A Student's Introduction to World Religions

1. Introduction. The Academic Study of Religion: What is it and Classical Approaches
1.1 The Academic Study of Religion - Getting Started
1.2 Comparative Religion
1.3 Ideas About the Sacred, and Other Key Terms
1.4 Classical Theories and Responses to Religion
1.5 Wrap-Up
 Bibliography

2. Indigenous Religions and Sacred Paths
2.1 Overview and Key Terms
2.2 Europe
2.3 Africa
 Indigenous Religions of Sub-Saharan Africa
 Sources of Study
 The Creation of the World
 The Nature of the World
 The Nature of Being Human
 The Extra-Human Dimension
1. The High God
2. Other Gods
3. Ancestors
4. Other Spirits
 Human Misfortune and Its Cures
 Religious Specialists
1. Priests
2. Healers
3. Diviners and Spirit Mediums
4. Prophets
The Ritual Life of Sub-Saharan Africans
1. Communal Ceremonies
2. Personal Rites
 Summary
 Suggested Readings
2.4 The Pacific
2.5 North America
 Indigenous Religions of North America
 Sources of Study
 The Creation of the World
1. Emergence Myths
2. Earth-Diver Myths
3. Myths of Destruction
 The Nature of the World
 The Nature of Being Human
 The Extra-Human Dimension
1. Spiritual Power
2. The Supreme Being
3. The Trickster
4. Other Spirit-Beings
 Human Misfortune and Its Cures
1. Transgressions Against Taboos
2. Encounters with Malevolent Spirit Beings
3. Encounters with Witches and Sorcerers
 Religious Specialists
1. Shamans/Medicine Men
2. Priests
 The Ritual Life of Native North Americans
1. Subsistence Rituals
2. New Year Rituals
3. Initiation Rituals
 Summary
 Suggested Readings
 Bibliography

3. Hinduism
3.1 Overview
3.2 History: Sacred Texts
 SACRED TEXTS
The Vedas
The Upanishads
The Epics and the Bhagavad Gita
3.3 Beliefs and Practices
 HINDU DEITIES
 PHILOSOPHICAL CONCEPTS
 SYMBOLS
 WAY OF LIFE
 YOGA AND THE SPIRITUAL PATHWAYS
Bhakti Yoga, the Path of Devotion
Karma Yoga, the Path of Selfless Service
Jnana Yoga, the Path of Knowledge
Raja Yoga, the Path of Meditation
 HINDU RITUALS
Rites of Passage
Hindu Festivals
3.4 Contemporary Issues
 Bibliography

4. Buddhism

4.1 Overview
4.2 History:
4.3 Beliefs, Schools of Buddhism, and Practices
 TEACHINGS OF THE BUDDHA
Four Noble Truths
Characteristics of Existence
Dependent Origination
Triple Gem
Pali Canon
Nirvana
 BRANCHES OF BUDDHISM
Theravada
Mahayana
Vajrayana
Additional Sects
 SOCIALLY ENGAGED BUDDHISM
 SACRED PRACTICES
Tak Bat
Meditation
Offerings and Prostration
Relics
Festivals
4.4 Contemporary Issues
 Bibliography

5. Sikhism
5.1 Overview
5.2 History:
 LIFE OF GURU NANAK
 THE SUCCESSION OF GURUS
5.3 Beliefs, Practices and Texts
 SACRED TEXTS
 CENTRAL BELIEFS OF SIKHISM
 SACRED PRACTICES OF SIKHISM
5.4 Contemporary Issues
 Bibliography

6. Chinese Religions and Philosophies
6.1 Overview
6.2 Daoism:
6.2.1 History
6.2.2 Beliefs and Practices
6.3 Confucianism
6.3.1 History
6.3.2 Beliefs and Practices
6.4 Contemporary Issues/Context - Chinese Religions and Philosophies
 Bibliography

7. Zoroastrianism
7.1 Overview
7.2 History:
7.3 Beliefs and Practices
 CENTRAL BELIEFS
 SACRED TEXTS
 RITUALS AND FESTIVALS
7.4 Contemporary Issues
 Bibliography

8. Judaism
8.1 Overview
8.2 History:
8.3 Beliefs and Practices
 SACRED TEXTS
 CENTRAL CONCEPTS IN JUDAISM
BRANCHES OF JUDAISM
 OTHER MOVEMENTS WITHIN JUDAISM
 JEWISH SYMBOLS
 RITUALS AND SACRED PRACTICES
Kosher
Sabbath Practices
Rites of Passage
Festivals
8.4 Contemporary Issues/Context
 Bibliography

9. Christianity
9.1 Overview
9.2 History:
9.3 Beliefs and Practices
 THE CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURES
 CENTRAL TEACHINGS OF CHRISTIANITY
 SACRED PRACTICES
Monasticism
Sacraments
Liturgical Year
Devotional Practices
Pilgrimage
Music
 CHRISTIAN SYMBOLS
9.4 Contemporary Issues/Context
 Bibliography

10. Islam
10.1 Overview
10.2 History:
10.3 Beliefs and Practices
 SCRIPTURE AND TRADITION IN ISLAM
 CENTRAL TEACHINGS OF ISLAM
 FORMS OF ISLAM
Sunni-Shi’a Split
Sufism
Wahhabism and Salafi Islam
 SACRED PRACTICES OF ISLAM
Five Pillars of Islam
Communal Worship
Dietary Restrictions
Hijab
Jihad
Dating and Marriage
Death and Burial
Banking and Finances
 ISLAM AND WOMEN
Islamic Feminism
10.4 Contemporary Issues/Context
 Bibliography

11. Modern Movements
11.1 Overview
11.2 The Basics:
11.3 Examples
11.4 Things to Consider

12. Religion in the Public Sphere
12.1 Overview
12.1 Examples:
12.3 Organizations
12.4 Things to Consider
12.5 Conclusion
Bibliography