This course has an assignment that is due by 11:55 pm Central Standard Time on Wednesday night of the first week of class. Failure to complete this assignment will result in your removal from the course for non-participation.

Kessler, Gary E. Studying Religion: An Introduction through Cases. Third edition; New York: McGraw Hill, 2008. ISBN: 978-0-07-338659-1

Craig, Martin. A Critical Introduction to the Study of Religion (2nd ed.). London: Routledge, 2017. ISBN: 978-0-415-41993-2

RL122 is an introduction to the ways in which religion provides meaning and purpose for human life. The course includes a study of a variety of religious traditions, beliefs, and practices.

In this course, we will work to:

• familiarize students with basic tools in the study of religion as well as basic terminology and the great figures in both the study and history of religion;
• begin to develop analytical skills in evaluating issues and texts in religion;
• develop a knowledge base by which to identify the historical and social context in which religions and their texts come to be, and how they interact with their cultural context;
• develop skills in communicating religiously-oriented materials in written form.
• The course meets general education outcomes II: 9-11.