Religion and Philosophy   

We will explore Islam as a comprehensive way of life— encompassing faith, ethics, law and culture—through the lenses of gender and social justice. We will examine how the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad’s example shaped the roles, rights and responsibilities of women historically and in the modern world. Prerequisites: None; we will briefly revisit the principles of Islam for better understanding.

Why did the early Christian church preserve four distinct gospels instead of one? We will explore the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John as separate theological voices addressing different first-century communities. Mark wrote for a traumatized church; Luke championed Gentile inclusion; Matthew defended Torah observance; and John embraced Hellenistic philosophy. We will move beyond harmonized readings to encounter the rich diversity of early Christianity's portraits of Jesus and their continuing relevance. Recommended textbook: The Bible (new revised standard version).

As the U.S. commemorates 250 years since it declared independence from England, one freethinker continues to inspire independent minds, particularly concerning religion. Thomas Paine (1737-1809) fired up two revolutions: the creation of a new secular form of government and the birth of a new, sensible form of religion based on reason. Through lectures, discussions and readings, we will get to know Paine as a major voice of freethought and consider what he might say about religious liberty today. Note: There are both an in-person and an online option for this course. Participants must choose only one option to attend; please ensure that you are registering for the option you prefer, as we may not be able to accommodate changes.

As the U.S. commemorates 250 years since it declared independence from England, one freethinker continues to inspire independent minds, particularly concerning religion. Thomas Paine (1737-1809) fired up two revolutions: the creation of a new secular form of government and the birth of a new, sensible form of religion based on reason. Through lectures, discussions and readings, we will get to know Paine as a major voice of freethought and consider what he might say about religious liberty today. Note: There are both an in-person and an online option for this course. Participants must choose only one option to attend; please ensure that you are registering for the option you prefer, as we may not be able to accommodate changes.

In Sanskrit, the word Buddhism translates as “the study and practice of awakening.” Awakening can be described as the discovery of our core intelligence and its connection to all of creation. We will examine teachings such as the four noble truths, the eightfold path, the three refuges and the bodhisattva vow, and consider how they lead to an awakened life. Prerequisites: While it is helpful for participants to have some knowledge of meditation and esotericism, it is more important to have a sincere desire to learn about and apply these perspectives.

We will explore canonical, extracanonical and other historical documents to learn more about the marginalized and mythologized mother of Jesus. We will compare Mary as seen in the major religious traditions with what can be known historically and develop an appreciation for her Jewish, political and religious significance. Note: There are both an in-person and an online option for this course. Participants must choose only one option to attend; please ensure that you are registering for the option you prefer, as we may not be able to accommodate changes. Recommended textbooks: The Lost Mary by James Tabor (2025), ISBN: 978-1101947845; and the Christian New Testament (any edition).

We will explore canonical, extracanonical and other historical documents to learn more about the marginalized and mythologized mother of Jesus. We will compare Mary as seen in the major religious traditions with what can be known historically and develop an appreciation for her Jewish, political and religious significance. Note: There are both an in-person and an online option for this course. Participants must choose only one option to attend; please ensure that you are registering for the option you prefer, as we may not be able to accommodate changes. Recommended textbooks: The Lost Mary by James Tabor (2025), ISBN: 978-1101947845; and the Christian New Testament (any edition).