GISDepartment of Global and Interdisciplinary Studies

The primary purpose of this course is to expose students to some of the major questions in the scholarly study of religion. What is religion? What do religious symbols mean? Why do religions exist? How should we account for the differences among religions? Can or should we make judgments about religions, especially given our own commitments and biases? How does or should religion relate to morality? What is the relation of religion to culture? The selected readings will provide an introduction to the many approaches found in the study of religion, and provide examples of the various theories that arise when considering the complexity of religious experience. We will further discuss the early development of religion, and provide overviews of major and minor religions from Islam to Scientology.

The course aims to:
1. promote an enquiring, critical and sympathetic approach to the study of religion.
2. introduce students to the challenging and varied nature of religion, and to the ways in which this is reflected in experience, belief and practice
3. help students to identify and explore questions about the meaning of life, and to consider such questions in relation to religious traditions

Will be able to gain “DP 1”, “DP 2”, “DP 3”, and “DP 4”.

英語 / English

Students will attend lectures, read related materials, and have two written examinations. Feedback on completed assignments will be given in class.

あり / Yes

なし / No

授業形態/methods of teaching：対面/face to face

※各回の授業形態は予定です。教員の指示に従ってください。

1[オンライン/online]：Course Overview

Topics: What is Religious Studies, Leading questions and concerns.

Activity: Selection Exam

2[対面/face to face]：Religion: An Overview

Suffering and Evil, Explaining Death, Importance of Order and Ritual.

3[対面/face to face]：The Early Development of Religious Studies

Philosophy, Theology, and Religious Studies, Biblical Criticism, Anthropology and Religion, Negative Views of Religion

4[対面/face to face]：Recent Approaches to Religious Studies

Phenomenology and Religious Studies, Philosophy of Religion, Anthropology of Religion, Sociology of Religion, Psychology of Religion, Theories and Methods

5[対面/face to face]：Early Traditions

Prehistoric Religions, Animism and Anthropomorphism, Death and Hunting Rituals, Oral Traditions, and Religion, The Neolithic Revolution and the Rise of Historic Religions

6[対面/face to face]：Jewish and Christian Traditions

The History and Teachings of Judaism, The Rituals of Judaism, Judaism Today, The History and Teachings of Christianity, The Institutionalization and Politicization of Christianity, The Protestant Reformation, Christian Rituals, Christianity Today

7[対面/face to face]：Review & Midterm Exam

Assessing the degree to which students understand the subject

8[対面/face to face]：Islamic Religious Traditions

The History and Teachings of Islam, The Life of Muhammad and the Rashidun Caliphs, The Modern Period: Reform and Recovery, Islamic Rituals

9[対面/face to face]：Hinduism

History and Teachings of Hinduism, Classical Hinduism, Hinduism Today, Rituals

10[対面/face to face]：Buddhism

History and Teachings of Buddhism, The Four Noble Truths, The Core of All Buddhist Traditions Theravada (Hinayana), Mahayana, Vajrayana, Buddhist Rituals

11[対面/face to face]：Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism in China

The History of Chinese Religious Thought, Confucius, Taoism, Buddhism in China, Chan (Zen) Buddhism, Rituals in Chinese Traditions

12[対面/face to face]：Zoroastrianism, Shinto, Baha’i, Scientology, Wicca, and Seneca Traditions

Zoroastrian Rituals, History and Teachings of Shinto, History and Teachings of Baha’i, Wiccan Rituals, History and Teachings of the Seneca

13[対面/face to face]：Conclusions

Defining Religion, Secularization, Contemporary Atheist Views, Resurgent Islam, Medical Science and Religion, Religion and Mental Health

14[対面/face to face]：Final Exam & Wrap-up

Assessing the degree to which students understand the subject

Students will attend lectures, read related materials, and have two written examinations. Preparatory study and review time for this class are 2 hours each.

Readings will be distributed in class or posted/linked online. Students should download them, print them out, and bring the required readings to class each week.

The Religion Toolkit: A Complete Guide to Religious Studies by John Morreall and Tamara Sonn, 2011, Wiley-Blackwell. (RT)

Selection exam worth 10%: conducted during the first class.
Midterm exam worth 30%: The midterm exam will test your knowledge of the chapters discussed in the first half of class.
Final Exam worth 45%: The final exam will test your knowledge of the chapters discussed in the second half of class.
Continuous Assessment worth 15%: Class Participation and Group Discussion of Exercises

None.

Students are expected to bring readings to class in either paper or electronic formats.

None.