REL 2300 – Introduction to World Religions 

About The Course

Course Instructor: Vasudha Narayanan, Ph.D. 

This course covers the origin, historical development, and key figures, concepts, symbols, practices and institutions of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and East Asian traditions, including Taoism, Shinto, and Confucianism. 

Course Goals 

When you complete this course, you will be able to: 

• Explain basic world views, rituals, and beliefs of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Chinese religions, Japanese religions, Indigenous Religions, Islam, Christianity, and Judaism.
• Problematize the category of religion and identify your own working definitions.
• Identify cultural factors that come into play in the formation and understanding of a given religion.
• Equipped with this knowledge of different religious traditions, and the contexts in which they thrive, identify your own vantage point, as well as engage with different cultures and countries in an informed, respectful manner. 

Satisfied High School Graduation Requirement Subject: Elective