Religious Studies (RELST)Arts and Sciences

Showing 31 results.

Course descriptions provided by the Courses of Study 2018-2019.

Last Updated

  • Schedule of Classes - May 15, 2019 12:56PM EDT
  • Course Catalog - March 4, 2019 1:00PM EST

RELST 2112
Black Spirituality, Religion & Protest

This course examines Black spirituality, religion, and protest from an historical perspective, beginning with African traditions and Christianity during enslavement, which created resistance ideology and ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: AMST 2112, ASRC 2112, HIST 2112

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  9298 RELST 2112   SEM 101

  •  

RELST 2156
Anti-Semitism and the Making of European Jewry

Does hatred have a history? Historians insist that Europe invented a tradition of hating Jews and Judaism; some go so far as to argue that the destruction of European Jewry during the Holocaust was the ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: HIST 2156, JWST 2156

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 17849 RELST 2156   SEM 101

  •  

RELST 2204
Introduction to Quranic Arabic

This course is designed for students who are interested in reading the language of the Qur'an with accuracy and understanding. The first week (4 classes) will be devoted to an introduction of the history ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: ARAB 2204, ASRC 2204

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  7315 RELST 2204   SEM 101

  •  

  • Taught in English. Does not count towards Arts and Sciences language requirement.

RELST 2247
Controversy and Debate in Islam

Whether it is politics, society, the law, sexuality, popular culture or minorities' rights, the media are saturated with news on Islam. This course introduces topical issues in Islam as a religious, historical, ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: ASIAN 2247, NES 2649

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  8700 RELST 2247   LEC 001

  •  

RELST 2277
Meditation in Indian Culture

This course probes the truths behind traditional claims of the priority of internal practice in Indian traditions. We will examine both practices themselves - techniques of meditation and contemplation ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: ASIAN 2277

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  7889 RELST 2277   LEC 001

  •  

RELST 2330
Religion and Social Life

Global conflicts, raising children, electing presidents, praying for a loved one: from the mundane to the extraordinary, religion plays a significant role in social life, regardless of whether or not one ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: SOC 2330

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 17076 RELST 2330   SEM 101

  •  

RELST 2360
Music and Islam

What does Islam "say" about music? This course will trace circulations of this question in scholarly, popular, media, and religious discourses. Why and how does it matter what sound is called music and ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: ASRC 2360, MUSIC 2360, NES 2360

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 17382 RELST 2360   LEC 001

  •  

RELST 2575
Myth and Religion in Mesopotamia

This course will survey the cultic practices and beliefs of ancient Babylonia and Assyria, the two major civilizations of Mesopotamia. We will examine the major myths of this region, e.g., Ishtar's Descent ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: JWST 2575, NES 2575, NES 6575

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  7227 RELST 2575   LEC 001

  •  

RELST 2617
Islam and Politics: Between an Islamic State and Daily Life

In the early twentieth century, a series of movements arose in the Middle East and South Asia, calling Muslims to return to Islam. Today, leaders and members of such groups –now known as Islamists –insist ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: GOVT 2807, HIST 2607, NES 2607

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 16329 RELST 2617   LEC 001

  •  

RELST 2695
Introduction to Christian History

This course offers an introduction to the history of Christianity from the first century through the seventeenth and perhaps a bit beyond. Our emphasis will be on the diversity of Christian traditions, ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: CLASS 2636, MEDVL 2695, NES 2695

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 16360 RELST 2695   LEC 001

  •  

RELST 3150
Medieval Philosophy

A selective survey of Western philosophical thought from the fourth to the 14th century. Topics include the problem of universals, the theory of knowledge and truth, the nature of free choice and practical ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: MEDVL 3210, PHIL 3210

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 17148 RELST 3150   LEC 001

  •  

RELST 3309
Temple in the World: Buddhism in Contemporary South and Southeast Asia

How do Buddhists live out their philosophies and ethics? What are the spaces of ritual, devotion, meditation, education, and politics? How do Buddhist practices and affiliations satisfy aesthetic and emotional ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: ASIAN 3309

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  8143 RELST 3309   LEC 001

  •  

RELST 3328
Buddhism in Ancient Gandhara

Ancient Gandhara, modern northwestern Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan, has long captivated the imagination of scholars with its great cultural diversity and haunting Hellenistic Buddhist art. This course ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  • 16577 RELST 3328   LEC 001

  •  

RELST 3344
Introduction to Indian Philosophy

This course will survey the rich and sophisticated tradition of Indian philosophical thought from its beginnings in the speculations of Upanishads, surveying debates between Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: ASIAN 3344, CLASS 3674, PHIL 2540

  • 4 Credits Graded

  • 16515 RELST 3344   LEC 001

  •  

RELST 3416
Zen Buddhism: Ecology, Sustainability and Daily Life

This course explores the Zen's central religious, historical and aesthetic developments. We read primary sources in translation and secondary sources. We examine the rise of the Ch'an tradition in China ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •  7891 RELST 3416   LEC 001

  • Instructor Consent Required (Add)

RELST 3588
Biblical Archaeology

The purpose of the course is to place the Bible within the context of a larger ancient world that can be explored by systematic excavation of physical remains. Students will become familiar with archaeological ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  • 16365 RELST 3588   SEM 101

  •  

RELST 3719
The Jewish Life of DNA

This course will explore the relationship between DNA and Jewish life. We will conceive of Jews and Judaism broadly, in terms of religious, ethnic, and national discourses as we consider theories of kinship ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: AMST 3719, JWST 3719, STS 3719

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 16322 RELST 3719   LEC 001

  •  

RELST 4100
Latin Philosophical Texts

Reading and translation of Latin philosophical texts. view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •  7051 RELST 4100   SEM 101

