Spring 2010 Upper Division Courses
Sunday, October 25, 2009
REL 301: Introduction to Religious Studies
Class No. 60055
James McHugh
3:30-4:50 TTh
ZHS 360
What is religion? Is it simply a belief in God, or an inner mystical experience? Is it just superstition, bad science, or even a type of magic? This course will investigate the fundamental nature of religion, examining key ideas such as God, scriptures, and the afterlife. Students will also explore art, film, and religious sites in Los Angeles, and they will have the opportunity to pursue an independent project of their own choosing.
REL 316: Women and the Islamic Tradition
Class No. 60058
Houri Berberian
3:00-5:50 M
VHE 206
What images of women do foundational texts of Islam provide? How were laws derived from them? How do ideas about women become "traditional"? Using a variety of literature from the Islamic world, students will examine the social roles established both for Muslim women and by them, and the ways in which those roles have been maintained and/or transformed over time.
REL 330: Themes in the Religions of South Asia
Class No. 60065
James McHugh
12:30-1:50 TTh
VHE 214
This course is an introduction to the varied and fascinating religious traditions of South Asia, with a particular focus on the religions of India. Students will study the basic ideas and practices of Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs, and Muslims in South Asia. They will learn about Indian philosophy, yoga and meditation, esoteric tantric rituals, and the beautiful art of these complex and ancient religions.
REL 332: Religions of Japan
Class No. 60066
Lori Meeks
2:00-4:50 W
SOS B52
When asked about their religious affiliation, people in Japan often say that they are “born Shintō, marry Christian, and die Buddhist.” This saying reflects the degree to which different religious traditions have come to serve different functions in the lives of contemporary Japanese citizens: celebratory Shintō rites are observed at certain points in the lifecycle of children, Catholic priests are called upon to perform fashionable weddings for young people, and postmortem care is left in the hands of Buddhist priests. Confucian social values also have strong influence in contemporary Japanese society, though few in Japan would identify themselves as Confucianists. What do such observations tell us about the nature of religious identity? What do they tell us about the social functions of religious traditions and their institutions? This course will focus on these broad questions while also introducing students to the central texts and practices associated with the diverse religious traditions of Japan. We will focus on Confucianism, Buddhism, and Shintō in particular but will also consider Catholicism, shamanism, and “popular” or “common” traditions.
REL 335: Gender, Religion, and Sexuality
Class No. 60070
Sheila Briggs
2:00-3:20 MW
VHE 214
How has religion shaped Western attitudes to gender and sexuality? The class will focus on the ancient Mediterranean and the origins of Jewish and Christian scriptures and contemporary uses of these sacred texts in debates on gender and sexuality. We will also look at how gender and sexuality have been formed in the context of Islam, a religion which has common roots with both Christianity and Judaism, but which has developed under very different circumstances.
REL 394: Near Eastern and Mediterranean Archaeology
Class No. 60094
Lynn Swartz Dodd
11:00-12:20 TTh
ACB 238
Archaeological discoveries in the Middle East and Egypt – from cave paintings to massive temples. Students will explore sacred places and rituals through time and compare texts (such as the Bible and royal inscriptions) to evidence unearthed by archaeologists. Students will have hands-on access to real ancient artifacts in USC's collection.
REL 462: Religion and Violence
Class No. 60122
James Heft
2:00-4:50 T
VHE 214
How is it, we may ask, that religion, one of the most noble activities of the human race, has so often for hundreds of years – and still today – led people to commit horrendous acts? This course, double-numbered for majors in the Schools of Religion and International Relations, explores the timely issue of whether major world religions, especially Christianity, Judaism and Islam, actually lead people to commit acts of violence. Texts, videos, and scholars from different religions help the class explore in depth this complex and widely misunderstood phenomena.
REL 468: Sociology of Religion
Class No. 60123
Paul Lichterman
8:30-9:50 MW
ZHS 360
This course addresses questions such as: Why does spirituality seem more real than religion to many Americans? What is fundamentalism? Why do some modern people with lots of education become devout fundamentalists? Do fast-growing religions keep growing because they offer truth and faith, or because their promoters use savvy marketing techniques? Can religious groups offer better social welfare services than government agencies? The course introduces you to social research that gets past mass-media stereotypes and helps you understand religion's influence in politics, private life, and society at large.