UNIT 1:  Religion--An Introduction

   WEEK OF JAN 7

       Introduction to course.  What is
           religion?  Why study it?  Approaches
           to studying religion.

       READ: Livingston, 3-22
 

UNIT 2:  Useful Background

     WEEKS OF JAN 14, 21, and 28

         Religious history in a nutshell.The shift from a
            classicist to a scientific culture: evolution, chaos,
            quantum theory.  Changing worldviews.  Methods
            and disciplines for religious analysis.  Theology and
            religion.  Analytical categories.

               READ:  Livingston, 23-50, 401-404;  Smart, 1-32
 

UNIT 3:  The Holy

  WEEK OF FEB 4

             The idea of the Holy.  What is God?  Do we create
                God?  Body, mind, and soul.  The nature of God.

               READ:  Livingston, 53-72; 191-222
 

UNIT 4:  Religious Experience

  WEEK OF FEB 11

        What is a religious experience?  Religion and psychology.
               Numinous and mystical experiences.  Shamanism vs.
               priesthood.

                READ:  Smart, 55-70
 

UNIT 5:  Symbol

     WEEK OF FEB 18

        Sign, signal, symbol.  Presentational and repre-
              sentational symbols.  Characteristics and functions
              of symbols.  Master images.  Symbol and myth.

              READ:  Livingston, 73-86
 
 

UNIT 6:  Myth

  WEEKS OF FEB 25

          What is myth?  Is it true or false?  Metaphor and
              poetry.  Characteristics and functions of myth.

                READ:   Smart, 71-86
 

UNIT 7:  Narrative and text

  WEEK OF MAR 4

        Oral tradition. Codification of myth.  Sacred texts.
              Development of the bible.

             READ:  Livingston, 124-158
                                 Bible, Gen. 1-2;  Matthew 1-2; Luke 1-2
                                 Read any passage from the Koran, the Book
                                 of Mormon, the Upanishads or Gitas, or other
                                 non-biblical sacred text.  Be prepared to
                                 discuss your passage and its source in class.

UNIT 8:  Ritual

  WEEK OF MAR 11

       What is ritual?  Modes of ritual.  Erikson's stages of
              ritual development.  Characteristics and functions of
              ritual.  Corporate vs. private.  Rites of passage.  Myth
              and ritual.  Civic ritual.

             READ:   Livingston, 97-123
                                  Smart, 118-130
 

UNIT 9:  Ethics

  WEEK OF MAR 18

   Ethical systems in religions.  Ethical decision-
   making.  Kohlberg and moral development.
         Social and moral issues.

            READ:  Smart, 104-117
                            Livingston, 275-303; 304-337

UNIT 10:     Religion and Society

     WEEK OF MAR 25

            The interaction of religion and society. Church and
            state.  Functional view of religion.  Types of religious community.
            Sects and cults.  The institutional curve. Doctrines and dogmas.

            READ:  Smart, 33-54; 131-162
                                Livingston, 159-188
 

UNIT 11: Project Reports
   WEEKS OF APR 1, 8 and 15