University Professor S.H. Nasr
Professors H.E. Yeide, Jr., D.D. Wallace, Jr., A.J. Hiltebeitel (Chair), P.B. Duff, R.J. Eisen
Assistant Professors T. Michael, K. Pemberton
Master of Arts in the field of Hinduism and Islam—Through its Department of Religion, GW participates in this Consortium of Universities program. The degree requires 36 credit hours, of which a majority must be taken at GW. Candidates must meet the general requirements of Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, including the Master's Comprehensive Examination. Complete information on the program is available from the Department of Religion.
Doctor of Philosophy in the field of American religious history—See History.
With permission, a limited number of 100-level courses in the department may be taken for graduate credit; additional course work is required. See the Undergraduate Programs Bulletin for course listings.
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| 201 |
Special Topics in Religion (3) |
Staff |
| |
May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. |
| 249 |
Myth, Ritual, and Language (3) |
Hiltebeitel |
| |
Method and theory in the interpretation of myth and narrative, ritual and sacrifice, and symbolism, with primary reference to the history of religions. |
| 257 |
India's Great Epics (3) |
Hiltebeitel |
| |
The Mahabharata and the Ramayana are treated in alternate offerings of the course. These founding epic texts of devotional (bhakti) Hinduism are taught in English translation. Vernacular and performative versions of the epics and Western adaptations. |
| 258 |
Currents of Modern Hinduism (3) |
Hiltebeitel |
| |
Hinduism since the early seventeenth century. Colonialism, the impact of missionaries, orientalism, reform, relations between Brahmanical and popular Hinduism, Sanskritic and vernacular traditions, regionalism, communalism, nationalism, fundamentalism, politicized "syndicated" Hinduism, and secularism. |
| 260 |
Topics in the Study of Islam (3) |
Nasr |
| |
Study of sources and approaches to the investigation of Islam by both Western Islamicists and Muslim scholars, with discussion of the main controversial issues and differences in methods used by various schools of scholarship. Prerequisite: A course on Islam or permission of instructor. |
| 261 |
Topics in Islamic Thought (3) |
Nasr |
| |
Perennial major issues in Islamic theology, philosophy, and Sufism such as Divine Unity, prophetology, eschatology, religious knowledge, sacred law, and ethics. Prerequisite: A course on Islam or permission of instructor. |
| 271 |
American Religion to 1830 (3) |
Wallace |
| |
Religious thought and life during the Colonial and early National periods. |
| 273 |
American Religion Since 1830 (3) |
Wallace |
| |
Religious thought and life from the Civil War to the present. |
| 291–92 |
Readings and Research (3–3) |
Staff |
| |
Investigation of special problems. |
| 299–300 |
Thesis Research (3–3) |
