RELI 090 A-Z - (HP) Special Topics in ReligionSemester Hours: 1-3
Studies in such special topics as the psychology of religion; religion in America; new religious movements; religion, media and American culture; and religion and the liberal arts. For additional information on these courses, visit the Department of Religion website.
Current Special Topics
RELI 090K - Emotions, Passions, Feelings
In recent decades we have learned that our decisions, despite rational justifications, are mostly based on emotions and intuition. Some scholars would argue that the binary model of thinking vs. feeling is itself an illusion. Where does this leave religion? Is feeling primary? Or believing? Religion is often mistakenly identified as irrational, on the one hand, or repressive of emotions on the other. In this course we will explore how different religious traditions guide our emotional engagement with the world. How do religious practices (e.g. prayer, ritual, asceticism, devotional singing) help or hinder our emotional maturity? We will structure the course by selecting key emotions and spending one or two weeks on each, examining material from different religious cultures: anger, fear, awe, ecstasy, shame, disgust, serenity and grief.
Prerequisite(s)/Course Notes:
As individual subjects are selected, each is assigned a letter (A-Z) which is affixed to the course number. May be repeated three times for a maximum of 9 semester hours when topics vary.
View Course Offering(s):
Summer Session I 2026
Summer Session II 2026
Summer Session III 2026
Fall 2026
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