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Boston University
Graduate Program in Religion
School
Boston University Graduate Program in Religion
GRS RN612
Buddhism in America
BTI Category
Semester
Buddhist Studies
FA25
The transplantation and transformation of Buddhism in the United States. Time period ranges from the eighteenth century to the present, but the emphasis is on contemporary developments, including the new Asian immigration, Jewish Buddhism, feminization, and engaged Buddhism.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Laura Harrington
TR
2:00PM-3:15PM
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
4
Online?
N
Professor Approval Req'd?
Y
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N/A
School
Boston University Graduate Program in Religion
GRS RN638
Philosophy and Mysticism: Jewish and Islamic
Perspectives
BTI Category
Semester
Interreligious Learning
FA25
A thematic introduction to mysticism and philosophy, with a focus on the dynamics of religious experience. Readings will be drawn from medieval Jewish and Islamic philosophy; Sufi mysticism and philosophy; Kabbalah, Sufi poetry, Hebrew poetry from the Golden Age of Muslim Spain.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Diana Lobel
TR
12:30PM-1:45PM
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
4
Online?
N
Professor Approval Req'd?
Y
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N/A
School
Boston University Graduate Program in Religion
GRS RN706
Biblical Fakes and Forgeries
BTI Category
Semester
Scripture & Biblical Studies
FA25
Examines issues regarding forged documents and artifacts relating to the Hebrew Bible and New Testament. Examples of forgeries (alleged and certain) include: book of Daniel, Letter of Aristeas, Gnostic Gospels, Secret Gospel of Mark; forged Scrolls in museum collections. Examines forged documents and artifacts relating to Hebrew Bible and New Testament, probing historical and ethical questions they raise. Examples (alleged and certain forgeries) include: book of Daniel, Gnostic Gospels, Secret Gospel of Mark, and forged Dead Sea Scroll fragments.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Jonathan Klawans
R
3:30PM-6:15PM
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
4
Online?
N
Professor Approval Req'd?
Y
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N/A
School
Boston University Graduate Program in Religion
GRS RN716
Religion, Race, and Climate Change
BTI Category
Semester
Sociology/Ethnography/Research Methods
FA25
A multi-disciplinary course delving into the influence of and race on human behavior and nonhuman, planetary realities at local and global scales. It focuses on the historical, systemic, and societal implications associated with ongoing climate change debates.
Professor
Class Day & Time
James Hill Jr.
M
2:30PM-5:15PM
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
4
Online?
N
Professor Approval Req'd?
Y
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N/A
School
Boston University Graduate Program in Religion
GRS RN466
Tolerance
BTI Category
Semester
Ethics (all traditions)
FA25
Explores the religious roots of tolerance as an alternative to secular, more liberal foundations for pluralism. Grapples with the challenge of tolerance to the revealed religions and the ways different societies have met or failed to meet this challenge. Presents multiple case-studies and contemporary connections, explores relevance to students own experiences.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Adam Seligman
TR
9:30AM-10:45AM
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
4
Online?
N
Professor Approval Req'd?
Y
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N/A
School
Boston University Graduate Program in Religion
GRS RN628
Judaism in the Modern Period
BTI Category
Semester
Judaic Studies
FA25
Encounters between Judaism and modernity from the Renaissance and Reformation; the Spanish expulsion and creation of Jewish centers in the New World; emancipation and its consequences; assimilation, Reform Judaism, Zionism, the American Jewish community, non-European communities, Jewish global migration, and modern antisemitism.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Steven Katz
TR
3:30PM-4:45PM
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
4
Online?
N
Professor Approval Req'd?
Y
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N/A
School
Boston University Graduate Program in Religion
GRS RN696
Philosophy of Religion
BTI Category
Semester
Systematic Theology & Philosophy (Western)
FA25
Critical investigation of the limits of human knowledge and the theoretical and practical demands for meaning attached to notions of God, providence, immortality, and other metaphysical conditions of human thriving, from Plato to modern philosophies of religion.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Michael Zank
M
6:30PM-9:15PM
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
4
Online?
N
Professor Approval Req'd?
Y
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N/A
School
Boston University Graduate Program in Religion
GRS RN709
Cults and Charisma
BTI Category
Semester
Sociology/Ethnography/Research Methods
FA25
Examines religious sects, new religions, and charismatic leadership using case- studies from history and the contemporary world, as well as analytical principles from religious studies and anthropology.
Professor
Class Day & Time
David Frankfurter
TR
2:00PM-3:15PM
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
4
Online?
N
Professor Approval Req'd?
Y
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N/A
School
Boston University Graduate Program in Religion
GRS RN760
Seminar on the Holocaust
BTI Category
Semester
Judaic Studies
FA25
This course will examine historical, ethical and religious issues arising from the Holocaust. We will discuss antisemitism and ideology; what communities were considered "other"; human motivation regarding collaborators, perpetrators and bystanders; the role of individuals, organizations and governments; the treatment of women; the ethics of resistance; the behavior of the Jewish Councils; and attitudes to the existence of God during and after the Holocaust. We
will also compare the Holocaust to contemporary crises now occurring around the world.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Steven Katz
M
2:30PM-5:15PM
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
4
Online?
N
Professor Approval Req'd?
Y
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N/A
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