Religious Studies (RELST)Arts and Sciences

Showing 33 results.

Course descriptions provided by the 2026-2027 Catalog.

Last Updated

  • Schedule of Classes - October 15, 2026 7:07PM EDT

RELST 2204
Introduction to Quranic Arabic

This course is designed for students who are interested in reading the language of the Qur'an with accuracy and understanding. The first week (4 classes) will be devoted to an introduction of the history ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: ARAB 2204, ASRC 2204, NES 2204

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 15319 RELST 2204   SEM 101

  •  
    • MW
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Younes, M

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

RELST 2248
Indian Ocean Buddhism

Buddhism is now a global religion. How did it become one? Well before the digital age, traveling Buddhists and Buddhist objects moved across vast geographies, transforming communities along the way. The ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: ASIAN 2248, HIST 2548

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 14505 RELST 2248   LEC 001

  •  
    • MW
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Blackburn, A

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

RELST 2250
Introduction to Asian Religions

This course will explore religious traditions in South Asia (Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka) and East Asia (China, Japan, and Korea) including Hinduism, Buddhism (South Asian and East Asian), Sikhism, ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Choose one lecture and one discussion. Combined with: ASIAN 2250

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 14298 RELST 2250   LEC 001

  •  
    • MW
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Boucher, D

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

  • 14299 RELST 2250   DIS 201

  •  
    • F
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Boucher, D

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

  • 14300 RELST 2250   DIS 202

  •  
    • F
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Boucher, D

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

RELST 2322
Black Religion and Pop Culture

This course uses art and popular culture to provide a dynamic view of Black religion in the United States and the Diaspora throughout the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Discussion topics include: ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: AMST 2322, ASRC 2322

  • 3 Credits Opt NoAud

  • 14647 RELST 2322   LEC 001

  •  
    • T
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Dromgoole, A

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

RELST 2345
Jerusalem: The Holy City

In this class, students are introduced to the broad scope of the city of Jerusalem’s political and religious history from its origins until today. Some topics the class covers include: the Jebusite origins ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  • 15386 RELST 2345   LEC 001

  •  
    • MW
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Mokhtarian, J

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

RELST 2533
Spain to Seixas:Jews, Judaisms, and Early Modern Europe

Immerse yourself in the essential Jewish movers and moments of Early Modern Europe. Catch the usual headlines (Expulsion! Atheism! Finance!) and headliners like Spinoza, Tzvi, or Baal Shem Tov. Stay tuned ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: JWST 2533, MEDVL 2533

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 15378 RELST 2533   LEC 001

  •  
    • TR
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • van den Arend, A

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

RELST 2603
Demons in Buddhism

Contrary to the conventionally portrayed image of Buddhism as a peaceful, benign, and nonviolent religion, Buddhist traditions across Asia have long been populated by demons, ghosts, and wrathful deities. ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: ASIAN 2503

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 14565 RELST 2603   LEC 001

  •  
    • MW
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Duan, Y

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

RELST 2727
The Queer Middle East

What does it mean to be queer in the Middle East? How do queer Muslims and Arabs navigate their sexuality around contemporary legal barriers to same-sex sexual intercourse and social disapprobation? How ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  • 15391 RELST 2727   LEC 001

  •  
    • TR
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Lawrence, J

      Tolan-Szkilnik, P

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

RELST 2750
Introduction to Humanities

These seminars offer an introduction to the humanities by exploring historical, cultural, social, and political themes. Students will explore themes in critical dialogue with a range of texts and media ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  • 17082 RELST 2750   SEM 101

  •  
    • TR
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Rebhi, S

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

    For course description, see https://as.cornell.edu/research/hsp-core-courses.

RELST 2952
The Arts of Hindu Devotion

Devotion, or bhakti, has been expressed through art for over one thousand years in Hindu traditions within and beyond South Asia. In this course, students will engage with diverse primary sources for bhakti ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: ASIAN 2952

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 14560 RELST 2952   SEM 101

  •  
    • TR
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Rogahn, K

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

RELST 3237
Black Power, Black Theology to After Black Lives Matter

This course examines compelling and complementary philosophies, pieties, and consequences of the Black Power era to the present. With an eye to the history that precedes this era, we chart the liberatory ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: AMST 3237, ASRC 3237

  • 3 Credits Graded

  • 17058 RELST 3237   LEC 001

  •  
    • TR
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Pickett, X

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

RELST 3341
Mahayana Buddhism

This course will explore the origins and early developments of a movement in Indian Buddhism known as the Great Vehicle. We will intensively examine a small slice of this movement?s voluminous literature ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: ASIAN 3341

