Spring 2026 Religious Studies

Location: 409 UH; Phone: (312) 996-3361.

Last generated: Monday, December 15 2025 08:30 AM CST

NOTE: 500 level courses require graduate standing

RELS 120

Catholic Thought: An Introduction

3 hours. Same as CST 120. UIC GE Past course.

CRNCourse TypeStart & End TimeMeeting DaysRoomBuilding CodeInstructorMeets BetweenInstructional Method
39908LCD12:30 PM - 01:45 PMTRB62BHDingeldein, LMeet on campus

RELS 130

Introduction to Islam

3 hours. UIC GE World Cultures course.

CRNCourse TypeStart & End TimeMeeting DaysRoomBuilding CodeInstructorMeets BetweenInstructional Method
47487LCD02:00 PM - 03:15 PMTRB62BHShareef, UMeet on campus

RELS 175

Understanding the Bible as Literature

3 hours. Same as ENGL 175. UIC GE Creative Arts course. To be properly registered, students must enroll in one Lecture and one Discussion.

CRNCourse TypeStart & End TimeMeeting DaysRoomBuilding CodeInstructorMeets BetweenInstructional Method
46616DIS - AD03:00 PM - 04:15 PMW1852BSBMagarik, RMeet on campus
46615LEC - AL03:00 PM - 04:15 PMM1852BSBMagarik, RMeet on campus

RELS 177

Middle Eastern Civilization

3 hours. Same as HIST 177. Course is offered in both face-to-face and hybrid/ online formats. Check the class schedule for details. When taught online or hybrid, students will be required to have reliable internet access and a means for accessing it (computer preferable). UIC GE Past, and UIC GE World Cultures course. To be properly registered, students must enroll in one Discussion and one Lecture.

CRNCourse TypeStart & End TimeMeeting DaysRoomBuilding CodeInstructorMeets BetweenInstructional Method
42054DIS - AD110:00 AM - 10:50 AMF22352ETMSWQuadri, JMeet on campus
42052DIS - AD210:00 AM - 10:50 AMF24172ETMSWQuadri, JMeet on campus
42051DIS - AD311:00 AM - 11:50 AMF22192ETMSWQuadri, JMeet on campus
42053DIS - AD411:00 AM - 11:50 AMF22332ETMSWQuadri, JMeet on campus
42050LEC - ALARRANGEDARR2ONLQuadri, JOnline with deadlines
This course surveys the history of the Middle East from the pre-Islamic era to recent events and debates. You will study the culture and milieu in which Islam emerged, its remarkably quick expansion, the new cultural syntheses these early conquests produced, and the political and religious forms they engendered. As we move into the more stable middle period, you will learn about the similarities and differences between the various empires that ruled the areas now known as the Middle East, and how they produced distinctive identities while drawing on a common religious heritage. Towards the end of the semester, we will examine the impact of European colonialism, attempts at modernization in the turbulent nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and the particular challenges that face the Middle East today. Throughout, we pay attention to the various political, religious, economic and social components of the historical moments we study, as well as the various sectors of Middle Eastern society.

RELS 222

Phil in the Islamic World

3 hours. Same as ARAB 222 and PHIL 222. Prerequisite(s): One non-javascript:;logic course in philosophy or consent of the instructor.

CRNCourse TypeStart & End TimeMeeting DaysRoomBuilding CodeInstructorMeets BetweenInstructional Method
46732LEC09:30 AM - 10:45 AMMW2392ARCVlasits, JMeet on campus
Philosophers throughout the Islamic world, from the 8th century until today, engaged in sophisticated debates on a wide range of topics, from logic and psychology to metaphysics, theology, and politics, developing novel arguments and theories about scientific method, the human soul, and the creation of the world. In this course we will consider how philosophers in the Islamic world approached these questions as well as engaged in a series of cultural exchanges: the translation of Greek philosophy into Arabic with the help of Syrian Christians, the vibrant intellectual milieu among Jewish and Muslim authors in Islamic Spain, the translation of Arabic philosophy into Latin, and European colonialism.

RELS 230

Topics in Islam

3 hours. May be repeated if topics vary. Recommended background: ENGL 160. UIC GE World Cultures course.

CRNCourse TypeStart & End TimeMeeting DaysRoomBuilding CodeInstructorMeets BetweenInstructional Method
46420LCD12:30 PM - 01:45 PMTR14112CDRLCSaleem, AMeet on campus
Islam & Challenges ofModernity

RELS 232

The Religious World of the Earliest Christians

3 hours. Same as CL 232 and HIST 232. UIC GE Past course.

CRNCourse TypeStart & End TimeMeeting DaysRoomBuilding CodeInstructorMeets BetweenInstructional Method
47500LCD03:30 PM - 04:45 PMTR2202SHDingeldein, LMeet on campus

RELS 337

Latino/a Religions in the US

3 hours. Same as LALS 337.

CRNCourse TypeStart & End TimeMeeting DaysRoomBuilding CodeInstructorMeets BetweenInstructional Method
48660LCD12:30 PM - 01:45 PMTR1352ARCSostaita, BMeet on campus
3 hours

RELS 392

Major Problems in Religious Studies

3 hours. May be repeated if topics vary. Prerequisite(s): At least one course in religious studies.

CRNCourse TypeStart & End TimeMeeting DaysRoomBuilding CodeInstructorMeets BetweenInstructional Method
41265LCD02:00 PM - 03:15 PMTR3672BSBBlakemore Briggs, NMeet on campus
Religion and Global Politics Religion and Global Politics. Same as INST 301 and POLS 300. What is the relationship between the will of God and the will of the people? How have religious concepts informed and structured our political institutions? What everyday rituals allow us to imagine ourselves as part of a political community? This seminar examines the persistent overlap between politics and religion in an international context. Both theology and political thought are fundamentally concerned with how humans being live together, and with how transcend our limited individual experience. We will discuss concepts like secularism, faith, ritual, citizenship, and the public sphere through the lens of historical and contemporary events. Course materials will be interdisciplinary; topics include witch hunts, varieties of religious governance and popular movements, and the continuing role of religion in public and private life.

RELS 399

Independent Study

1 TO 3 hours. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours. Students may register in more than one section per term. Prerequisite(s): Sophomore standing or above; and consent of the instructor. Recommended Background: Two courses in religious studies. Departmental Approval Required

CRNCourse TypeStart & End TimeMeeting DaysRoomBuilding CodeInstructorMeets BetweenInstructional Method
44838CNFARRANGED

RELS 422

Studies in Medieval Philosophy

0 TO 4 hours. Same as PHIL 422. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated if topics or figures vary. Approval to repeat course granted by the department. Prerequisite(s): One non-logic 200-level philosophy course; or consent of the instructor. To be properly registered, students must enroll in one Discussion/Recitation and one Lecture.

CRNCourse TypeStart & End TimeMeeting DaysRoomBuilding CodeInstructorMeets BetweenInstructional Method
46448DIS - AD02:41 PM - 03:30 PMM1172BSBSinkler, GMeet on campus
46446LEC - AL101:00 PM - 02:40 PMM1172BSBSinkler, GMeet on campus
3 hours Restricted to Undergrad - Chicago.
46447LEC - AL201:00 PM - 02:40 PMM1172BSBSinkler, GMeet on campus
4 hours Restricted to Graduate - Chicago or Graduate Non-Degree Chicago.