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Course Listing for RELIGIOUS STUDIES - Fall 2025 (ALL: 09/02/2025 - 12/17/2025)
Class
No.		 Course ID Title Credits Type Instructor(s) Days:Times Location Permission
Required		 Dist Qtr
3166 RELG-101-01 Intro to Religious Studies 1.00 LEC Angowski, Elizabeth MW: 1:30PM-2:45PM TBA HUM  
  Enrollment limited to 25 Waitlist available: N Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  NOTE: Seat Reservations: 8 for first years 8 for sophomores
  This course introduces students to the academic study of religion by focusing on those major themes that connect religious experiences from around the world. We will explore the complex ways in which issues in religion relate to topics such as spiritual beings, birth, death, ritual, the afterlife, ethics, and the good-life. Through a range of classical, modern, and ethnographic sources, students will gain an understanding of the ways in which scholars have sought to understand the social, political, economic, and cultural contexts in which various religious traditions are embedded.
1713 RELG-109-01 Jews and Judaism 1.00 LEC Catlin, Samuel TR: 10:50AM-12:05PM TBA GLB2  
  Enrollment limited to 40 Waitlist available: Y Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  Also cross-referenced with MIDDLEAST Cross-listing: JWST-109-01
  A historical and conceptual survey of some of the major texts, traditions, movements, ideas, and practices associated with Judaism from antiquity to the present. Special attention will be paid to the changing social categories through which Judaism and Jewishness have been understood, by Jews and others, in various historical and geographic contexts, including, e.g., "religion," "nation," "ethnicity," "race," and "culture." Students who take this course will be prepared for further coursework in Jewish Studies and coursework on Judaism in Religious Studies. No prior knowledge of Jewish religion, culture, history, or languages is assumed.
3167 RELG-110-01 Introduction to Christianity 1.00 LEC Angowski, Elizabeth MW: 2:55PM-4:10PM TBA HUM  
  Enrollment limited to 39 Waitlist available: N Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  How is Jesus of Nazareth understood throughout Christian history: martyr, zealot, insurgent, Marxist, capitalist, emperor, social worker, general, or savior? How is Christianity connected to both colonialism and liberation movements, the Inquisition and Civil Rights, anti-Semitism and religious tolerance, witch-hunts and female leadership? This course will offer a broad introduction to the diverse traditions and identities of global Christianity through a range of sources: literary, historical, and philosophical texts, art and architecture, as well as ethnography and film. We consider the ways in which Christianity is both a religion of protest, revolt and liberation, as well as a religion of empire and conquest.
3170 RELG-220-01 Islamophobia 1.00 SEM Koertner, Mareike MW: 1:30PM-2:45PM TBA GLB2  
  Enrollment limited to 25 Waitlist available: N Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  This seminar explores the historical roots and contemporary forms of mostly Western anxieties toward Muslims and Islam by critically engaging the following questions: What are the theological, historical, political, and cultural forces that have given rise to negative perceptions of Islam. Based on examples from the U.S., Western Europe, and Asia we will study how the fear of Islam has translated into concrete acts of exclusion and discrimination.
3171 RELG-256-01 Introduction to Buddhism 1.00 LEC Kerekes, Susanne MW: 8:30AM-9:45AM TBA GLB2  
  Enrollment limited to 39 Waitlist available: N Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  This is a beginner's guide to Buddhism. In the first half of the course, students will learn about the tradition's history, development, geographic spread across Asia, and core concepts. Some key doctrines that influenced its philosophy and intellectual history are also covered. We then explore some popular practices of Buddhism throughout Asia, from its early days to contemporary times.
3330 RELG-276-01 Parables in Religion and Lit 1.00 LEC Catlin, Samuel TR: 1:30PM-2:45PM TBA GLB2  
  Enrollment limited to 25 Waitlist available: Y Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  Also cross-referenced with ENGL Cross-listing: JWST-276-01
3247 RELG-281-01 Anthropology of Religion 1.00 LEC Landry, Timothy TR: 9:25AM-10:40AM TBA GLB5  
  Enrollment limited to 29 Waitlist available: Y Mode of Instruction: In Person  
    Cross-listing: ANTH-281-01
  NOTE: 5 for first years. 5 for sophomores across ANTH/RELG
  Introduction to the foundations of religion through an examination of religious phenomena prevalent in traditional cultures. Some of the topics covered in this course include a critical examination of the idea of primitivity, the concepts of space and time, myths, symbols, ideas related to God, man, death, and rituals such as rites of passage, magic, sorcery, witchcraft, and divination. (May be counted toward anthropology and international studies/global studies.)
2882 RELG-288-01 Religion, Politics, and Policy 1.00 LEC Ribovich, Leslie TR: 10:50AM-12:05PM TBA HUM  
  Enrollment limited to 25 Waitlist available: Y Mode of Instruction: In Person  
    Cross-listing: PBPL-288-01
  NOTE: Seat Reservations: 7 for first years; 7 for sophomores
  The old saying goes, "Never discuss religion and politics in polite company." Yet, from theological views on abortion to the Black liberation struggle, it is hard to avoid intersections of religion and politics, especially as they relate to gender and race. In this course, we examine these examples and more to ask why religion and politics are so intertwined and pervasive in our global society, and what they have to do with racial and gendered power. We focus on the United States and consider religious studies and public policy perspectives. We conclude by examining our local context.
