Introduction to the Study of Religion
RELI 151
Fall 2018
| Section:
01
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The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the academic study of religion. What is this thing called religion and how do you approach it from an academic perspective? This class is not a survey of global religious diversity, but a survey of how to study religion. We will use a series of empirical case studies, such as the Jonestown mass suicide, Jerry Falwell's tele-evangelism, Buryat-Mongolian shamans, eco-spirituality and religious freedom court cases to explore theoretical issues in the study of religion. Among other topics, we will examine: the construction of religion as a conceptual category, anthropological approaches to religious difference, theories of religious experience, the interpretation of religious texts, and the place of religion in politics, society, and culture. Together, these discussions will offer a set of descriptive, analytical, and explanatory tools for understanding the role of religion in the contemporary world. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS RELI |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (RELI-MN)(RELI)(STS) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: 75% - 89% |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Representative Readings:
David Chidester, SALVATION AND SUICIDE
Susan Harding, THE BOOK OF JERRY FALWELL
Winnifred Sullivan, THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
Manduhai Buyandelger, TRAGIC SPIRITS: SHAMANISM MEMORY AND GENDER IN CONTEMPORARY MONGOLIA
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Examinations and Assignments:
Assignments include two critical papers dealing with scholarly evidence and argumentation. Two in-class tests and a final exam. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Attendance is required. |
| Instructor(s): Quijada,Justine Times: ..T.R.. 10:20AM-11:40AM; Location: FISK302; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 40 | | SR major: 0 | JR major: 0 | | |
| Seats Available: 25 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 0 | JR non-major: 0 | SO: 20 | FR: 20 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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