The growth of various disciplines in the 19th century, notably psychology and sociology, stimulated a more analytic approach to religions, while at the same time theology became more sophisticated and, in a sense, scientific as it began to be affected by and thus to make use of historical and other methods. The universality of religious beliefs in our speciesbut not in othersindicates that they. Comparative work is welcome, as is the study of islam in. Samantha king, senior and triple major in religious studies, psychology, and family studies, won third place in the fine arts and humanities oral presentation category, undergraduate re. Find information about undergraduate and graduate courses and programs here, as well as how much you might earn in education and ministry. Megan leverage who will present a public lecture the mormon transhumanist association.
Still, the comparative study of religions is vital, and it becomes increasingly so as our global community becomes ever more tightly knit. Given the impending retirement of current staff in the teaching of christianity, we recommend maintaining at all times at least two positions. Comparative study of religion harvard college handbook. Religion represents one of the central divides between homo sapiensand every other species of animal alive today. Study of religion study of religion basic aims and methods. Acknowledgments this guide is the result of a collaborative effort among several faculty members. Comparative studies and history of religion published or distributed by the university of chicago press. General interest 15 academic research 289 books for courses 71 professional practitioner 2 released this month. A full description of the graduate areas currently offered is found below. Religious studies majors have pursued careers in a wide variety of fields, including business, government, medicine, law, education, and social services.
But the same can be said of almost any human endeavor to understand human phenomena. The goal of this site is to investigate whether or not there is sufficient evidence to prove that world religions are complementary, according to the model inspired by an old indian tale that of the blind men who tried to describe an elephant. Ordinarily, students wishing to combine religion as the primary field will do so in the context of option c. Thanks also to tom jehn of the harvard writing project and nancy sommers, sosland director of expository writing, for their assistance. All students must take relstds 2370 or relstds 2102. By exploring religious studies approaches to film, film as an art form, and various film theories e. After you have worked through this unit, you should know the two rules for comparative religious studies. He felt that such terms as science of religions or history of religions would be misleading to indian audiences, while he disliked the implications of the popular expression, comparative religions. Cambridge companions to religion includes bibliographical references and index. Understanding world religions the study of religion. Religious studies and comparative theology an appraisal. A dictionary of all religions and religious denominations. It describes, compares, interprets, and explains religion, emphasizing systematic, historically based, and crosscultural perspectives. Introduction to comparative religion or relstds 2102.
Comparative religious studies concentration presents scholarly interpretations of the worlds religious traditions. The comparative study of religions saint marys press. Comparative religion definition of comparative religion by. Pdf in the germanspeaking academy there is a widespread rivalry between theology and religious studies. Section ifoundation studies 10 marks the question in this section is compulsory. The project was prompted by the necessity to produce relevant and comprehensive textbooks for. Comparative religious studies san jose state university. The project was prompted by the necessity to produce relevant and comprehensive textbooks for the undergraduate degree programme. The journal was published under the name tomorrow until 1967, when it was changed to its present name. Theories about the origin and development of religions. Two core courses must be chosen from section ii below. Despite development of secular ideas and concepts in the western world, we can observe increasing interest in the study of religion.
Critical terms for religious studies edited by mark c. Here you will read about the activities of our students and faculty members, our ties to the past, and our plans for the future. Comparative work is welcome, as is the study of islam. Degree programs graduate study in religious studies at brown is designed primarily to train students for careers in teaching and research in colleges, universities, and related institutions. Pdf the intellectual landscape of europe bears the marks of a long history of cultural perceptions of, and scientific approaches to, religions. Comparative study of religion throughout history and around the world, from prehistoric cave paintings to the worldwide web, religion has played a central role in human civilization. The religious studies major provides students with a broad understanding of human diversity, the complexities of social and cultural systems of thought, and the human pursuit of meaning. Nov 22, 2016 this website and its content is subject to our terms and conditions. To base our method of study on the acceptance of such a claim without first testing the arguments that support it, however, would be to begin from an assumption that is very different from the characteristic but more modest starting point of religious studies. We honor two members of our community who died in the last year. Pdf comparative theology and religious studies in a non. In the germanspeaking academy there is a widespread rivalry between theology and religious studies.
As we have noted, perfect objectivity in such matters seems impossible. She will attend the university of alabama school of law in the fall. Religious studies minor department of comparative studies. Comparative religion, as this is the best way to guarantee the teaching and. However, this popularity of the study of religion and different. The cambridge companion to religious studies edited by robert a.
A voyage of discovery, fourth edition, considers one religion at a time, chapter by chapter. Religious studies revision notes teaching resources. Librivox recording of religious studies, sketches and poems by harriet beecher stowe. Criterion 3 analyse religious and nonreligious traditions and ethical perspectives. A religion studies program can prepare you for a career in academia or clergy work, depending on your area of interest. Best known for having written uncle toms cabin, harriet beecher stowe also wrote several religious works, including the works in this book.
