Human Science Studies: Religion, Politics, Science, and Culture   [Archived Catalog]
2017-2018 Academic Catalog and Student Handbook with Summer Addendum
   

HS 6581 - Human Science Studies: Religion, Politics, Science, and Culture


We will approach this topic from the perspective of cultural/social narratives and how those stories shape our approach to contemporary social problems. We will begin with a brief review of the origins of belief and ritual systems from the perspectives of Anthropology and Sociology through the development of historical and contemporary religious expressions in traditional religions and cults. We will explore a variety of beliefs and rituals associated with a number of World religions, including Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, and others. With this foundation, we will investigate the relationship between these religious perspectives and contemporary political debates on personal morality, social responsibility, the role of science in public policy, international relations, world peace, and other social issues. We will not focus on theological issues, except incidentally as we consider religion in the context of various cultures. 3 credit(s)