Introduction to World Religions

This course is an introduction to the different religions that exist in the world today, from the traditional monotheistic religions to the modern neo-pagan faiths. Our purpose is to provide an understanding and appreciation of the various customs, beliefs, and doctrines of the different world religions.

Educational Goals

The goal of this course is to provide a thorough introduction to the beliefs, practices, and histories of the world’s major world religions. We will study the philosophy, texts, and other primary sources of each religion, focusing on their commonalities and differences. Students will gain an appreciation of the different types of religions, their perspectives on the divine, and their forms of social organization. We will also discuss relevant ethical/social topics in the context of each religion’s fundamental beliefs.

Course Outline

Week 1: Introduction to Religious Studies and Introduction to Scholarship

Week 2: Zoroastrianism, Judaism, and Christianity

Week 3: Islam and Buddhism

Week 4: Hinduism

Week 5: Shinto

Week 6: Sikhism

Week 7: Jainism

Week 8: Baha’i Faith

Week 9: African Religions

Week 10: Native American Religions

Week 11: Religious Art, Music, and Literature

Week 12: Other Global Religions

Week 13: Contemporary Religious Practices

Week 14: Final Exam and Course Reflection

Assignments

Week 4: Essay prompt- Compare and contrast Hinduism and Buddhism

Week 7: Essay prompt- Compare and contrast Jainism and Sikhism

Week 10: Essay prompt- Analyze the similarities between African religions and Native American religions

Week 13: Essay prompt- Discuss the way contemporary religious practices have been influenced by traditional religious teachings.

Bibliography

Brown, R.F. and M.C. Bridges. The Study of World Religions: A Sourcebook. Boston: Pearson Longman, 2009.

Huber, Robert. How to Understand World Religions: A Simplified Guide. New York: HarperCollins, 2001.

King, Uri. Essential Concepts in World Religions. London: Routledge, 2011.

Smart, Ninian. The Foundations of World Religions. 2nd edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005.

Wainwright, William. World Religions: A Cultural Approach. 4th edition. New York: Pearson, 2019.