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Religions & Ancient Civilizations

CLAS 121 Ancient Egypt: Mummies, Pharaohs, and Gods (3)

An overview of ancient Egyptian civilization through lectures and class discussion on Egyptian literature, archaeology, history, religion and society.

CLAS 122 Greek, Roman, and Ancient Mythology (3)

Combines readings and analyses of myths from the ancient world including Europe, Asia, Africa, and Hawai‘i, with an emphasis on comparative analysis of cultures and religions.

CLAS 123 Greek and Latin Elements in English (3)

Important roots, prefixes, and suffixes for building a literary vocabulary.

CLAS 124 Greek and Latin Elements in Scientific Terminology (3)

Important roots, prefixes, and suffixes for building a scientific vocabulary.

CLAS 151 World Myth to 1500 C.E. (3)

Reading and analysis of myths and legends from around the globe, from before the dawn of writing to 1500 C.E. Students will learn to interpret traditional stories from several theoretical and cross-cultural perspectives. A-F only.

CLAS 211 Understanding Ancient Religions (3)

Comparative and historical survey of the religious beliefs and practices in ancient times throughout Egypt, Mesopotamia, Syria-Canaan, Anatolia, Persia, Greece, and Rome. A-F only. (Cross-listed as REL 211)

CLAS 300 Myth, Religion, and Society (3)

Theories and methods used in the study of myth, ritual, and
religion. Sophomore standing or higher. (Cross-listed as REL 300) DH

CLAS 301 Biblical Hebrew I (3)

Orthography and structure of Biblical Hebrew, history and development of Hebrew as the sacred language of Judaism, overview of religious and historical development of the Hebrew Bible. Pre: sophomore standing or consent. (Fall only) (Cross-listed as REL 301)

CLAS 302 Biblical Hebrew II (3)

Reading of selected prose passages from the Hebrew Bible; essay-based analysis of literary forms, with attention given both to stories important to the development of the Abrahamic religions and writing-based interpretation of religious traditions. Pre: REL/CLAS 301 with C- or better. (Spring only) (Cross-listed as REL 302) 

CLAS 304 Indigenous & Decolonial Approaches to Religion and Culture (3)

Introduction to indigenous and decolonial approaches to the study of religion and culture. Includes a critical assessment of tools and terminology traditionally used in academia. Sophomore standing or higher. (Cross-listed as REL 304)

CLAS 305 Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphics I (3)

Decipherment of hieroglyphs and reading of Middle Egyptian literary texts. (Fall only)

CLAS 306 Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphics II (3)

Decipherment of hieroglyphs and reading of Middle Egyptian literary texts, including Tale of Sinuhe. Pre: 305 or permission of instructor. (Spring only)

CLAS 321 History of the Written Word (3)

A hands-on history of writing beginning in Ancient Greece and Rome. Content includes the development of the alphabet, scripts, books, libraries, and writing in ancient culture. Sophomore standing or consent.

CLAS 322 Classics Ancient and Modern (3)

Provides an in-depth introduction to a major work of classical
literature and its impact on both ancient and modern poetry, prose, art, and intellectual history. Sophomore standing or higher. DL

CLAS 323 Greek and Roman Drama (3)

Survey of Greek and Roman drama, both tragedies and comedies, tracing the history of a genre that contains some of the wittiest and most agonizing moments in ancient literature. Pre: sophomore standing or higher.

CLAS 324 Nature in the Ancient World (3)

Study of the relationship between the Greeks and Romans and the natural environment. Particular attention will be given to the place of nature in ancient science, philosophy, literature, and “real life.” Assignments are essay-based. Pre: sophomore standing or higher.

CLAS 325 Greek and Roman War Literature (3)

Survey of war-related literature from Greece and Rome, its major themes, and how it reflects the wide range of social, political, intellectual, and literary perspectives on war found in the ancient world. Pre: sophomore standing or higher, or consent. (Cross-listed as PACE 325)

CLAS 326 The Greek and Roman Novel (3)

Survey of Greek and Roman novels, a collection of highly entertaining texts that offer windows into various aspects of life in the ancient world. Pre: sophomore standing or higher.

