HIS 366 Religions of the Ancient World
3 hours
This course will examine religion in the ancient world, showing how the myths, rituals, and sacred laws of ancient societies expressed their world views. Religion has always been an influential factor in society, and students will learn how organized religion developed into a powerful social and political tool. The course will focus primarily on the major religions of the ancient Middle East: Mesopotamia, Egypt, and early Israel and Judah; however, other ancient religions—including Greek and Roman traditions, Hinduism, Buddhism, New World and African traditions—will also be touched on. The course will balance an understanding of the personal and family practices of religion with an understanding of the larger political and social role of religion. Students will complete the course with a research paper demonstrating independent analysis of source documents situated in appropriate scholarship.
Prerequisite
ENG 201 and any 200-level History course