Lewis & Clark Moodle

Comparative approach to asceticism and examination of acts of self-discipline in Eastern (Jain, Hindu, Buddhist), Western (Stoic, Christian mystic), and modern secular (eco-activism, fasting diets, and extreme exercise regimes) cultural contexts. Consideration of the question: What good is self-discipline? Depriving oneself of sensual, pleasures can be seen as an antidote to materialism and a means of liberating the soul from its fleshly shackles, but is denying our inborn desires a form of self-violence?

Investigation of the oft-made claim that "religion, causes much of the world's violence," exploring, the best arguments for and against this, proposition framed by maximalist claims that, religion is inherently prone to inspiring, violence, and minimalist claims that religion is, either peaceful or subordinated to other (e.g.,, economic or political) concerns. Consideration of, various definitions of "religion" to see how it, might motivate a range of behaviors both peaceful, and violent. Attention given to pervasive, religious phenomena (such as sacrifice,, conversion, holy/just war, and apocalypticism), that might inspire violence, as well as, theological and ethical frameworks that may, counteract violence. In a multi-stage, guided, research project, students will pursue case, studies of specific instances of violence, apparently related to religion, thereby testing, and employing the analytical lenses developed in, the course.

Examination of the way religious and nonreligious
human beings have sought to make sense of their
world through apocalyptic speculation; exploration
of the special relationship between end-time
speculation and religious thought and practice.
Sources include literature ranging from ancient
Mesopotamian apocalypses to Zora Neale Hurston's
Their Eyes Were Watching God, art and
architecture from the Ishtar Gate of Babylon to
Garden Grove's Crystal (now Christ) Cathedral, and
expressions of popular culture from ancient Greek
curse tablets to "Zombieland."

Critical examination of the relationship between, religion and medicine, drawing on scholarship from, religious studies, anthropology, sociology, and, history. Examples from ancient Greece, China, and, indigenous traditions. Particular attention to the, secularization of Western biomedicine and the, contemporary popularity of alternatives. Critical, examination of the terms "religious," "spiritual,", "secular," "natural," and "holistic."

A historical perspective on the various religious
movements, collectively known as the Protestant
Reformation, that marked Europe's transition from
the medieval to the early modern period (circa
1400-1600). Review of medieval religious patterns.
The status of Catholic institutions and ideas in
crises of the late medieval period, the theologies
of Luther and Calvin, radical movements, the
political background of the Reformation, Catholic
responses to Protestantism, and export of Early
Modern Christianity beyond Europe. Readings and
discussions concentrate on recent social
historiography of the Reformation. Popular appeal
of Protestant religiosity, social implications of
Calvinism, roles of women in the Reformation,
family patterns and the reformation, class
structure, and competing religious cultures in
urban and rural society.

This course will survey the beliefs, practices, and cultural manifestations of the religious traditions of East Asia: Confucianism, Daoism, Chinese folk religion, Mahayana Buddhism, and Shamanism. As we study each tradition in historical context, students will be asked to keep in mind several questions of overarching concern. These themes will inform students’ written reading responses, preparation for class discussion, and essays:

The self and its transformation: How have various East Asian religions understood the self and its potential for spiritual development? What paths for self-cultivation and liberation are offered by these traditions?

Religion and the state: What kinds of relationships have existed between religion and the state in East Asia?

Religious mixing and competition: What has been the relationship between different religious traditions within a particular cultural milieu? In what ways are they competing, and in what ways are they reconciled?

Religion and modernity: How has modernity affected the function and jurisdiction of religion in East Asian countries?

The course is not meant to comprehensively represent East Asian religious traditions, but rather to examine closely a few examples that richly illustrate the complexity of the above questions. Nonetheless, students will develop a strong foundation of knowledge about the religious landscape of East Asia, and a basic understanding of the doctrines and practices of various traditions.



In this course, students will develop a critical understanding of Buddhist philosophical concepts and religious practices.  We will read primary sources such as sermons, monastic codes, miracle tales, ritual texts and sutras, as well as ethnographies and secondary scholarship that will introduce us to contemporary problems in the scholarly study of Buddhism.  

Attention will be given to diverse notions of the path and goal of Buddhism, the dynamics of lay-monastic relations, the interplay of practical and trans-worldly concerns, and Buddhism’s transformations in specific historical and cultural settings.

