The rise of Jewish philosophy and mysticism (Kabbalah) in the Islamic world and in medieval Spain, and the development of these theological and intellectual trends as decisive influences upon all subsequent forms of Judaism. Analysis of Jewish philosophy and mysticism as complementary yet often competing spiritual paths. How did Jewish philosophers and mystics consider the roles of reason, emotion and symbols in religious faith and practice? What interrelations did they see between the natural and divine realms, and between religious, philosophical and scientific explanations?

Same as REL 207. Many view the marketplace and religion as discrete spheres of activity, not recognizing the important ways that religion functions as a marketplace, with merit and salvation to be earned or lost, and the ways that the marketplace itself functions as a religion, with its own creeds, rituals, sacred texts and unquestioned truths.

Same as SOC 207. Many view the marketplace and religion as discrete spheres of activity, not recognizing the important ways that religion functions as a marketplace, with merit and salvation to be earned or lost, and the ways that the marketplace itself functions as a religion, with its own creeds, rituals, sacred texts and unquestioned truths.

How do the world’s religions picture the journey beyond death? This course examines conceptions of heaven, hell and purgatory; immortality, rebirth and resurrection; the judgement of the dead and the life of the world to come. Readings include classic and sacred texts such as The Epic of Gilgamesh, Plato’s Phaedo, the Katha Upanishad, The Tibetan Book of the Dead, Dante’s Divine Comedy and Newman’s Dream of Gerontius, and a variety of philosophical and theological reflections on the meaning of death and the hope for eternal life.

Classic and contemporary discussions of the existence of God, the problem of evil, faith and reason, life after death, mysticism and religious experience. Readings from Plato, Anselm, Aquinas, Hume, Kant, Kierkegaard, William James and others.

Covers theory and research on childhood and adolescent peer relationships. Topics include socialization processes, friendships and peer networks, and the interplay of biological, psychological and contextual factors that shape social interactions in the peer group. Some questions we address are: How do we form friendships? What qualities make us liked by our peers? Is there a difference between being ignored by other kids and being rejected by them? Have text messaging and social media sites changed the way we communicate with each other?

Design and execution of original research on topics related to the physiology of biological rhythms. Health consequences of disruption in biological rhythms are studied. Prerequisites: PSY/NSC 110, PSY 201, and PSY 202, or equivalents, laboratory experience, and permission of the instructor. Enrollment limited to 12.

Same as PSY 304. What is happiness? What is personal well-being? How are they achieved? This course examines the core ideas of the Buddhist science of mind and how they are being studied and employed by psychologists, neuroscientists, cognitive scientists and psychotherapists. The focus of the course is the notion of “happiness,” its cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary definition as well as the techniques advocated for its achievement by both the Buddhist and the psychologist. Prerequisite: PSY 100 or REL 105; or one course in Buddhist traditions; or permission of an instructor.

Same as REL 304. What is happiness? What is personal well-being? How are they achieved? This course examines the core ideas of the Buddhist science of mind and how they are being studied and employed by psychologists, neuroscientists, cognitive scientists and psychotherapists. The focus of the course is the notion of “happiness”—its cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary definition as well as the techniques advocated for its achievement by both the Buddhist and the psychologist. Prerequisite: PSY 111 or REL 105; or one course in Buddhist traditions; or permission of an instructor.

An exploration of the nature of moral psychology. We discuss how reason, emotion, cultural norms and social pressures shape our moral judgments; how brain activity correlates with moral decision-making; and how we can use psychological research on moral intuition to evaluate cultural and political disagreements. Prerequisites: PSY 202. Enrollment limit of 25. (E)