Maricopa Community Colleges

Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval: 6-23-2009
REL280 2009 Fall – 2010 Fall	LEC 3.0 Credit(s) 3.0 Period(s) 3.0 Load Acad
Myth, Symbol, and Ritual
Introduction to the academic study of religion through the study of myths, religious symbols and rituals. Study of major methods and theoretical models used by scholars to study this diverse and complex subject. Investigation of how myths and symbols--projected ideologies--relate to ritual and other practical activities. Prerequisites: None.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies:

REL280 2009 Fall – 2010 Fall	Myth, Symbol, and Ritual

1. Compare and contrast different definitions of religion. (I)

2. Explain various theories regarding the origin of religion. (II)

3. Identify and explain various social scientific approaches to religion. (III)

4. Summarize and interpret how various cultures carve-out and maintain sacred space. (IV, V)

5. Distinguish between significant patterns found in cosmogonic and other myths. (IV)

6. Describe and critique the significant individual and social roles of ritual. (IV, V)

7. Illustrate how religious attitudes and expressions can be found in phenomena that do not, at face value, appear religious. (V)

MCCCD Official Course Outline:

REL280 2009 Fall – 2010 Fall	Myth, Symbol, and Ritual

I. What is Religion? Various Definitions of this Complex Phenomenon.

II. Where Did Religion Come From: Origin Theories

III. Methodological Approaches to the Study of Religion

A. Social, Psychological, Phenomenological, Historical

B. Problem with reductionism

C. More recent materialistic approaches

IV. Case Studies of Non-literate Cultures

A. Cosmogonic and derivative myths

B. Rites of Passage and other ritual expressions

C. Sacred geography

D. The diverse role of symbols

V. Case Studies of Literate Cultures (with literacy of marginal significance)

A. Sacred geography

B. Sacred and profane symbolism

C. Symbolism and spatial orientations

D. Post-modern ritual activities