An alternative approach is to select central themes of inquiry and to investigate how the religions engage with each theme. This religious capacity is central to what it means to be human. Religious studies, also known as the study of religion, is an academic field devoted to research into religious beliefs, behaviors, and institutions. Description islamic studies engages students in the study of the religious institutions, texts and devotional life of muslim societies. Question 1 a name two religious traditions, other than christianity, present in australia before 1901. Comparative religion is the branch of the study of religions concerned with the systematic comparison of the doctrines and practices, themes, and impacts including migration of the worlds religions.
The guide was made possible by a gordon gray faculty grant for writing pedagogy. Leon weinberger was professor of jewish studies in this department from 1964 until his retirement in 1999. This course focuses on the depiction of religions and religious issues in recent films popular in the united states. Feminist scholarship in the study of scriptural texts and other historical sources, the rise of womens rituals and alternative spiritualities, religious feminism in relation to other struggles for human dignity and liberation and how the inclusion of womens perspectives is influencing the craft of theology itself. The author presents the different approaches to the comparative religion studies, from the christian based approach, passing through the rationalist and universalist views for then present this new approach as the religion in his own therms, understanding it by its own language and so having a more precise understanding and a possibly less self. Studies in comparative religion was founded in britain in 1963 by francis cliveross 19211981 and is the first and most comprehensive englishlanguage journal of traditional studies.
The comparative study of religions by joachim wach, 1958. Comparative religion definition is comparative study of the origin, development, and interrelations of religious systems. In general the comparative study of religion yields a deeper understanding of the fundamental philosophical concerns of religion such as ethics, metaphysics, and the nature. Christian religious studies 3 creatures made on the fifth day creatures made on the sixth day gods creation on the fifth day 1. Criterion 2 structure and communicate ideas and information. Description comparative studies includes reference to aesthetics, anthropology, archaeology, ethnography, ethics, gender studies, history, linguistics, literature, philosophy, phenomenology, religion, the social sciences, theology and, as appropriate, other related areas and disciplines that are utilized in the larger field of the study of religion. As a major, comparative religion provides a framework for a liberal arts education, exploring. Tes global ltd is registered in england company no 02017289 with its registered office at 26 red lion square london wc1r 4hq.
Islamic studies committee on the study of religion. Given that students come with a range of religious commitments and passions, emotions, experience, and opinions, objectivity may be hard to come by in the religious studies classroom. This contribution first takes a look at the history of the rivalry, refers then to the criticism from both sides. Christopher white, who initiated the project while serving as the head tutor of religious studies. This website and its content is subject to our terms and conditions. With one foot in the humanities and the other in the social sciences, comparative religion is interdisciplinary in nature. Students interested in a joint concentration involving religion should consult the director of undergraduate studies.
Never has this fact been more evident than in our contemporary world, where public discourse and global politics are daily buffeted by religious pressures and. Comparative studies committee on the study of religion. It encourages the study of islam within a framework emphasizing the dynamic interaction between a global religious tradition and its multiple contexts political, social, historical, literary, etc. Criterion 4 use evidence to support own interpretations and religious and ethical arguments of others. The comparative study of religions was the title which wach chose originally for his barrows lectures in india in the autumn of 1952.
In the spring term of 20, special attention will be devoted to the. The department of comparative religion is proud to present our former graduate student dr. Comparative theology and religious studies in a non. In europe, interreligious relationships and hence comparative theologies should not be isolated from simple or more sophisticated forms of. Religious studies requirements department of comparative studies. Important analytical paradigms that have been useful for interpreting religious belief and praxis will be explored and analyzed. This books is the result of concerted teamwork among the academia staff of the department of religious studies, university of nairobi between 1986 and 1990. Smith, david tracy, edith wyschogrod the university of chicago press.
It aims to be as global as possible in covering the great diversity of religions and as inclusive as possible in covering various methodological approaches to the study of religion. Comparative religion definition of comparative religion. The religious studies minor employs an academic approach to religion, stressing its role as an important dimension of human experience in different cultural contexts. On the fifth day god created all kinds of creatures which live in water, such as, different kinds of fish, seamonsters, etc. What led to the founding of departments of comparative religion or religious studies. Comparative theology provokes suspicions from both sides.
Comparative religion studies provide learners with knowledge of the worlds major religious faiths. Comparative religion students are globalists, with expertise in analyzing the ways in which billions of people lead and evaluate their lives across the world and within american pluralism. A minor in religious studies consists of a minimum of 15 credit hours. Comparison is at the heart of religious studies as a discipline and foundational to the fields methodology.
The comparative study of religion may be combined with another field in the overall framework of a joint concentration. Criterion 1 uses ideas and concepts in discussing religious traditions and ethical perspectives. The comparative study of religions world religions. Study of religion basic aims and methods britannica.
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