Exploring Religions

This course introduces the central aims, questions, and topics pursued within the academic study of religion. Students will consider how individuals and groups organize themselves with relation to god/s, spirits, ancestors, or other non-ordinary agents, and will explore how recourse to these agents impacts the legitimacy, authority, and authenticity of particular practices and institutions. Through analysis of a variety of case studies and artifacts, students will acquire knowledge, skills, and habits of mind that are relevant both within and beyond the classroom.

Learning Outcomes

After successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Recognize and describe the key ideas and practices of several religious traditions;
• Discuss the ways in which human behavior is shaped by beliefs in a divine being or beings, spirits, ancestors, or other non-empirical agents;
• Examine religious texts critically and analyze and compare specific examples of religious discourse;
• Analyze and compare specific examples of religious social formation;
• Explain the main approaches, methods, and critical terms in the academic study of religion, and identify current issues and debates in the field;
• Articulate your own perspective on the current issues under examination and discuss the strengths and limitations of that perspective;
• Engage deeply and respectfully with views other than your own.