"Rel 110: The Nature of Religion"
Section 051, Code 1974

DISCLAIMER:

This is a course in ideas, not in faith. We will assume that all religions have something important to say and approach texts in a spirit of intellectual curiosity, generosity and respectful critical dialogue.

No specific slight of your favorite belief is intended.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1. To study important ideas which inform the phenomenon of Religion.
2. To interpret, analyze and critique select texts, which are typical of major religions of the world.
3. To be able to understand a text in terms of its tradition and analyze its cognitive, political and ethical implications.
4. Discussion and clarification of philosophical arguments as they arise in these texts.

TEXTBOOKS:

1. The Epic of Gilgamesh, tr. M.G. Kovacs, Stanford: 1989.
2. Tolstoy, Death of Ivan Iliych, tr.A. Pasternak, Random: 2004
3. Upanishads tr.J. Mascaro, Penguin: 1976
4. Euripides, Bacchae, tr. P. Woodruff, Hackett: 1998

SYLLABUS:

Prologue

 1. Logic of Things
 2. Tillich, Paul, Religion as a Dimension of Man

Community: The Beginning of the Journey

 3. Law: OT, handout
 Nature vs. Creation: Genesis

Individuation: On the Way

 5. Death: Tolstoy, Leo. Death of Ivan Ilyich
 6. Heroism: Gilgamesh
 7. Ecstasy: Bacchae
 8. Sacrifice: NT Handout

Identity: The Destination

 9. Criticism: Questions of King Milinda
 10. Mysticism: Meister Eckhart, Sermons
 11. Absolute Self Knowledge: Upanishads

Celebration

 12. Philosophy: Parmenides
 13. Poetry: Rumi
 14. Art: Icons: Logic of Being

 

 

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