Introduction to the Study of Religion
RELI 151
Spring 2016
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01
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The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the academic study of religion. We will focus, in part, on religious communities in the United States but will offer neither an overview of American religious history nor a survey of global religious diversity. Rather, we will use a series of empirical case studies 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 American history and culture. Together, these discussions will offer a set of descriptive, analytical, and explanatory tools for understanding the role of religion in contemporary social and political life. |
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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 Major Requirement for: (RELI-MN)(RELI)(STS) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: 90% or above |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Representative Readings:
David Chidester, SALVATION AND SUICIDE
Susan Harding, THE BOOK OF JERRY FALWELL
William James, THE VARIETIES OF RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE
Winnifred Sullivan, THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
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Examinations and Assignments:
Assignments include one or two critical papers dealing with scholarly evidence and argumentation. Comprehensive midterm and final exam. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Attendance is required. |
| Instructor(s): McAlister,Elizabeth Times: ..T.R.. 09:00AM-10:20AM; Location: FISK413; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 35 | | SR major: 0 | JR major: 2 | | |
| Seats Available: 4 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 0 | JR non-major: 0 | SO: 15 | FR: 18 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 2 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 1 | Unranked: 1 |
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