Many of us can attest to Islam’s prominence in the media, especially post 9/11. However, I wasn’t convinced about how the religion was being depicted and instead, decided to take matters into my own hands. 

During my second year of undergrad I decided to enroll in an Intro to Islam class. It was then that I learned the five pillars of Islam and gained a better understanding of the religion, one that is quite different than the version the media had often portrayed. http://www.journalism.org/files/legacy/PEJ-2010 Religion in the news-webPDF.pdf

I realized that the media and people who lacked the basic knowledge of Islam had misguided me. My intro class gave me the unique ability to read and better understand stories that dealt with Islam and American Muslims.

Learning about the major world religions, even if just the basics, is important for students as they prepare to leave their college campus and enter a work force filled with people of different beliefs. 

A basic knowledge of different religions will ensure that students aren’t being misled by stereotypes or generalizations and will allow them to participate in the on-going conversations of religion within our national and international political structure. 

Our university, like many others, has general education requirements ­­­– but often times, these gen-ed requirements lack anything specifically focused on religion. Such is the case here. 

A minimal understanding of the major world religions is critical for students living on a big campus and for those preparing to graduate and enter the diverse work force. By having a world religions course as a requirement, students will be able to connect with the diverse population in the United States and abroad.

Jessica Vantine-Birkenholtz, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Religion, says, “Having knowledge of other religious traditions, practices and worldviews will foster greater sensitivity and understanding among students for their peers and future coworkers no matter what discipline or career they are in.” 

An engineering student could join a company headed by a Sikh; a communications major could have a Buddhist editor. The knowledge given in an intro to religions course has an impact, not just after graduation but also while students are on campus.

For example, many UI students join the Indian Student Association in the spring for the celebration of Holi. The celebration on campus is joyful, but many participate without knowing the importance or history of Holi. 

Students should know the meaning behind the celebration and the significance of the colorful powder before they partake in a cultural festivity.

Furthermore, they should know why this celebration is important to Hindu students on campus. An intro course on world religions for college students would benefit us and allow us to interact with a larger population of students on campus.

In 2010, The Pew Research Center released a survey that tested Americans’ knowledge of religions. When asked about Hindu deities such as Shiva and Vishnu, only 38 percent of their participants answered correctly; and when asked about Nirvana and its connection to Buddhism only 36 percent answered correctly. http://www.pewforum.org/2010/09/28/u-s-religious-knowledge-survey-who-knows-what-about-religion/#world-religions

Professor Vantine-Birkenholtz states that, “Having this kind of knowledge breaks down perceived boundaries by eliminating a sense of ‘other’ or ‘foreignness,’ and facilitates dialogue and other forms of constructive communication and community building.” 

Our University’s Muslim Student Association has taken initiative to teach other students about Islam and to promote a dialogue between Muslim students and other students on campus. Students of different religions are reaching out to others in order to promote a dialogue and it can continue to grow and have a greater impact if students have at least the basic knowledge of religions. 

The information an introductory course can give will provide students the ability to formulate educated thoughts and questions about different religions.  

The University of Illinois offers an introductory religious studies course, RLST 110, that satisfies one of the general education requirements, but it is one possible course for students to take among many other choices. 

The world religions course teaches students about Islam, Hinduism, Taoism and many more religions. The course has the ability to dispel misconceptions of religions that students hold prior to the class; it explains the big concepts and defines the important terminology, much of which is utilized by the media.  

Students leave the classrooms with a better understanding and with the ability to converse about these traditions. A world religions course offers just as much as any other general education course: It teaches students to be aware of the sensitivity of religious topics and provides knowledge of the beliefs of the people around them. 

It is dire that students take a class that provides basic knowledge on religion before they graduate. After all, partaking in a course gives us the basic tools to address misconceptions and ignorance that are often expounded by the media. 

Agueda is a senior in LAS.
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