This course offers an introductory survey of major
religious traditions of the world, with specific
focus on Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism,
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. We will examine
the origin and historical development of each tradition,
along with its sacred texts, basic philosophical
and metaphysical ideas, values and social ideals,
patterns of ritual and worship, and specialized
institutions. Our goal is to provide an objective
understanding of each tradition on its own terms,
and secondarily, an introduction to the academic
study of religion. This is an introductory course,
and all students are welcome. |
