Religious Studies (RLST)
RLST 103 EXPLORING BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGY (3)
The nature of archaeological evidence, its context, recovery, reconstruction, and interpretation. Includes application of archaeological evidence in problem solving and the archaeology of Israel. Core: Arts & Humanities.
RLST 105 INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF RELIGION (3)
Study of world religious traditions informed by comparative, historical and phenomenological methodologies. Not open to students who have successfully completed PHIL 105. Core: Global Perspectives.
RLST 201 INTRODUCTION TO THE HEBREW BIBLE (3)
Overview of the history, literature, culture of the Hebrew Bible; survey of various biblical books and modern, critical interpretation of biblical literature. Core: Arts & Humanities.
RLST 202 INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIANITY (3)
Survey of the Christian religious tradition from its origins to contemporary times highlighting doctrines, practices, texts, values, institutional structures and community forms and emphasizing cultural context and diversity. Core: Arts & Humanities.
RLST 203 INTRODUCTION TO ISLAM (3)
Survey of the Islamic religious tradition from its origins to the present examining basic concepts, ritual practices, and religious institutions; emphasizing diversity of socio-cultural forms and interpretations. Core: Global Perspectives.
RLST 204 CHRISTIANITIES IN AMERICA (3)
A survey of American Christian history from the fifteenth century through the present day. Prerequisite: one RLST course or consent of the instructor. Core: United States as a Nation.
RLST 205 WOMEN IN WORLD RELIGIONS (3)
Role of women, both human and divine, in the major Asian and Western religions. Not open to students who successfully completed PHIL 205. Core: Diversity & Difference.
RLST 206 JUDAISM, CHRISTIANITY AND ISLAM (3)
History, scriptures, doctrines, practices and interactions of three monotheistic religions. Not open to students who have successfully completed PHIL 206. Core: Diversity & Difference.
RLST 207 INTRODUCTION TO BUDDHISM (3)
Survey of dominant forms of Buddhism in Asia during its classical period and subsequent spread to the West and encounter with modernity. Core: Global Perspectives.
RLST 208 INTRODUCTION TO HINDUISM (3)
Dominant forms of Hinduism during its "classical" South Asian period, and its continuation into the contemporary era as a modern world religion. Core: Global Perspectives.
RLST 209 RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS OF ASIA (3)
Survey of principal religious traditions of Asia, subsequent global spread, and encounter with modernity. Core: Diversity & Difference.
RLST 210 INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM (3)
Overview of Jewish identity, history, intellectual traditions, community, philosophy, mysticism, holidays, life-cycle events, rituals, and prayer. Core: Diversity & Difference.
RLST 211 INTRODUCTION TO JEWISH THOUGHT (3)
Religious and historical developments of Jewish thought; prominent Jewish philosophers and mystics who shaped its eclectic character. Core: Arts & Humanities.
RLST 225 AMERICAN JEWISH HUMOR (3)
American Jewish history and culture. Film, television, and literature study. Focus on the changing place of Jews in American society. Core: United States as a Nation.
RLST 270 TOPICS IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES (3)
Introduction to diverse topics in the study of religion. May be repeated for a maximum of six units provided a different topic is covered.
RLST 305 FAITH PERSPECTIVES IN MEDICAL ETHICS (3)
Hindu, Buddhist, Islamic, Christian, and Jewish perspectives on issues in medical ethics including the role of the doctor, abortion, cloning, pre gender selection, mental health, and euthanasia. Prerequisite: One course in a natural science, religious studies, philosophy, or consent of the instructor. Core: Ethical Issues & Perspectives.
RLST 307 BUDDHISM IN TIBET (3)
Overview of the form of Buddhism that developed in Tibet and subsequently spread to the West and other areas of the world during the modern era. Prerequisite: one RLST course or consent of the instructor.
RLST 308 BUDDHIST SAINTS AND THEIR STORIES (3)
Cross-cultural survey of Buddhist saints and the beliefs, practices, and literary traditions associated therewith. Prerequisite: One prior RLST course or consent of instructor.
RLST 310 JEWISH LAW AND ETHICS (3)
Response of Jewish law and ethics to medical ethics, war, citizenship, environment, family, sexual ethics, government, contemporary state of Israel, women's issues, and Jewish/Gentile relationships in a multi-denominational approach. Core: Ethical Issues & Perspectives.
RLST 313 ISLAMIC ETHICS (3)
Historical, theoretical, and practical approaches to ethics in Islam. Core: Ethical Issues & Perspectives.
