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UNIT I: STUDY OF RELIGION

• Religion: Meaning, Definition, Nature, and Scope
• Theories: Origin of Religion
• Study of Religion: Aims and objectives
• Dimensions of Religion: Doctrinal, social, moral code of conduct, devotional praxis
• Religion’s Relationship with other Disciplines: Theology, Ethics, Philosophy, Sociology, Psychology, Culture and Arts

UNIT II: PRE-HISTORICAL RELIGIOUOS FORMS

• Early forms of Religious Expression: Mana, Magic, Fetishes, Shamans, Totem, Taboo, Ancestor worship
• Nature of Holy: Animism, Naturism, Theism, Polytheism, Henotheism, Deism, Monotheism, Pantheism, and Panentheism
• Task and Objectives: Myths, Rituals, Rites of Passage, Sacraments, Prayers, Festivals, Sacrifices
• Religion of the Major Civilizations: Indus Valley, Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Chinese.
• Meaning and Nature: Syncretism, Mysticism, Schism, Sect, etc.
• Zoroastrianism: Beliefs and Practices

UNIT III: MODERN TRENDS IN THE STUDY OF RELIGION

• Approaches to the Study of Religion: Anthropological, Sociological, Phenomenological, Psychological, Historical, and Experiential.
• Challenges to Religion: Atheism, Agnosticism, Existentialism, Humanism, Marxism, Rationalism, Materialism, Secularism, Relativism, Globalization, Clash Civilizations.
• Modern Trends in the Study of Religion: Holistic or all-inclusive approach, interfaith understanding and dialogue, co-existence, human rights, empowerment of the Subaltern or social justice, gender equality, ecology and environment, world peace and harmony.
• Religious Authority: Tradition, magician, diviner, scripture, seer, saint, reformer, founder, prophet

UNIT IV: HINDUISM

• Nature of Vedic Religion and Culture
• Vedic Literature – Samhita-s, Aranyak-s, Upanisad-s
• Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Shaktism, Tantraism, etc.
• Six Systems of Hindu Philosophy – Sankhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Mimamsa, and Vedanta
• Epics (Ramayana, Mahabharata) and Purana-s
• Bhakti and Reform Movements of the Medieval Period
• Modern Reform Movements (Brahmosamaja, Aryasamaja, Ramakrishna Mission, etc.)

UNIT V: JAINISM

• Sramana Culture and Tirthankara Tradition (Rsabhadeva to Mahavira)
• Main Sects of Jainism – Digambara and Svethambara
• Prakrit Agama Literature and Prominent Acaryas
• Basic Doctrines, Principles and Philosophy
• Contribution to Arts and Arhitecture
• Social Aspects of Jainism
• Contemporary Developments of Jainism
• Jain Pilgrimage and Jain Festivals

UNIT VI: BUDDHISM

• Background, Life and Teaching of Gautama Buddha
• Pali Tipitaka Literature and Mahayana Sutra-s
• Main Sects – Hinayana, Mahayana, etc.
• Basic Doctrines, Principles and Philosophy
• Contribution to Arts and Architecture
• Expansion of Buddhism Outside India
• Social Aspects and Revival of Buddhism

UNIT VII: JUDAISM

• Origin and Development: Creation, the Call of Abraham, the Call of Moses, the Exodus, the Covenant on Mount Sinai
• Hebrew Scripture: Pentateuch (Torah), Prophets (Nibium), Writings (Ketubium)
• Jewish Beliefs: Ten Commandments, Talmud, Midrash, Passover, Messiah, etc.
• Jewish Celebration: Sabbath, Synagogue Assembly, Passover, Feast of Weeks, Feast of Tabernacles
• Jewish Ethics: Covenant consciousness, Mosaic Laws, Jubilee stipulations, marriage and family
• Importance of Jerusalem
• Major Denomination of Judaism

UNIT VIII: CHRISTIANITY

• The Life and Message of Jesus Christ
• The beginning of Christianity and the Sermon on the Mount
• Old Testament and New Testament Scriptures
• Main Christian Churches (Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant)
• Important Beliefs and Teachings of Christianity
• Christian Life: Worship, Rituals, and Mysticism
• History of Christianity in India
• Contemporary Trends in Christian Theology

UNIT IX: ISLAM

• The social, religious condition of Arabia before the advent of Islam
• Life of the Prophet Mohammad and the basic teachings of the Quran, the establishment of the Islamic community and the Madina state.
• Introduction of Hadith and Fiqh and some important Muhaddith (Imam Bukhari, Imam Muslim) and Faqi (Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Shafi, Imam Malki Imam Hanbal)
• Some important Muslim thinkers: Ali ibn e Hazam, Abu Hamid al-Ghazali, ibn-e-Taimiyah and Shah Waliullah
• Development of Sufism, some important Sufi order’s (Chishtiyah, Qadriayah, Suharwardiyah, Naqsbandiyah, and their impact on society
• Challenges of modernity and the reform movements among Muslim in India
• Origin and development of sects: ithna Ashari, Mutazilites and Asharits
• The contribution of Medieval Islam to Rational sciences, philosophy and fine arts.

UNIT X: SIKHISM

• Socio-religious milieu and life and mission of Guru Nanak
• Development of the Sikh Panth (1539-1708)
• The Sikh Scripture (Sri Guru Granth Sahib) and the Sikh Literature
• The Sikh beliefs and the code of conduct
• The Sikh institutions, ceremonies and festivals
• The Sikh sects and Modern socio-religious movements
• The Sikh diaspora and Modern Issues