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Academic Year 2004/2005

Introduction to the Study of Religion
RELI 101 FA

This course will examine the many ways in which religion is understood and practiced by a variety of communities as well as the ways it is understood by scholars in the field of religious studies. The three divisions of the curriculum of the Department of Religion (religious traditions, religion in society, and critical theory) will be represented in the course's examples and approaches. Topics covered in this course include the roles of ritual, the significance of myth and narrative in providing schemes of meaning, the transmission of traditions through texts and objects, and religious conflict.

MAJOR READINGS

Mircea Eliade, THE SACRED AND THE PROFANE
Frementle and Trungpa (trs.), THE TIBETAN BOOK OF THE DEAD
William James, THE VARIETIES OF RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE
Jan Willis, DREAMING ME: FROM BAPTIST TO BUDDHIST, ONE WOMAN'S SPIRITUAL JOURNEY
Rudolf Otto, THE IDEA OF THE HOLY
Walpola Rahula, WHAT THE BUDDHA TAUGHT

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Assignments include two critical papers dealing with scholarly evidence and argumentation. Comprehensive midterm and final exams.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Students must attend lectures and are responsible for the material covered in lectures and films.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS RELI    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-21-2005

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