REL 3313 - Ritual Sacrifice

Credits: 4
Sacrifice is one of the most widespread, important, and probably also one of the oldest rituals in human history. It has provided an important metaphor for other aspects of religious life in, for example, Buddhism, Christianity, and Hinduism. It has also provided opportunities for many theorists of religion to develop their most distinctive ideas. This course examines examples of ritual sacrifice, the ways in which the idea
of sacrifice patterns other religious behavior, and some of the most important theories, classical and contemporary, that have been developed to explain it. It culminates with students formulating and sharing their own ideas about sacrifice.
McDaniel Plan: International; Social, Cultural & Historical Understanding; Departmental Writing Requirement for Religious Studies