317 Buddhism (3)
This course examines the history, teachings and practices of Buddhism in India, China, Japan and Tibet. Major scriptures of the Theravada, Mahayana and Tantric traditions are studied in depth.
318 Modern Judaism (3)
Exploration of religious, social, and political developments in modern Judaism, including the appearance of Zionism, the impact of the Holocaust, and efforts to overcome the tension between Zionism and the religious culture of contemporary Jews. Alternate years.
319 Taoism (3)
This course examines the history, teachings and practices of Taoism, from China’s Warring States Period (403-222 B.C.E.) up to the present. The philosophy of the Lao-tzu and Chuang-tzu will be studied in depth, along with the beliefs, practices and rituals of the Taoist religion.
320 Religions of India (3)
Examination of the conceptual and historical development of religions on the Indian subcontinent. Attention will also be paid to the interaction among religions of India and their relationships to Indian culture. Alternate years.
321 Religions of China (3)
Examination of the conceptual and historical development of religions in China. Attention will also be paid to the interaction among religions of China, the impact of Indian religions and culture on China, and the relationship of religion to Chinese culture. Alternate years.
322 Religions of Japan (3)
Examination of the conceptual and historical development of religions in Japan. Attention will also be paid to the interaction among religions of Japan, the impact of continental Asian religions and culture on Japan, and the relationships of religion to Japanese culture. Alternate years.
334 Religion in Southern Culture (3)
Examination of the role of religion in Southern culture, past and present. Attention to the evangelical influence, African-American religion, mountain religion, Southern-based sects, the Pentecostal experience, and the cultural impact of religion in the South. Alternate years.
337 Interpretations of Religion (3)
An examination of ways in which religious belief and practice may be understood; sympathetic and opposing views drawn from several fields and represented by such authors as Feuerbach, Freud, James, Malinowski, Berger, Levi-Strauss, Yinger, Fromm, and N.O. Brown. Alternate years.
351 Early Christian Thought (3)
The development of central issues in Christian thought in the first millennium, with an emphasis on how these emerged from a historical context as responses both to the demands of faith and to the social and intellectual concerns of the time. Consideration of such figures as Tertullian, Arius, Augustine, Gregory the Great, and Bede. Alternate years.
362 Modern Christian Thought (3)
Selected movements and figures that have shaped the Christian theological tradition in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Alternate years.
366 Goddess Traditions (3)
A cross-cultural survey of major goddess traditions of wide geographic distribution, this course addresses implications of what it means to talk about deities using female terminologies and associations. The seminar format involves reading, discussion, writing, and original research. May be registered as Women’s Studies 366. Credit not allowed in both Religion 366 and Women’s Studies 366.
369 Satanism, Witchcraft, and Spirit Possession (3)
“Witchcraft” and “Satanism” refer to occult bodies of traditional knowledge enabling practitioners to manipulate and/or respond to postulated superhuman forces. “Spirit possession” refers to perceived invasion of the human body by benign or malign supernatural forces. This course seeks to understand the corss-cultural range of these reported phenomena and of the conditions under which these reports occur.
417 Mysticism East and West (3)
The place of mysticism in the Eastern and Western religious traditions; discussion of the writings of major historical and contemporary mystics. On demand.
467 Contemporary Religious Issues (3)
Analysis of selected issues, such as church-state relations, fundamentalism, and debates over abortion, that are central to contemporary religious life. Primary attention to the American scene and some cross-cultural comparisons. Alternate years.
470 Psychology of Religion (3)
Analysis of empirical data and psychological theories involving religious beliefs, practices, and experiences. Every semester. Prerequisites: 6 units psychology or philosophy-religion. May be registered as Psychology 470. Credit not allowed in both Religion 470 and Psychology 470.
484 Holocaust and Genocide (3)
Examination of the Holocaust, the state-sponsored effort of the Nazi regime to destroy the Jewish people between 1933 and 1945, and the relationship between the Holocaust and the more general category of genocide. Consideration of the causes of genocide and the Holocaust and their persistent presence in contemporary society. Alternate years.
491r Studies in Religion (3)
A seminar or tutorial for the intensive consideration of one problem, movement, or figure in the field of religion. On demand.
492r Studies in Western Religious Thought (3)
A seminar or tutorial for the intensive consideration of one problem, movement, or figure in Western religious thought. On demand.
493r Studies in the History of Religions (3)
A seminar or tutorial for the intensive consideration of one problem, movement, or figure in the history of religions. On demand.
495r Departmental Honors (1-3 hours per term, 4 hours for the two terms)
Every semester. See Departmental Honors. Student Must submit an Individual Studies/Research Contract to the Records Office at the time of registration.
497r Research (1-4)
On demand. Prerequisite: approval of department head. Student Must submit an Individual Studies/Research Contract to the Records Office at the time of registration.
498r Individual Studies (1-4)
Must be taken for at least 3 hours in one semester by all majors. Every semester. Prerequisite: approval of department head. Student Must submit an Individual Studies/Research Contract to the Records Office at the time of registration.
499r Group Studies (1-4)
On demand. Prerequisite: approval of department head.
Physics, Geology, and Astronomy
Professor Habte Churnet, Head
The Department of Physics, Geology, and Astronomy offers two degree programs for its majors: the B.S. in physics, and the B.S. in geology. The department also contributes to programs leading to degrees in other sciences, engineering, and professional areas. In addition, the department offers minors in geology and physics.
The geology program emphasizes hands-on experience. Many courses are supported by field examination of sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks.