    • TBA

    • MacDonald, S

  • Instructor Consent Required (Add)

RELST 4102
Biblical Hebrew Prose: Genesis

From the Garden of Eden to Noah's Ark, from Abraham's journey from Haran to Joseph's coat of many colors, the book of Genesis contains stories that are at once familiar to Western readers, and foreign ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: HEBRW 4102, HEBRW 6102, JWST 4102

  • 4 Credits Graded

  • Topic: Biblical Hebrew Prose: Genesis

  • 16671 RELST 4102   SEM 101

  •  

RELST 4400
Tibetan Buddhism

This course is an exploration of the development of the Vajrayana tradition through a focus on the myths and stories about, and writings by central figures in what is known in the west as Tibetan Buddhism. ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: ASIAN 4400

  • 4 Credits Graded

  • 16624 RELST 4400   SEM 101

  •  

  • Prerequisite: one course on Asian religion or permission of instructor.

RELST 4404
Magic and Demonic Creatures between Reformation and Enlightenment

This course examines beliefs in magic and magical creatures, looking at how the occult organized all aspects of early modern life.  Scientists believed that magic could help them create gold, doctors practiced ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: HIST 4405

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 17473 RELST 4404   SEM 101

  •  

RELST 4434
Muslim Resistance: Shi'a Islam in Asia

With sectarian conflicts and discussions on orthodoxy and heresy dominating the headlines, it becomes important to better understand the relationship between Muslim majorities and minorities. This seminar ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: ASIAN 4434, ASIAN 6634, NES 4634

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 16476 RELST 4434   SEM 101

  •  

  • Prerequisite: One course in the humanities.

RELST 4465
Buddhists and Muslims: Asian Interactions

In popular discourses, Buddhism and Islam are now often conceptualized as sharply contrasting religious traditions. Moreover, tensions between Buddhists and Muslims now feature strongly in some contemporary ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: ASIAN 4466, ASIAN 6666, RELST 6665

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 16581 RELST 4465   SEM 101

  •  

RELST 4931
Vitality and Power in China

Chinese discourses have long linked the circulation of cosmic energies, political power, and bodily vitalities. In these models political order, spiritual cultivation, and health are achieved and enhanced ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  • 16923 RELST 4931   SEM 101

  •  

RELST 4991
Directed Study

For undergraduates who wish to obtain research experience or do extensive reading on a special topic. Students select a topic in consultation with the faculty member who has agreed to supervise ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 2-4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  6279 RELST 4991   IND 601

    • TBA

    • Haines-Eitzen, K

  • To apply for independent study, please complete the on-line form at https://data.arts.cornell.edu/as-stus/indep_study_intro.cfm.

    Instructor Consent Required (Add)

Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 2-4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  7492 RELST 4991   IND 602

    • TBA

    • Boucher, D

  • To apply for independent study, please complete the on-line form at https://data.arts.cornell.edu/as-stus/indep_study_intro.cfm.

    Instructor Consent Required (Add)

Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 2-4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  7493 RELST 4991   IND 603

    • TBA

    • Brann, R

  • To apply for independent study, please complete the on-line form at https://data.arts.cornell.edu/as-stus/indep_study_intro.cfm.

    Instructor Consent Required (Add)

Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 2-4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  8129 RELST 4991   IND 604

    • TBA

    • Law, J

  • To apply for independent study, please complete the on-line form at https://data.arts.cornell.edu/as-stus/indep_study_intro.cfm.

    Instructor Consent Required (Add)

RELST 4995
Senior Honors Essay I

RELST 4995 is the first course in the Honors two-part sequence. The Honors Program is open to Religious Studies majors who have done superior work and who wish to devote a substantial part of their senior ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 4 Credits Multi-Term

  •  8377 RELST 4995   IND 601

    • TBA

    • Staff

  • RELST 4995 is the FIRST course in the Honors two-part sequence.

    Instructor Consent Required (Add)

RELST 4996
Senior Honors Essay II

RELST 4996 is the second course in the Honors two-part sequence. The Honors Program is open to Religious Studies majors who have done superior work and who wish to devote a substantial part of their senior ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 4 Credits Graded

  •  6266 RELST 4996   IND 601

    • TBA

    • Staff

  • RELST 4996 is the SECOND course in the Honors two-part sequence.

    Instructor Consent Required (Add)

RELST 6020
Latin Philosophical Texts

Reading and translation of Latin philosophical texts. view course details

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none

  •  7046 RELST 6020   SEM 101

    • TBA

    • MacDonald, S

  • Instructor Consent Required (Add)

RELST 6616
Zen Buddhism: Ecology, Sustainability and Daily Life

This course explores the Zen's central religious, historical and aesthetic developments. We read primary sources in translation and secondary sources. We examine the rise of the Ch'an tradition in China ... view course details

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none

  •  7893 RELST 6616   LEC 001

  • Instructor Consent Required (Add)

RELST 6628
Buddhism in Ancient Gandhara

Ancient Gandhara, modern northwestern Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan, has long captivated the imagination of scholars with its great cultural diversity and haunting Hellenistic Buddhist art. This course ... view course details

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none

  • 16579 RELST 6628   LEC 001

  •  

RELST 6665
Buddhists and Muslims: Asian Interactions

In popular discourses, Buddhism and Islam are now often conceptualized as sharply contrasting religious traditions.  Moreover, tensions between Buddhists and Muslims now feature strongly in some contemporary ... view course details

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: ASIAN 4466, ASIAN 6666, RELST 4465

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 16584 RELST 6665   SEM 101

  •