CLAS 327 Ancient Greek Literature in Translation (3)

Major writers: emphasis on Homer, drama, and philosophy. Assignments are essay-based and attention is given to developing academic writing skills. Pre: sophomore standing or higher or consent.

CLAS 328 Ancient Roman Literature in Translation (3)

Major writers: emphasis on Vergil, satire, and novel. Pre: sophomore standing or higher or consent.

CLAS 329 Greek and Roman Epic (3)

A survey of Greek and Roman epic literature, beginning with Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey and proceeding through the Hellenistic Greek and Roman periods. Pre: sophomore standing or consent.

CLAS 332 Topics in Ancient Greek Thought (3)

Explore a central aspect of ancient Greek philosophy and literature. This may be a theme, such as tragedy or emotions; a thinker, such as Aristotle; or a since monumental text, such as Plato’s Republic. Pre: one PHIL 200-level course, or consent. (Cross-listed as PHIL 332)

CLAS 355 Archaeology of Ancient Greece (3)

Introduction to the field of Greek archaeology and methods of archaeological research in the Mediterranean. Pre: sophomore standing or higher.

CLAS 356 Archaeology of Ancient Rome (3)

Examines the archaeology of the Roman world from the Etruscan period to the reign of the emperor Constantine. Pre: sophomore standing or higher.

CLAS 362 Gender and Sexuality in the Classical World (3)

Critical examination of the construction of gender identity and sexuality in ancient Greece and Rome. Junior standing or higher. (Once a year) (Cross-listed as HIST 362)

CLAS 366 Literatures of Ancient India (3)

Survey of South Asian literature from ancient times to the early medieval period; focusing on Sanskrit, Prakrit, and Tamil poetry traditions. Readings in English translation. (Cross-listed as IP 366)

CLAS 373 Art of Greece and Rome (3)

Minoan and Mycenaean arts; Greece and Rome. Pre: ART 175 or consent. (Cross-listed as ART 373)

CLAS 430 Persia, Greece, and Rome in the Classical Age (3)

Historical examination of the interaction between the Achaemenid and Parthian empires of Persia and the classical societies of the Mediterranean, such as the Greek city-states, Macedonia, the Hellenistic, and Roman Empires. Recommended: HIST 151. (Cross-listed as HIST 430)

GRK 101 Elementary Greek (3)

Grammar and vocabulary, with reading of simple Greek.

GRK 102 Elementary Greek (3)

Continuation of 101. Pre: 101.

GRK 201 Intermediate Greek (3)

Development of reading and translation skills. Emphasis on prose. Pre: 102 or equivalent.

GRK 202 Intermediate Greek (3)

Continuation of 201: emphasis on poetry. Pre: 201.

GRK 303 Greek Historians (3)

Selections from Herodotus, Xenophon, and others. Pre: 201 and 202, or consent.

GRK 304 Greek Epic (3)

Selections from Homer, Hesiod, and others. Pre: 201 and 202, or consent.

GRK 325 Greek Philosophy (3)

Selections from Plato, Aristotle, and others. Pre: 201 and 202, or consent.

GRK 332 Greek Drama (3)

Selections from Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides. Pre: 201 and 202, or consent.

GRK 333 Greek Lyric (3)

Selections from Sappho, Alcaeus, and others. Pre: 201 and 202, or consent.

GRK 490 Seminar in Greek Studies (3)

Study of an author or phase in Greek studies. Repeatable unlimited times with consent. Pre: any two 300-level GRK courses, or consent.

LATN 101 Elementary Latin (3)

Grammar and vocabulary, with reading of simple Latin.

LATN 102 Elementary Latin (3)

Continuation of 101. Pre: 101.

LATN 201 Intermediate Latin (3)

Development of reading and translation skills. Emphasis on prose. Pre: 102 or equivalent.

LATN 202 Intermediate Latin (3)

Continuation of 201: emphasis on poetry. Pre: 201.

LATN 303 Roman Historians (3)

Selections from Caesar, Sallust, and others. Pre: 201 and 202, or consent.

LATN 304 Roman Epic (3)

Selections from Virgil, Ovid, and others. Pre: 201 and 202, or consent.

LATN 325 Roman Philosophy (3)

Selections from Lucretius, Cicero, and Seneca. Pre: 201 and 202, or consent.

