RELI 301 - Elements of a World Religion

3 credits
An in-depth study of key elements of religion, as evidenced within a single religious tradition. This approach permits a nuanced look at the elements of religion, as well as a greater appreciation for the diversity that exists within each religious tradition. Elements of religion that will be studied in this course include at least three of the following: 1) origin story, 2) sacred narrative, 3) liturgy, 4) popular or folk traditions, 5) ethics/moral code, 6) wisdom literature, 7) mysticism, 8) conceptions of an afterlife, 9) theories of community/social critique, and 10) intellectual self-reflection on the religious tradition (i.e., theology). Each of these elements will be studied through engagement with both historical and contemporary primary texts. All sections of the course will enrich the students’ understanding through the application of a secondary disciplinary lens that is relevant to the elements of religion under consideration (as, for instance, philosophy relates to the speculative elements of religion-5, 6, 8, 9 in the list above-and literary studies relates to its narrative and poetic elements-1, 2, 3, and 6 in the list above). Special emphasis will be placed on the religion’s role in the global community and the ways in which religious thought can be used to benefit the global community. No previous religion coursework is required.

Prerequisite(s): Completion of FGLO pillar
*Fulfills Civitae Core PGLO
WI