This course provides a general introduction to some of the main
religious traditions of Asia: Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism and
Hinduism. Adopting a primarily historical perspective, we will
examine the practices of these traditions and how their adherents
have understood the nature of the world and their place in it.
Although they may at first seem highly exotic or foreign, we will
make an effort to understand how the ideas and practices of these
traditions make sense to the people who belong to them. As a entry-
level religious studies course, this class also introduces students
to some of the basic approaches and methods used in the contemporary
academic study of religion.