IDS 255 Comparative Religious Traditions

3 Credit(s) PGR WC DPDS

This course is an interdisciplinary study of six major world religions—Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Christianity—considering such issues as their moral teachings and practices; historical development; and cultural and geographical settings. The course covers how religions are responsible for significant human achievement in many areas and also a source of joining some persons together in meaning and purpose while excluding and demeaning others. Students will have continued opportunities to consider how their own cultural and religious identities are similar to, and different from, those of others we study, looking especially at how religions have played, and still play, a key role in U.S. history in defining and oppressing segments of society. The course closely and empathetically examines the experiences of those who have been oppressed by religions. Three lecture hours per week.