REL 101 - Survey of World Religions

Credits: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 0
Practicum Hours: 0
Work Experience: 0
Course Type: Core

1. Examine the introductory concepts relevant to a study of world religions 

   1. Identify working definitions of “religion.”

   2. List the contributions of religion - both negative and positive - to society.

   3. Describe basic common features of religions in general, such as mythology, ethics, and the search for meaning.

   4. Distinguish the mythic from empirical accounts of the origin, history, and contemporary practice of religions.

   5. Distinguish between the more universal themes of a religion versus more specific institutional practices.

   6. Identify different kinds of study of religion: historical, sociological, theological, philosophical, etc.

2. Investigate the major features of Judaism 

   1. Outline the Jewish account of the history of the Jewish people.

   2. Describe major religious texts of Judaism such as the Hebrew Bible and Talmud.

   3. Relate some of the major stories in the Book of Genesis, such as the creation myths, the story of Abraham and his family, and the story of Moses.

   4. Discuss the Jewish concept of covenant and of the Jews as a Chosen People, with emphasis on the Mosaic covenant.

   5. Discuss the Jewish concept of justice as advocated by the progression of Jewish prophets.

   6. Describe the Jewish understanding of suffering and how it has evolved through the Hebrew Bible, the Middle Ages, and the Holocaust.

   7. Discuss the role of post-biblical thinkers such as Rashi and Maimonides.

   8. Identify the difference between secular Jew and observing Jew.

   9. Discuss the four main branches of contemporary Judaism.

3. Examine the major features of Christianity 

   1. Outline the major events in the life of Jesus, such as his birth, defiance at the temple, Judas’ betrayal, the Passion, and Resurrection.

   2. Discuss the nature and significance of the resurrection of Jesus.

   3. Relate some of the theological and moral teachings of Jesus as presented in the Gospels.

   4. Describe the diversity of early Christianity, and the development of Christianity after Constantine.

   5. Explain the Christian theological concepts of incarnation, sin, atonement, and the Trinity.

   6. Identify the major divisions of Christianity: Roman Catholicism, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and Protestantism.

4. Investigate the major features of Islam 

   1. Outline the major events of the life of Prophet Muhammad, such as the recitation of the Quran, exile to Medina, smashing of the idols in Mecca, establishment of the caliphate, and the controversy about Ali, the fourth caliph.

   2. Describe the origins of Islam including its connections to the other Abrahamic faiths.

   3. Relate the sacred scripture of the Quran in comparison and contrast to the Hebrew Bible and New Testament.

   4. Discuss the Islamic concept of God or Allah.

   5. Discuss the Islamic account of the Day of Judgment.

   6. Outline the Five Pillars of Islam.

   7. Describe characteristics of  Sunni, Shi’a, and Sufi Muslims.

   8. Discuss similarities and differences between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, such as with the concept of God, the role of prophets, or understandings of holy texts.

5. Relate the major features of Hinduism 

   1. Explain the historical development of the pre-Vedic tradition, such as the discoveries of the Indus Valley Civilization at Harappa.

   2. Explicate Vedic notions of polytheism in relation to the natural world and to notions of the divine.

   3. Outline key concepts in Indian thought such as karma, dharma, avatar, reincarnation, moksha, raja yoga, caste, Atman and Brahman.

   4. Discuss the philosophy of Vedanta and the transition from Brahmanical Hinduism to Bhakti Hinduism.

   5. Describe the different paths of yoga such as bhakti, raja, jnana, hatha, and karma as pathways to God. 

   6. Identify the eight branches of raja yoga.

   7. Describe the four stages of human existence according to Brahmanic Hinduism.

   8. Describe the four castes of life.

   9. Describe  basic scriptures, such as the Bhagavad-Gita and the Upanishads.  

6. Examine the major features of Buddhism 

   1. Outline the major events of the Buddha’s life, such as his birth, enlightenment, teaching career, and death.

   2. Discuss the similarities and differences between Buddhism and Hinduism.

   3. Explain the four noble truths and eight-fold path.

   4. Examine foundational concepts including bodhisattva, arhant, dharma, dukkha, samsara, sutra, and impermanence. Compare Nirvana with the concept  of God within the monotheistic religions. .

   5. Discuss the Buddhist doctrine of anatta or no self.

   6. Outline the major similarities and differences between the two main historical branches of Buddhism: Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism.

   7. Relate the basic features of Zen Buddhism including the training techniques of zazen, koan, and sanzen, and the Zen religious experience of Satori.

7. Investigate many of the major features of Confucianism 

   1. Outline the main events of the life of Confucius

   2. Describe the regional turmoil of China in Confucius’ time.

   3. Discuss central concepts to Confucius, such as tien (Heaven), tao (Way), tien ming (Way of Heaven), te (virtue),  ren (benevolence), li (ritual), and shu (self-reflection in one’s duties to others).

   4. Discuss the de-emphasis of the supernatural within Confucianism

   5. Analyze the extent to which Confucianism is an ethics or a religion (or both).

   6. Identify the major Confucian text called the Analects.

   7. Discuss the historical impact of Confucianism within China and elsewhere over the past 2,500 years.

8. Examine some of the major features of Sikhism.

   1. Outline the story of Guru Nanak.

   2. Discuss the formation and content of the Adi Granth.

   3. Compare and contrast Hinduism, Islam, and Sikhism.

   4. Discuss the teachings of Guru Gobind Singh such as the “5 K’s.”

   5. Identify terms unique to Sikhism such as guru, gurdwara, langar, Khalsa, and Mukti.

9. Evaluate contemporary issues in religions

   1. Discuss religious responses to contemporary issues such as climate change, abortion, pre-marital sex, the gap between the rich and poor, and other contemporary issues.

   2. Discuss models for understanding diversity in religious systems, such as inclusivity, exclusivity, pluralism, and universalism.

   3. Illustrate the influence of feminist thinkers of religion in modern society.

   4. Discuss the roots of modern day anti-semitism.

   5. Discuss religious and/or political views towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

   6. Summarize modern movements within Christianity such as liberation theology.

   7. Discuss the concept of Islamophobia, its origins, spread, and consequences in United States.

   8. Discuss ways that Hindu thought and practice has been transmitted beyond India in the modern period.

   9. Summarize contemporary contributions of Buddhism to the west,  such as the mindfulness movement.

   10. Assess how the differences between Confucian and liberal democratic thought informs ongoing political, cultural, and social conflicts between traditional Chinese and American societies.

   11. Discuss the effect of 9-11 on Sikhs in the United States.

   12. Illustrate indigenous religions’ adaptations (or struggles to adapt) to modern secular culture.