Corey Stephan, Ph.D.

Last updated on April 10, 2026.

Introduction to world religions and religious studies in our innately human quest for truth

University of Houston, Houston, Texas
Instructor of Record
Fall 2025

Core Materials

• GitHub Folder
  • Students and colleagues are welcome to make pull requests for all course materials in GitHub, including syllabi.
• Syllabus
  • Fall 2025

Dr. Stephan’s Lectures

Odysee Video Lecture Playlist (Full)

• Students may elect to download the Odysee desktop or mobile application from lbry.com and/or to subscribe to my channel.

Start: Survey and Class Information

• Welcome to Introduction to Religious Studies (RELS 1301) with Dr. Corey Stephan
• Introduction to Religious Studies (RELS 1301) Syllabus and Class Bones (Fall 2025)

1 – What is Religion? What is Religious Studies? Why do we study Religion?

• What is Religion? Why study Religion? Dr. Stephan’s Study Guide and Big Ideas (Module 1)

2 – Abrahamic Monotheisms (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam)

• Abrahamic Monotheisms – Dr. Stephan’s Study Guide and Big Ideas (Module 2)

3 – Judaism

• Judaism – Dr. Stephan’s Study Guide and Big Ideas (RELS 1301 – Module 3)

4 – Christianity

• Christianity – Dr. Stephan’s Study Guide and Big Ideas (RELS 1301 – Module 4)

5 – Islam

• Islam – Dr. Stephan’s Study Guide and Big Ideas (RELS 1301 – Module 5)

6 – Abrahamic Field Trip (to Synagogue or Church/Parish or Mosque)

• How should I do the Abrahamic Worship/Event Field Trip? Dr. Stephan’s Guide and Big Ideas (RELS 1301 – Module 6)

7 – Asian Traditions (Hinduism, Sikhism, Taoism, and Buddhism)

• Asian Religions – Dr. Stephan’s Study Guide and Big Ideas (RELS 1301 – Module 7)

8 – Hinduism

• Hinduism – Dr. Stephan’s Study Guide and Big Ideas (RELS 1301 – Module 8)

9 – Sikhism

• Sikhism – Dr. Stephan’s Study Guide and Big Ideas (RELS 1301 – Module 9)

10 – Taoism

• Taoism – Dr. Stephan’s Study Guide and Big Ideas (RELS 1301 – Module 10)

11 – Buddhism

• Buddhism – Dr. Stephan’s Study Guide and Big Ideas (RELS 1301 – Module 11)

12 – Asian Field Trip (to Hindu, Sikh, Taoist, or Buddhist Temple/Gathering Space)

• How should I do the Asian Worship/Event Field Trip (to a Hindu, Sikh, Taoist, or Buddhist Temple/Gathering Space)? Dr. Stephan’s Guide, Big Ideas, & Q&A (RELS 1301 – Module 12) (Live Class Recording)

13 – Native American Traditions

• Native American Traditions – Dr. Stephan’s Study Guide and Big Ideas (RELS 1301 – Module 13)

14 – Religion and the Human Quest for Truth

• Religion and the Human Quest for Truth – Dr. Stephan’s Study Guide and Big Ideas (RELS 1301 – Module 14)

Finish: Survey and Explorations