According to Western Michigan University's Department of Comparative Religion, the study of comparative religion is used to survey and understand the world's past and present religions, as well as raise questions about current and future religious practices.
California State University provides a catalog listing of some of the most common names of comparative religion courses. Per Fullerton.edu, these course titles include Religions of the World, Major Christian Traditions, the Holocaust, Topics in Buddhism and Asian Philosophy.
In addition to introductions and surveys of the world's major religions, college courses in comparative religion focus on how religion impacts other aspects of life (e.g., politics), and how the world's religions have influenced one another in their theories and practices.
According to Cal State Fullerton's website, a degree in comparative religion can be used as training for careers in education and law. Comparative religion students may also earn a master's and doctorate degree in order to teach in universities or conduct independent research.
Colleges and universities that offer comparative religion classes and programs include the California Institute for Human Science, California State University at Fullerton, the University of Washington and the Global College of Long Island University.