The Department of Religion approaches the study of
religions from a variety of perspectives: literary, historical,
anthropological, and philosophical. We study religions as a central
aspect of human life and society. The department takes no position
either in favor of religions or against them and is not associated
with any particular religious tradition. Our goal is to understand
how religions develop and change, and how religious texts, symbols,
and rituals help constitute communities.
For a complete, revised list of courses for 1999-2000, see below, after the list of faculty.
John David Dawson, B.A. Towson State
University; M.Div., Duke University; M.A., M.Phil., and Ph.D., Yale
University. Modern religious thought; theology and literary theory;
history and theories of biblical interpretation; religion, ethics,
and public life.
Tracey Hucks, Assistant Professor, B.A. and
M.A., Colgate University; Ph.D. Harvard University. History of
religion in America; African American religious history in the United
States; African religions in the Americas.
Ken
Koltun-Fromm, Assistant Professor of
Religion, B.A., Haverford College, M.T.S., Harvard Divinity School,
M.A. and Ph.D, Stanford University. Modern Jewish thought,
conceptions of self and identity, public religion.
Naomi
Koltun-Fromm, Assistant Professor of
Religion. B.A., Barnard College; M.A. and Ph.D., Stanford University.
Jews and Judaism in Late Antiquity, comparative hermeneutics in
Rabbinics and Patristics, Hebrew Bible, and Gender in Judaism.
Anne
McGuire, Associate Professor of
Religion. B.A., Barnard College; M.A., Columbia University; M.A.,
Ph.D., Yale University. History and Literature of Early Christianity;
Gnosticism; Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean; Gender and
Religion; Feminist Interpretation of Scripture.
Michael Sells, Professor of Religion, A.B., Gonzaga University; M.A. and Ph.D., University of Chicago. Islamic studies; comparative religions; religions of the East; comparative mysticism; Qu'ran; Middle East literature; Sufism; religion and violence; Bosnia.
|
REL. 101a |
Introduction to The Study of Religion (Limit 50) |
Hucks |
MW 12:30-2:00 |
Chase 104 |
|
REL. 124a |
Introduction to Christian Thought (Limit 35) |
Dawson |
MW 2:30-4:00 |
Gest 101 |
|
REL. 221a |
McGuire |
TTH 10:00-11:30 |
Gest 101 |
|
|
REL. 251a |
Sells |
TTH 2:30-4:00 |
Hall 106 |
|
|
REL. 255a |
Anthropology of Religion /Cross Listed with Anthropology |
Purpura |
TTH 2:30-4:00 |
Roberts 105 / SO I |
|
REL. 281a |
K Koltun-Fromm |
TTH 1:00-2:30 |
Hall 106 |
|
|
REL. 360a |
Seminar in Christian Thought |
Dawson |
T 1:30-4:00 |
Gest 103 |
|
REL. 398a |
Approaches and Methods in the Study of Religions (Juniors) |
Sells |
TTH 11:30-1:00 |
Hall 106 |
|
REL. 398a |
Approaches and Methods in the Study of Religions(Seniors) |
Hucks |
MW 2:30-4:00 |
Gest 103 |
|
REL. 101b |
Introduction to the Study of Religion (Limit 50) |
K Koltun-Fromm |
TTH 10:00--11:30 |
Chase 104 |
|
REL. 122b |
Introduction to the New Testament (Limit 35) |
McGuire |
TTH 11:30-1:00 |
Gest 101 |
|
REL. 231b |
Religious Themes in African American Literature |
Hucks |
MW 12:30-2:00 |
Gest 101 |
|
REL. 277b |
Modern Christian Thought / Cross-listed in Philosophy |
Dawson |
MW 12:30-2:00 |
Gest 103 |
|
REL. 286b |
Religion and American Public Life |
Dawson |
TTH 1:00-2:30 |
Gest 101 |
|
REL. 330b |
Seminar in the Religious History of African American Women (Limit 20) |
Hucks |
M 7:30pm |
Gest 103 |
|
REL. 348b |
Seminar in Ancient Judaism |
N.Koltun-Fromm |
T 1:30-4:00 |
Gest 103 |
|
REL. 399b |
Senior Seminar |
Staff |
TBA |
TBA |
For a record of last year's courses, 1998-99, click here.
Frequently asked question: "What can I do
with a religion major?"
Answer: The same things you can do with any other liberal arts
major.
A major at a liberal arts college is flexible. Religion majors have
gone into the same variety of careers, in the same proportions, as
majors in other departments: business, law, medicine, academics,
public service. For information on careers of former religion majors,
press this
link.
The department's course offerings currently focus on the study of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, as well as a number of comparative or thematically organized courses. In addition, the department offers some courses in Asian religions. Students interested in Asian religions may work out a program of study in conjunction with the East Asian Studies program at Haverford and Bryn Mawr and with the Religion department at Swarthmore.
|
Curriculum |
Major Requirements |