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Courses Offered
The following courses are offered regularly. Additional courses may be offered on an experimental basis. The Emory College Course Atlas should be consulted for courses offered each semester. Courses that are approved to meet the GER "Writing Requirement" will only meet the requirement when in a given semester the course is designated with the "WR" suffix.
Introductory Courses
100.
Introduction to Religions (GER)
150. Introduction to Sacred Texts
(GER)
190. Freshman Seminar (GER)
200. Religion and Contemporary
Experience
205. Biblical Literature (GER)
209. History of Religions in
America (GER)
210R. Classic Religious Texts
(GER) (WR)
211. Western Religions (GER)
212.
Asian Religious Traditions (GER)
215. Greek and Roman Religion
Upper Level Courses by Tradition
African-American320. African-American Religion (WR)
326. Spiritual Dynamics of Afro-America
American
209. History of Religions in America
(GER)
319. Native American Religions
336.
Religious Pluralism in Atlanta
Asian
302. Religions in Colonial India
374. Confucian Classics (WR, GER)
Buddhist
305. Early and Medieval Buddhism
306. Tibetan Buddhism
307. East Asian Buddhism
310. Modern Buddhism
331. Culture of Buddhist Tibet
365. Buddhist Philosophy
Christian
311. Early and Medieval Christianity
312. Protestant Christianity
313. Modern Catholicism (WR, GER)
348. The New Testament in its
Context
350. Jesus and the Gospels (GER)
351.
Paul and His Letters (GER)
Hindu
301. Early and Medieval Hinduism (WR)
302. Religions in Colonial India
303. Modern Hinduism (GER)
Islamic
315. The Qur'an (WR)
316. Early and Medieval Islam
317. Modern Islam
318. Islamic Law (WR)
414. Shiite Islam (WR)
415. Great Books of the Islamic World (WR)
Judaic
272. Modern Jewish Literature
308. Judaism
309. Jews and Judaism in Modern Times
324. The Holocaust
340. Rabbinic Judaism
341. Medieval Jewish Thought
343. Modern Jewish Thought
346.
Jewish Legal Thinking
Middle Eastern
251. Daily Life in Ancient Israel (WR)
260. Introduction to Biblical Archaeology
261R. Field work in Biblical Archaeology
327. Religion in Holy Land on Location
361. The Sufi Way
Upper Level Courses
300.
Interpreting Religion
321. Psychology of Religion
322. Religion and Sexuality (WR)
323. Death and Dying
328. Women, Religion, and Ethnography
(WR)
329. Religion and Ecology
330. Evil: Social Scientific
Approaches
332. South African History and Issues
333. Religion and the Body
360. Evil: Philosophical-Literary
Approaches
369. Religion and Film
387.
Literature and Religion (WR)
Upper Level Repeatable Courses
352R.
Gender and Religion
353R. Mystical Thought and Practice
354R. Ethics (WR)
355R. Ritual and Worship
356R. Theological Reflection
357R. Religion and Conflict
358R. Religion and Healing
370R. Special Topics: Religion and
Culture
372R. Special Topics: Classical
Texts and Religious Thought (WR)
373R. Special Topics in Religious
Studies
380R. Internship in Religion
472R. Topics in Religion
495R. Directed Reading (Honors) (WR)
497R.
Directed Reading
Advanced Courses for Majors
470.
Joint Seminar in Philosophy and Religion
490. Senior Symposium (WR)
Introductory Courses
100.
Introduction to Religions (GER)
An exploration of diverse ways of being religious (for example, in thought,
action, community, and experience) as they are displayed in several traditions
and cultures.
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to Top
150.
Introduction to Sacred Texts (GER)
(Same as MESAS 160) Comparative study of sacred texts in two or more religious
traditions; textual authority, canons, primary and secondary texts, types
of texts, and the function of sacred texts in religious communities.
190.
Freshman Seminar (GER)
Dynamics of inquiry on a focused research topic. Will include discussion,
debate, oral and written presentations. Topic varies.
200.
Religion and Contemporary Experience
Religion and contemporary issues of human existence, the role of religion
in politics and international conflicts, or the nature of contemporary
religious movements such as fundamentalism.
205.
Biblical Literature (GER)
(Same as JS 205) The Hebrew scriptures (“Old Testament”), in
translation, examined in their historical setting, and in their roles
as sacred texts in Judaism and Christianity.
209.
History of Religions in America (GER)
An examination of American religious history and culture from the Colonial
period to the present.
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210R.
