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Liberal Study
Upper Level
Credits: 6
Term(s) Offered (Subject to Change) : Jan. May.
Study comparative religions throughout the world. Read from sacred texts and other sources for a variety of religious traditions. Learn how those traditions view rite and ritual; the human condition; the contrast between sacred and profane; the origin of existence; the relationship of good and evil; and the role of doctrine, creed and dogma. In addition to studying core readings dealing with methodology and early forms of religious belief and practice, choose to cover in greater depth at least one of the three Abrahamic traditions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam); one tradition from the Eastern world (Hinduism and Buddhism); one tradition from the Far Eastern world (the Chinese or the Japanese traditions) and your choice of any two additional traditions from among these seven. The study ends with a final reflective essay.
Prerequisite: prior academic study in religion, philosophy, or world history. Critical reading and analytical writing ability ordinarily attained after at least 2 years of academic study is expected.
Option: This course is also available as 4 or 8 credits. Number of religions to be studied varies according to number of credits.
May 2005 is the last term that Religious Thought in World Perspective will be offered as a 4, 6, or 8 credit course. Subsequently, a new 4-credit (only) course at the advanced-level, covering much of the same material from an issue-centered perspective, will take its place.
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Course Outline:
PURPOSE: This study introduced the student to the methodologies of study of comparative religions from throughout the world.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Following an introduction, the student explored three or more religions. For the introduction, all students read Interpreting the Sacred (Beacon Pr.) by William Paden and The World's Wisdom (HarperCollins) ed. by Philip Novak as the basic texts. In addition, one book per religion was read, as follows: for a four (4) credit course the student selected one of the monotheistic religions (Judaism, Islam, Christianity) and two others including at least one Eastern. For additional credits the student selected three additional religions for each two credit increase. Students who registered for 8 credits studied all the religions listed. Each unit of study had a written assignment and students engaged in online discussions about the introductory readings, and all specific religions studied. Books assigned by religion included:
Christianity, An Introduction, Carmody and Carmody (Wadsworth)
A Short History of Judaism, Three Meals, Three Epochs, J. Neusner(Augsburg Fort. Pr.)
An Introduction to Islam, David Waines (Cambridge U. Pr.)
The Hindu Religious Tradition, Thomas Hopkins (Wadsworth)
On Understanding Japanese Religion,J. Kitagawa (Princeton U. Pr.)
An Introduction to Buddhism, P. Harvey (Cambridge U. Pr.)
Chinese Religion, Lawrence G. Thompson (Wadsworth)
African Religions and Philosophy, John Mbiti (Heinemann)
Native America Religions, San Gill (Wadsworth)
METHOD AND CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION: The criteria and methods used to evaluate the student were based on student responses to the questions and/ or project assigned for each section, as well as online discussions. The final evaluation was based on the combination of the student's written responses to the questions, telephone conversations, online discussion participation, and the final paper. In evaluating the student's work, the tutor looked for evidence of thoroughness and advanced-level comprehension of the concepts, questions and issues addressed in the course. Additionally, the student was expected to read all the materials and prepare the written assignments in a manner that reflected the student's own views--rather than providing descriptive reactions to the material. The course required, as well, satisfactory academic writing skills, including proper documentation.
