REL 501: Religion and the Tradition of Social Theory
Graded */aud Total Enrollment 20
Professor(s): Stephen Teiser
10:00am – 12:50pm F Seminar
A critical introduction to developments in social theory that have influenced the academic study of religion, including the classic contributions of Marx, Durkheim, and Weber as well as more recent debates in anthropology and cultural theory. Required of, and designed for, first- and second-year graduate students in religion; others must receive the instructor’s permission to enroll.
REL 505: Studies in Religion in America: Religion in Modern American History and Culture
Graded */aud Total Enrollment 10
Professor(s): Judith Weisenfeld
1:30pm – 4:20pm W Seminar
This course provides a broad introduction to major themes in and recent literature exploring the history of religion in modern American culture. Topics may include religion, politics, and law; empire, migration, and immigration; religious diversity; race and ethnicity; gender and sexuality; theological conflicts and transformations.
REL 507: Studies in Religion and Philosophy: Modern Jewish Philosophy and Theology
Graded */aud Total Enrollment 15
Professor(s): Leora Batnitzky
1:30pm – 4:20pm M Seminar
This course focuses on four major modern Jewish philosophers: Hermann Cohen, Franz Rosenzweig, Leo Strauss, and Emmanuel Levinas, with particular attention to their relations to Kant and Heidegger. Among the topics considered are: What is the relation between Jewish philosophy, theology, and thought? Can or ought we speak of a canon of modern Jewish philosophy? What constitutes the borders or limits of a tradition of thinking? What is the relation between historical and conceptual analysis in thinking about Jewish philosophy within the history of philosophy?
REL 513: Studies in Ancient Judaism: Introduction to Judaism in the Greco-Roman World
Graded */aud Total Enrollment 10
Professor(s): Martha Himmelfarb
1:30pm – 4:20pm TH Seminar
The goal of this course is to introduce a significant part of the literature of the Jews of Palestine and Egypt in the period from Alexander to the destruction of the Second Temple.
REL 517: Religion and Public Life
Graded */aud Total Enrollment 10
Professor(s): Jonathan Gold
12:00pm – 1:20pm T Seminar
Presentation and critical discussion of research in progress by participants, dealing with the social scientific study of religion, religion and public policy, and religion and contemporary social issues. Note: REL 517 (fall) and REL 517 (spring) constitute this year-long workshop. In order to receive credit and/or a grade, students must take the course both semesters.
REL 518: Religion and Critical Thought Workshop
Graded */aud Total Enrollment 15
Professor(s): Leora Batnitzky
9:00am – 10:30am TH Seminar
A weekly, year-long workshop focused on current student and faculty research in religion and critical thought, designed primarily for graduate students working on dissertations and general examination essays on the philosophy of religion, religious ethics, and the role of religion in politics. Note: REL 518 (fall) and REL 519 (spring) constitute this year-long workshop. In order to receive credit and/or a grade, students must take the course both semesters.
REL 521: Religion and Culture Workshop
Graded */aud Total Enrollment 10
Professor(s): Jenny Wiley Legath
12:00pm – 1:20pm M Seminar
A weekly, year-long workshop devoted to the critical discussion of research in progress in the ethnographic, historical, and normative study of religion and culture. Designed for dissertation writers receiving fellowships from the Center for the Study of Religion and post-doctoral fellows. Note: REL 521 (fall) and REL 522 (spring) constitute this year-long workshop. In order to receive credit and/or a grade, students must take the course both semesters.
REL 523: Religion in America Workshop
Graded */aud Total Enrollment 10
Professor(s): Judith Weisenfeld
3:00pm – 4:20pm TH Seminar
A weekly, year-long workshop focused on the current research of visiting presenters, current students, and faculty in American religious history. The workshop is designed primarily for Ph.D. students in the field, but is open as well to undergraduate concentrators with a strong background in the study of American religion and culture. Note: REL 523 (fall) and REL 524 (spring) constitute this year-long workshop. In order to receive credit and/or a grade, students must take the course both semesters.
REL 525: Religions of Late Antiquity Workshop
Graded */aud Total Enrollment 10
Professor(s): Elaine Pagels
12:00pm – 1:20pm T Seminar
A weekly, year-long workshop providing students in the Religions of Late Antiquity with the opportunity to present their current research for discussion. Note: REL 525 (fall) and REL 526 (spring) constitute this year-long workshop. In order to receive credit and/or a grade, students must take the course both semesters.
REL 531: Readings in Chinese Religions: Dunhuang Manuscripts & Chinese Buddhism
Graded */aud Total Enrollment 12
Professor(s): Stephen Teiser
1:30pm – 4:20pm W Seminar
Close reading of Chinese Buddhist texts surviving among the Dunhuang manuscripts. Introduction to the Dunhuang corpus, paleography, codicology, & research tools. Survey of different genres: canonical sutras & commentaries, indigenous sutras, miracle tales, sectarian literature, ritual handbooks, documents of lay congregations, & performance literature (sutra lectures, transformation texts, etc.).
REL 536: Studies in Indian Religions: Up to 1300
Graded */aud Total Enrollment 15
Professor(s): Jonathan Gold
1:30pm – 4:20pm TH Seminar
This course is a survey of major text traditions in Indian religions, with an emphasis on the historical/cultural framework against which to read the development of Buddhist traditions. Major topics addressed are: “Orientalism” & “Hinduism”; Vedas & Upanisads; Early Buddhism; Dharmasastras & Mahabharata; Mahayana Buddhism; and Tantra & Vajrayana.