RE120B Religious Diversity in the Ancient Mediterranean

Examines various forms of interreligious dialogue in the Greco-Roman world, between and among Jews, Greeks, Romans, and Christians: discussion and debate; prejudice and xenophobia; persecution and martyrdom; proselytism and conversion. How does contact with religious others spur debate on normativity, deviance, ethnicity, nationalism, purity, and virtue? Students will gain an informed understanding of the religious diversity of classical antiquity, will practice discussing and writing about controversial religious issues, and will apply these insights to the challenges and opportunities of religious diversity in our own complex, interconnected world.

The Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and Historical Context:

The Emergence of Christianity: The New Testament and Historical Context: