REL 100.001
Introduction to Religious Studies
T, R | 11:00-12:15
FA 214
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. The course ends with considering two case studies from the US Supreme Court in which the decision hinged on classifying something as religion (or not). An ideal Humanities Core course as well as intro to the study of religion as carried out in a public university. 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 McCutcheon, Russell
Religion in 5 Minutes
Equinox Publishers, 2017
978-1781794654
Resources
Class Readings
For those students in the process of purchasing course books early in the semester, the first few readings for quizzes (as listed on the syllabus) are available as PDFs here:
Religion in 5 Minutes, chpt. 1
Religion in 5 Minutes, chpt. 3
Religion in 5 Minutes, chpt. 7
Religion in 5 Minutes, chpt. 4
Religion in 5 Minutes, chpt. 2
Religion in 5 Minutes, chpt. 62
Religion in 5 Minutes, chpt. 64
Religion in 5 Minutes, chpt. 68
Additional Articles
Classification Matters III (the Court’s decision)
Definition of Religion in the News I
Definition of Religion in the News II
Is Practicing Yoga Religious? (How was the case decided? See here also)