This summer, a special section of “Religions of the West” will be held at the State Correctional Institution, Fayette, PA, where Pitt students and incarcerated students will take the course together, following the Inside-Out pedagogy model (http://www.insideoutcenter.org/about-inside-out.html). Inside-Out has been in existence for twenty years, and over 100 universities across the nation have participated.
RELGST 0105: Religions of the West
Dr. Joel Brady
Summer 1 (May 13-June 22)
Tuesday + Thursday 6—9:15pm (plus transportation time)
Location: State Correctional Institute, Fayette, PA
This course is a historical introduction to the religious traditions that developed in ancient Near East and the Mediterranean. Our major emphasis is on the history of the religious traditions that emerged in late antiquity in this area and which continue to be major world religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. We focus on key concepts, historical developments, and contemporary issues. Throughout the course, we also examine interactions among these religious traditions. In the last part of the course we examine the issue of globalization and the spread of these religions around the world as well as the presence of "non-Western" religion in the "West." The course also serves as an introduction to the academic study of religion and provides a foundation for further coursework in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. No prior knowledge of any of the religions studied is expected or assumed.
Class meetings will be run primarily through discussion and lecture. There will be short weekly writing assignments and two exams. Near-100% attendance is expected. Because of the nature of the course, permission of instructor is required. If you have questions or would like permission to enroll, please contact Joel Brady as soon as possible: jcb33@pitt.edu.
Please note that since about 10 of the 12 class meetings will be held at the prison, which is about one hour away from Pitt, you will need to block out Tuesdays and Thursdays from approximately 4pm to 10:30 pm. Transportation will be provided.