddhist texts in Classical Tibetan.  No prior experience is necessary.