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The Harlem Renaissance (HR) of the 1920s is most often depicted as "the flowering of African American arts and literature." It can also be characterized as a period when diverse forms of African American religious expressions, ideologies, and institutions emerged. This course explores the literature of the Harlem Renaissance, particularly the writings of Langston Hughes, to understand the pivotal intersection of race and religion during this time of black "cultural production."

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This course will serve as a continuation of REL 555: Intro to Coptic Language and Literature. The focus of this term will be on building Coptic reading competency. The class will focus on reading Coptic Nag Hammadi literature and will serve as a basic introduction to the generic and literary forms of this corpus. We will read texts both in English translation and prepare shorter selections of the Coptic for each session. Students will walk away from the course with stronger reading comprehension as well as a knowledge about the theologies, philosophies, and historical contexts of the ancient codices.

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.).

Introduction to essential genres of Chinese Buddhist writing, especially texts translated from Sanskrit into Chinese in the second through seventh centuries. Close reading of early, foundational texts in Chinese. Focus on content, genre, style, grammar, and vocabulary. Research tools, methods, some secondary sources also introduced. Reading knowledge of classical Chinese required. Students from all departments welcome.

Surveys different genres of Chinese Buddhist writing, emphasizing questions of literary style and hermeneutics. Subjects include genres translated from Indian sources (including sutra, jataka, avadana, gatha) as well as genres that developed in China and beyond (commentaries, miracle tales, etc.). Open to graduate students from all departments; others must seek permission of instructor. A separate session is held each week for those who can read classical Chinese or kanbun.

This seminar introduces Buddhist texts and genres from ancient and medieval Japan (roughly eighth through twelfth centuries). We read tales, homiletic notes, and doctrinal works (Tendai and Shingon) as well as other texts in accord with student interest. Topics include narrative, cosmology, ethics, ritual, manuscript cultures, and esoteric Buddhism. Significant time is spent on research methods and tools necessary for the study of Buddhism. Readings require basic familiarity with at least one of the following languages: classical Chinese, kanbun, or classical Japanese.

This seminar explores exchange between Japanese and continental (China and Korean) Buddhism. We read primary sources and secondary scholarship including transmission narratives, hagiographies, and pilgrimage records to show how Buddhism in East Asia was facilitated by exchange and to move beyond nation-centered narratives. Significant time is spent on translation, as well as research methods and tools necessary for the study of premodern Japanese Buddhism. Readings require basic familiarity with classical Chinese or kanbun.

This seminar offers an intensive introduction to Japanese Buddhist thought, concentrating on major schools and figures with some attention to continental antecedents. We consider Tendai, esoteric, Pure Land, Zen, and Nichiren Buddhist traditions, along with their modern reinterpretations. We also investigate trans-denominational themes, such as the decline of the Dharma, the salvation of evil persons, and the rapid realization of buddhahood. Readings are in English, with supplementary material provided in Japanese and/or kanbun for those able to read it.

This seminar explores the issue of popular or folk Buddhism (minshu Bukkyo) in premodern Japan. We read primary sources and secondary scholarship on topics such as mountain practice, pilgrimage, sacred space, and social organizations to better understand the role of Buddhism in the lives of everyday people in premodern Japan. Significant time is spent on translation, as well as research methods and tools necessary for the study of premodern Japanese Buddhism. Readings require basic familiarity with at least one of the following languages: classical Chinese, kanbun, or classical Japanese.

This seminar explores the issue of popular or folk Buddhism (minshu Bukkyo) in premodern Japan. We read primary sources and secondary scholarship on topics such as mountain practice, pilgrimage, sacred space, and social organizations to better understand the role of Buddhism in the lives of everyday people in premodern Japan. Significant time is spent on translation, as well as research methods and tools necessary for the study of premodern Japanese Buddhism. Readings require basic familiarity with at least one of the following languages: classical Chinese, kanbun, or classical Japanese.

In this seminar we read representative examples of Buddhist texts in Japanese and kanbun from the Heian through modern periods. Readings are drawn from multiple genres and may include doctrinal writings, ritual manuals, didactic tales, sermons, and personal letters. Supplementary readings in Japanese and English scholarship may be assigned. To some extent, readings may be chosen to accommodate participants' research interests. Use of bibliographic and reference sources is also introduced.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.