Introduction to Western Christianity covers some of the major religions of the west that is: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The textbook used is Willard G. Oxtoby's "World Religions: Western Traditions" which provides a pretty comprehensive look into the religious beliefs, practices and culture. The President Emeritus Dr. Richard L. Rubenstein teaches the course on Wednesday nights, once a week from 6:00 to 8:30.
As a World Religions major, it was quite natural for me to choose this introductory course to get a general background for my studies. It also fulfills the Social Science core requirement.
Having taken Dr. Rubenstein's Religions, Peace and Violence (WREL 317) course in the fall of 2001, I was interested in his Introduction to Western Religions course. The teaching style is informative and rich, full of insights not only from a religious perspective but a social, cultural and psychological context as well. Dr. Rubenstein makes religion relevant to understanding history, culture, even politics.
Many students that I take the course with find the course to be very informative as well as challenging, and enjoy the classes. I would recommend this course to anyone, regardless of their major or interests, as it shows one the all-encompassing nature that religion plays in the world, is enjoyable and informative.

Tamami Kawamura
Sophomore
World Religions and Psychology major