This course explores a set of recently discovered documents that substantially changes our understanding of Christian/Muslim relations. We will read texts such as a Christian/Muslim debate, a bishop's letter on how to bribe Muslim rulers, and an exorcism account concerning demon-possessed monks. Students will be among the first in a thousand years to read these works providing them with a strong knowledge of the history of Christianity, of Islam, and of their first interactions with each other.

Exploration of the mystical tradition in Islam known as Sufism, from its origins in medieval Iraq to its role in contemporary Islamic societies. This course focuses on how the Sufi pursuit of unity with, or annihilation in, God relates to the core monotheistic beliefs of Islam. Sufi theories and practices are studied through primary source materials. Special attention will be paid to the themes of love, desire, and beauty in the literature of Sufism.

This course examines the contested roles and representations of Buddhist women in different historical and cultural contexts. Using a variety of ethnographic, historical, and textual sources, the course investigates both the challenges and opportunities Buddhist women have found in their religious texts, institutions, and communities.

This course will examine a range of ways in which Islam has constructed women--and women have constructed Islam. We will study concepts of gender as they are reflected in classical Islamic texts, as well as different aspects of the social, economic, political, and ritual lives of women in various Islamic societies.

This course is an introduction to the study of religion, assessing the nature of religion and methodological approaches through an examination of subject matter drawn from numerous traditions.

With varied repertoire, an intermediate-level women's choir providing excellent vocal training, occasional solo opportunities, and a structured sight-singing curriculum. Performs on and off campus, sometimes with men's choruses and orchestra. Previous ensemble experience is helpful, though not a prerequisite.

Studies and presents a variety of orchestra repertoire on and off campus. Multiple opportunities to perform each semester.

This course will focus on learning by ear and playing the polyrhythmic traditional music of the peoples of southern Ghana, Togo and Benin, including sections of Adjogbo and Agbekor. All students will learn drum, rattle and bell parts, some songs and some dance steps as well. Non musicians are welcome, but practicing between classes is required. The group will perform in a workshop at the end of the semester.

The Vocal Jazz Ensemble is a select group of singers which performs classic and contemporary jazz vocal music. The group performs in concert twice a semester and occasionally off campus as well. Solo opportunities also exist with the Big Band and Chamber Jazz Ensembles for students enrolled in Vocal Jazz.

This two-credit independent study course, which is the culminating experience of the educational studies minor, requires analysis and synthesis of key ideas that emerged during focused study in the minor. Students will work with a faculty advisor of the Educational Studies Program Committee as they plan, write, and present a capstone paper.