LATN 332 Roman Drama (3)

Selections from Plautus, Terence, and Seneca. Pre: 201 and 202, or consent.

LATN 333 Roman Lyric (3)

Selections from Catullus, Horace, and others. Pre: 201 and 202, or consent.

LATN 338 Roman Novel (3)

Selections from Petronius and Apuleius. Pre: 201 and 202, or consent.

LATN 345 Roman Satire (3)

Selections from Horace and Juvenal. Pre: 201 and 202, or consent.

LATN 490 Seminar in Roman Studies (3)

Study of an author or phase in Roman studies. Repeatable unlimited times with consent. Pre: any two 300-level LATN courses, or consent.

REL 149 Introduction to the World’s Goddesses (3)

Cross-cultural analysis of the religious narratives, beliefs, practices, iconography, and sacred sites related to female deities in the Americas, Polynesia, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe from prehistory to 1500 C.E. (Crosslisted as WGSS 149)

REL 150 Introduction to the World’s Major Religions (3)

Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Shinto, Taoism and indigenous traditions of Hawai‘i and/or Oceania.

REL 151 Religion and the Meaning of Existence (3)

Basic ideas and issues in contemporary religious thought about the meaning of existence.

REL 151A Religion and the Meaning of Existence (3)

Basic ideas and issues in contemporary religious thought about the meaning of existence.

REL 160 Religion and Social Justice (3)

Religious persons and organizations play significant roles in fighting for issues of social justice worldwide. Introduces students to the relationship between religions and social
justice in China, South America, U.S., and Hawai‘i. Repeatable one time. A-F only.

REL 170 Religion and the Environment (3)

Examines the roles contemporary religious groups play in ground movements for sustainability. Introduces students to key scholars, religious leaders, and activists who
are implementing sustainable solutions to pressing environmental problems. A-F only. (Cross-listed as SUST 170)

REL 200 Understanding the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) (3)

Examines the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) as an expression of the religious life, history, and thought of ancient Israel and as a sacred text within later Judaism and Christianity.

REL 201 Understanding the New Testament (3)

Origin and development of early Christian message as set forth in the New Testament; special attention to Jesus and Paul.

REL 202 Understanding Indian Religions (3)

Historical survey of the teachings and practices of major religious traditions of India.

REL 203 Understanding Chinese Religions (3)

Taoist, Confucian, Buddhist and folk beliefs and practices in their social and historical context. Repeatable one time.

REL 204 Understanding Japanese Religions (3)

Broad survey, with primary focus on Shinto, Buddhist, and modern sectarian movements, analyzed in relation to social and cultural themes of major historical periods.

REL 205 Understanding Hawaiian Religion (3)

Major teachings and practices from ancient times to present, their cultural influence; analysis of religious texts; relation to other traditions of Oceania and to Christianity.

REL 207 Understanding Buddhism (3)

Survey of major forms and practices.

REL 208 Understanding Judaism (3)

Survey from origin to modern times with an emphasis on writing-based analysis of Jewish thought in Talmudic and Medieval Periods. 

REL 209 Understanding Islam (3)

Historical survey of the beliefs and practices of Islam as a world religion, including the prophet Muhammad, scriptures, philosophy and science, theology, law, major sectarian movements, relations with other religious traditions, and fundamentalism. (Alt. years)

REL 210 Understanding Christianity (3)

History of ideas concentrating on events, persons, and issues with the greatest impact on the evolution of Christianity.

REL 211 Understanding Ancient Religions (3)

Comparative and historical survey of the religious beliefs and practices in ancient times throughout Egypt, Mesopotamia, Syria-Canaan, Anatolia, Persia, Greece, and Rome. A-F only. (Cross-listed as CLAS 211)

REL 214 Viking Religion (3)

Introduction to the Scandinavian religions in the Viking Age, their depiction
in popular culture, and reconstruction in the form of new religious movements.