RLST 320 AMERICAN RELIGIONS (3)
Survey of the religious diversity of the United States. Focus on both world religions as practiced in the U.S., and religions originating in the U.S. Core: The United States as a Nation.
RLST 325 JEWISH GRAPHIC NOVELS (3)
Graphic novels by and/or about Jews. Topics include migration and immigration, Israel/Palestine, the Holocaust, and gender. Analysis of the relationship between words and images. Core: Arts & Humanities.
RLST 331 EXPLORING GENESIS (3)
Theological, textual, and sociological analysis of Genesis aimed to develop new perspectives on the text and on Israelite civilization. Prerequisite: One course in Religious Studies or consent of the instructor.
RLST 335 PROPHETS AND PROPHECY IN ANCIENT ISRAEL (3)
Examination of phenomenon and history of Israelite prophecy in the Hebrew Bible in light of prophecy in the ancient Near East. Prerequisite: one course in Religious Studies or Philosophy at the 100 or 200 level.
RLST 354 RELIGION AND SCIENCE (3)
Exploration of alternative conceptions of the relation of religion and science; consideration of specific instances, both historic and contemporary, of their engagement and/or encounter. Requires grade of C or better to fulfill Core requirement. Prerequisites: one course in RLST or PHIL, and ENGL 102 or ENGL 190 or equivalent; or consent of instructor. Core: Advanced Writing Seminar.
RLST 355 INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW TESTAMENT (3)
Major themes of the biblical literature, and of its religious, philosophical, and cultural implications. Not open to students who successfully completed PHIL 355. Prerequisite: One lower-level course in philosophy, religion, or history.
RLST 357 SPECIAL TOPICS IN COMPARATIVE RELIGION (3)
Study of a number of the world's major religious traditions emphasizing specific philosophical and psychological problems encountered therein. Not open to students who successfully completed PHIL 357. Prerequisite: One course in philosophy, religion, or history.
RLST 363 SUFISM: ISLAMIC MYSTICISM (3)
Survey of the origins and development of Islamic mysticism, including its scriptural sources, mystical practices and rituals, Sufi orders, Sufi saints, and Sufism's influence on Islamic material culture and literature. Prerequisite: one course in Religious Studies of Philosophy or consent of the instructor.
RLST 367 ISLAM IN THE MODERN AGE (3)
An examination of modern and contemporary Islamic movements of reform, renewal, and revolution. Topics include the status of women, religious pluralism, human rights, forms of governance, and warfare. Prerequisite: One course in RLST or PHIL, or consent of the instructor.
RLST 370 ADVANCED TOPICS IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES (3)
Examination of diverse topics in the study of religion. May be repeated for a maximum of 15 units provided a different topic is covered.
RLST 411 THE AMERICAN JEWISH EXPERIENCE (3)
American Jewish history and culture. Focus on migration, community, texts, and media. Primarily focused on the United States, with some inclusion of Mexico and Canada. Requires grade of C or better to fulfill Core requirement. Prerequisite: ENGL 102 or ENGL 190 or equivalent. Core: Advanced Writing Seminar.
RLST 415 GLOBAL JEWISH LITERATURE (3)
Analysis of Jewish literature from around the world. Special focus on Asia, Africa, and South America. Focus on issues of diaspora, globalization, anti-Semitism, and race. Prerequisite: at least one RLST course, or permission of the instructor.
RLST 425 RACE, GENDER, SEXUALITY, AND JUDAISM (3)
Critical issues in contemporary Judaism. Reading deeply into primary and secondary sources concerned with Jewish identity and community.
RLST 470 SEMINAR IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES (3)
Critical study at an advanced level of a topic or theme of general intrest in the discipline of Religios Studies. May be repeated if a different topic is covered. Prerequisite: two courses in Religious Studies.
RLST 497 RELIGIOUS STUDIES INTERNSHIP (3-6)
Supervised experience in work settings using the analytic, organizational, comprehension, and communication skills and content knowledge available through the study of religion. Positions may be in government agencies, public or private foundations, industry, journalism, law firms, among others. Minimum semester-length internship hours: 30. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 units. Graded S/U. Prerequisites: consent of the department; completion of 18 units toward the Religious Studies (RLST) major and 75 units overall, with a 3.0 GPA in Religious Studies courses and a 2.5 CGPA; and approval of the Religious Studies internship coordinator and overseeing faculty member.
RLST 498 HONORS THESIS IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES (3)
Religious Studies major option to write a thesis for departmental honors. Honors College course. Prerequisites: RLST major, consent of department.