Religious Studies
103.
Introduction to the Bible [Intro to Bible].
(3)
Survey of Bible in historical context.
104.
Beginning New Testament Greek.
(3)
(Also offered as GREK 104)
Introduction to New Testament Greek.
106.
Intermediate New Testament Greek.
(3)
(Also offered as GREK 106)
A continuation of the introductory course. Recommended is one semester of Greek or some equivalent instruction. Goal of the course is an independent and self-confident dialogue with the Greek language and the rediscovery of biblical texts.
107.
Living World Religions.
(3)
Introduction to major living world religions, such as Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism.
109.
Biblical Hebrew I.
(4)
Introduction to the language of the Hebrew Bible.
230.
Hebrew Scriptures.
(3)
Pentateuch and the historical books of the Old Testament.
{Fall}
231.
Hebrew Prophets.
(3)
Prophetic books and later Hebrew scriptural writings.
232.
Christian Scriptures.
(3)
New Testament and early Christian history.
247.
Studies in Religions.
(3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)
Elementary topics in the study of world religions. Course may be repeated up to three times provided the topics vary.
263.
Eastern Religions.
(3)
A study of major Asian traditions, such as Taoism, Hinduism and Buddhism.
{Fall}
264.
Western Religions.
(3)
A study of major Western traditions, such as Christianity, Islam and Judaism.
{Spring}
303.
Introduction to Black Liberation and Religion.
(3)
(Also offered as AFST 303)
Students will be introduced to the Black experience, which necessitates the redefinition of God and Jesus Christ in the lives of Black people as the struggle for transcendental and political freedom.
306 / 506.
Reformation Era, 1500-1600.
(3)
(Also offered as HIST 306)
Religious revolution and concurrent developments in European politics, society and culture.
326.
History of Christianity to 1517.
(3)
(Also offered as HIST 326)
The history of Christianity from its beginnings in Palestine to the eve of the Protestant Reformation. Primary focus will be on the rich variety of forms–doctrinal, liturgical and institutional–that Christianity assumed through the Medieval centuries. Also of concern will be its contributions and significance as a civilizing force.
{Fall}
327.
History of Christianity, 1517 to Present.
(3)
(Also offered as HIST 327 / 527)
The development of Christianity from the Protestant Reformation to the modern day, with focus on the variety of forms Christianity assumed throughout this period as it moved outward from Europe and became a world religion.
333 / 533.
Ritual Symbols and Behavior.
(3)
(Also offered as ANTH 333)
Ethnographic studies and a variety of anthropological approaches to ritual are read to examine the defining characteristics of ritual activity and its contemporary significance in peoples' lives.
343.
Buddhist Philosophy.
(3)
(Also offered as PHIL 333)
This course traces the evolution of such topics as karma and rebirth and the nature of the liberated mind as discussed in the Buddhist traditions of India, Tibet, East Asia and the modern West.
Prerequisite: one course in Philosophy.
347.
Topics in Religious Studies.
(3, may be repeated 3 times Δ)
Studies in major religious figures or movements. Topic varies.
350.
Religion and Literature.
(3)
An introduction exploring relationships between the literary and religious traditions.
{Fall}
355.
Atheism: Trends and Critiques.
(3)
This class surveys classical and contemporary currents in atheism. We will consider different definitions and types of Atheism, current demographic and psychological profiles of atheists, and key atheistic critiques of arguments for the existence of God.
Prerequisite: 107 or 264.
361.
Modern Christian Thought.
(3)
(Also offered as PHIL 361)
Background of the intellectual issues facing Roman Catholic and Protestant traditions today.
Prerequisite: one course in Religious Studies or Philosophy.
365.
Philosophy of Religion.
(3)
(Also offered as PHIL 365)
Philosophic analysis of some major concepts and problems in religion.
Prerequisite: one course in Religious Studies or Philosophy.
*407.
Sanskrit I.
(3)
(Also offered as LING, MLNG 407)
An introduction to the Sanskrit language in conjunction with readings from classical Sanskrit literature in translation.
*422.
Sociology of Religion.
(3)
(Also offered as SOC 422)
Study of belief, commitment, and practice within religious and spiritual traditions and institutions, with a focus on contemporary United States, Latin America, and the Middle East.
Prerequisite: 107 or 263 or 264 or SOC 101.
{Spring}
426 / 626.
History of the Holocaust.
(3)
Pugach
(Also offered as HIST 426)
An examination of the motives, methods and execution of the destruction of the Jews by Nazi Germany and the responses of Jews, Western Powers, the Churches and Righteous Gentiles in the context of Jewish and world history.
*430.
American Religious Communication.
(3)
(Also offered as CJ 430)
This course examines the roles of religious communication during the Puritan period, the first and second awakenings and the period of media evangelism. The course examines various types of communicators, messages, audiences and channels of persuasion.