Exploration of the history of religious transmission and mutual influence between Korea and Japan, which are separated by a mere 670 miles of sea. Primary and secondary source readings and, lectures are interspersed with visits to temples, shrines, museums, and sacred natural sites. During, three and a half weeks in Korea we will encounter its religious repertoire of Confucianism, Daoism,, Buddhism, and shamanism. We will next travel to Japan following the development of Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism in their more or less diffuse and/or institutionalized forms. Understandings of enlightenment and the afterlife, religious mixing, and religion-state relationships will be examined.

Introduction to major themes and movements in
American religious history from colonial origins
to the Civil War. Consideration of Native American
religious traditions, colonial settlement, slavery
and slave religion, revivalism, religion and the
revolution, growth of Christian denominationalism,
origins of Mormonism, using a comparative approach
in the effort to understand diverse movements.
Central themes: revival and religious renewal,
appropriation of Old Testament language by various
groups (Puritans, African Americans, Mormons),
democratization of religion.

Impact of religion in modern America from the end, of the Civil War to the present day, emphasizing, the interaction between America's many religions, and emerging American modernity. The fate of, "traditional" religion in modern America;, "alternate" American religious traditions;, urbanization, industrialism, and religion;, science, technology, and secularism;, evangelicalism, modernism, and fundamentalism;, religious bigotry; pluralism; new religions and, neofundamentalism.

Exploration of key themes in American religious, history as these are revealed in contemporary, American television shows. These themes will, include millennialism, exceptionalism, revivalism,, restorationism, apocalypticism, freedom of, religion, religious pluralism, fascination with, the exotic "East," and exploration of paranormal, topics.

Major religious and sociohistorical developments, in the Islamic world from circa 600 to 1300 C.E., Focus on the Qur'an, Muhammad, early Islamic, expansions and dynasties, and interactions with, non-Muslims. Examination of the formation of, orthodox beliefs and practices (e.g., theology,, ritual, law), contestation over religious ideals, and political power, and the emergence of Shiite, and Sufi Islam.

The religious, social, and political dynamics of, the Islamic world, circa 1300 C.E. to present,, especially the 19th through 21st centuries., Earlier developments (e.g., the Qur'an, Muhammad,, Muslim dynasties) considered in relation to the, modern context. European colonialism, postcolonial, change, reform and "fundamentalist" movements,, Sufism, Muslim views of "modernity," and changing, understandings of politics, gender, and relations, with non-Muslims.

Beliefs, practices, and history of Muslim, societies from their origins in seventh-century, Arabia to their complex current expressions, throughout the world. The Qur'an; the Prophet, Muhammad; ritual practice; law; politics; gender, roles/relations. The many debates and voices of, dissent that have helped define the varieties of, Islamic culture. Focus on the Middle East/North, Africa will be supplemented by attention to other, contexts, including America.

Gender as a component in religious experiences in, America from the colonial era to the present. The, relationship between gender and religious beliefs, and practices. Religion as a means of oppression, and liberation of women and men. Interactions, between laywomen and male clergy. The intersection, of religion, wellness, the body, and sports., Diverse movements and cultures including colonial, society, African American culture, immigrant, communities, and radical religious groups.

Exploration of the religious history of the, Pacific Northwest, with a focus on Oregon and, Washington. Examination of the religious, traditions of regional Native American tribes,, early Protestant missions, and the growth of, Catholicism and Mormonism in the region, as well, as recent immigrant religions (such as Vietnamese, Buddhism), nondenominational Christian groups, and, alternative forms of spirituality. Using, theoretical models from religious studies to, consider why the Northwest does not carry the, imprint of a dominant religious tradition or, traditions, as most other regions of the country, do. This course is cross-listed with RELS 441., Students taking the 300-level version of this, course will complete a guided research project,, identifying and mastering the range of scholarly, positions on a theme, critical issue, or essential, primary text, and will produce a technically sound, research paper. The course can only be taken once, and cannot be repeated at the other level.

This course explores the variety of religious practices and traditions that flourished in the richly pluralistic context of the Roman Mediterranean, from roughly the first through the fifth centuries of the Common Era—the period in which early Judaism and Christianity emerged on the scene. We will consider a range of religious expressions, including myths and stories, philosophy, ritual practice, archaeology and art, encountering a world that is truly different from our own and yet strangely familiar as well. The goal of the course is to learn to think critically about religion, religious pluralism, and the encounter between polytheistic and monotheistic traditions, while also developing skills in historical analysis, textual interpretation, and writing. In addition, this course counts toward History (HIST) and Bibliographic Research in Writing (BRW) requirements.