REL 300 Myth, Religion, and Society (3)

Theories and methods used in the study of myth, ritual, and
religion. Sophomore standing or higher. (Cross-listed as CLAS 300) DH

REL 301 Biblical Hebrew I (3)

Orthography and structure of Biblical Hebrew, history and development of Hebrew as the sacred language of Judaism, overview of religious and historical development of the Hebrew Bible. Pre: sophomore standing or consent. (Fall only) (Cross-listed as CLAS 301)

REL 302 Biblical Hebrew II (3)

Reading of selected prose passages from the Hebrew Bible; essay-based analysis of literary forms, with attention given both to stories important to the development of the Abrahamic religions and writing-based interpretation of religious traditions. Pre: REL/CLAS 301 with C- or better. (Spring only) (Cross-listed as CLAS 302) 

REL 303 Creation and Evolution (3)

An exploration of interactions between science and religion with a focus on cosmogonies. Pre: 150 or consent.

REL 304 Indigenous & Decolonial Approaches to Religion and Culture (3)

Introduction to indigenous and decolonial approaches to the study of religion and culture. Includes a critical assessment of tools and terminology traditionally used in academia. Sophomore standing or higher. (Cross-listed as CLAS 304)

REL 305 Sacred Animals (3)

Critical study of the ethical treatment of nonhuman animals and the religious beliefs and practices associated with them throughout history and across various cultures. Emphasis on teaching oral communication. 

REL 308 Zen (Ch’an) Buddhist Masters (3)

Study of lives, teachings, practices of Zen masters in China, Japan, Korea, and the West. Pre: one of 150, 203, 204, 207; or consent.

REL 310 Global Christianity (3)

Christianity as a transcultural religion, through the study of Christian art, literature, ritual, and theology in diverse cultures; including the Near East, Africa, Latin America, and the Pacific. Pre: 150, 201, or 210; or consent. (Once a year)

REL 311 Ka Baibala ‘Ôlelo Hawai‘i (The Bible in Hawaiian) (3)

Survey of and selected readings from the Hawaiian Bible (Baibala Hemolele). Conducted in Hawaiian. Repeatable one time. Pre: HAW 201.

REL 333 Cults and New Religions (3)

Study of cults and new religious movements in America, the Pacific, and East Asia; examining types, causes, and functions of these movements. Pre: 150 or consent.

REL 345 Religion and Conflict in American History (3)

Analyzes selected historical examples of religious conflicts in America, discerning characteristic patterns of American religious discourse, and identifying the social structures, interests, and ethical principles at stake in conflicts about religion. Sophomore standing or higher. (Fall only) (Cross-listed as AMST 345)

REL 348 Religion, Politics, and Society (3)

Exploration of the diverse approaches and perspectives that American religious groups embrace in addressing controversial and diverse issues of contemporary American life. Emphasis on considering and discussing ethical approaches and practicing oral communication. DH

REL 351 Christian Ethics in Modern Life (3)

The meaning of Christian faith for the moral life with reference to contemporary moral issues. Pre: 150 or 151, or consent.

REL 352 Sufism: Mystical Traditions of Islam (3)

Introduction to the history, literature, and worldview of Sufism. Students will encounter the following topics in relation to Islamic mysticism: asceticism, monotheism, philosophy, love, union, sainthood, ecstatic experience, and spiritual uses of art. Pre: 209 or 383 or PHIL 330 or HIST 354, or consent. (Once a year)

REL 353 Witches and Witchcraft (3)

Persecution of witches, witchcraft in Europe, 1300–1700, examined as crisis of church and theology; origins, effects on church and society. Pre: one of 201, HIST 151, HIST 152, PSY 100, or consent.

REL 354 Islam in History (3)

Examination of the historical connections between Islam and other civilizations will focus on the role of Islam in world history. Pre: 150 or 209 or consent.

REL 356 Women and Religion (3)

Examining roles of, and attitudes toward, women in major religious traditions through autobiographies, films, and primary texts. Pre: 149 or WGSS 149 or REL 150 or HIST 151 or WGSS 151. (Cross-listed as WGSS 356)

REL 361 Love, Sex, and Religion (3)

Love and sex as themes in religions of Asia and the West. Pre: 150 or consent.

REL 363 Religion and Art (3)

The uses of art in religion are studied with historical examples. Pre: 150 or consent.

REL 371 Prophecies of the Last Days (3)

In-depth look at ancient Judeo-Christian apocalyptic texts and the communities in which they originated, followed by a survey of the medieval and modern day heirs of apocalyptic traditions. Pre: 150 or consent.

