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Introduction to the Study of Religion

The purpose of this course is to prepare students, both academically and personally, for future study of religion in an academic setting. Even for students who do not plan to take any other courses in religion, this course can still be of value, both academically as well as personally.

Academically, students will explore the nature and meaning of religion in any form and be introduced to various forms of religion, both old and new, Eastern and Western, large and small. 

On a personal level, students will be encouraged to expand their awareness of the scope of religion in both breadth and depth, and to develop a positive and appreciative outlook toward religion in general and toward religions other than their own in particular. In addition, students will be encouraged to deepen their understanding and exploration of their own religious outlook on life.

Find out more about the academic study of religion

The main overarching theme of the course is the question: �What is Religion?� By the end of the course the student should be able to offer a thoughtful response to this question that takes into consideration the various religions and aspects of religion the student has encountered over the course of the semester. Through this course of study the students will spend the semester exploring the breadth and depth of religion through a comparison and contrast of examples drawn from a wide variety of the world�s religions. The material is presented thematically rather than as a systematic examination of each religion in turn. Such a thematic approach is designed to bring out the patterns that can be found, expressed in diverse ways, across religions. In this way students will expand their awareness of the diversity of religion in the world and be exposed to aspects of religion they may never have realized were a part of religion.

It is also hoped that students in this class will expand their personal horizons, increasing their levels of tolerance, respect, and appreciation for religion and religions beyond their own experience and familiarity. To accomplish this, part of the students� exploration will involve direct contact and interaction with, and observation of, religious places, people, and practices with which the students were previously unfamiliar. Finally, it is hoped that some students will become excited enough by the study of religion so as to want to pursue it further through additional, more advanced courses.

What this course is not: This is not a course which systematically examines the teachings, history and practices of the world�s religions. There are other courses on the "World's Religions" so we do not duplicate that content here. But I hope you stick with this one as it can be just as interesting (if not more so) to explore the nature of religion in general as to learn the basics of the various religions in the world.

Please read the "welcome letter" before going on