What is religion? Why do people reach out to God(s) or other unseen powers? How are beliefs in spiritual entities expressed and perpetuated? Why do people come together to form religious communities? How does religion order people's lives, and what impact have religious visionaries and institutions had on societies through the ages? This is a co-taught seminar that introduces students to the rich and interdisciplinary field of Religious Studies.

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.

Studies the major religious traditions of the Western world; Judaism, Eastern Orthodox Christianity, Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, and Islam.

Studies the history, literature, and religion of ancient Israel in the light of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament. Emphasizes methods of contemporary biblical criticism. Cross listed as RELJ 1210.

Studies the history, literature, and religion of ancient Israel in the light of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament. Emphasizes methods of contemporary biblical criticism. Cross listed as RELC 1210.

First half of a year-long introduction to biblical Hebrew, using an innovative language-learning approach. Through communicative activities in an immersive environment, students acquire oral and aural capacities naturally, in Hebrew. These capacities enable students to internalize the language and thus achieve the overall course goal: read simple biblical Hebrew prose with immediate comprehension. No Prerequisites.

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

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.

Jewish and Muslim communities share a complex history of interaction, spanning from seventh-century Arabia to the present day, and including instances of collaboration as well as moments of violence. Our course examines this dynamic relationship through documentary and literary sources. We focus on points of contact between Muslims and Jews in contexts ranging from battlefields to universities, from religious discourse to international politics.

Jewish and Muslim communities share a complex history of interaction, spanning from seventh-century Arabia to the present day, and including instances of collaboration as well as moments of violence. Our course examines this dynamic relationship through documentary and literary sources. We focus on points of contact between Muslims and Jews in contexts ranging from battlefields to universities, from religious discourse to international politics.