Comparative Religion Fall 2016 Course Offerings
At a Glance – Descriptions Follow
Mondays and Wednesdays
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REL 250 Introduction to Islam MW 10:25-11:40
REL 214 Business Ethics - Section 1: MW 10:25-11:40
Tuesdays and Thursdays
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REL 214 Business Ethics - Section 2: TR 10:25-11:40
REL 238/HIST 238 Crusade and Jihad Then and Now TR 11:50-1:05
REL 220/JWST 220 The Jewish Experience: An Introduction to Judaism TR 10:25-11:40
REL 224/JWST224: From Monotheism, to Pantheism to Atheism: The God-Idea in Jewish Thought from
Moses & Maimonides to Mendel & Marx TR 1:15-2:30
Wednesdays
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REL 216 Biomedical Ethics W 7:00-9:30
Thursdays
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REL 208 Religions of Africa R 7:00-9:30
REL 208 Religions of Africa R 7:00-9:30. Instructor: Addo
An introduction to the basic themes within the traditional religions of Africa, including the nature of God,
the significance of creation myths, the role of ancestors, the importance of religious leaders, and the
problem of evil, sickness, and death. Explores the problematic Christian encounter with African religions,
the Semitic connection and African Islam, and the role and function of the Independent African-Christian
Churches. Offered Annually. Same as: PAST+208 and ANTH+208. CLA-Breadth/Interdisciplinary, CLADiversity International, CLA-Writing Intensive
REL 214 Business Ethics. Section 1: MW 10:25-11:40. Section 2: TR 10:25-11:40. Instructor: Cole. A
philosophical and theological study of those ethical, religious, and social issues that play an important role
in thinking morally about economic and business practices. Attention is paid to practical ethical problems
arising out of the functional areas of management and the wider areas of business and social responsibility
in relation to the community, ecology, minorities, and the role of multinationals and public safety. CLABreadth/Humanities
REL 216 Biomedical Ethics W 7:00-9:30. Instructor: Cole
An examination of the issues from religious and ethical perspectives. Topics include physician-patient
relationships, death and dying, obtaining organs and tissues for transplantation, patient competence,
assisted suicide and euthanasia, abortion, reproductive technologies, genetic testing and engineering, stem
cell research and cloning, experiments on humans, rationing health care, and justice and public health. CLABreadth/Humanities
REL 220/JWST 220 The Jewish Experience: An Introduction to Judaism TR 10:25-11:40
Instructor: Nadler. A survey of the basic religious doctrines, ritual practice, and philosophical schools of the
Jewish religion, from biblical times to the present. The course includes the analysis of Jewish theology,
rational philosophy, mysticism, messianism, religious ceremonies, family life-cycle, and rites of passage, as
well as universal concepts. CLA-Breadth/Humanities, CLA-Middle East Studies
REL 224/JWST224: Topics in Jewish Studies: From Monotheism, to Pantheism to Atheism: The GodIdea in Jewish Thought from Moses & Maimonides to Mendel & Marx TR 1:15-2:30 Instructor: Nadler
REL 238/HIST 238 Crusade and Jihad Then and Now TR 11:50-1:05. Instructor: Hamilton
This course investigates and compares the religious origins of the ideas of crusade and jihad. In both cases
a devotional practice became militarized; we will discuss how these practices became militarized both
theologically and practically. We consider the contested spaces of the Mediterranean, including Jerusalem,
that fostered the development of these forms of religious warfare. We will then examine how these ideas
became transformed in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries in movements and events as varied as
romanticism, the Red Cross, colonialism, World War I, Pan-Arabism, and Wahhabism. All of these
reimagined, idealized, and represented the medieval world (Latin or Arabic) so as to promote radically
different agendas. CLA-Breadth/Humanities, CLA-Diversity International
REL 250 Introduction to Islam MW 10:25-11:40. Instructor: Taylor
A broad introduction to the world’s second largest religion. Topics covered include a brief historical
overview of the life and mission of the Prophet Muhammad, the rise of the early Islamic community, and
the formation of Islamic civilization. Additional units focus on the nature and structure of the Qur’an, the
role of Islamic law, aspects of ritual practice, and expressions of Muslim spirituality. Relying heavily on
primary textual sources in translation, students consider issues such as the relationship between religion
and politics, women and society, and themes of unity and variety in the Islamic tradition. CLABreadth/Humanities, CLA-Diversity International