RELI 490: Comparative Study of Religions

RELI 490-001: Compar Study of Religion: Theories and Methods in the Study of Religion
(Fall 2016)

04:30 PM to 07:10 PM M

Innovation Hall 137

Section Information for Fall 2016

RELI 490 - 001: Compar Study of Religion: Theories and Methods in the Study of Religion

What is religion? Is religion easily defined? Can we say it is a worship of God or gods or a life of ethical practices? Is it a way of thinking about the meaning of life? Does religion always point to a higher, non-human reality or is it like culture, a development of human ideas and experiences?  In this course, students will be introduced to the study of 'religion' and how this field of study has developed since its beginnings in the modern, western world.  Students will also be introduced to the methods used by scholars of religion as they observe and study the world's religions.

Fulfills:

CHSS Non-Western Culture requirement

CHSS / Religious Studies synthesis requirement

Tags:

Course Information from the University Catalog

Credits: 3

Cross-cultural examination of comparative aspects of religious phenomena. Examines significance of religious phenomena from diverse religious and cultural perspectives, and investigates patterns of religious phenomena that have appeared in world cultures and civilizations. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Synthesis
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies, Non-Western Culture
Recommended Prerequisite: 9 credits in religious studies including RELI 211 and RELI 212, or permission of instructor.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

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