This course introduces the critical study of religion.
Students examine the cognitive, performative and social characteristics of religion.
The course includes cross-cultural studies of religious beliefs and practices. This course covers the historical and contemporary beliefs and practices of several of the world's major religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Taoism REL 204. This course is a descriptive and critical introduction to the nature of biblical revelation, principles of interpretation and major elements of the Old Testament, including the primevil and patriarchal histories, the exodus, the conquest and monarchic traditions, the message of the prophets and the exilic period. This course, which explores a topic of contemporary interest to the study of religion, is offered as needed to students with sophomore standing. This course, which involves supervised research on a selected topic, is offered to students with sophomore standing.