WORLD RELIGION: COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is designed as an introduction to the world's major living faiths.  Although the focus will be upon Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism, other religions will be briefly discussed.  We will examine the origins, historical development, the sacred texts, the central tenets, the institution and rituals of each religion.

The framework will be explicitly comparative as we assess how different traditions have responded to a basic set of questions.  Is there a god or gods and, if so, what is her/his/its/their nature?  What is the relationship between the human and the divine?  What is the purpose of life and how should it be lived?  Is there an afterlife and what is the connection between this life and the next?

Instruction will combine lecture, video and group presentations; class discussion and textual analysis; intensive reading; and individual student research and writing projects.