Religion Department: New Course Offerings for 2024-2025 Academic Year and Beyond

Photo: Jacqueline Shaw

By Jacqueline Shaw

The department is currently working on expanding the range of topics covered by Religion courses. These courses provide exciting opportunities to learn from our professors with expertise in the diverse field of Religious Studies and related areas of study. 

There will be four new courses for the upcoming academic year. Read more about them below!

Fall ‘24: 

Law, Politics, and Religion (RLTH 3ST-01): 

This course will examine the concept of “religious freedom” and investigate how religious ideologies have permeated society, politics, and culture in the United States and other nations. Students will gain a foundational understanding of the United States legal system, constitutional law, and the pervasiveness of religious beliefs embedded in our nation’s fundamental principles. This course will be taught by Dr. Khrystyne Wilson J.D., Ph.D. 

“This is one of my all time favorite topics to teach and research,” Dr. Wilson says. “The relationship between law, society, and religion is one of those things that we don’t often notice, but it affects almost every aspect of our lives from personal value systems to justice systems to our understanding of basic liberties. Religion continues to be a politically sensitive topic yet it is continually debated, legislated, and adjudicated. This class is my way of exploring why.”

Pre-law students may especially benefit from taking this course taught by a professional in both academia and law. Dr. Wilson’s research focuses on religious freedom of Indigenous peoples in the United States and how American law affects their religious practice. Dr. Wilson is also a constitutional law lawyer who has collaborated with the Navajo Nation in drafting laws, assisted the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, and has worked on numerous religious freedom cases, defending American Indian religious freedom.

Spring ‘25:

Religion, Media, and Pop Culture (RLTH 3ST-02):

This course will examine the historical interaction of religion, media, and popular culture in the modern period. Materials covered will include 19th century religious novels, early 20th century newspaper coverage of conflicts between religion and science, cable news coverage of presidential candidates’ religious beliefs, religious iconography in popular secular scripted films, productions created to spread religious messages, the ubiquity of documentaries on “cults” streaming on our devices, and social media as an amplifier and disrupter of traditional beliefs.

This course will be taught by Professor Jennifer Hahn, an expert in American religious history as well as media and popular culture. In addition to her master’s degrees in Journalism and Religious Studies, Professor Hahn worked as a journalist at political magazines for six years after graduating college. When asked why she created this class, Professor Hahn stated, “My hope is that students learn to think critically about how media shapes what they know about religion and in turn how religion affects what is depicted in media and what is left out.”

This class is a fantastic way to learn how media and popular culture affect American understandings of religion from a professional with experience in academia and working as a professional journalist.  Students will also practice their skills in media literacy, critical thinking, and writing. 

Traditional Ecological Knowledge (RLTH 3ST-03):

This course, also taught by Dr. Khrystyne Wilson, is an introduction to the theories and practices of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK). This course will examine Western and Indigenous relationships with the natural world and provide understanding of historical and modern land management practices. Students will also explore how TEK addresses contemporary ecological issues such as resource extraction, environmental sustainability, and land management. 

Recognizing the rising concern regarding climate change, Dr. Wilson has created this class to teach those interested in learning about alternative solutions to ecological problems: “Learning about TEK understandings, values, and practices can help us reframe our relationships to the natural world and find alternative solutions to environmental concerns,” she says. “Indigenous-led efforts, backed by immeasurable years of experience, can show us paths towards rebalancing and restoring our world.”

Indigenous Rights and Practices (RLTH 3ST-04):

Originally an Honors seminar, “Indigenous Rights and Practices” will now be offered as a Religion course. This course will be taught by Dr. Khrystyne Wilson and engage the contested categories of religion, Indigeneity, sovereignty, recognition, and environmental justice. Students will investigate legal rulings, historical narratives, political movements, and theologies and how they have shaped the experiences and identities of Native peoples in the United States. 

“It is crucial to understand the history and treatment of Indigenous peoples in order to unlearn common misconceptions about Native peoples and cultures and challenge flawed dominant narratives,” says Dr. Wilson on the importance of this topic. “It’s an exciting time because religious institutions and governing entities around the world are finally engaging in reconciliation efforts. As such, we have an interest, need, and opportunity to address systemic barriers to equality and work towards deeper respect and understanding.”

As the Religion Department continues to revise course offerings, look forward to these classes for the ‘25–’26 academic year and beyond!

A.I. and the Meaning of Life:

This course will explore the meaning of life in the age of A.I. Drawing on fields including philosophy, religion, psychology, neuroscience, literature, art, and film, students will critically examine diverse visions of a meaningful life, setting them in relation to the promises and concerns related to human life in the age of A.I. This course will be taught by Dr. Vic Thasiah. 

Religion and Science:

This course will explore the historical relationship between religion and science, as well as modern attempts to use science to study religion. Students will get to explore the emerging field of the Cognitive Science of Religion (CSR). This course will be taught by Professor Jennifer Hahn.

Zen and the Art of Leadership:

This course critically examines both Zen Buddhist principles on leadership, and contemporary leadership theories and practices drawing from Buddhism and the more recent mindfulness movement. Students will engage with the work of Vietnamese Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. This course will be taught by Dr. Vic Thasiah.