2020 Fall

HISTORY 20 001 - LEC 001

Introduction to the History of Religion

Ethan H. Shagan

Aug 26, 2020 - Dec 11, 2020

Tu, Th

11:00 am - 12:29 pm

Internet/Online

Class #:31543

Units: 4

Instruction Mode: Remote Instruction
Asynchronous Instruction
Time Conflict Enrollment Allowed

Offered through History

Current Enrollment

Total Open Seats: 0

Enrolled:

Waitlisted:

Capacity:

Waitlist Max:

No Reserved Seats

Hours & Workload

3 hours of instructor presentation of course materials per week, 7 hours of outside work hours per week, and 2 hours of the exchange of opinions or questions on course material per week.

Other classes by Ethan H. Shagan

HISTORY 296 040 040IND

This course introduces students to the history of religion from the earliest written records to the modern world, including the monotheistic traditions of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, the Asian traditions of Buddhism and Hinduism, and much else besides. Along the way, we will consider such topics as: the relationship between myth and religion; the ways religions define their boundaries, both to create community and to exclude outsiders; religion as a tool of imperial power, as well as a weapon of emancipation; secularization; the rise of fundamentalism; and the modern relationship of religion and science.

Class Notes

Lectures will be available asynchronously on bCourses. Discussion sessions will be synchronous on Zoom and attendance at sections once per week is required. In addition, the professor will personally host a one-hour, optional live Zoom class every Thursday at 11am (during our scheduled class time), to answer pre-submitted questions from students, to take live questions, and to hang out and talk about whatever is on your minds about our fascinating subject. The final exam in Fall 2020 will be a take-home essay exam, which you will be able to write over several days rather than in a particular time slot. show less