Objective:
The course objective is to gain mastery of the basic concepts integral to the study of religion and will demonstrate how these concepts apply in real world situations; explore key components of religions as they apply to a range of different belief systems; and explore the role of religion in modern society.
Learning Outcomes:
- Identify common elements of religions
- Analyze religion's impact on individuals, society, and the world
- And evaluate social, ethical, and cultural topics through the lens of religion
- Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to investigate the major approaches to studying religion
General Course Topics:
- Purposes for studying religions
- Reasons for studying religion
- Role of religion in modern life
- The religious impulse
- Religion and the individual
- Religion and origins
- Religion and the family
- Religion and society
- Defining religion
- Origins of religion
- Religion as myth
- Religion as culture and social convention
- The sacred and the profane
- A definition of religion
- An overview of religions
- Categorizing religions
- Primal religions
- Judaism
- Christianity
- Islam
- Hinduism
- Confucianism
- Buddhism
- Other Eastern religions
- Approaches and methods of studying world religions
- Phenomenology
- Theology
- Historical approaches
- Comparative religion
- Philosophy of religion
- Sociology of religion
- Common elements of religions
- Sacred and transcendent
- Summum Bonum
- Judaism and Yahweh
- Christianity and the Trinity
- Islam and Allah
- Hinduism, Brahman, and Atman
- Taoism and the Tao
- The transcendent in primal religions
- The problem
- Suffering
- Sin
- Death
- Evil
- The solution
- Mysticism
- Sacramentalism
- Silence
- Action
- Religious narratives
- Transmission of the teaching
- The nature of religious narratives
- Early creation stories
- Parable, myth, and allegory
- Revelations
- Philosophy and doctrine of world religions
- Animism and related beliefs
- Monotheism
- Theism vs. deism
- Polytheism and henotheism
- Atheism
- Non-theism
- Religion's impact on individuals, society and the world
- Fear and wonder
- Death and eternity
- Social convention
- Humanism, atheism, and nihilism
- Gender
- Economics
- Law
- Family structure
- Societal structure
- Morality and ethics
- Marriage, family, and sexuality
- War and peace
- Duties and law
- The environment
- Overview of ritual and material culture
- Holy places
- Architecture
- Festivals
- Pilgrimages
- Life cycle events
- Sacred objects
- Religion in government
- Religious states
- Separation of church and state
- National religions
- Religious and political issues
- Atheistic states
- Religion in global affairs
- Many 'worlds' in one
- Religious wars and violence
- Liberation theology, economic inequality, and social justice
- Religious inclusion and exclusion