Religion 105 - Introduction to World Religions

An introduction to Hindu, Buddhist, Confucian, Daoist, Jewish, Christian and Islamic religious traditions. Readings are drawn from primary religious sources, including the Bhagavad Gita, Shantideva’s guide to Buddhist awakening, the Analects of Confucius, the Daodejing, the Bible, the Passover Haggadah, Christian gospels, the Quran, and diverse works of poetry, philosophy and art. The course explores what the world looks like through the eyes of religious adherents through the help of student presentations, occasional films and online religious sites. Lectures and background readings provide historical context, and themes such as sacrifice, community, liberation, salvation, devotion, mysticism and life after death are considered throughout the semester.