Description:

This course is a comparative study of the world's major religious traditions. The basic beliefs of Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam will be explored. A comparative framework for religious studies will be provided, and essential differences between Eastern and Western religions will be noted. Literary texts and iconographic images will be studied as appropriate. 3 hrs. lecture/wk.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor's course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Prerequisites: NONE

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Define “religion” and describe the diversity of religious experience.
2. Identify the major texts, central religious figures, and ideas of the world’s great religions.
3. Recognize concepts and issues basic to the study of religions in a comparative framework.
4. Identify the iconic and artistic traditions of the world’s religions.
5. Apply critical methodologies for determining truth that permit correction and dialogue, and that subject the student’s cultural beliefs and values to critical, reflective thought.
6. Describe the historical context and development of the world’s major religions and their systems of value.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. Introduction to Religion
   A. Definition
   B. Approaches
   C. The Nature of Religious Experience

II. Primal Religions: Africa, the Americas, Australia
   A. Religion of Indigenous Peoples
   B. Shamanism

III. Religions of the Ancient World: Europe and Persia
   A. Religion in Prehistoric Cultures
   B. Egypt and the Near East; Greece and Rome
   C. Religion of Persia: Zoroastrianism

IV. Hinduism: India
   A. Pre-Vedic India
   B. The Vedas and Brahmanism
   C. Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita
   D. Spiritual Disciplines: Yogas and Gurus

V. Buddhism: Southeast Asia, China and Japan
   A. The Life of the Buddha
   B. The Dharma: Theravada (Hinayana) and Mahayana Buddhism
   C. Devotional Buddhism: Pure Land Buddhism
   D. The Spread of Buddhism: China and Tibet: Vajrayana Buddhism
   E. The Spread of Buddhism: Japan: Zen Buddhism

VI. Confucianism: China
   A. Master Kung’s (Confucius) Life
   B. The Analects
   C. Neo-Confucianism

VII. Taoism: China
   A. Indigenous Chinese Religion
   B. Lao-Tzu and the Tao Te Ching
   C. Immortals Taoism

VIII. Judaism: The Middle East and Eastern Europe
   A. Jewish History and the Tanakh
   B. Covenant and Prophesy
   C. Rabbinical Judaism: The Septuagint, Dead Sea Scrolls, Talmud
   D. The Holocaust and Contemporary Judaism

IX. Christianity: Europe and the West
   A. The Life and Times of Jesus: The Gospels
   B. The Apostolic Age: Acts and the Letters of Paul
   C. The Early Churches: Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox
   D. The Protestant Reformation
   E. Contemporary Trends in Christianity

X. Islam: the Middle East
   A. The Prophet Muhammad: the Qur’an
   B. The Five Pillars of Islam
   C. Sunni and Shi’ite sects; Sufism
   D. The Spread of Islam

XI. New Religious Movements
   A. Protodox Religions – Fundamentalism and Sectarian Movements
   B. Ectodox Religions – Imported Religious Traditions
   C. Neodox Religions – 19th and 20th Century Experiments
   D. Mystical Subjectivism – Contemporary Religious
Movements

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

Student grades will be based on a minimum of three examinations which
will constitute 50% to 75% of the final grade. In addition to these
examinations, 20% to 30% of the final grade will consist of other grading
methods which may include supplemental examinations, writing assignments,
research papers, class presentations, or field trips. The remaining
percentage will be left to the instructor’s discretion for such items as
attendance, participation in class discussion, or the like.

Caveats:

1. Students will be required to visit appropriate religious and cultural institutions in the Kansas City area.
2. Students should also note that a substantial portion of their class grade will be based on writing.

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.