This course is an introduction to the academic study of Christianity in its global context. We will examine the origins of Christianity and its growth into the largest religion in the world. The course gives particular attention to the diversity of local contexts and local traditions, examining expressions of Christianity throughout Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Students will explore Christianity through a series of case studies, by examining historical sources, material culture, first-hand accounts, and artistic representations.

This course introduces students to the study of gender and religion. Students will consider foundational questions about the categories of religion and gender- what is religion and how do we study it? What is the relationship between gender and religion? How does gender shape religious roles and experiences, and how has gender in turn been shaped by religious expectations? We will examine some of the most central contemporary political conflicts from the perspective of gender studies and religious studies.

An introduction to the religious history and contemporary religious diversity of the region currently known as the American Southwest. The religious landscape of this area includes the traditions of indigenous communities, Spanish colonial descendants, Mexican Americans, Anglos, and immigrants from around the globe. This class will take both an historical and thematic approach to religion in the Southwest exploring the role of religion in colonial expansion (Spain, Mexico, and the United States) and focusing on a variety of topics such as land-based spirituality, shrines, pilgrimage, folk saints, religious syncretism, and new religious movements.

This course explores the diversity of religions and religious experiences across the globe. Religions to be examined include, but are not limited to, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, as well as indigenous traditions.

This course investigates various conceptions of love in world religions. The assumption of this course is that the theme of love, though interpreted in many different ways, is a key component of a religious experience of the world and of the Sacred. In many of the worlds religions, an understanding of love or compassion is an indispensable moment in the gaining of wisdom.

A study of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, including both ancient and modern developments in their cultural contexts.

The architecture, manuscript illumination, painting and other visual arts of Christianity explored within the contexts of contemporary history.

This course is an introduction to multiple concepts of the divine in South Asia. We will explore the different ways that the religious traditions of South Asia understand supernatural beings and forces. In order to do this we will read portions of primary texts in translation, examine iconography, and watch rituals as they unfold. In addition to learning about the South Asia traditions, we will put those conceptions of the divine in conversation with those rooted in a European context, forcing you to learn to think critically about the ways people from different cultures view the world around them.

This course introduces the study of religion and popular culture. It explores how religion is represented in popular cultural forms, and how social conceptions of "religion" and "popular culture" change over time. Students will examine how differing definitions of religion, culture, and taste intersect with historical and contemporary categories of class, gender, ethnicity, and race.

Major trends and traditions in the arts, literatures and languages, religions and philosophies of China.