UCOR Section Descriptions

Course Description

Students in this course will explore the way gender is constructed (and deconstructed) in the texts of Hebrew Bible. By analyzing large portions of the text, students will gain understanding of gender assumptions that still play a role in our lives today, as well as the profound distinctions between our contemporary society and the historical and social context of the Bible. In addition, students will gain language and skills for analyzing gender and identity in multiple contexts.

Course Description

The major world religions formed at a time before the industrial revolution and environmental issues were conceivable. What can we learn from these ancient traditions that speaks to the contemporary issue of environmental degradation? How do we address anthropocentrism or strands of these religions that devalue perceived reality if we wish to preserve the natural world? We will investigate both the problems and the promise of world religion, including the Abrahamic faiths, Asian religions and Indigenous religions. We will also ask whether the secular environmental movement bears the characteristics of a religion.

Course Description

Exploration of key issues, as well as appropriate methods, in Christian-Buddhist interchange and reflection. This course will study Buddhist and Christian traditions in terms of their sacred texts, doctrines and beliefs, rituals, ethics, and spiritual practices. Students will be acquainted with the philosophical and theological approaches, as well as to the more socio-cultural approach in the field of religious studies. Special attention will be given to the historical encounter of Jesuit missionary works in Asia as case-study of Christian-Buddhist dialogue.

Course Description

This course is designed to introduce students to the study of world religions. Religious traditions studied include Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism. In addition to engaging in an overview of these traditions, students will also learn about religious studies as a discipline, and about the methods involved in comparative religion. This will necessarily involve discussions of feminist and post-colonial critiques.

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to the Qur'an, considering the Qur'an as a basis for the theological and ethical teachings for Muslims, as well as a source of literary inspiration. We will study the Qur'an in terms of its main features and themes, covering classical interpretive traditions and contemporary academic approaches, as well as the relationship between the content of the Qur'an and many practical and existential elements of Muslim life.

Course Description

This course is designed to introduce students to the study of world religions. Religious traditions studied include Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism. In addition to engaging in an overview of these traditions, students will also learn about religious studies as a discipline, and about the methods involved in comparative religion. This will necessarily involve discussions of feminist and post-colonial critiques.

Course Description

Students in this course will explore the way gender is constructed (and deconstructed) in the texts of Hebrew Bible. By analyzing large portions of the text, students will gain understanding of gender assumptions that still play a role in our lives today, as well as the profound distinctions between our contemporary society and the historical and social context of the Bible. In addition, students will gain language and skills for analyzing gender and identity in multiple contexts.

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to the Qur'an, considering the Qur'an as a basis for the theological and ethical teachings for Muslims, as well as a source of literary inspiration. We will study the Qur'an in terms of its main features and themes, covering classical interpretive traditions and contemporary academic approaches, as well as the relationship between the content of the Qur'an and many practical and existential elements of Muslim life.

Course Description

In this course, we tackle the complex role religion played in the establishment, defense, and continuation of slavery in the American colonies and fledgling United States, the role religion played in the slave communities themselves, the role it played in the abolitionist movement in the northern states through the time the slaves’ emancipation, and the role it played in maintaining rigid patterns of racial discrimination and segregation in the United States afterward.

Course Description

This course is designed to introduce students to the study of world religions. Religious traditions studied include Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism. In addition to engaging in an overview of these traditions, students will also learn about religious studies as a discipline, and about the methods involved in comparative religion. This will necessarily involve discussions of feminist and post-colonial critiques.