Wilfrid Laurier University

RE 207

Wilfrid Laurier University
Department of Religion and Culture
RE 207OC: Studying Religion
Spring, 2021
Please ensure you read the caution against misconduct/cheating (pp. 4-5)
1. Instructor: Alex Damm
(519) 884-0710, ext. 4341
[email protected]
Office hours: Please do write and say hello, any time, if we might clarify anything.
2. Introduction to the course:
RE207 introduces us to the academic study of religion, a study that has emerged over the last
century to become a major means for understanding human behaviour. Our focus will be on the
theories (the claims about allegedly all religions), the methods and the topics which define religious
studies. These lines of inquiry form the basis for all research and writing in the study of religion. We
need to be aware of these in order to do our best work.
Frequently, we shall discuss the term religion in the abstract; to concretize our discussion we
shall also discuss religions, the phenomena to which we apply theory and method in the search for
understanding. This term we’ll give special attention to the religious life of India, illustrating our
theories, methods and topics using India’s religious landscape, which includes religions as diverse as
Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity and Sikhism. India is a fascinating country in its own right, and it
provides an excellent illustration or laboratory for the study of religion today.
While it teaches us about religious studies, this course also aims to teach us skills for the
scholarly study of religion (or most any discipline). These skills include research and reading, analysis,
and communication. Weekly discussion responses and a set of reports (a.k.a., “practice, practice,
practice”), will help us to sharpen these skills.
On a personal note, I very much look forward to learning both with and from you. Your years of
experience, travel and reflection will bring much to our discussions. I hope that you will feel comfortable
sharing your reflections in class, and speaking with me whenever I migh