REL 100 Study of Religions

Prerequisite: GSTR 110 (or waiver)

An introduction to the academic study of religions as essential features of human culture. This course aims for students to understand religions as core elements in human life, experience, and history, by examining both their diverse forms and shared dimensions in various cultures. Through studies of selected religious and spiritual communities, traditions, experiences, ideas, institutions, and practices, largely although not exclusively outside North America, this course will examine definitions of and approaches to the study of religions, spirituality, and culture, as well as key components and dimensions in religions and spiritualities from a variety of disciplinary or methodological perspectives. This course does not presuppose either prior study of or commitment to a religion or spirituality of any kind. Religion Perspective and International (NonWestern) Perspective