RELS-112 - World Religious and Spiritual Traditions

This course examines the prominent religious and spiritual traditions of the World. These include Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Primal (or Indigenous) Religions. Other ancient religions, and new religious movements, will also be discussed. Each tradition is explored in terms of origin and development (key figures, events, and evolution), worldview (divine reality, the problem and solution for human beings, life beyond death, etc.), ethical teachings, mystical approaches, and sacred writings, rituals and symbols. Meta-issues, such as secularization and religious pluralism, will also be examined. Students will gain knowledge and appreciation of each tradition, and more broadly, of religiosity and spirituality in general.