Classic Religious Texts (GER)
This course will explore classic religious texts in depth, developing
skills to interpret sacred, philosophical and ethical works. Social, cultural,
and/or philosophical contexts at work will provide interpretive framework.
211.
Western Religions (GER)
This course examines western religions over a significant span of history,
special emphasis on interactions between culture and religion and between
religions; topic varies.
212.
Asian Religious Traditions (GER)
(Same as ASIA 212) Thematic study of at least two Asian religious traditions. Thematic emphasis
may include relationships of text and context, pilgrimage, gender, epic
performance, religious institutions, visual arts or colonial and post-colonial
identities.
215. Greek and Roman Religion
Introduction to the religions of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds: ritual types, forms of evidence, and methods of investigation, from the Bronze Age through the early Christian era.
Upper Level Courses by Tradition
African-American
320. African-American Religion (WR)
(Same as AAS 320) Development of religion among African Americans; trends
and tendencies.
326.
Spiritual Dynamics of Afro-America
(Same as AAS 326) Spiritual transformations involving worship, magic and
healing, ritual and aesthetic performance in Black speech and literature,
music and drama; and spiritual uses of Biblical themes to empower social-political
movements.
American
209. History of Religions in America (GER)
An examination of American religious history and culture from the Colonial
period to the present.
319.
Native American Religions
Study of several Native American religious traditions in their historical
contexts, with a focus on ritual, cosmology, and social life.
336.
Religious Pluralism in Atlanta
An exploration of local religious communities in the metropolitan area,
with special emphasis on field research methodologies.
Asian
302.
Religions in Colonial India
(Same as ASIA 302) Historical survey of religion in India, 1756 to the present,
focusing on the impact of British colonial and post-colonial settings
on diverse religions in India and among Indians living abroad.
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374. Confucian Classics (WR, GER)
(Same as CHN 373) Designed as an introduction to premodern Chinese culture, this course explores the literary and social practices that evolved around the canonized texts associated with Confucius and his disciples.
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Buddhist
305. Early and Medieval Buddhism
(Same as ASIA 305) Buddhism from the time of Buddha through the early centuries of the second millennium, focusing on Buddhist thought, monastic culture, ritual practice, ethics, and meditation.
306. Tibetan Buddhism
(Same as ASIA 306) Introduction to philosophical, psychological and contemplative dimensions of Tibetan Buddhism.
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307. East Asian Buddhism
(Same as ASIA 307) The development of Buddhism in China and Japan, including examination of monasticism, ritual, ideas of Buddhahood, Zen, Pure Land, and Buddhist relations to the state and to other religions.
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310. Modern Buddhism
(Same as ASIA 310) This seminar focuses on modern Buddhist history, society, and thought. Issues addressed may include colonization, women's ordination, meditation movements, conversion, eco-Buddhism, immigration, and globalization.
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331. Culture of Buddhist Tibet
Tibet’s history, geography, and spiritual legacy produced a unique culture that only recently has come into contact with the West; these three facets will be explored for their impact on Tibetan culture.
365. Buddhist Philosophy
Explores the features that distinguish Buddhist thought from other traditions, as well as the unique tenets of major philosophical movements such as Shravakayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana.
Christian
311. Early and Medieval Christianity
Christianity from the apostolic period through the Middle Ages, with emphasis on the contribution of major theologians.
312. Protestant Christianity
Representative types of modern Christianity, beginning with the Reformation in Germany and concluding with contemporary issues.
313. Modern Catholicism (WR, GER)
Examination of major social, ethical, and theological issues confronting post-Vatican II Catholicism, including the intellectual and historical roots of contemporary debates.
348. The New Testament in its Context
Interpretation of the New Testament in the context of the historical, social, religious, and literary environment of the eastern Mediterranean world during late antiquity.
350. Jesus and the Gospels (GER)
The study of the New Testament gospels through approximately ten Christian gospels and fragments of gospels written during the first two centuries, including modern studies and debates about the historical Jesus.
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351. Paul and His Letters (GER)
The study of the historical role of Paul, his thinking, the major Pauline theme, as well as the problems faced by the first urban Christians.
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Hindu
301. Early and Medieval Hinduism (WR)
(Same as ASIA 301) Hindu religious traditions from prehistorical times to the eighteenth century; including classical texts, rituals, ethical and social structures, institutions, and theologies.
303.
Modern Hinduism (GER)
(Same as ASIA 303) Hinduism in the modern period, from the early nineteenth
century to the present; focusing on religious communities, rituals, modes
of leadership, and the contemporary internationalization of Hinduism.
