Purpose:

        This course (divided into three parts) gives the student an overview of the religions and sects of the world, along with an introduction to relgious studies in general.

Texts:

        Lavinia R. Hopfe, et al, Religions of the World.
        Also recommended: John R. Hinnells, ed. A New Dictionary of Religions, Second Edition. Blackwell Publishers.

        Books may be purchased through The Campus Bookstore.

        Each section below represents one quarter's worth of material. Please read the lectures and the textbook sections required for each. There will be questions and a ten page paper required for each quarter.

R201 Part One: Characteristics of religions and approaches to the study of religion.

Read Hopfe, Religions of the World, Overview

Do a paper on theories of the origin of religion. (paper must be a minimum of 10 typed pages, with at least 5 outside sources)

Answer these questions (at least a paragraph should be written for each question):

1. What is the definition of "religion."
2. List the four types of religious syustems and tell where each may be found.
3. What is the value of studying religions that you do not believe in?

R202 Part Two: Overview of the world's religions: High God Concept, Primitive Religion, Animism, Polytheism, Atheism, and Agnosticism.

Read Hopfe, Religions of the World, Basic Religions; please also read the following articles in Encyclopaedia Britannica: High God, Atheism, Agnosticism.

Do a paper on either a) High God Concept or b) Atheism. (paper must be a minimum of 10 typed pages, with at least 5 outside sources)

Answer these questions (at least a paragraph should be written for each question):

1. What are the two primary sources of information about "basic" or "primitive" religions? How trustworthy are these sources?
2. Give a definition of each of the following:

a. animism
b. agnosticism
c. atheism
d. polythesism
e. magic

R203 Part Three: Overview of the world's religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Sikkhism, Shintoism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Islam, Bahai, and Christianity. The Christian's attitude toward other religions.

Read Hopfe, Relgions of the World, Religions Originating in India, Religions Originating in China, and Religions Originating in the Middle East

Do a paper on the origin of one of the major world religions (should be on a religion other than your own; the paper must be a minimum of 10 typed pages, with at least 5 outside sources).

Answer these questions (no more than two paragraphs should be written for each question):

1. Summarize each of the following:

a. Hinduism
b. Jainism
c. Buddhism
d. Sikhism
e. Taoism
f. Confucianism
g. Shinto
h. Zoroastrianism
i. Judaism
j. Christianity
k. Islam
l. Bahai