REL-210X: Study of Religious Traditions

The objective of this course is to introduce to 1) the variety of intellectual disciplines by means of which religions may be studied and 2) the basic concepts that make up a religious worldview, including concepts of the sacred, religious symbolism, myth, doctrine, ritual, soteriology, and ethics. A central question of the course is how and to what degree these concepts and practices cross over between world religions, including Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Chinese traditions, Japanese traditions, and secular humanism. The professor will acquaint students with a variety of methodologies within the field of Religious Studies, from theological, literary, and historical to anthropological, sociological, and phenomenological approaches. A handful of films will be screened that illustrate particular concepts, practices, and struggles within several religious traditions. FILA general education: philosophy or religion and experiential learning.