The Religious Studies Department at Chapman University is dedicated to providing innovative and interdisciplinary courses that incorporate new directions in the study of religion and advances in scholarship. And all courses fulfill GE requirements. Here's are some exciting courses to consider!
REL 204 Deities, Demons, and Monsters: Mesopotamian Myth and Ritual
Taught by Julye Bidmead
Spring Semester
This class journeys through ancient Mesopotamia through its myths and ritual texts, exploring themes such as creation, death, afterlife, birth, witchcraft, performance of magical rituals, incantations, and methods of predicting the future. We will read some famous ancient myths (Gilgamesh, Enuma Elish, Atrahasis) and learn about the various gods, goddesses, demons, monsters, heroes, and legendary rulers. Analyzing these written texts in context with archaeological remains will help us understand the culture and religion of Mesopotamia. A special emphasis will be placed on examining the significance of gender and sexuality in ancient society. GE Approval Pending
Rel 366 The Latino/a Religious Experience: From Colonialism to Liberation
Taught by Rafael Luevano
This course surveys the Latin American as well as U.S. Latino/a religious experience as seen in a variety of creative forms, from its historical roots to contemporary artistic expressions. Key considerations include missionary evangelization, Liberation Theology, Pentecostalism, Evangelicalism, and such popular religious expressions as Our Lady of Guadalupe, Día de los Muertos, and narco-cults. Satisfies GE Requirements for AI, SI, VI
REL 353 Religion and Medicine
Taught by Ilana Maymind
Spring Semester
This interdisciplinary course focuses on the intellectual history of medicine, tracing the development of concepts of health, illness and healing across a range of religious, philosophical and cultural traditions, including Greek, Indian, Chinese, Jewish, Christian, Islamic, African and/or Native American sources. Satisfies GE Requirements for GS, SI, VI
REL 380 Law and Religion
Taught by Lorin Geitner
Spring Semester
This course explores the place and nature of law within a wide range of major religious traditions and cultures around the world, as well as laws about religion, including the First Amendment religion clauses and religious issues in American case law. Satisfies GE Requirements for GS, VI
REL 334 Religion and Love in World Literature
Taught by Ilana Maymind
Fall Semester
This interdisciplinary course explores the concept of love within different literary, philosophical, cultural and critical contexts with particular emphasis on the ways religion informs and impacts understandings of love. Readings range from Plato's Symposium, the biblical Song of Songs, and Augustine's Confessions to medieval European poet and courtesan Tullia d'Arogona's Dialogue on the Infinity of Love and the Indian epic Ramayana. Satisfies GE Requirements for GS, SI, VI
REL 333 Deconstructing Hogwarts: Religion, Race, and Gender in Harry Potter
Taught by Julye Bidmead
Interterm Travel Course
This Interterm travel course explores the global Harry Potter phenomenon through the lenses of religious studies and gender analysis, examining themes in the wizarding world as a common backdrop for the discussion of religion, race, gender, ethnicity, and social class in communities and community formation. Course will take place at Chapman and in London and Oxford, England. Satisfies GE Requirement for CCS
Want to learn more about religion? For courses on New Religious Movements, Interfaith Leadership, Reverence for Life, the Bible, Gender and Religion, Cosmology and Consciousness, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and more, see