Religious Studies

Study of the history, literature, and religion of the Hebrews, from the time of Abraham to about 500 B.C.E. History and culture of Israel are related to those of surrounding nations, with special emphasis on the relevancy of archeological data.

This course surveys the relationships between heaven, earth, and human beings in the tradition known as Confucianism. We will explore such topics as self-cultivation and meditation, spirituality, education, principles of civic responsibility, and attitudes toward the natural world. We will also explore the many different faces of Confucius that have been created from ancient to modern times, in Asia and beyond.

This course asks the question “what are the relationships between religion and the environment?” To answer this the course will examine a few key themes: ways in which the environment have been fundamental in shaping religions, ways in which religious thought and traditions have shaped modern conceptions of the environment, and new ways in which religions have approached the environment concerning climate change. Special attention will be paid to Native American relationships with the environment.