REL 373 Vedic Hindu Mythology (3)

Study of major Hindu myths of the Vedic Sanskrit literature within the perspective of ancient Indian civilization. Literary sources will be tapped for understanding creation, cosmogony and celestial, atmospheric and terrestrial divinities. Sophomore standing or higher, or consent. A-F only. (Fall only) (Cross-listed as IP 373)

REL 374 Classical Hindu Mythology (3)

Study of major myths of Epic Sanskrit literature, primarily with focus of the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Literary sources will be tapped for appreciating myths and epics, especially with reference to dharma, karma, ways of life. Sophomore standing or consent. (Spring only) (Cross-listed as IP 374)

REL 383 Mysticism East and West (3)

Mystic traditions of the West from desert monasticism to
Renaissance mystics compared with those of South and East Asia. Focuses on the ethical lives of these mystics, and developing oral communication skills. Sophomore standing or higher.

REL 390 Hawaiian Gods (3)

The traditions and practices related to one or more major indigenous gods, or class of gods, will be studied by the interpretation and analysis of primary texts. Develops written communication skills. Repeatable one time. Pre: 205 or consent. 

REL 394 On Death and Dying (3)

Aspects of death and dying; relation to our culture and society, to understanding of each other and of ourselves. (Crosslisted as COA 394)

REL 399 Directed Reading (3)

Pre: one 200-level REL course and consent.

REL 409 Life and Teachings of Jesus (3)

Critical study of synoptic gospels and of extra-Biblical sources. Sophomore standing or higher.

REL 422 Anthropology of Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion (3)

Cults, legends, millennial movements, myths, possession, rituals, sacred healing, shamanism, sorcery, spirits, symbolism, witchcraft, and other forms of religious and symbolic expression and experience, from small scale to highly urban societies. Pre: ANTH 152. (Cross-listed as ANTH 422)

REL 431 Health/Medicine in Religion (3)

Issues of health and disease in the light of religious beliefs and practices with a focus on ethical matters shaping policies in the U.S. and the world. A-F only.

REL 433 Religion and Food (3)

Writing-based seminar exploring foodways as a basic component in the practice of religions. Examines theoretical issues, foodways as creators of community and identity, sustainability, and other ethical issues, abstinence and fasting, and healing. Pre: 150. (Alt. years: fall) 

REL 443 Anthropology of Buddhism (3)

Selected aspects of national, regional and local manifestations of Buddhism are explored through the perspective of anthropology with an emphasis on the daily lives of monks, nuns and lay persons in their socio-cultural contexts. Pre: 207, 422, 475, or consent. (Alt. years) (Cross-listed as ANTH 443)

REL 444 Spiritual Ecology (3)

Lectures and seminars provide a cross-cultural survey of the relationships between religions, environment and environmentalism. Junior standing or higher. Pre: consent. (Alt. years) (Cross-listed as ANTH 444)

REL 445 Sacred Places (3)

Lectures and seminars provide a cross-cultural survey of sites which societies recognize as sacred and their cultural, ecological and conservation aspects. Junior standing or higher. Pre: consent. (Alt. years) (Cross-listed as ANTH 445)

REL 452 Sociology of Religion (3)

Seminar on research in sociological aspects of religious sectarianism, historical and current; special reference to Hawai‘i. Pre: SOC 300 or consent. (Cross-listed as SOC 455)

REL 475 Seminar on Buddhism (3)

Selected historical, thematic, and textual research topics in Buddhism; topics and geographical focus to be announced each semester.

REL 476 Daoism: Philosophy and Religion (3)

Seminar on religious Taoism, its historical development and its role in the present-day context. Sophomore standing or higher.

REL 478 New World Rituals and Ideologies (3)

Study of cross-cultural patterns in ritual behaviors and creolization of African, indigenous, and Iberian ideological frameworks in the Americas. Topics may include syncretic religions (voodoo, candomble), Andean Christianity, spiritual conquest, conceptions of death, etc. Sophomore standing or higher. Minimum C- required grade for prerequisites. Pre: LAIS 360, or consent. (Fall only) (Cross-listed as ANTH 478 and LAIS 478)

REL 480 Field Methods in Religion (3)

Introduction to theoretical and methodological approaches to doing fieldwork in the study of religion. Application of these in studying Hawai‘i’s diverse religious environment. Pre: 300 or consent.

