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REL 440.001

Theories of Religion

T | 3:30-5:50

MA 210

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Instead of simply describing or comparing religions, there is a long history of scholars offering explanations for why religions exist in the first place; beginning with the late-19th century writers, this course will examine classic and contemporary explanatory theories of religion that aim to identify either the origin or the function of religion.

Russell T. McCutcheon

Readings

Guide to the Study of Religion cover

Braun, Will and Russell McCutchoen (eds.)
Guide to the Study of Religion
Bloomsbury Academic, 2000
978-0304701766

Theory in a Time of Excess cover

Hughes, Aaron W. (ed.)
Theory in a Time of Excess: Beyond Reflection and Explanation in Religious Studies Scholarship
Equinox Publishing, 2017
978-1-78179-424-1

Classical Approaches to the study of religion cover

Waardenburg, Jacques (ed.)
Classical Approaches to the Study of Religion: Aims, Methods, and Theories of Research (new edition)
Walter de Gruyter, 2017
978-3-11-047359-9

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