Islamic
315. The Qur’an (WR)
(Same as MESAS 315WR.) The Qur’an in translation from historical and literary perspectives, looking at its use in Islam, its language, stylistics, modes of narrative and its relationship to Jewish, Christian and Arabian traditions.
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316. Early and Medieval Islam
(Same as MESAS 316) A survey of the major issues in the history, religion,
culture, and civilization of the Islamic world from its beginnings to
the present.
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317.
Modern Islam
(Same as MESAS 317) This seminar analyzes the problem of Islam in modern
history and focuses on religious responses to major events. Issues may
include secularism and Post-Enlightenment modernism, reform movements,
and Islamic liberalism.
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318. Islamic Law (WR)
(Same as MESAS 318WR) Introduction to Islamic law and legal theory through the examination of a variety of texts, including standard legal manuals, legal opinions, judges’ manuals, licenses, contracts, and other documents.
414. Shiite Islam
(Same as MESAS 414)
This course is an introduction to Shiite Islam, including a historical survey with particular attention to the Twelver and Isma’ili traditions, showing how Shiism has shaped Islamic history in general.
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415. Great Books of the Islamic World (WR)
(Same as MESAS 415WR) Investigates the role the Islamic world has played in the development of human knowledge, focusing on seminar works in historical criticism, textual criticism, legal theory, and other fields.
272. Modern Jewish Literature
(Same as MESAS 222/JS 220) Readings in translation of Eastern European and Israeli authors, focusing on short fiction by Nachman of Bratslav, Mendele, Peretz, Scholem Aleichem, Agnon, Appelfeld, Amichai, and Yehoshua.
308. Judaism
(Same as JS 308) Explores the rituals and practices of Judaism, placing
them in their historical context and examining the theological concepts
that underpin them.
309.
Jews and Judaism in Modern Times
(Same as JS 309) Modern Jewish history, society, and thought, with emphasis
on religious and secular reformulations of Jewish self-identity.
324.
The Holocaust
(Same as JS 324) An analysis of the socio-political background and the
horror of the Holocaust, followed by the popular as well as the theological
responses of the Jewish and Christian communities.
340.
Rabbinic Judaism
(Same as JS 340) Background and emergence of Rabbinic Judaism in 100-500
C.E., its institutions and beliefs: study, law, chosenness, messianic
doctrine of god, revelation and prayer.
341.
Medieval Jewish Thought
(Same as JS 341) Intensive study of a major work on an important theme
in medieval Jewish thought, such as Maimonides' Guide for the Perplexed,
Saadia's Beliefs and Opinions, and medieval Jewish exegesis of the Bible.
343.
Modern Jewish Thought
(Same as JS 343) Intensive study of a major work, author or movement;
or of an important theme in modern Jewish thought, such as Heschel, Buber,
reform, religious anthropology.
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346.
Jewish Legal Thinking
The role and methodology of law in Judaism, using difficult problems that
arise due to recent advances in medical technology as a paradigm for how
legal systems address hard issues.
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Middle Eastern
251. Daily Life in Ancient Israel
(Same as MESAS 251/JS 251) Everyday life in ancient Israel (1200-586 BCE), including the economy, religion and culture, city planning, the Israelite kitchen, burials, status of women, and more.
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260. Introduction to Biblical Archaeology
(Same as MESAS 250/JS 250) An introductory course to the field of Biblical archaeology, with a careful examination of theory, methodology, famous discoveries, important sites, and historical questions.
261R. Field work in Biblical Archaeology
(Same as MESAS 259R/JS 259R) Summer. Credit, 4 hours. No prerequisites.
327. Religion in Holy Land on Location
(Same as MESAS 327/JS 327) Summer only. This course explores Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as well as other religious groups in the Holy Land on location. In Israel. In English. No knowledge of Hebrew required.
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361. The Sufi Way
(Same as MESAS 311) This course is an historical survey of Sufism.
Upper Level Courses
300.
Interpreting Religion
Critical exploration of philosophical, theological, ethical, and social
science theories of religions and methods for the interpretation of religious
phenomena.
321.
Psychology of Religion
Examination of religious existence and its relation to various aspects
of human life by approaches developed in major traditions of psychological
study.
322.
Religion and Sexuality (WR)
The relation of sexuality and the sacred in symbolism, attitudes and practice;
authentic human communion; and specific problems of sexual ethics.
323.
Death and Dying
Understanding death through a study of religious attitudes and practices,
modern therapies for the dying, ethical issues, and Western and Asian
theological perspectives.
328.
