New Chapter in UIC Liberal Arts Education: FHSS Professor Initiates First "Anthology of World Religions" in Chinese Academia

Professor Shawn Wang, Head of the CFLC at FHSS, recently introduced the groundbreaking "Anthology of World Religions" to Chinese scholars worldwide. This publication stands as a milestone achievement, backed by the Guangdong Province Philosophy and Social Science Fund and the Guangdong Province Education Department's Educational Reform Fund, underscoring UIC's commitment to superior liberal arts education. A decade of pedagogical dedication and seven years of compilation have yielded the inaugural edition of the "Anthology of World Religions," providing a sweeping vista that spans from ancient wisdom to contemporary insights. Spanning 400 pages with selections from 15 world religions, this anthology offers readers a portal to the diverse landscape of global faiths. The compendium encompasses a vast array of literary forms, from classic treatises to epics, autobiographies, poems, inscriptions, and fables. Significantly, the compilation's editor employed specialized terminology from more than 16 foreign languages, thereby showcasing UIC's global educational ethos through this cross-cultural scholarly accomplishment.

Tracing the Roots and Compiling Wisdom: UIC's General Education Nurtures the Project

As the former director of UIC's General Education Office, Professor Wang maintains that religious literacy is now an essential component of worldwide university curricula. Citing the American scholarly circle, eminent scholars in comparative religion, such as Mircea Eliade and Huston Smith, have been instrumental in the widespread adoption of world religion studies. Eliade's masterpiece, Histoire des croyances et des idees religieuses, not only merges the historical narrative of faiths with the study of religious phenomena but also delves into the core tenets of diverse religions. Conversely, Smith has delivered world religion courses at premier universities and pioneered their adaptation into television program formats. His publication, The World Religions, with sales exceeding two million copies, stands as a testament to its profound influence. From a teaching perspective, both American liberal arts colleges and research universities attach great importance to the study of world religions. This emphasis is mirrored in similar courses offered by Harvard, which highlight the significance of classic readings and literary heritage—a philosophy at the heart of American liberal arts education. Stanford University has also successfully navigated a collaborative approach by offering a "Religions Across the Globe" course featuring expert professors from various faiths.

In contrast, Chinese academia, which often places religious studies within the philosophy domain, has yet to fully embrace such comprehensive courses and is facing a dearth of in-depth "World Religions" courses and translations of essential religious texts. This gap is becoming increasingly apparent with the intensification of global cultural exchanges, reflecting both the challenges and potential for growth in Chinese general education and religious studies.

The genesis of the "Anthology of World Religions" lies in Professor Wang's extensive teaching experience at UIC, enriched by multiple grants supporting the "World Religions" course series. This series covers major global and Eastern religions, and its multidisciplinary nature and primary source material align with UIC's liberal arts philosophy. After 11 years, the pure world religions courses have evolved into interdisciplinary offerings: "Religion and the Arts: Eastern Traditions" and "Religion and the Arts: Western Traditions." These courses integrate the study of religion with the arts and global history, providing students with understanding of the interplay between religious beliefs and cultural expression.

"Anthology of World Religions": A Thoughtful Publication with Broad Resonance

The publication of this anthology marks a significant progress in UIC's undergraduate education, symbolizing the college's dedication to fostering a global perspective in its students and contributing to the advancement of religious studies within China and the international academic community. With China's growing global influence and increased cultural exchanges, the "Anthology of World Religions" is set to have a significant academic and societal impact. It stands as the most comprehensive single-volume anthology in the Chinese academic community, offering a vital resource for promoting multicultural understanding, particularly in the context of China's "Belt and Road" initiative. In sum, the "Anthology of World Religions" not only signifies UIC's liberal arts educational strides but also emphasizes the importance of intercultural dialogue and cooperation in today's interconnected world, paving the way for a more profound exchange and comprehension among the world's diverse cultures and faiths.