3375 RELG-317-01 Magic, Sorcery & Witchcraft 1.00 SEM Landry, Timothy TR: 1:30PM-2:45PM TBA GLB2  
  Enrollment limited to 15 Waitlist available: Y Mode of Instruction: In Person  
    Cross-listing: ANTH-317-01
  Anthropologists have explained, documented, and positioned magic, sorcery, and witchcraft as modern strategies designed to empower individuals to cope with and master an ever-globalizing world. Students will explore magic from around the globe and consider the complex relationships that exist between magic, materiality, and other cultural phenomena such as intimacy, family, and capitalism. In so doing, this class will position magic as a meaningful cultural practice that is critical to understanding how people mobilize complex symbolic systems and non-human beings to manage increasing concerns over social inequity, global economic insecurity, and distrust.
3172 RELG-323-01 Buddhist Economics 1.00 SEM Kerekes, Susanne MW: 11:30AM-12:45PM TBA HUMW  
  Enrollment limited to 19 Waitlist available: N Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  Television shows like "Shark Tank", featuring a panel of investors (a.k.a., sharks) who consider propositions from aspiring entrepreneurs, evinces that popular culture values only the making of profit. Beyond profits and intended consumer benefits, what are the repercussions of commercial products and services? How does it contribute to structural violence? What is the Buddhist response to commerce and its effects on individuals, society, and ecology? Is B-econ an alternative to capitalism? We review case studies of Bhutan's "Gross Domestic Happiness" and Thailand's "Sufficiency Economy". Students will devise resolutions for real-world issues, employing Buddhist concepts (e.g., non-self, interconnectedness), and participate in extensive meditation and a social-media cleanse. No prior knowledge of Buddhism necessary.
3156 RELG-328-01 Religion in Hartford 1.00 SEM Ribovich, Leslie TR: 1:30PM-2:45PM TBA HUM  
  Enrollment limited to 19 Waitlist available: Y Mode of Instruction: In Person  
    Cross-listing: PBPL-328-01
  From Algonquin peoples to white Christian settlers to Jews to Buddhists to Santeras, Hartford's urban landscape has been and continues to be shaped by religion. The city's religious history and present affect how we live together and share public resources. In this course, we seek to understand what "religion in public life" means in a city so religiously, racially, ethnically, and economically diverse, and also so segregated. We engage a diverse range of religious practitioners, religious social policy organizing, and historical research. Through our academic study and community building, we aim to enrich public knowledge about Hartford's religious communities' histories, practices, and needs.
1444 RELG-399-01 Independent Study 0.50 - 2.00 IND TBA TBA TBA Y HUM  
  Enrollment limited to 15 Waitlist available: N Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  Advanced work on an approved project under the guidance of a faculty member. Submission of the special registration form, available in the Registrar’s Office, and the approval of the instructor and chairperson are required for enrollment.
3158 RELG-401-01 Senior Seminar 1.00 SEM Kerekes, Susanne W: 1:30PM-4:10PM TBA Y WEB  
  Enrollment limited to 19 Waitlist available: N Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  The purpose of this senior seminar is for our majors to learn a variety of methodological approaches to conducting research in religious studies: ethnographic, historical, textual/literary, philosophical/theological, and sociological. Each student will engage in a research question of interest throughout the semester. This course is required of all our majors in the fall of their senior year, but is open to minors.
1445 RELG-466-01 Teaching Assistant 0.50 - 1.00 IND TBA TBA TBA Y  
  Enrollment limited to 15 Waitlist available: N Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  Submission of the special registration form, available online, and the approval of the instructor are required for enrollment. Guidelines are available in the College Bulletin. (0.5 - 1 course credit)
2553 RELG-497-01 Senior Thesis 1.00 IND TBA TBA TBA Y WEB  
  Enrollment limited to 15 Waitlist available: N Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  Submission of the special registration form and the approval of the instructor and chairperson are required for enrollment in this single-semester thesis.
2551 RELG-498-01 Senior Thesis Part 1 1.00 IND Staff, Trinity TBA TBA Y WEB  
  Enrollment limited to 15 Waitlist available: N Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  This course is the first part of a two semester, two credit thesis. Submission of the special registration form and the approval of the thesis adviser and the director are required for enrollment. The registration form is required for each semester of this year-long thesis.
3214 CLCV-218-01 Archaeology of the Holy Land 1.00 LEC Risser, Martha TR: 9:25AM-10:40AM TBA GLB1  
  Enrollment limited to 29 Waitlist available: Y Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  Also cross-referenced with ARTHISTORY, HIST, JWST, RELG Cross-listing: LATN-318-01
  Through a survey of arts, architecture, material remains, and written accounts, this course traces the complex past of a region regarded as Holy Land by people of several major religions. We will evaluate incongruities between written texts and physical evidence; the contentious political and religious agendas that affected studies of these lands; and evidence for the ancient societies, cultures, economies, religions, and politics that contributed to shaping the modern Middle East.
3434 LATN-218-01 Archaeology of the Holy Land 1.00 LEC Cancelled GLB1  
  Enrollment limited to 29 Waitlist available: Y Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  Also cross-referenced with ARTHISTORY, HIST, JWST, RELG
  Through a survey of arts, architecture, material remains, and written accounts, this course traces the complex past of a region regarded as Holy Land by people of several major religions. We will evaluate incongruities between written texts and physical evidence; the contentious political and religious agendas that affected studies of these lands; and evidence for the ancient societies, cultures, economies, religions, and politics that contributed to shaping the modern Middle East.