Religion

College of Arts & Sciences

  • Introduction to Religion

    CAS RN 100

    Religion matters It makes meaning and provides structure to life, addressing fundamental questions about body, spirit, community, and time. But what is it' How does it work in our world' This course explores religion in ritual, philosophical, experiential, and ethical dimensions. Carries humanities divisional credit in CAS. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Philosophical Inquiry and Life's Meanings, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Creativity/Innovation. 4 cr. Tuition: $3260

    Summer 1 (May 20-June 27)

    Summer 2 (June 30-August 8)

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  • Religions of Asia

    CAS RN 103

    Online offering. Study of Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Shinto. Focus on the world view of each tradition and the historical development of that world view. Effective Fall 2023, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Aesthetic Exploration, Teamwork/Collaboration. 4 cr. Tuition: $3260

    Summer 1 (May 13-June 27)

    Summer 2 (June 30-August 15)

    BU Financial Aid: Summer Term HUB Courses

    Financial aid may be available to BU need-based scholarship recipients for certain HUB courses in summer 2025, including this one. For more information, please contact BU Financial Assistance at 617-353-2965 or finaid@bu.edu. Check out Summer 2025 HUB Course Scholarship eligibility requirements to see if you qualify.

    For information about technology requirements for online courses at Boston University, see bu.edu/online/online-learning/technology. BU Virtual can be reached at buvirtual@bu.edu or 617-358-1960 for additional information.

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  • Introduction to the World's Religions

    CAS RN 105

    Explores the symbols, beliefs, stories, and practices of the world's religions with attention to both historical development and contemporary practices. Possible traditions include: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and African/African diaspora religions. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Digital/Multimedia Expression, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Creativity/Innovation. Effective Fall 2024, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Historical Consciousness. 4 cr. Tuition: $3260

    Summer 2 (June 30-August 8)

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  • Death and Immortality

    CAS RN 106

    Examines death as religious traditions have attempted to accept, defeat, deny, or transcend it. Do we have souls' Do they reincarnate' What to do with a corpse' Other topics include mourning, burial, cremation, martyrdom, resurrection, near-death experiences. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Philosophical Inquiry and Life's Meanings, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Creativity/Innovation. 4 cr. Tuition: $3260

    Summer 1 (May 20-June 27)

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  • Religion and Politics

    CAS RN 379

    Introduction to the comparative study of the political role of religious institutions and beliefs. Covers issues such as religion's relationship to violence and terrorism, democracy and human rights, group identity, gender and sexuality, and modernity and secularism. Effective Spring 2024, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: The Individual in Community, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Teamwork/Collaboration. 4 cr. Tuition: $3260

    Summer 2 (June 30-August 8)

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