Introduction to Religion
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This Introduction to Religion course provides students with a comprehensive overview of cultural religious phenomena in a global world. Commonalities and differences among religious traditions and contexts are analyzed, and various religious traditions and points of view are compared and contrasted. Philosophical formulations, sacred writings, religious experiences, ethics, rituals, and art are also discussed.
Course Objectives
After completing this course, students will be able to:
Analyze the sources, characteristics, and patterns across religions, and explain the approaches and reasons for studying world religions.
Analyze the influences that shaped the history of Judaism such as the Hebrew Bible, other cultures, and historical events and examine Jewish beliefs and practices that have influenced Jewish culture and the world.
Evaluate the birth and spread of Christianity; and its influence on the arts and world cultures; and evaluate the influences and challenges of the modern world and international cultures on Christianity.
Evaluate the beginning and spread of Islam, its basic principles, beliefs, and practices and its contributions and influences on the world, and evaluate the challenges faced by Islam in modern times.
Examine the origins and development of Hinduism; its basic principles; contribution and influences on the world; and evaluate the challenges faced by Hinduism in modern times.
Examine the origins and development of Buddhism; its basic principles; contribution to and influences on the world; and evaluate the challenges faced by Buddhism in modern times.
Contrast the growth and development of Jainism and Sikhism and their influence on the arts; and examine the worldview of these two religions.
Contrast the growth and development of Taoism and Confucianism and their influence on the arts; and examine the challenges faced by these two religions in modern times.
Examine the origins and development of Shinto; its belief system; contribution on the world, and evaluate the factors that have contributed to the existence of Shinto to the present day.
Evaluate the discoveries, study, practices, and contributions of Oral Religions; and examine the significance of artistic expression and the growth of Oral Religions in modern times.
Evaluate the significance of archeological data to the study of Traditional American Religions; and the influence of sacred stories, beliefs, oral traditions, practices, and interactions with other cultures on Native American Spiritualities.
Analyze the influence of environmental factors on the sacred stories and beliefs of the African people; and explain their concept of humanity according to the ancient African viewpoint.
Analyze the influence of environmental factors on the sacred stories and beliefs of the people of Oceania; and explain their concept of humanity according to the traditional religions of Oceania.
Analyze the growth, principles, practices, and characteristics of New Religions; and evaluate the status of the New Religious Movements in the modern world.
