Rather than treat "religion" or "world religions" as obviously existing things in the world, this class asks questions how religions are REPRESENTED (aka, talked about and thought about) and why/to what social ends. We will ask questions like What is a “religion of the world” and who gets to decide? What are the social consequences of who is in or out, and what are the consequences of thinking about cultures in this way? What about the internal diversity within traditions: which version makes it into textbooks? Religions of the World provides a critical introduction to the various practices and ideas that people identify with religions around the world, emphasizing the way we think and talk about specific religions and the interests and assumptions of those who contribute to it.