REL 490 Buddhism in Japan (3)

Major features and trends in thought, institutions, and practices in the context of Japanese history and culture, 6th–20th century. Pre: 204 or 207, or consent.

REL 492 Polynesian Religions (3)

Introduction to field, comparison of several traditions; beliefs and practices from analysis of texts. Historical interactions with Christianity. Sophomore standing or higher.

REL 495 Seminar in Religion (3)

Topics pre-announced each semester. Pre: upper division standing or consent. Repeatable one time.

REL 499 Directed Reading or Research (V)

Repeatable up to six credits. A-F only. Pre: consent of instructor and department chair.

REL 600 History and Theory of the Study of Religion (3)

Survey of development of history of religions; application of methodologies from anthropology, history, philosophy, political science, psychology, and sociology.

REL 601 Sacred Space (3)

Introduces ways that sacred sites are used by religious adherents in Asia and the Pacific. Students will survey different methodologies, and develop a final project on a single sacred site. Graduate students only. Graduate students only. Pre: instructor consent. (Alt years)

REL 602 The Study of the Ways Religion is Practiced (3)

The study of rituals and practices in the religious traditions of Asia and the Pacific, with a focus on the importance and significance they play in people’s lives. Graduate students only. Pre: instructor consent. (Alt. years)

REL 603 The Study of New Religious Movements (3)

Seminar exploring methods developed for the study of New Religions, particularly in the U.S., Asia, and the Pacific. Considers implications of these methodologies for studies of other religious traditions. Graduate students only. Pre: instructor consent. (Alt. years)

REL 604 Indigenous Religions & Decolonial Theories and Methods (3)

Surveys decolonial approaches to the study of religion(s) and focuses on a specific Indigenous religion of Asia and the Pacific to examine the ways that historical paradigms have adversely influenced the study of Indigenous religions.Graduate students only. Pre: instructor consent. (Alt. years)

REL 605 Healing in the Religious Traditions of Asia and the Pacific (3)

Seminar focused on approaches to healing in the religious traditions of Asia and the Pacific. Explores commonalities between religious traditions, geographical areas, historical periods, and disciplines. Graduate students only. Pre: instructor consent. (Alt. years)

REL 661 (Alpha) Seminar on East Asian Religions (3)

Selected historical, thematic, and textual research topics in East Asian religions and traditions: (B) Chinese religions; (C) Japanese religions; (D) East Asian Buddhism. Repeatable up to six credits for (D), up to nine credits for (B) and (C). A-F only. Pre: 661B or 661C for (D).

REL 662 (Alpha) Seminar on South Asian Religions (3)

Selected historical, thematic, and textual research topics in Indian religious traditions: (B) Indian religions; (D) Indian Buddhism. Repeatable two times, up to nine credits for (B). A-F only

REL 663 (Alpha) Seminar in Polynesian Religions (3)

Selected historical, thematic, and textual research topics in Polynesian and Hawaiian religious traditions: (B) Polynesian religions; (C) Hawaiian religion. Each alpha repeatable up to nine credits. A-F only.

REL 680 (Alpha) Pedagogy in Religion (3)

Theory, preparation, and practice in the teaching of religious studies at the community college level: (B) teaching religion; (C) teaching religion practicum. REL majors only. A-F only.Pre: 650 for (B); 600, 650 and (B) for (C).

REL 688 Plan B Research (3)

Research for master’s degree Plan B. Restricted to students in the Religion Masters Program in Plan B. Enrollment must be approved by student’s project committee. A-F only. Pre: consent of committee.

REL 695 Topics in Religious Studies (3)

Topics in the study of religion with special emphasis on theoretical approaches and concerns. Specific topics to be preannounced. Repeatable one time. Pre: 600 or consent. (Alt. years)

REL 699 Directed Reading and Research (V)

Repeatable unlimited times.

REL 700 Thesis Research (V)

Repeatable unlimited times. Pre: consent of thesis chair.