Women, Religion, and Ethnography (WR)
(Same as ANT 328/WS 328) Cross-cultural ethnographic study of women's
religious lives, including ritual and leadership roles, forms and contexts
of religious expression, and negotiations between dominant cultural representations
and women's self-representations.
329.
Religion and Ecology
Historical, philosophical and ethical relationships between religion and
ecology; other dimensions include Eastern thought, ecofeminism, animal
rights and literary nature writers.
330.
Evil: Social Scientific Approaches
Study of the problem of evil in dialogue with methods from the social-psychological
or psychotherapeutic-counseling sciences. Includes such topics as obedience,
disobedience, conformity, altruism, family abuse, theology, and religious
texts.
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332. South African History and Issues
(Same as JRNL 330, AAS 330, AFS 332, WS 330)
An introduction to the history and contemporary issues of South Africa
designed to prepare students for their summer internship in Cape Town.
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333.
Religion and the Body
An exploration of the body and bodily experience in selected religious
traditions. Topics may include: ritual, asceticism, monasticism, healing,
gender, sex, diet, birth and death.
360.
Evil: Philosophical-Literary Approaches
Study of the philosophical and religious roots of evil in dialogue with
classical literary, philosophical, and religious texts. Includes such
topics as the story of the Fall, social injustice, theodicy, and evil
in literature.
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369.
Religion and Film
Narrative films concerned with religious issues and experience; commonalities
between the film medium and the performative religious imagination.
387.
Literature and Religion (WR)
(Same as ENG 387) Prerequisite: one course in Religion and one course
in literature, or consent of the instructors. Reading and interpretation
of representative major literary works in the perspective of their religious
meaning.
Upper Level Repeatable Courses
352R.
Gender and Religion
Construction of gender, definitions of the roles and status of women and
men in a variety of traditions; women’s and men’s religious
lives. May be repeated for credit when topic varies.
353R.
Mystical Thought and Practice
Mystical texts, themes, practices, and rituals, focusing on selected mystical
authors. May be repeated for credit when topic varies.
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to Top
354R.
Ethics (WR)
(Same as JS 354R when topic is Jewish Ethics) Analysis of methods and/or texts pertaining to ethical decision-making
for individual and social problems such as race, sex/marriage, justice,
war, bio-medical technology, and environmental pollution. May be repeated
for credit when topic varies.
355R.
Ritual and Worship
History and present experience of worship or liturgy in various traditions,
with a variety of methods, including the study of art, music, and/or architecture.
May be repeated for credit when topic varies.
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356R.
Theological Reflection
Issues in contemporary theology. May be repeated for credit when topic
varies.
357R.
Religion and Conflict
This theory-practice course asks: How does conflict reveal the character
and nature of a religion? How can our conflict resolution practices advance
our study of religion? Includes case studies.
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358R. Religion and Healing
Designed to explore the mind/body connection as a paradigm to understand religion and healing. Will examine the role of faith, ritual, prayer and meditation in various models of healing.
370R.
Special Topics: Religion and Culture
Aspects of religion in relation to culture, such as theories of ritual,
religion and psychoanalysis, feminist critiques of religion and culture,
post-modern interpretations of religion. May be repeated for credit when
topic varies.
372R.
Special Topics: Classical Texts and Religious Thought (WR)
Study in depth of a problem in classical texts or religious thought. May
be repeated for credit when topic varies.
373R.
Special Topics in Religious Studies
Study in depth of a historical or theoretical problem or tradition. May
be repeated for credit when topic varies.
380R.
Internship in Religion
Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Applied learning in a supervised
work experience utilizing skills related to concentrations in religion,
in such areas as community service, education and social work.
472R.
Topics in Religion
Credit 1-8 hours. Advanced study
of an issue, problem or selection of writings. May be repeated for credit
when topic varies.
495R.
Directed Reading (Honors) (WR)
Credit 1-8 hours. Independent research for senior major and joint major
students selected to participate in the department's honors program.
497R.
Directed Reading
Credit, 2-16 hours. Maximum credit, 20 hours. Prerequisite: consent
of instructor. Specific readings for each student are decided
upon in consultation between the student and a member of the faculty.
Advanced Courses for Majors
470.
Joint Seminar in Philosophy and Religion
(Same as Philosophy 470) Prerequisite: either Philosophy 358 or one course
in Religion. The religious and philosophical consciousness in confrontation
with each other; investigation of their differing natures and methods;
exploration of their possible contribution to the clarification and solution
of problems of mutual concern.
490.
Senior Symposium (WR)
Selected topics in Religious Studies. Required for majors.
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