Introduction to Religion – Fall 2010
________________________________________________________
Jonathan B. Edelmann, Ph.D.
Mississippi State University
Religion and Philosophy Department
53 Morgan Ave, (662) 325-2382
Office Meetings by Appointment
je374@msstate.edu
Religion is the soul of civilization – William James Durant
In the above quote Durant is not declaring his personal faith or prescribing how
civilizations ought to conduct themselves. Rather, he is observing that religion has played
an important role in every civilization. Thousands of years ago Indian and Chinese
thinkers argued that the purpose of human life is to seek ultimate truth, an underlying
reality currently hidden from our view. Indeed, religion was important for all ancient
societies. Contemporary critics of religion are amazed at its sustained relevance, even in
highly developed countries. Perhaps never before has religious diversity and fervor been so
great in America. Nevertheless, religion is often misunderstood. This course will transform
the way you think about religion, showing you its enduring and ever-present existence in
many features of human life. Through informal comparative analysis you can contrast
your own views with that of the traditions we study, thus bringing to light some of your
own presuppositions and hopefully assisting you to further develop your own character
and thought. The foci of this course:
(1) To understand how and why one might study religion;
(2) To understand some primary themes in religion, e.g. mysticism, ritual, or
myth;
(3) To examine how religion might interact with science, politics and culture;
(4) To appreciate the foundational concepts and practices of some world religions.
A religion or philosophy course is one of the few academic classes where you will be asked
grapple with life’s most important questions: If there is a God, what is his or her nature?
What is the goal of life? Why do we exist? What happens at death? What are the
foundations of law and the world-order? Is football a worth-while use of the university’s
resources and your time?
The MSU Honor code will be strictly enforced. Cell-phones and texting are not permitted
in class. If you use them, you’ll be asked to leave. Computers can be used only with
permission.
Jonathan B. Edelmann, Tues & Thurs 9:30 - 10:45 AM
REQUIRED TEXTS
(1) HILLARY RODRIGUES, Introduction to the Study of Religion, (Routledge Press)
(2) HUSTON SMITH, The World’s Religions, (HarperOne Press)
(3) SELECTED READINGS, marked with * are at the Reserve Desk off the Mitchell Library
Website; call 325–7668 if you have trouble downloading.
EVALUATION
(1) Class Participation, Attendance and Quizzes (30%): Regular and relevant contributions
to class is expected. This can only be achieved by compleating the Required Readings
before class. There will be quizzes based directly on the readings.
(2) Midterm (30%): Short questions and an essay.
(3) Final Exam (40%): Open-book-cumulative-exam of short and long essays.
(4) Extra-credit: 3-5 page paper on any Philosophy & Religion Club event.
TENTATIVE WEEKLY SCHEDULE
1. Introduction
REQUIRED READING
http://pluralism.org/
2. What is Religion and How to Study Religion?
Tue: Definitions of Religion
Rod., Ch 1
Thu: Theology & Religious Studies
3. History of the Study of Religion
Tue: Philosophical Approaches
Thu: Theological Approaches
Rod., Ch 2
4. Hinduism
Tue: Ātman and Brahman
Thu: Hindu Theology
Smith, Ch II
Bhagavad Gītā, Ch 2
5. Buddhism
Tue: Duhkha and Nirvāna
Thu: Buddhist Practice
Smith, Ch III
Dalai Lama, “Training the Mind”
6. Islam
Tues: Foundations of the Faith
Thu: The Sounds of Islam
Smith, Ch VI
Koran Reading
7. Religion in Communities
Tues: Anthropological Approaches
Thu: Social Approaches
8. Midterm and Phenomenology
Tue: Phenomenological Approaches
Jonathan B. Edelmann, Tues & Thurs 9:30 - 10:45 AM
Rod., Ch 3
Rod., Ch 4
Thu:
Midterm
9. How People Experience Religion
Tue: No Class
Thu: Psychological Approaches
10. Judging Religion
Tue: Feminist Approaches
Thu: Popular Approaches
11. Taoism
Tue:
Thu:
Conceptions of the Tao
Taoist Philosophy
Rod., Ch 4
Rod., Ch 5
Smith, Ch V
Tao Te Ching
12. Religion and Politics
Tue: Secularism in America
Thu: Liberal Fascism?
*Stout, The Folly of Secularism
13. Religion and Science
Tue: How to study it?
Thu: Complexity Approach
*Brooke, Introduction
14. Religion and Culture
Tue: TBA
Thu: TBA
15. Religion and Sports
Tue: Myth, Ritual and Sport
Thu: No Class
16. Review
Jonathan B. Edelmann, Tues & Thurs 9:30 - 10:45 AM
Barber, “Is sport a religion?”