Assignment: Introduction to Religious Studies
1) Author a research paper on one of the goddesses or gods from the Hindu tradition. A strong paper will include a historical overview of the god/goddess in question, the powers/attributes/symbols associated with the deity, their evolutionary development, if any, and the rituals/forms of worship associated with the goddess/god. Food for thought: Is there a difference between the way the goddess/god is described in the Vedas and in the later writings, such as in the Mahabharata? What does the act of puja, or personal devotion to statues of the deity, mean and why do people do it?
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2) Author a research paper on one of the three major sects of Buddhism (i.e., Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana). A strong paper will include an historical overview on the sect in question, a discussion on their major beliefs and practices, and an occasional comparison with the beliefs and teachings of another Buddhist sect for the sake of emphasizing the uniqueness of the group you are writing on. Food for thought: Nirvana can mean "nothingness" or it can mean "the cessation of accumulating karma" - which of these interpretations make more sense to you and why? Some Buddhists, and non-Buddhists, refer to the Theravada sect as "Hinayana" or the "lesser vehicle," why?
OR
3) Author a research paper on violence in religion. A strong paper will focus on one religious tradition and one event, such as a 9/11, or a larger movement within a single religious tradition, such as the Spanish Inquisition or the Conquest of Canaan (Book of Joshua). Whichever event or movement you choose to discuss, you will be expected to include a brief historical overview of the event/movement in question, a discussion on the theological rationale for the event/movement, and a personal reflection on the legitimacy of the event/movement and arguments for its justification. Food for thought: What constitutes religious violence? Is religious violence different than secular violence? Can religious violence be justified?