SPRING 2008

Click here for departmental listings on the University of Virginia OnLine Course Offering Directory (the COD)

RELJ 112 Elementary Classical Hebrew
Greg Schmidt Goering ( goering@virginia.edu )
Schedule# 102Q2 Check here for time and location
This course continues and builds upon its prequel, RELJ 111. The first part of the course introduces students to the derived stems, thus completing the study of the verbal system and of basic Hebrew grammar as a whole. In the latter part of the course, we will begin reading prose passages directly from the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament. At the completion of the two semester sequence, students will have mastered the basic tools required to read longer prose passages from the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament in the original language. Prerequisite:  RELJ 111 or an equivalent.

RELI 208 Islam in the Modern Age
Aziz Sachedina ( aas@virginia.edu )
Schedule # 101FD   Plus discussion section Check here for time and location
RELI 208 will study the Muslim societies in the modern times to assess their success/failure in remolding their political/religious culture in order to become fully integrated in the international order that is founded upon secularism and modernism. The course will undertake to explore a public role for religion in general, and Islam in particular, in fostering democratic values that can accommodate a pluralistic nature of the religious and political societies in the Islamic world. That which characterizes the Muslim community is their devotion to the classical faith, Islam, with its legacy of rich past. The call for reformation of this classical heritage has been in the air for over a century. Yet, the beginning or the end of reformation is singularly difficult to observe in terms of a "new" political theology or a "fresh" pluralistic interpretation of Islam to have capacity for the changes that are sweeping Muslim societies. Islam and its people continue to grapple with the fact of Western hegemony through economic globalization and the support the West lends to their autocratic governments in suppressing their political and human rights. The course will evaluate political goals of Muslim governments in countries like Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Iran, and whether these goals are congruent with the development of democratic institutions to further basic human rights.

RELB 210 Introduction to Buddhism
Karen Lang ( kcl@virginia.edu )
Schedule # 10105   Plus discussion section Check here for time and location
This course is an introduction to Buddhism, beginning with its origins in India, its spread throughout Asia to the West. The course will examine the historical and cultural contexts in which Buddhist beliefs and practices developed and are still developing. We will explore a wide variety of sources to understand the many ways in which Buddhists have attempted to understand who the Buddha is, what he and his followers have to say about karma and rebirth, the practice of meditation and the pursuit of enlightenment. We will also examine the views of contemporary Buddhist teachers on these issues and on the challenges Buddhism faces in the modern world. One in-class hourly examination, one take-home examination and an in-class final.

RELC 246 Aspects of the Catholic Tradition
Gerald Fogarty ( gpf@virginia.edu )
Schedule# 103WX plus discussion section Check here for time and location
This course serves as an introduction into Catholic doctrine as it has developed from post-Apostolic times. The principal texts for the course are the Documents of Vatican II, supplemented by documents from earlier councils and readings from some more recent theologians and biblical scholars.

RELG 400b Majors Seminar: Religious Experience
Cynthia Hoehler-Fatton ( chh3a@virginia.edu )
Schedule# 101YQ  Check here for time and location
What is religious experience? How do we interpret and analyze something many consider ineffable? Divine inspiration, conversion, mystical knowledge, miracles, epiphanies and revelations are integral to many religious traditions, yet prove difficult to explain. In attempting to come to terms with religious experience in a variety of cultures and traditions from around the world, we will analyze some classic works in the sociology and psychology of religion. We will also consider anthropological, historical and philosophical approaches to this fundamental, but illusive feature of religion. Seminar requirements include active participation in class discussion; four short critiques of the readings; a mid-term and a final exam Restricted to Religious Studies Majors

RELG 400c Majors Seminar: Religion and Psychology
John Portmann ( jep7a@virginia.edu )
Schedule# 101VH Check here for time and location
Exploration of religious emotions such as fascination, terror, guilt, wholeheartedness, and ecstasy. What motivates religious conversion? What keeps someone loyal to the religion of his parents? What impulse prompts a sense of moral responsibility, and what impulse guides retribution? How does contemporary psychiatry compete with or complement pastoral counseling? Emphasis on James, Freud, and Jung. Previous course work in social psychology is recommended but not required. Requirements: 1) regular class participation; 2) two exams; and 3) a class presentation Limited to 20 students

RELS 895 Directed Research
Instructor: Student's choice
Schedule# 104H9 , 101WV, 102NU, 1034S
Systematic reading in a select topic under detailed supervision. Contact the graduate secretary, Sarah Adams, ( sea3n@virginia.edu ) for details regarding this course.