Religion
The academic study of religion is a challenging and exciting discipline. It seeks to understand different religious traditions in both their historical contexts and their living vitality. Inherently interdisciplinary, Religious Studies seeks to understand and interpret religion as a cultural, historical and psychological phenomenon.
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Building 3 , Room 240
P: 937-512-2844
Staff Listing and Faculty
If we take the world’s enduring religions at their best, we discover the distilled wisdom of the human race. - Huston Smith
What is the study of religion?
Religious Studies investigates both the common ground across religions and the distinctiveness of each tradition, through study of religious literature, myths, rituals, symbolism, ethics, art, community, institutions, philosophy and religious experience. Religious Studies at Sinclair also promotes a sophisticated understanding of an increasingly complex and pluralistic world, along with the attendant issues of the relation between religion and politics; the relation between religion and science; and the relation between religion, peace, and violence.
How is religion studied?
Religious studies shares with many other disciplines the standards and methods of a secular college. It does not rely on one method alone, but draws on historical, literary, and social scientific methods. The main distinction to be made is between being participants of religion and teaching about religion. While the first presupposes a faith commitment to the tradition and ideas studied, the second does not.
Why study religion?
Besides being fascinating in and of itself, there are many other reasons to study religion:
Understanding society and current events: Religion permeates culture and it influences social institutions, values, attitudes, and behavior. Studying religion gives us a tool to analyze and comprehend society.
- Understanding history: Religion has played a critical role in history and one simply cannot understand much of history without understanding the religious dimension. Consider: What would it mean to study American history without understanding the religious impulses of the English Puritans or the ways in which religions responded to social crises like slavery?
- Developing a multicultural and global perspective: There is hardly a better way to broaden one’s horizons than by studying other faith traditions.
- Understanding our neighbors: In an ever more diverse society and increasingly global world, one encounters people of different faiths at work, in restaurants, on the telephone, on buses, in hospitals, and on trips to different countries.
- Understanding religious traditions places us in a position to be better neighbors and better citizens.
- Understanding ourselves: By being exposed to other world views and answers given to human questions, we may come to a deeper understanding of our own answers.
Information:
Available Courses
For course specific information click on the course below:
REL 1111 Eastern Religions
Introduction to Far Eastern religions and cultural traditions, including beliefs, practices, stories and rituals, and historical context.
3 Credit Hours
REL 1112 Western Religions
Introduction to Western religions and cultural traditions, including beliefs, practices, stories, rituals and historical context.
3 Credit Hours
REL 1135 American Religious Movements
Examination of the history of unique American religious movements and their impact on our culture and thought.
3 Credit Hours
REL 2204 Great Books: The Bible & Western Culture
An exploration of how and why the Bible is viewed as a great book. Both the Old and New Testaments will be explored in their respective historical contexts.
3 Credit Hours
REL 2255 People & Religion
Overview of the rich diversity of human religiosity and the key beliefs, practices, stories and rituals that serve to connect humans to the sacred. Special attention to unique individuals within each religious tradition. A comparative look at religion in our society.
3 Credit Hours
REL 2297 Special Topics
Varied content offering of special interest to the discipline but not covered within existing courses; may be scheduled in a classroom/seminar setting or in nontraditional format.
0.5 - 9 Credit Hours
