Religious Studies (RELS)

Explanation of Course Descriptions, Symbols, and Terms

RELS 265 Christmas and Hanukkah in the United States (Units: 3)

Examination of the social, political, and cultural history of Christmas and Hanukkah in the United States from the colonial period to the present day. Focus on the relationship between religion, politics, commerce, and popular culture, including gender roles and the changing role of religious, ethnic, and racial minorities in U.S. public culture.
(This course is offered as JS 265, AMST 265, HIST 265, and RELS 265. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

Course Attributes:

  • U.S. History
  • D2: Social Sciences: US Hist.
  • Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities

RELS 300 The Nature of Religious Experience (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better or permission of the instructor.

Nature of religious experience drawn from different religions and academic disciplines within the humanities and social sciences; investigation of the meaning of religious commitment in a secular world.
(This course is offered as PHIL 525 and RELS 300. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

Course Attributes:

  • E1 LLD Pre-Fall 2019
  • UD-C: Arts and/or Humanities
  • Global Perspectives

RELS 482 Religion in America (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Upper-division standing; GE Area E; or permission of the instructor.

The social history of religion in the United States from contact to the present. Changing relations between religious thought and institutions. The range and variety of forms of religious expression in an increasingly urbanized, industrialized, and globalized society. A particular focus on the relationship between religion, science, and modernity.
(This course is offered as HIST 482 and RELS 482. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

Course Attributes:

  • U.S. History

RELS 503 Religions in Iran (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better or permission of the instructor.

Exploration of the major religious traditions of Iran from its inception to the present day over the span of three millennia including Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Mithraism, Mandaeism, Christianity, Manichaeism, Mazdakism, Islam (Sunni and Shia), Sufism, Yarsanism, and Bahai faith. Insight into not only Iranian identity, but also the way in which religious traditions grow, change, and influence one another through the spectrum of Greater Iranian history.
(This course is offered as PRSN 503 [formerly PRSN 450], PHIL 503, and RELS 503. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

Course Attributes:

  • UD-C: Arts and/or Humanities
  • Global Perspectives

RELS 696 Directed Reading in Religious Studies (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: RELS 300.

Project to synthesize varying perspectives on religion and religious experiences.