WESTERN RELIGION - PL 211

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: D. FOX

PHONE: 353-7733

OFFICE: ROOM 221 Humanities

TEXT: The Sacred Paths of the West - by Theodore M. Ludwig

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This is a first course in the history of Western religions. The course explores the philosophical, mythical, and religious thought of the West. This is not a theology course. The course will be offered in a lecture format supplemented when possible by field trips and guest speakers. This course is recommended for anyone seeking not only a better understanding of his or her own culture but other cultures and world events as well. This course is not only appropriate for philosophy majors but business and political science majors. It is also a great general interest course, especially for the traveler.

TENTATIVE TOPICS

INTRODUCTION

-The Nature of Religion
-Studying Religion
-Scholarly Methods

EARLY RELIGIONS

-Primal Deities
-Burial Rites
-Early Cults
-Shamanism
-Animism
-Totemism
-African Religions
-Mesoamerica
-The Celts and the Building of Stonehenge
-Life in Mesopotamia
-Ancient Egypt
-Ancient Greece
-Ancient Rome

JUDAISM

-History
-Structural Analysis
-Sacred Texts
-Messianic Speculation
-Holidays and Observances

CHRISTIANITY

-History
-Structural Analysis
-Sacred Texts
-Holidays and Observances

ISLAM

-History
-Structural Analysis
-Sacred Texts
-Holidays and Observances

GRADING:

Exams 75%
Written Assignments 25%