A comparative and theoretical exploration of the, various manifestations of mysticism and religious, experience in different contexts and traditions., Includes classical and current theories of the, nature of mysticism and its relation to asceticism, and other aspects of religious belief and, practice, drawing on sociology, anthropology,, psychology, philosophy, and cognitive science., Interrogation of the nature and epistemological, status of experience. Numerous case studies,, including sustained attention to Sufism, the, Islamic mystical tradition. This course is, cross-listed with RELS 458. Students taking the, 300-level version of this course will complete a, guided research project, identifying and mastering, the range of scholarly positions on a theme,, critical issue, or essential primary text, and, will produce a technically sound research paper., The course can only be taken once and cannot be, repeated at the 400 level.

The perceptions and realities of religious
resurgence in a supposedly secularizing world.
Focus on the historical, theological, social, and
political aspects of Christian and Islamic
fundamentalism. Themes include secularization
theories and their critics; changing
understandings of religion and modernity;
connections among religion, politics, violence,
sexuality/gender, and identity.

Major trends in American religion from the, Puritans to the feminist and liberation theologies, of the 20th century. Intensive reading of works by, major American figures and scholars. With, instructor consent, may be taken twice for credit.

Advanced readings and major works in religion. In
consultation with faculty, selection of a thesis
topic and further reading in the discipline and
research in the topic area. Substantial written
document demonstrating mastery of theory and
methodology in the study of religion and the
ability to integrate these into the thesis topic.

Advanced readings and major works in religion. In, consultation with faculty, selection of a thesis, topic and further reading in the discipline and, research in the topic area. Substantial written, document demonstrating mastery of theory and, methodology in the study of religion and the, ability to integrate these into the thesis topic.

Introduction to the conceptual and philosophical
foundations of the discipline, from classical
rhetorical theory through contemporary
perspectives, including critical theories of human
interaction. How humans construct and negotiate
meaning in different contexts, including
interpersonal relationships, public address, small
groups and organizations, mass media. Moral,
ethical, and policy issues.

Introduction to the conceptual and philosophical, foundations of the discipline, from classical, rhetorical theory through contemporary, perspectives, including critical theories of human, interaction. How humans construct and negotiate, meaning in different contexts, including, interpersonal relationships, public address, small, groups and organizations, mass media. Moral,, ethical, and policy issues.

Introduction to the conceptual and philosophical
foundations of the discipline, from classical
rhetorical theory through contemporary
perspectives, including critical theories of human
interaction. How humans construct and negotiate
meaning in different contexts, including
interpersonal relationships, public address, small
groups and organizations, mass media. Moral,
ethical, and policy issues.

Introduction to the conceptual and philosophical
foundations of the discipline, from classical
rhetorical theory through contemporary
perspectives, including critical theories of human
interaction. How humans construct and negotiate
meaning in different contexts, including
interpersonal relationships, public address, small
groups and organizations, mass media. Moral,
ethical, and policy issues.

Introduction to the conceptual and philosophical, foundations of the discipline, from classical, rhetorical theory through contemporary, perspectives, including critical theories of human, interaction. How humans construct and negotiate, meaning in different contexts, including, interpersonal relationships, public address, small, groups and organizations, mass media. Moral,, ethical, and policy issues.

Introduction to the conceptual and philosophical, foundations of the discipline, from classical, rhetorical theory through contemporary, perspectives, including critical theories of human, interaction. How humans construct and negotiate, meaning in different contexts, including, interpersonal relationships, public address, small, groups and organizations, mass media. Moral,, ethical, and policy issues.

Introduction to the conceptual and philosophical, foundations of the discipline, from classical, rhetorical theory through contemporary, perspectives, including critical theories of human, interaction. How humans construct and negotiate, meaning in different contexts, including, interpersonal relationships, public address, small, groups and organizations, mass media. Moral,, ethical, and policy issues.

Introduction to the conceptual and philosophical, foundations of the discipline, from classical, rhetorical theory through contemporary, perspectives, including critical theories of human, interaction. How humans construct and negotiate, meaning in different contexts, including, interpersonal relationships, public address, small, groups and organizations, mass media. Moral,, ethical, and policy issues.

Introduction to the conceptual and philosophical, foundations of the discipline, from classical, rhetorical theory through contemporary, perspectives, including critical theories of human, interaction. How humans construct and negotiate, meaning in different contexts, including, interpersonal relationships, public address, small, groups and organizations, mass media. Moral,, ethical, and policy issues.

