USC Schedule of Classes

The Hebrew Bible in the cultural setting of the ancient Near East; the formation of theological and ethical concepts which have shaped Western culture.

Religions, cultures, and values of ancient Egypt and Near East (Iran, Iraq, Israel, Syria, Lebanon, Arabia, Turkey) and their legacies in contemporary society.

Congregational and individual expressions of religion in Los Angeles.

Survey of academic approaches to the study of religion. When possible this course will be taken during the first year of the major or minor.

Survey of and inquiry into the biblical wisdom literature; emphasis on the Book of Job.

Examination of ancient objects, images and archaeological sites as evidence for religious practice and ideas about the sacred in the Greco-Roman world. Recommended preparation: AHIS 120g, AHIS 201g.

Examines various topics in the process of rapid modernization and globalization in Buddhism including environmentalism, gender, nationalism, social activism, and war and peace.

Examination of the nature and substance of Islamic law (Sharia) and how it relates to American democracy, society and secularism.

Course traces the Jewish diaspora from Spain and Portugal with particular attention to how Sephardic Jews maintained ties of culture, commerce, language, and identity.

Seminar on selected aspects of the Buddhist tradition.

Religious and moral perspectives on war, pacifism, violent and non-violent protest, and religion-based terrorism and militia.

The role of religion in modern society from the standpoint of sociological theory and research.

Exploration of the influence of American religion on foreign policy from Colonial Era to present; how the news media, reporting on international stories, shapes public opinion.

Individual research and readings. Not available for graduate credit.

Individual research for honors in the major leading to a substantial project.

Introduction to the major topics, trends, and theoretical approaches in the study of religion.

Introduces major issues that have defined Islamic Studies in premodern and modern periods. Generally taken in the first year.

Research methods, tools and current scholarship in the study of Asian Pacific Religions.

Research leading to the master's degree. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC.