Introduction to World Religions

Introduction to World Religions is an undergraduate course that measures knowledge and understanding of indigenous and major world religions, historically as well as socially and phenomenologically. From the emergence of ancient native religions around the world up to and including major current religious movements, this course spans millennia full of religious rituals, cultures, developments, splinters, and shifts.  Major content areas include religious frameworks (types of expression, structures, personal beliefs, definitions, and phenomena); sociological, psychological, and philosophical perspectives; historical development of religious traditions and practices; and comparative analysis of religious narratives around the globe. Religions covered include Indigenous Religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Daoism/Taoism, Confucianism, Shinto, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, NeoPaganism, Modern African/Caribbean traditions, Baha’i, and Scientology, as well as modern ideas such as Secularism. Participants will be enriched by a cornucopia of religious traditions, backgrounds, and evolutionary developments throughout the history of humanity. 

After completing this course, you will be able to: 

• Identify basic dimensions of religion including ethics, doctrine, and rituals.  
• Interpret religion through natural and revealed theology, descriptive approaches, and historical approaches.  

• Recognize the historical development of major world religions such as Indigenous Religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Daoism/Taoism, Confucianism, Shinto, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, NeoPaganism, Modern African/Caribbean traditions, Baha’i, and Scientology. 
• Recall and distinguish specific doctrine and practice for major world religions such as Indigenous Religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Daoism/Taoism, Confucianism, Shinto, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, NeoPaganism, Modern African/Caribbean traditions, Baha’i, and Scientology. 
• Compare, contrast, and categorize the major world religions and systematic ways of beliefs about each other and the world, including nature.  
• Identify and apply the trajectories of current religious movements (including alternative paths and modern ideas) against the historical and recent developments in world history, philosophy, psychology, and art. 
• Recognize and interpret a comprehensive understanding of the vast array of religions and their common archetypal structures, despite their diversity. 

Title: Experiencing the World’s Religions, 8th edition, by Molloy, Michael, McGraw-Hill Education.

If you are struggling with a term or concept, you can utilize the links below to search for the concept or term to find additional resources and explanation.

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A Collection of Religious Studies Websites 

Harvard University edx - Religious Literacy: Traditions and Scriptures

Library of World Religions and Faith Traditions

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