REL 100.001
Introduction to Religious Studies
T, R | 9:30-10:45
NL 2009
Download Syllabus
This Core Humanities course examines the relationships between religion and human beliefs, practices, & culture; surveys debates in the history of the field, e.g., definition of religion, insider/outsider problem, & theories about the origins and function of religion. An ideal intro to the study of religion as carried out in a public university–meaning that is is an introduction to the study of religion that’s carried out in a non-confessional manner, consistent with how we study human behavior throughout the rest of the university. Neither assuming religion to be true or false, the course examines a variety of efforts to define and study religion, paying particular attention to the implications of how we classify elements of our social world. HU INB
Russell T. McCutcheon
- Office hours:
By appointment
- (205) 310-7546
- russell.mccutcheon@ua.edu

Readings
McCutcheon, Russell
Studying Religion: An Introduction
Routledge, 2007
978-1845530129
Hughes, Aaron and Russell McCutcheon
Religion in 5 Minutes
Equinox Publishers, 2017
978-1781794654
Resources
Articles
Classification Matters III (the Court’s decision)
The Benefits of No-Tech Note-Taking
Attention, Students: Put Your Laptops Away
Lay Down the Laptop and Pick Up the Pen
Is Practicing Yoga Religious? (How was the case decided? See here also)