Since religion is a complex cultural phenomenon that impacts our lives as both individuals and society, its knowledge becomes crucial for an understanding of the world around us. Religion has always been an important aspect of human society, aiming to answer concerns about the purpose of life and the role of humanity in the cosmos. Many people’s identities are shaped by their religious beliefs, which affect their daily decisions and social interactions.
The course is conceived as a general introduction to the methods and the main themes of the history of religions, conceived as a comparative discipline. Particular attention will be paid to polytheistic, dualistic and monotheistic systems, their ideologies and historical developments with concrete example taken from the main religious traditions from antiquity to the present age. Lectures will include an outline of the main themes and methods in the history of Religions and their scholarly development; origin and development of the term “religion”; so to become acquainted with institutions, ideas and rituals and lived religion.