Introduction to Religious Traditions I: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

3 units

Judaism, Christianity and Islam are elaborate and dynamic systems of belief and practice. While each of them is a distinct religious tradition, all three share a common cultural background, harbor similar views of the individual, and assume a linear perspective of history. Moreover, the historical trajectories of these three Western monotheisms have been intricately intertwined: Christianity emerged out of Judaism, and Islam took shape largely in a Jewish and Christian context. This course will explore these monotheistic traditions in a comparative perspective with ample attention to questions of historical context and development. Our coverage will be explicitly topical and comparative, and the themes examined will include scripture and interpretive tradition, monotheism, authority, worship and ritual, ethics, material culture as well as religion and political order. Note: This class is open to all interested students and is required for all Religious Studies majors and minors.