Global History of Holocaust and Genocide
RLST/JWST/HIST 1830
Professor David Shneer
This course will examine the interplay of history, religion, politics, culture, and psychology to try to understand why the great philosopher Isaiah Berlin called the 20th century. "The most terrible century in Western history." Our focus will be on the Holocaust but we will explore related concepts such as racism, imperialism, violence, and the dehumanization of individuals in the modern world. Topics covered include Native American and Indigenous genocide; HIV/AIDS; sexual violence; and the question of just war.
Introduction to the New Testament
RLST 1910
Professor Celene Lillie
We often think of the history of the New Testament as the history of Christianity, but it is really a history that lies at the crossroads of ancient Israel and the Roman Empire. In this class, we will explore the earliest scriptures of what eventually became Christianity in the context of their Jewish and Roman imperial roots.
American Beliefs and Values
RLST 2100
Professor Ira Chernus
An in-depth analysis of beliefs and values that have dominated American life in modern and postmodern eras, and of diverse belief and value systems that offer alternatives for the future. The analysis will be based on influential theories from the academic study of religion, and the course will give special attention to the influence of religious factors on secular American life.