  • 3 Credits Graded

  • 14389 RELST 3341   SEM 101

  •  
    • TR
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Boucher, D

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

RELST 3422
Gospel and The Blues: A Black Women’s History II, 1973-2023

In her pathbreaking text Wayward Lives, Beautiful Experiments: Intimate Histories of Social Upheaval Saidiya Hartman writes that young Black women were radical thinkers who tirelessly imagined other ways ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: AMST 3422, ASRC 3422

  • 3 Credits Graded

  • 14650 RELST 3422   SEM 101

  •  
    • T
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Dromgoole, A

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

RELST 3455
The Narrative Artistry of the Hebrew Bible

This seminar will engage in a serious of close readings of select narrative texts (in translation) from the Hebrew Bible with a focus on literary techniques and aesthetic values informing their composition. ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: JWST 3455, NES 3455

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 15374 RELST 3455   SEM 101

  •  
    • TR
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Brann, R

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

RELST 3539
Islamic Spain: Culture and Society

This course examines the culture and society of al-Andalus (Islamic Spain) from 711, when Islam arrived in Iberia, until 1492 and the demise of Nasrid Granada. Through extensive discussion and analysis ... view course details

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none

  • 15284 RELST 3539   SEM 101

  •  
    • W
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Brann, R

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

RELST 3588
Archaeology and the Bible

The purpose of the course is to place the Bible within the context of a larger ancient world that can be explored by systematic excavation of physical remains. Students will become familiar with archaeological ... view course details

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none

  • 15326 RELST 3588   SEM 101

  •  
    • MW
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Monroe, L

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

RELST 3724
Death and the Afterlife in Islam

What happens after death? If there is an Afterlife, how is it connected to earthly life? What would the Afterlife actually look like? What role does God or Satan play in the Afterlife? Since the earliest ... view course details

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none

  • 15360 RELST 3724   SEM 101

  •  
    • TR
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Lawrence, J

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

RELST 3738
Identity in the Ancient World

(ARKEO-COS, ARKEO-RMNE) view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: ARKEO 3738, CLASS 3738

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  5983 RELST 3738   SEM 101

  •  
    • TR
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Denzey Lewis, N

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

RELST 3739
Archaeology of Ancient Greek Religion

What is religion, and how can we use material culture to investigate ancient beliefs and rituals? This course (1) explores major themes and problems in the archaeology of ancient Greek religion, and (2) ... view course details

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none

  •  5979 RELST 3739   SEM 101

  •  
    • T
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Barrett, C

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

RELST 4020
Buddhist Moderns: Visions of Human Flourishing

Do modern times (which are experienced and conceptualized in varied ways) pose distinctive problems and opportunities for Buddhists? How are Buddhist teachings drawn into forms of social and political ... view course details

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: ASIAN 4020, ASIAN 6020, RELST 6022

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 14544 RELST 4020   SEM 101

    • TR
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Blackburn, A

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

    Instructor Consent Required (Add)

RELST 4100
Latin Philosophical Texts

Reading and translation of Latin philosophical texts. view course details

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: MEDVL 4002, PHIL 4002

  • 1-2 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 14905 RELST 4100   SEM 101

  •  
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • MacDonald, S

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

RELST 4557
Desert Monasticism

How and why do landscapes come to inspire the religious imagination? And why do religious practices, rituals, traditions, and beliefs take place in particular landscapes? This seminar treats these questions ... view course details

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none

  • 15335 RELST 4557   SEM 101

  •  
    • W
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Haines-Eitzen, K

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

RELST 4991
Directed Study

For undergraduates who wish to obtain research experience or do extensive reading on a special topic. Students select a topic in consultation with the faculty member who has agreed to supervise ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Project Session Full. 

  • 2-4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 15311 RELST 4991   IND 601

    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Staff

  • Instruction Mode: Independent Studies

    See https://as.cornell.edu/registrar/independent-study for more information on applying for Independent Study.

    Instructor Consent Required (Add)

RELST 4995
Senior Honors Essay I

RELST 4995 is the first course in the Honors two-part sequence. The Honors Program is open to Religious Studies majors who have done superior work and who wish to devote a substantial part of their senior ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Project Session Full. 

  • 4 Credits Multi-Term

  • 15253 RELST 4995   IND 601

    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Formichi, C

  • Instruction Mode: Independent Studies

    To request a permission number, contact Ayla Hodges (akc52).

    Instructor Consent Required (Add)

Syllabi: none

  •   Project Session Full. 

  • 4 Credits Multi-Term

  • 15254 RELST 4995   IND 602

    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Golestaneh, S

  • Instruction Mode: Independent Studies

    To request a permission number, contact Ayla Hodges (akc52).

