REL 371 World Religions

An introduction to major world religions including Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and others. Each religion will be studied within its historical context and attention will be given to central concerns of each religion. 

Credits

3

Offered

Every two years

Student Learning Outcomes

1. 1. To understand the following details about key religions: Origins and development
2. 10. To learn how to appreciate different religious traditions: Help to enrich understanding of one’s own religion
3. 11. Learn how to have meaningful dialogue with those of other faiths
4. 12. Learn method of study of religion which is objective and non-polemical
5. 13. Learn how to empathize with concerns of other religions
6. 14. To learn how to read religious scriptures and interact with their central concerns: To learn about the nature of religious literature and its origins
7. 15. To learn methods for the study of such literature
8. 16. To learn religious views about scriptures
9. 17. To learn how believers understand and apply scriptures
10. 2. To understand the following details about key religions: Key names, concepts, and dates
11. 3. To understand the following details about key religions: Key figures and their views
12. 4. To understand the following details about key religions: Geographic origins and distribution
13. 5. To understand the following details about key religions: Various contexts that shape religion: social, geographical, historical, etc.
14. 6. To understand the nature of religion as a part of human experience: To see what religions say about reality, nature, society and self
15. 7. To see how religions, respond to our most basic needs and give answers to our most pressing questions
16. 8. To gain awareness of the widespread and diverse religious experiences of humans around the world and throughout history
17. 9. To be able to identify and compare common dimensions, patterns, and themes shared by various religious traditions