Sophomore Sem: Into Rel Studie

Catalog description

What makes something a religion? Is it belief in a God or gods? Is it an authoritative text or set of rituals? Is it seeking converts or belief in life after death? Not all phenomena known as "religions" believe or do all of these but they are still known as religions. Why? Using the methods of Religious Studies as an interdisciplinary scholarly field, this course examines key theories of religion, how religions function, internal modes of religious self-identification, and the key elements of religious traditions that enable interreligious and cross-disciplinary analyses of religion. Through critical readings of both primary religious texts and secondary writings about religion this course seeks to formulate a rigorous understanding of religion and its role in contemporary society.