Why Study Religion? -It is a persistent feature of human experience -It is a thriving field of study -It leads in many directions What Is Religion? -Religion and Nature -Religion and Divinity -Religion as Ultimate Concern -Religion and the Sacred -Religion and Meaning -Religion and Profound Experience -Religion as Psychological -Religion and the Social -Religion and Power -Religion and Science Some Misconceptions About Studying Religion You have to be religious to study religion Professors will try to make you become religious when you study religion Studying religion will make you become less religious Studying religion involves a lot of wild speculation and probably leads to muddy thinking Studying religion is impractical Pressing Issues in the Study of Religion Purpose and Meaning A Sense of Belonging A Wide Open Field In The Name of Religion Everywhere We Turn Who We Are, Where We Are Going In The Great Beyond Living and Doing The Spectacle What Will I Study? What different schools have to offer when it comes to studying religion What professors do in specific religion courses, especially introductory courses What it's like to be a religion major Students of religion reflect on their studies Where Can I Go With It? The preperation religious studies offers for a wide variety of jobs and careers Graduate study and teaching careers (in high school and college) Graduate study and careers in religious professions Where Do I Start General Reference Theory and Method Buddhism Chinese Religions (Confucianism and Taoism) Christianity Indian Religions (Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism) Indigenous Traditions and Ancient Religions Islam Japanese Religions (Shintoism) Judaism Religion in America / New Religious Movements Zoroastrianism