    Instructor Consent Required (Add)

Syllabi: none

  •   Project Session Full. 

  • 4 Credits Multi-Term

  • 15255 RELST 4995   IND 603

    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Haines-Eitzen, K

  • Instruction Mode: Independent Studies

    To request a permission number, contact Ayla Hodges (akc52).

    Instructor Consent Required (Add)

RELST 4996
Senior Honors Essay II

RELST 4996 is the second course in the Honors two-part sequence. The Honors Program is open to Religious Studies majors who have done superior work and who wish to devote a substantial part of their senior ... view course details

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none

  •   Project Session Full. 

  • 4 Credits Graded

  • 15321 RELST 4996   IND 601

    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Formichi, C

  • Instruction Mode: Independent Studies

    To request a permission number, contact Ayla Hodges (akc52).

    Instructor Consent Required (Add)

Syllabi: none

  •   Project Session Full. 

  • 4 Credits Graded

  • 15322 RELST 4996   IND 602

    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Golestaneh, S

  • Instruction Mode: Independent Studies

    To request a permission number, contact Ayla Hodges (akc52).

    Instructor Consent Required (Add)

Syllabi: none

  •   Project Session Full. 

  • 4 Credits Graded

  • 15323 RELST 4996   IND 603

    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Haines-Eitzen, K

  • Instruction Mode: Independent Studies

    To request a permission number, contact Ayla Hodges (akc52).

    Instructor Consent Required (Add)

RELST 6020
Latin Philosophical Texts

Reading and translation of Latin philosophical texts. view course details

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: LATIN 7262, MEDVL 6020, PHIL 6020

  • 1-2 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 14944 RELST 6020   SEM 101

    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • MacDonald, S

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

    Instructor Consent Required (Add)

RELST 6022
Buddhist Moderns: Visions of Human Flourishing

Do modern times (which are experienced and conceptualized in varied ways) pose distinctive problems and opportunities for Buddhists? How are Buddhist teachings drawn into forms of social and political ... view course details

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Choose one seminar and one independent study. Combined with: ASIAN 4020, ASIAN 6020, RELST 4020

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 14547 RELST 6022   SEM 101

  •  
    • TR
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Blackburn, A

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

  • 14548 RELST 6022   IND 601

  •  
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Blackburn, A

  • Instruction Mode: Independent Studies

RELST 6539
Islamic Spain: Culture and Society

This course examines the culture and society of al-Andalus (Islamic Spain) from 711, when Islam arrived in Iberia, until 1492 and the demise of Nasrid Granada. Through extensive discussion and analysis ... view course details

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none

  • 15290 RELST 6539   SEM 101

  •  
    • W
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Brann, R

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

RELST 6557
Desert Monasticism

How and why do landscapes come to inspire the religious imagination? And why do religious practices, rituals, traditions, and beliefs take place in particular landscapes? This seminar treats these questions ... view course details

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none

  • 15345 RELST 6557   SEM 101

  •  
    • W
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Haines-Eitzen, K

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

RELST 6588
Archaeology and the Bible

The purpose of the course is to place the Bible within the context of a larger ancient world that can be explored by systematic excavation of physical remains. Students will become familiar with archaeological ... view course details

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none

  • 15352 RELST 6588   SEM 101

  •  
    • MW
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Monroe, L

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

RELST 6724
Death and the Afterlife in Islam

What happens after death? If there is an Afterlife, how is it connected to earthly life? What would the Afterlife actually look like? What role does God or Satan play in the Afterlife? Since the earliest ... view course details

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none

  • 15363 RELST 6724   SEM 101

  •  
    • TR
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Lawrence, J

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

RELST 6865
Martin Luther King, Jr.

This seminar is an intensive study of the political thought of Martin Luther King, Jr. Approaching texts in contexts, we will seek to recover King the political thinker from his mythologization in American ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Choose one seminar and one independent study. Combined with: AMST 6865, ASRC 6865, GOVT 4000, GOVT 6865

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 13739 RELST 6865   SEM 102

  •  
    • R
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Livingston, A

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

  • 13740 RELST 6865   IND 602

  •  
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Staff

  • Instruction Mode: Independent Studies

RELST 7758
Archaeology of Greek Religion: Theory, Methods, and Practice

What is religion, and how can we use material culture to investigate ancient beliefs and rituals? This course (1) explores major themes and problems in the archaeology of ancient Greek religion, and (2) ... view course details

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none

  • 17578 RELST 7758   SEM 101

  •  
    • T
    • Jan 25 - May 11, 2027

    • Barrett, C

  • Instruction Mode: In Person