World Religions

Note to RSISS reader: This course is currently offered at the sophomore level. Given current curriculum adjustments, it likely will be offered only at the senior level by the fall of 2009. Given the difficulty level of the course, as you will notice I have decided to begin discussion with the traditions popular in the West. I find, though an odd approach, the majority of students are familiar with these traditions and discussing them first enables me to familiarize them with religious concepts, after which I can draw them into those faiths they are less familiar with and tend to find difficult, namely Hinduism and Buddhism.

Course Syllabus

Description

Prerequisite: None.
This course provides an historical, critical, and comparative study of the world's major expressions of religious experience, namely Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Additional topics may include contemporary religious issues, other religions of the world, and approaches to religious plurality. The nature of the course is academic and non-confessional.

Required Reading:
Ludwig, T. M. The Sacred Paths: Understanding the Religions of the World. 3^rd ed. Upper Saddle River: Prentice-Hall, 2001

Objectives and Methodology:
The principal objective of this course is to provide a comparative survey of today's major world religions. In order to facilitate this objective, contemporary beliefs and rituals, as well as key historical developments, personalities, texts, and theological/philosophical themes respecting each faith will be explored and discussed.

Website:
See: Religions of the World, 9^th Edition
http://wps.prenhall.com/hss_hopfe_religworld_9/

The above website (which accompanies the textbook by L. Hopfe, Religions of the World. 9^th ed.) will provide relevant information, including short video essays, links, etc.

Class activities will typically comprise the following: (1) lectures; (2) discussions about key texts and themes; (3) quizzes over assigned reading material; (4) one break if needed (five minutes).

Course Credit: 1/3

Contact Information:
Office: 972.239.8011, Ext. 2370

E-mail: schepey@parishepiscopal.org

Course Curriculum and Calendar
Feb. 28 Introduction: Course Syllabus; Textbook; Approach and Objectives Introduction to Worldview
Mar. 2 Introduction to Judaism: Nomenclature; Introduction to the Jewish Sacred Text; Key Biblical Themes and Personalities
Mar. 6 Judaism in the Classical Era; Key Biblical Themes and Personalities, Cont.
Mar. 8 The Main Branches of Judaism; Synagogue and Rituals; Summary of the Jewish Worldview
Mar. 10 Test
Mar. 21 Introduction to Christianity: Nomenclature; The Christian Sacred Text
Mar. 23 The Gospels and the Historical Jesus
Mar. 27 Key New Testament Themes and Personalities
Mar. 31 The Early Church; When and Why did Christianity and Judaism Separate?
Apr. 4 The Protestant Reformation
Apr. 6 The Main Branches of the Church; Church and Rituals; Summary of the Christian Worldview
Apr. 10 Test
Apr. 12 Introduction to Islam: Nomenclature; The Muslim Sacred Text
Apr. 18 The Life of Muhammad; The Black Stone
Apr. 20 Varieties of Islam; Mosque and Rituals; Summary of the Muslim Worldview
Apr. 24 Test
Apr. 26 Introduction to Hinduism: Nomenclature; Hindu Sacred Texts
Apr. 28 Classical Hinduism and the Caste System
May 2 The Two Paths
May 4 Summary of the Hindu Worldview
May 8 Test
May 10 Introduction to Buddhism: Nomenclature; The Buddhist Sacred Text;
May 12 The Life of Siddhartha
May 17 Buddhism in Context; The Four Noble Truths
May 19 Varieties of Buddhism
May 23 Summary of the Buddhist Worldview
May 25 Test