REL 100.001
Introduction to Religious Studies
T, R | 9:30-10:45 AM
NL 1011
Download Syllabus
As a general introduction to the academic study of religion, REL 100 examines the ways in which the term “religion” is identified and used to organize social worlds. The course surveys a broad number of important debates in the history of Religious Studies, such as the definition of religion, theories on the origins of religion, the comparison of religions, and religion’s psychological, sociological, and political functions. The course emphasizes general critical thinking skills essential throughout the human sciences and, as such, is an ideal introduction to the study of religion in a public university. *carries Humanities Core (HU) designation.
K. Merinda Simmons
- Office hours:
By appointment
- (205) 348-5271
- merinda.simmons@ua.edu
Ciara Eichhorst, GTA
Erica Bennett, GTA

Readings
McCutcheon, Russell T.
Studying Religion: An Introduction
Routledge, 2019
9780815353638
Resources
Culture on the Edge blog
Online Readings
Blackboard Other texts will be available through the Blackboard course site.