Theory, aesthetics, and practice in the production
of messages for film and television. Organizing
principles and aesthetic theories concerning
connections between form and content, text and
audience. Topics include narrative style and
structure, visual composition, continuity and
montage, and basic production practices in image
creation, audio, and editing.

Theory, aesthetics, and practice in the production, of messages for film and television. Organizing, principles and aesthetic theories concerning, connections between form and content, text and, audience. Topics include narrative style and, structure, visual composition, continuity and, montage, and basic production practices in image, creation, audio, and editing.

Theory, aesthetics, and practice in the production, of messages for film and television. Organizing, principles and aesthetic theories concerning, connections between form and content, text and, audience. Topics include narrative style and, structure, visual composition, continuity and, montage, and basic production practices in image, creation, audio, and editing.

Theory, aesthetics, and practice in the production, of messages for film and television. Organizing, principles and aesthetic theories concerning, connections between form and content, text and, audience. Topics include narrative style and, structure, visual composition, continuity and, montage, and basic production practices in image, creation, audio, and editing.

Theory, aesthetics, and practice in the production, of messages for film and television. Organizing, principles and aesthetic theories concerning, connections between form and content, text and, audience. Topics include narrative style and, structure, visual composition, continuity and, montage, and basic production practices in image, creation, audio, and editing.

Theory, aesthetics, and practice in the production, of messages for film and television. Organizing, principles and aesthetic theories concerning, connections between form and content, text and, audience. Topics include narrative style and, structure, visual composition, continuity and, montage, and basic production practices in image, creation, audio, and editing.

History and theory of rhetoric, including major
developments in rhetorical theory from antiquity
up to the present. Rhetoric's relationship with
philosophy, knowledge, and culture. Examination of
persuasive messages in various forms, including
politics, advertising, film, video.

History and theory of rhetoric, including major, developments in rhetorical theory from antiquity, up to the present. Rhetoric's relationship with, philosophy, knowledge, and culture. Examination of, persuasive messages in various forms, including, politics, advertising, film, video.

History and theory of rhetoric, including major, developments in rhetorical theory from antiquity, up to the present. Rhetoric's relationship with, philosophy, knowledge, and culture. Examination of, persuasive messages in various forms, including, politics, advertising, film, video.

History and theory of rhetoric, including major, developments in rhetorical theory from antiquity, up to the present. Rhetoric's relationship with, philosophy, knowledge, and culture. Examination of, persuasive messages in various forms, including, politics, advertising, film, video.

History and theory of rhetoric, including major
developments in rhetorical theory from antiquity
up to the present. Rhetoric's relationship with
philosophy, knowledge, and culture. Examination of
persuasive messages in various forms, including
politics, advertising, film, video.

Theory and practice of rhetoric within, organizational settings. Development of, rhetorical skills for professional settings,, including public speaking, networking,, interviewing, small group interaction, crisis, management techniques, negotiation.

Introduction to argumentation in public arenas.
History, background, and strategies for
parliamentary debate. Critical thinking, library
research, logic and reasoning, listening and note
taking, argument creation and refutation. Practice
of debate skills.

Introduction to argumentation in public arenas., History, background, and strategies for, parliamentary debate. Critical thinking, library, research, logic and reasoning, listening and note, taking, argument creation and refutation. Practice, of debate skills.

Exploration of the entanglements of democracy and
data, including how emerging uses of "big
data" - for mass surveillance, gerrymandering,
algorithmic decision making, and to disseminate
(mis- or dis-)information - pose fundamental
challenges to democratic values like freedom,
equality, and accountability. The course will
explore these emergent challenges as well as their
potential solutions.

Methods of communication research grounded in data, collection for the purposes of prediction and, explanation (quantitative methods) or description, and interpretation (qualitative methods). Course, spans philosophy of inquiry; relationship of, theory to data in developing questions and, hypotheses; logic of sampling, measurement, and, statistical inference; uses of interviews,, fieldwork, and textual analysis; criteria for, evaluating quantitative and qualitative work;, research ethics.

Methods of communication research grounded in data, collection for the purposes of prediction and, explanation (quantitative methods) or description, and interpretation (qualitative methods). Course, spans philosophy of inquiry; relationship of, theory to data in developing questions and, hypotheses; logic of sampling, measurement, and, statistical inference; uses of interviews,, fieldwork, and textual analysis; criteria for, evaluating quantitative and qualitative work;, research ethics.

Introduction to theories of interpersonal, communication processes (e.g., social support,, uncertainty management, privacy management,, conflict, deception). Influence of new media on, these processes, impact of communication media on, identities, relationships, and communities.