Niki Clements

Treats complex connections between religious beliefs/practices and formulation of human psychology in western tradition, through a historical reckoning with demonology. Consider the way demons are represented -- from semi-corporeal beings to marks of mental illness -- by looking at texts from the ancient world to modern psychiatry. Previously offered as RELI 350. Students who received a grade for RELI 350/MDEM 350 cannot also receive credit for RELI 245/MDEM 245. Cross-list: RELI 245.

Students at Rice University consistently self-report as "happiest" by rankings like the Princeton Review. Course analyzes what we mean when we talk about "happiness" in the study of religion, assessing the role of community, habits, meaning, and positive thinking in religious and psychological texts, as well as lived experience.

Treats complex connections between religious beliefs/practices and formulation of human psychology in western tradition, through a historical reckoning with demonology. Consider the way demons are represented -- from semi-corporeal beings to marks of mental illness -- by looking at texts from the ancient world to modern psychiatry. Previously offered as RELI 350. Students who received a grade for RELI 350/MDEM 350 cannot also receive credit for RELI 245/MDEM 245. Cross-list: MDEM 245.

Repeatable for Credit.

Students work independently researching and writing the dissertation. Meetings between advisor, committee members, and students are held on an individual basis. Repeatable for Credit.