ERH 211WX - Comparative Religion

Instructor: Mr. Anthony R. Boese
Location: Scott Shipp Hall 216
Date/Time: Monday-Friday 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Credit Hours: 3

This course offers a survey of the world’s major religions, with special attention paid to the religious traditions of India and China, and to the religions of Christianity and Islam. Through readings, lectures, discussions, video, and a variety of writing assignments students will learn to identify religious cultures of the world and the components and practices that distinguish them from others. Religions are not just sets of beliefs but patterns of behavior, things that people do. For each religious tradition we study we will typically begin with an introductory movie (viewed outside class) so that we can see what this behavior looks like as well as getting a relatively painless introduction to the main beliefs of the tradition. The first class of each part of the course will be spent primarily going over these major beliefs and practices, and discussing why so many people have adopted them. In subsequent classes we will explore major scriptures of the world’s great religions, philosophical debates that have arisen within these traditions (with relevant readings provided in class), and general theories about the nature of religious belief. We will also discuss recent news stories involving the religions in question and the cultures of the places where these religions are practiced. Our introductory movies will be supplemented by readings from a textbook on the world’s religions, from sacred scriptures, from philosophical and theological texts, and from philosophical and sociological theories about the nature and origin of religion. Note: Civilizations and Cultures Course Prerequisite(s): ERH 102, WR 102 or EN 102 with a minimum grade of C.