RLS 101: Western Religions

An historical introduction to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Attention is given to the cultural background, art, literature, philosophy, and institutional development of each tradition.

DEC:     B
SBC:     GLO, HUM

3 credits

RLS 102: Eastern Religions

Historical introduction to Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. Attention is given to the cultural background, art, literature, philosophy, and institutional development of each tradition. This course is offered as both AAS 102 and RLS 102.

DEC:     B
SBC:     GLO, HUM

3 credits

RLS 240: Confucianism and Daoism

An introduction to the basic philosophies and doctrines of Confucianism and Daoism, such as the concept of Dao, non-action, benevolence, and propriety. The course explores both the similarities and the differences between these two traditions. This course is offered as both AAS 240 and RLS 240.

DEC:     J
SBC:     GLO, HUM

3 credits

RLS 256: Hinduism

Survey of the principal religious and philosophical currents of Hindu civilization in India from the time of the Vedas and Upanishads through the development of the major devotional ways and schools of thought current in India today. These include the polytheism of Hindu mythology, the theism of various forms of devotional practice, and the monotheism and nondualism of Hindu philosophy. This course is offered as both AAS 256 and RLS 256.

Advisory Prerequisite: one D.E.C. B or HUM course

DEC:     J
SBC:     GLO, HUM

3 credits

RLS 260: Buddhism

An introduction to the basic philosophy and doctrines of Buddhism, beginning with a survey of lives and works of major historical figures of Buddhism. The principal issues of Buddhist thought, drawing from Indian, East Asian, and Western sources, are treated. Particular attention is paid to the meaning of faith, practice, and enlightenment in Buddhism. This course is offered as both AAS 260 and RLS 260.

DEC:     J
SBC:     GLO, HUM

3 credits

RLS 270: Christianity

A critical introduction to the scripture, tradition, history, and religious practices and beliefs of Christianity as one of the principal factors in the shaping of European culture.

DEC:     I
SBC:     GLO, HUM

3 credits

RLS 280: Islam

An introduction to the main features of Islamic revelation as contained in the Koran and its impact on the major spiritual, intellectual, legal, and social teachings and institutions of the Islamic world. The course concludes with an examination of Islam in the modern world. This course is offered as both AAS 280 and RLS 280.

DEC:     J
SBC:     GLO, HUM

3 credits

RLS 287: Islam in China

Muslims entered China by the Silk Road shortly after the death of Muhammad in 632 and established permanent communities by the year 1000. Current estimates of the Muslim population in China begin at twenty million and go up. The course will survey the cultural history of the community, showing how it adapted Islamic teachings to a language that had been shaped by three non-theistic traditions Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism and illustrating the manner in which it integrated the distinctive monotheistic features of Islam into the cosmological and humanistic visions of the Chinese traditions. This course is offered as both AAS 287 and RLS 287.

SBC:     GLO, HUM

3 credits

RLS 366: Feminine Spirituality

The role and destiny of human beings as envisaged by the world's great traditions, especially the Chinese and the Islamic. The course focuses on the concept of femininity as a principle in the realms of theology, metaphysics, cosmology, and spiritual psychology; and the theoretical and practical applications of the feminine principle to the place of both men and women in society. Topics include feminine and masculine as metaphysical and cosmological principles; woman and religious law; woman's role in symbolism, mythology, and literature; and the feminine aspects of the self that both women and men need to develop on the path of achieving spiritual perfection. Previously offered as RLS 426, this course is now offered as RLS 366. Not for credit in addition to the former RLS 426. This course is offered as both AAS 366 and RLS 366.

Advisory Prerequisite: any 200-level or higher RLS course

DEC:     G
SBC:     HFA+

3 credits

RLS 368: Yoga: Theory and Praxis

In this course we investigate Yogic systems of philosophy and self-transformation in their many forms throughout history. Topics include the origins of Yoga in ancient India, the philosophy of the Yoga Sutras and its commentarial traditions, Buddhist Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Tantric Yoga, and the medicalization and globalization of Yoga in the modern period. Students are encouraged to supplement class discussions by participating in Yoga classes at the Stony Brook University Wellness Center. This course is offered as both AAS 368 and RLS 368.

Advisory Prerequisite: one previous course in AAS or RLS

DEC:     J
SBC:     HFA+

3 credits

RLS 380: Islamic Classics

A study in depth of Islamic texts in translation. Selections may be made from the Qur'an, the Hadith, the Law, and from one or more of the major intellectual schools, such as Kalam (scholastic theology), Peripatetic philosophy, illuminationist theosophy, Sufism, and the "transcendent theosophy" of the School of Isfahan. May be repeated as the topic changes. Previously offered as RLS 408, this course is now offered as both AAS 380 and RLS 380.

Advisory Prerequisite: AAS/RLS 280

DEC:     G
SBC:     HFA+

3 credits

RLS 382: Japanese Buddhism

An introduction to the teachings and practices of two major schools of Japanese Buddhism: Zen and Pure Land. The course focuses on the writings of the founders of the important lineages within these schools. Formerly offered as RLS 406, this course is now offered as both AAS 382 and RLS 382. Not for credit in addition to the former RLS 406.

Advisory Prerequisite: AAS/RLS 260

DEC:     G
SBC:     HFA+

3 credits

RLS 387: Islam and Confucianism

The goal of this course is to compare the basic teachings of Islam and Confucianism concerning the correct way to achieve true human status. Special stress will be placed on books that Muslim scholars wrote in Chinese beginning in the seventeenth century. These books employed Neo-Confucian language to introduce Chinese Muslims to their own theology, cosmology, and spiritual psychology, thus providing a rare pre-modern example of inter-religious dialogue. This course is offered as both AAS 387 and RLS 387.

Advisory Prerequisite: AAS 260 or RLS 260 or AAS 280 or RLS 280; U3 or U4 standing

DEC:     J
SBC:     HFA+

3 credits

RLS 444: Experiential Learning

This course is designed for students who engage in a substantial, structured experiential learning activity in conjunction with another class. Experiential learning occurs when knowledge acquired through formal learning and past experience are applied to a "real-world" setting or problem to create new knowledge through a process of reflection, critical analysis, feedback and synthesis. Beyond-the-classroom experiences that support experiential learning may include: service learning, mentored research, field work, or an internship.

Prerequisite: WRT 102 or equivalent; permission of the instructor and approval of the EXP+ contract (http://sb.cc.stonybrook.edu/bulletin/current/policiesandregulations/degree_requirements/EXPplus.php)

SBC:     EXP+

0 credit, S/U grading

RLS 447: Readings in Religious Studies

Directed readings with religious studies faculty, limited to religious studies majors or upper-division students working on advanced problems in religious studies. May be repeated.

Prerequisite: Permission of program coordinator

1-6 credits

RLS 459: Write Effectively in Religious Studies

A zero credit course that may be taken in conjunction with any 300- or 400-level RLS course, with permission of the instructor. The course provides opportunity to practice the skills and techniques of effective academic writing and satisfies the learning outcomes of the Stony Brook Curriculum's WRTD learning objective.

Prerequisite: WRT 102; permission of the instructor

SBC:     WRTD

0 credit, S/U grading

RLS 475: Undergraduate Teaching Practicum

Students assist instructors in religious studies courses with large enrollments. Under the supervision of the course instructor, they are responsible for conducting discussion and review sections of the course and helping students with course readings and assignments such as research papers.

Prerequisites: U4 standing in religious studies major; permission of instructor and program director

SBC:     EXP+

3 credits, S/U grading