Religious Studies 105: Honors Introduction to Religious Studies
Fall 2015
Prof. Bagger
Manly Hall 300; Office Hours: W 2-4, F 2-3
mcbagger@ua.edu
Texts available for purchase
The Rig Veda, tr. Doniger O’Flaherty (Penguin)
Evil Incarnate, Frankfurter (Princeton)
Salvation and Suicide, Chidester (Indiana)
Holy Terrors, Lincoln (Chicago)
The remaining readings will be available on Blackboard.
Course Requirements
— 14 (sometimes lengthy) reading assignments. I expect you to bring the assigned reading to class.
— 2 films.
— Attendance and informed participation at discussion sections (Aug. 28, Sept. 4, 16, 23, 30, Oct. 7,
16, 23, Nov. 2, 9, 16).
— A one-hour midterm exam (Oct. 9) and a two and a half hour final exam.
— Two 3-page papers, hard copy due 3:30 PM Sept. 17 and Dec. 1 in 212 Manly Hall. I will
distribute questions that address issues raised by the texts. No electronic submissions. Each paper
counts as roughly equivalent to the two exams toward the final grade.
Reading Assignments
A. Introduction
1. Smith— “Religion, Religions, Religious;” Lincoln— “Theses on Method.” (Aug. 21)
B. Myth/Religious Narrative
2. Genesis. (Aug. 24 and 26)
3. Eilberg Schwartz— “The Fruitful Cut,” The Savage in Judaism. (Aug. 31 and Sept. 2)
4.
5.
Warren— Buddhism in Translations, pp. 32-83. (Sept. 11 and 14)
Penner— “The Gift, the Renouncer, and the Householder;” Langenberg— “Pregnant Words.”
(Sept. 18 and 21)
C. Ritual
6. The Rig Veda, pp. 59-138. (Sept. 25 and 28: “Altar of Fire”)
7. Lubin— “Veda on Parade: Revivalist Ritual as Civic Spectacle.” (Oct. 2 and 5)
8.
9.
Malcolm X— “Mecca.” (Oct. 12 and 14)
Turner— “Pilgrimages as Social Processes.” (Oct. 19 and 21)
D. Religious Community
10. Cotton Mather— The Wonders of the Invisible World. (Oct. 26 and 28)
11. Frankfurter— Evil Incarnate. (Nov. 4 and 6)
12.
13.
J. Z. Smith— “Appendix 2” [transcript of final moments of “White Night” at Jonestown].
(Nov. 11: class; Nov. 12 at 6:30: “Jonestown”)
Chidester— Salvation and Suicide. (Nov. 18 and 30)
E. Conclusion
14. Bruce Lincoln— Holy Terrors, chs. 1-4. (Dec. 2 and 4)
Description
This course familiarizes students with examples of the sorts of phenomena studied by scholars of
religion (at the University of Alabama and elsewhere) and with some of the concepts and theories
they employ when studying them. It attempts neither a comprehensive account of the world's
religions, nor an exhaustive survey of theoretical approaches. Rather, the course especially dwells
on puzzling or, in some cases, disturbing phenomena, deriving from a variety of historical and
geographic settings, to display both the challenges and virtues of religious studies.
HU INB
Course objectives:
1)
2)
Gain practice critiquing and applying theoretical concepts
Gain familiarity with diverse religious phenomena
All students in attendance at the University of Alabama are expected to be honorable
and to observe standards of conduct appropriate to a community of scholars. The
University expects from its students a higher standard of conduct than the minimum
required to avoid discipline. Academic misconduct includes all acts of dishonesty in
any academically related matter and any knowing or intentional help or attempt to
help, or conspiracy to help, another student.
The Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Policy will be followed in the event of
academic misconduct.
Students with disabilities are encouraged to register with the Office of Disability
Services, 348-4285. Thereafter, you are invited to schedule appointments to see me
during my office hours to discuss accommodations and other special needs.