USC Schedule of Classes

Historical and thematic survey of Chinese religious history from earliest times to the present.

Congregational and individual expressions of religion in Los Angeles.

Examination of the historical continuities and disjunctions between "spiritual but not religious" Americans; the relationship between spirituality, politics and social change, and the role of media.

Exploration of the manner in which the media frame discussions and understandings of ethical issues, moral dilemmas, spirituality and religious imagination.

In-depth exploration of 3D digital, immersive, virtual or extended reality visualizations of cultural heritage, archaeology, historical sites and artifacts, including their legal and ethical dimensions.

History and contexts of anti-Semitism, racism and other discourses about difference examined through religious, national and cultural forms in Europe and in the US.

Survey of religious responses to colonial encounter in the Americas. Emphasis given to study of religious innovations of Amerindians, Africans and Europeans.

How human appetites for sex, food, community or immortality are articulated as mystical desires in different religions, either within institutional structures or working against them.

Examination of value questions arising from the impact of technology on individuals, social institutions, and culture.

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

Studies of the presence and influence of Zen Buddhism and Daoism in Asian literature, with a focus on China and Japan.

The interaction of archaeology and contemporary societies through political and moral claims; archaeologists' role as stewards and interpreters of ancient cultures and their remains. Capstone course for the Archaeology major.

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

Individual research and readings. Not available for graduate credit.

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

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.

Comparative and transhistorical methods for understanding the most prominent developments in premodern or modern globalized Christianity.

Study of Islamic religious texts in multiple genres, primarily in Arabic, though other languages may be offered. Recommended preparation: Advanced Arabic language ability.

Skills for academic professionalization, presentation of research in progress and formal responses to academic writing.

Credit on acceptance of dissertation. Graded CR/NC.

Credit on acceptance of dissertation. Graded CR/NC.

Credit on acceptance of dissertation. Graded CR/NC.

Credit on acceptance of dissertation. Graded CR/NC.

Credit on acceptance of dissertation. Graded CR/NC.