REL 494

Spring 2026

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Topics in Religious Thought
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Credit: 3 OR 4 hours.

Various topics in religious thought.

3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated as topics vary.

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CRN Type Section Time Day Location Instructor Section Details
71830
Lecture-Discussion
LCM
3:00PM -5:30PM
W
Location Pending
McKinnis, L
Part of Term:
1
Date Range:
01/20/26-05/06/26
Credit:
3 hours
Section Title:
Black Religion & Black Studies
Section Info:
Class will be held in BNAACC, room 2020. AFRO 498/REL 494: Race, Body, and Being in Black Religious Thought This interdisciplinary seminar enters the conversation of Black Studies through the lens of religion. It commences with the question of being within the context of existential absurdity. That is, we shall interrogate and consider the ontological and anthropological condition of Blackness within the materiality of the absurd as a threat of non-being. We will engage critical race theory, afro-pessimism, and mysticism via a religious studies lens, considering the question of the human, Black being, freedom, and otherwise possibilities and imaginations. Contemplating these issues from the question of religion, participants will engage a wide variety of thinkers such as Albert Camus, Saidiya Hartman, James Cone, Fred Moten, M. Shawn Copeland, and Calvin Warren. Seminar participants will conclude the course having gained a working knowledge of new cartographies in the study of Black religion and Black studies, as well as critical issues facing the intersection of race and religion in North America.
68315
Lecture-Discussion
LM
3:00PM -5:30PM
W
Location Pending
McKinnis, L
Part of Term:
1
Date Range:
01/20/26-05/06/26
Credit:
4 hours
Section Title:
Black Religion & Black Studies
Section Info:
Class will be held in BNAACC, room 2020. AFRO 498/REL 494: Race, Body, and Being in Black Religious Thought This interdisciplinary seminar enters the conversation of Black Studies through the lens of religion. It commences with the question of being within the context of existential absurdity. That is, we shall interrogate and consider the ontological and anthropological condition of Blackness within the materiality of the absurd as a threat of non-being. We will engage critical race theory, afro-pessimism, and mysticism via a religious studies lens, considering the question of the human, Black being, freedom, and otherwise possibilities and imaginations. Contemplating these issues from the question of religion, participants will engage a wide variety of thinkers such as Albert Camus, Saidiya Hartman, James Cone, Fred Moten, M. Shawn Copeland, and Calvin Warren. Seminar participants will conclude the course having gained a working knowledge of new cartographies in the study of Black religion and Black studies, as well as critical issues facing the intersection of race and religion in North America.
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