RELI 211: Introduction to Religions of the "West"

RELI 211-001: Religions of the West
(Fall 2026)

10:30 AM to 11:45 AM MW

Buchanan Hall D023

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Section Information for Fall 2026

Description of Course and Course Learning Outcomes:
Focuses on Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and other global and local religions of Europe, Asia Minor, North Africa, and the Americas from historical, comparative, and cross-cultural perspectives. May include modern developments of religions like Mormonism, Baha'ism, and Scientology as well as other religions of ancient Asia Minor like Zoroastrianism.
There are no pre-requisites or co-requisites for this course.
Global Contexts Learning Outcomes
Upon completing a Global Contexts course, students will be able to:
1.
Identify and explain how patterns of global connections across nations and/or cultures have shaped societies to create interdependence and inequality. (Global Contexts Research Paper)
2.
Use a disciplinary lens to demonstrate knowledge of how at least one nation and/or culture participates in or is affected by global contexts. (Global Contexts Research Paper)
3.
Apply an understanding of one’s own positionality within a globally interdependent and unequal world to analyze solutions to global problems. (Global Contexts Research Paper)
Just Societies Flag Learning Outcomes
Courses with a Just Societies flag must meet both of these outcomes, in addition to other required course outcomes related to the primary Mason Core Exploration category. Upon completing a Just Societies course, students will be able to:
1.
a) Define key terms related to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion as related to this course’s field/discipline (Just Societies Discussion Board #1)
2.
b) Use those terms to engage meaningfully with peers about course issues (Just Societies Discussion Board #1)
3.
c) Articulate obstacles to justice and equity, and strategies for addressing them, in response to local, national, and/or global issues in the field/discipline. (Just Societies Discussion Board #2)

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Course Information from the University Catalog

Credits: 3

Focuses on Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and other global and local religions of Europe, Asia Minor, north Africa, and the Americas from historical, comparative, and cross-cultural perspectives. May include modern developments of religions like Mormonism, Baha'ism, and Scientology as well as other religions of ancient Asia Minor like Zoroastrianism. Offered by Religious Studies. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Global Contexts, Global Understanding, Just Societies
Specialized Designation: Non-Western Culture
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes.