RTS 1650 - Passages: Rituals and Sacred Texts of the Abrahamic Religions

Credits: 4

An introduction to the study of religion, theology, and interfaith studies, this course is framed by three questions: What is religion? How do religious communities and indivduals come into being and define themselves? How do words and acts, stories and practices, rituals and sacred texts contribute to forming one’s identity? This course explores actions, lived ritual practices, and sacred texts and scriptures of rites of passage that shape one’s identity within communities of the Abrahamic faiths: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The variance and diversity across and within these religions is considered, as well as the historical, social, and cultural contexts. In addition, the course considers the relationship between religions’ enacted beliefs and their integration into and contribution to ethical orientation and values, and examines shared values and commitments across religious traditions.

Fulfills: RTS in LS Core