Religious Studies

An introduction to the study of religions at the undergraduate level. The course focuses on how religious studies differs from theology, fundamental terms and categories within religious studies, basic approaches and methods in studying of religions, and classic problems, theories, and figures in the field. The course requires no prior background in the study of religion.

A critical engagement with major theories and methods in the study of religions. Equal attention is given to both historical-hermeneutical and ethical-critical approaches.

An historical and systematic examination of both formal and symbolic aspects of structures built for religious purposes, along with their associated religious activities.  Overlapping cultural and symbolic meanings will be studied, with in depth readings of associated religious texts.

An introduction to both the Tanakh (the Bible that Jews use) and the different Bibles used by Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant Christians.  Students will explore questions such as the following: Who wrote the books of the Bible, when and why?  Does what they say correspond to what we know of prehistory and history?  Do they contradict each other?  Why do different religious groups use different Bibles?  What books were left out of the Bible?  What does the Bible really say about issues like abortion, homosexuality, evolution, life after death, and the end of the world?  No prior knowledge of the Bible, Judaism, or Christianity is necessary.