*431.
Ch'an and Zen.
(3)
(Also offered as PHIL *431)
An examination of key writings by Chinese Ch’an teachers (e.g., Huineng and Tung Shan), medieval Japanese Zen teachers (e.g., Eisai and Dogen) and modern Japanese thinkers (e.g., Suzuki and Nishitani).
Prerequisite: 263 or 343 or PHIL 333 or PHIL 334 or PHIL 336.
*434.
South Asian Mystical Traditions.
(3)
(Also offered as PHIL *434)
This course will examine a wide range of mystical thought and experience in South Asia from the first millennium BCE through the medieval period in Hindu and Buddhist traditions.
Prerequisite: 263 or 343 or PHIL 333 or PHIL 334.
*438.
Indian Buddhist Philosophy.
(3)
(Also offered as PHIL *438)
A survey of Hinayana and Mahayana philosophical thought as it developed in South Asia, together with its religious, historical and social context.
Prerequisite: 343 or PHIL 333 or PHIL 334.
*440.
Summer Seminar in Buddhism.
(3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
(Also offered as PHIL *440.)
Two-week intensive summer course at Jemez Bodhi Manda Zen Center. Study of both theory and practice with visiting professors from various universities. Opportunity for directed meditation for interested participants.
Prerequisite: 263 or 343 or PHIL 333 or PHIL 334 or PHIL 336.
441.
Religion in American History [History of Religion in America].
(3)
Szasz
(Also offered as HIST 441)
This class will cover the rise and development of the nation’s religious groups, from first contact to the present day. The focus will be on the social impact of the groups and how they influenced the development of American life.
*447.
Seminar in Religious Studies.
(1-3, may be repeated 3 times Δ)
Major religious figures or movements. Topic varies.
Prerequisite: one RELG course.
*450.
Spanish Mysticism.
(3)
A study of Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross in the contexts of the Renaissance, mystical theology, and the history and culture of Spain.
*452.
Medieval English Mystics.
(3)
A study of the literary and religious aspects of the English contributions to Christian mystical theology in the works of the anonymous author of The Cloud of Unknowing and similar works.
453.
Asian Studies Thesis.
(3)
(Also offered as COMP, HIST, PHIL, POLS 453)
Supervised research in one or more disciplines leading to an undergraduate thesis for the major in Asian Studies.
*457.
Seminar in Islamic Tradition.
(3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)
Topics in classical and contemporary Islamic thought and life. Course may be repeated up to three times provided the topics vary.
Prerequisite: 107 or 264.
*463.
Seminar in Biblical Studies.
(3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
Topics in the literary and historical analysis of Biblical texts.
Prerequisite: 230 or 231 or 232.
464.
Seminar in Philosophy of Religion.
(3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)
(Also offered as PHIL 464)
Advanced topics in philosophy of religion.
Prerequisite: 15 hours Philosophy or Religious Studies coursework.
*475.
Dante in Translation.
(3)
(Also offered as ITAL 475)
Principally the Vita Nuova and the Divine Comedy.
*482.
New Mexico Hispanic Religious Arts.
(3)
Religion-related material culture fashioned by New Mexico Hispanics (painting, sculpture, architecture) in the context of ethnohistory.
*491.
African-American Religious Traditions.
(3)
(Also offered as AFST 491)
This course will examine the bipolarity of religion in African-American history, showing how Black religion in the U.S. has served as an institution both for acculturation and also for self and cultural assertion.
497.
Independent Studies.
(1-3, may be repeated 2 times Δ)
Restriction: permission of program chairperson.
506 / 306.
Reformation Era, 1500-1600.
(3)
(Also offered as HIST 506)
Religious revolution and concurrent developments in European politics, society and culture.
507.
Teaching World Religions.
(3)
Preparation for teaching courses about living world religions. Includes teaching experience in 107.
533 / 333.
Ritual Symbols and Behavior.
(3)
(Also offered as ANTH 533)
Ethnographic studies and a variety of anthropological approaches to ritual are read to examine the defining characteristics of ritual activity and its contemporary significance in peoples' lives.
547.
Advanced Seminar in Religious Studies.
(3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
551.
M.A. Problems.
(1-6 to a maximum of 12 Δ)
Tutorial arrangement with a member of the graduate faculty.
560 / 360.
Christian Classics.
(3)
(Also offered as PHIL 560)
A study of major writings in the Christian tradition, written by such persons as Origen, Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, Calvin and Teresa of Avila.
Prerequisite: one course in Religious Studies
626 / 426.
History of the Holocaust.
(3)
Pugach
(Also offered as HIST 626)
An examination of the motives, methods and execution of the destruction of the Jews by Nazi Germany and the responses of Jews, Western Powers, the Churches and Righteous Gentiles in the context of Jewish and world history.
