Religious Studies (RELS)

RELS 2040 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits, max 99)

Credit arranged

RELS 2990 (s) Directed Study (1-16 credits, max 99)

Credit arranged

RELS 3020 Biblical Judaism: Texts and Thought (3 credits)

Cross-listed with PHIL 3020

Analysis of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and related texts with an emphasis on hermeneutics and thought.

RELS 3070 Buddhism (3 credits)

Cross-listed with PHIL 3070

Philosophy and religion of Gautama Buddha as it developed in India, Tibet, China, and Japan.

RELS 3270 Belief Systems (3 credits)

Cross-listed with ANTH 3270

Method and theory of comparative anthropological study of religion.

RELS 3440 The Roman Empire (3 credits)

Cross-listed with HIST 3440

Surveys Roman history from c. 31 BCE to the 5th century CE, paying particular attention to military, political, religious, and social issues and developments.

RELS 4040 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits, max 99)

Credit arranged

RELS 4220 Contemporary Pacific Northwest Indians (3 credits)

General Education: American Experience

Cross-listed with AIST 4220, ANTH 4220

Joint-listed with ANTH 5220

This course is intended to impart an understanding of the vitality and rich diversity of contemporary Pacific Northwest American Indian societies, their histories, and their literatures, e. g. , in the arts and expressive culture, in governmental affairs both indigenous and external, in economics, ecological relations and natural resources, in health care, and in family, social and religious life, in oral traditions, in world views and cultural values. This understanding is inclusive of both indigenous cultural, as well as contact-historical, expressions. An understanding of Tribal sovereignty and its varied meanings is key to this outcome. Cooperative: open to WSU degree-seeking students.

RELS 4410 Ancient Greece: From Bronze Age to Alexander (3 credits)

General Education: Humanistic and Artistic Ways of Knowing

Cross-listed with HIST 4440

Joint-listed with HIST 5540

Survey of development of Greek civilization, BC 2000-BC 300. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit. Typically Offered: Varies.

RELS 4430 The Medieval State: Europe in the High and Late Middle Ages (3 credits)

General Education: Humanistic and Artistic Ways of Knowing, International

Cross-listed with HIST 4430

Joint-listed with HIST 5430

Analysis of how the vitality of particular medieval princes, of the commercial revolution, and of such movements as development of common law was harnessed in the evolution of medieval government from feudalism to the modern state.

RELS 4440 Ancient Rome: The Republic (3 credits)

Cross-listed with HIST 4460

Joint-listed with HIST 5460

Survey of development of Roman civilization, 800-27 BCE. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit. Typically Offered: Varies.

RELS 4470 The Renaissance (3 credits)

General Education: Humanistic and Artistic Ways of Knowing

Cross-listed with HIST 4470

Explores the transformative movement known as the European Renaissance. Examines how humanism not only shaped and formed art, music, literature and philosophy but also informed one's relationship to the state. Typically Offered: Varies.

RELS 4480 The Reformation (3 credits)

General Education: Humanistic and Artistic Ways of Knowing

Cross-listed with HIST 4480

Joint-listed with HIST 5480

This course examines the social and economic as well as the theological dynamic of the Reformation. The course begins by examining the thought of Erasmus and More, continuing through that of Luther, Calvin, and Loyola, to the Anabaptists. Religious upheaval lead not only to the political and military upheaval of the Religious Wars, but also to religious debate, the echoes of which resound through to the present. Typically Offered: Varies.

RELS 4500 (s) Topics in Ancient History (3 credits, max 9)

General Education: Humanistic and Artistic Ways of Knowing

Cross-listed with HIST 4500

Joint-listed with HIST 5500

Examines varied thematic and geographical/chronological topics in ancient history. This course varies in its topical focus each semester. Topics may include but are not limited to: Egypt and the Ancient Near East; religions in the ancient world; the ancient world in modern film or literature; imperialism and colonialism; gender and sexuality; race and ethnicity; trade, commerce, and coins. Typically Offered: Varies.

RELS 4990 (s) Directed Study (1-16 credits, max 99)

Credit arranged